I'm having a 375 Ackley built. Struggling with the decision on wether or not to put a band type (like the NECG)front sight and quarter rib with Sight similar to the ruger factory rib. I will scope this rifle with a 1.7 to 10 and will always hunt that way barring a disaster. I know on low power I'll see the barrel or barrel and front sight. I know the sights would be a classy finish to this gun but I'm not sure I'll ever use them. I know I shouldn't worry about resale, because that will be someone elses issue. Thoughts?

For what its worth, I have had two hunts saved by quality iron sights on my rifle and some practice using them before leaving home. NECG makes some great sights but my experience with the fiber optic beads is that they grow dim over a peroid of years. Talley now makes a pop-up peep sight that is part of the rear scope base and is held down by the scope until it is removed. That would save some weight and the cost of the quarter rib. I personally much prefer a rear mounted peep sight or ghost ring over a barrel mounted rear sight. I would install the front barrel band sight and then use a reciever mounted aperture of one type or another.

Excepting small bores, I have no use for slick barreled rifles. The farther from home that I have to travel to hunt, the less confidence I have in rifles without top quality irons. Especially for a rifle in that caliber, I wouldn't consider building it without sights and detachable mounts.

Don't have to use a quarter rib. An island type express rear would be fine. If you don't use irons regularly, forget a ghost ring and fit an express. I find aperture sights useless in low light and well made express sights very good.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

How are you stocking the rifle? Classic with deep magazine or synthetic stock? The quarter rib can limit the size objective bell you want to use on the scope.

From your post it sounds like you would be better served with a spare scope zeroed in rings ready for mounting in the field than the express sights.

Definitely go with quality iron sights. You can't beat NECG/Recknagels.

And as has been said, pay attention to the stock design so that it has the right drop at comb and heel to do double duty.

I only have one rifle that has a slick barrel and often think of adding sights to it. I'm currentl having a 257Roberts built and it will have an ERA pedastal rear and Banded front ramp. To me a rifle is incomplete without iron sights period.

1978, Ruger #1 in 7mmMag, Colorado Elk hunt, snow. Missed a chance at a huge bull because of the snow hitting the lens of the scope. Yeah, I did have lens caps, but... The worst part was it was witnessed by a friend. I may have had difficulty with open sights if I'd had them, but not as much as I did with the wet lens.

I have evolved away from the express rear, prefer a peep with patridge front. And QD scope.

As far as low light: Illuminated reticle 1.5-5X Leupold.

That puts all open/iron sights to shame.

The backup scope should be something similar to that.

You will be better served in all situations with that combo.

The express rear interferes with use of a peep unless it is a fold-down, but that is a no-no to some.

Ultimate combo:
1) Hooded, banded front sight of your choice
2) fold down rear express
3) pop-up peep
4) Illuminated 1.5x-5x scope
5) 2.5x-8x or 1.75x-6x or other scope depending on the rifle.

With QD rings you have two sets of iron sights sharing a common front sight, and two scopes.
Redundancy so simple and easy is not a bad thing.

375 Ackley, yes I would do iron sights. Too many variables in the use of a DGR not to have them. R.

Many experience people believe iron sights are superflous in the age of reliable scopes. Unless, perhaps you're on an unguided DG hunt. Most of us old farts shoot far better with scopes. Just my opinion, but I could be wrong.

Us old farts trip and fall down alot more than we used to also. One good whack on a rock and your scope is junk and with no iron sights you are SOL.

All my guns have iron sights and I use them. They are set up for irons with Talleys bases and QD rings..

I don't want a big objective scope on any rifle, the longer and bigger a scope is the easier it is to knock out of zero and I see this every year...

A 1x4, 1.5x5 or a 3X Leupold is all the scope one will ever need on a dangerous game rifle and its been all I have ever needed on any rifle short of a varmint rifle...If you cannot hit a big game animal with a 3X scope then your taking shots that you should be ashamed of.

Every car should have a spare tire and jack, and the driver should know how to use them in an emergency.

what KurtC said!!

Rich
DRSS

Hi Guys

The iron sights on my 458 Lott are filed in for a 500 gn bullet @ 50 yd zero. I have a 1-4 x 24 zeiss QD scope to allow me to shoot other lighter/faster bullets which have a different POI. This gives you a 100% fall back position when life gets difficult.

Mark