I had gotten to the point where I could no longer clearly see the iron sights on my doubles and stopped shooting them.

In speaking with New Guy a few months ago he recommended I install a red dot on my 470 Evans. I purchased a Docter Optic 3.5moa from him and sent it and the Evans barrels to JJ to have the sight fitted.

JJ sent the barrels back earlier this week and I went to the range this afternoon to try it out.

Suffice to say I am very pleased with how the rifle shot.

The target below represents what I was able to do with a right and left at 50yds.

I wish I had done this earlier.

Great result.

Was it coordinating the front and back sight? Or beads too small or focus issue?

I am tempted. My 375 double has a scope and would be good to try something like a Doctor.

Using open sights on both the front beads are way too small, about 0.07", especially compared to my 404J with 0.1" bead.

Either way I find beads are much harder in contrasting light or into bright light.

quote:

Originally posted by Rockdoc:
Great result.

Was it coordinating the front and back sight? Or beads too small or focus issue?

I am tempted. My 375 double has a scope and would be good to try something like a Doctor.

Using open sights on both the front beads are way too small, about 0.07", especially compared to my 404J with 0.1" bead.

Either way I find beads are much harder in contrasting light or into bright light.

I know your problem! I have developed macular degeneration in my right eye, and I am right handed and simply cannot shoot left handed, so I'm n the process of putting together low powered scopes with lighted reticles for all my doubles and cape guns.

Your fix may well be the better choice and easier to have mounted as well. I like the way J.J. mounts them, very clean and doesn't change the irons in the least, or change the weight of the double rifle causing regulation problems.

…………………………………………………...

Love it! Glad that you've joined the red dot club!

Welcome to the club!

Let me think about this, I could let my double languish in the safe, or I can mount a small red dot on it and shoot it and hunt with it and enjoy it. No brainer!

quote:

Originally posted by lee440:
Let me think about this, I could let my double languish in the safe, or I can mount a small red dot on it and shoot it and hunt with it and enjoy it. No brainer!

Exactly!

Nice shots!)

Clean install

I liked the Docter Optic so much on my Evans I sent my Royal 500/450 off to be done as well.

In discussing with JJ we decided it better to make a mount to replace the rear sight instead of machining the rib like we did on the Evans.

While I lost some practicality I was able to maintain the originality of the Holland Royal for the next owner.

Was it the value of that rifle that kept you from milling the rib or was there not enough meat to it?

There was plenty of meat, it was the value.

Interesting to notice how far forward the Holland sight is compared to the Webley built Evans.

quote:

Originally posted by 470Evans:
I liked the Docter Optic so much on my Evans I sent my Royal 500/450 off to be done as well.

In discussing with JJ we decided it better to make a mount to replace the rear sight instead of machining the rib like we did on the Evans.

While I lost some practicality I was able to maintain the originality of the Holland Royal for the next owner.

Great idea. Lovely rifle!

What is the farthest you would feel comfortable shooting game with the H&H now that it has the red dot? 150 yards? What year was your rifle built?

You certainly do not see rifles of that pedigree with reflex sights! While it is heresy to the old guard, I firmly believe these sights allow this grand old guns to remain in use.

When I save up enough to purchase a double rifle we are going to have to have some provision for a reflex sight, hopefully 1 MOA.

I just got the Holland back from JJ today so haven't shot it with the sight yet. I have shot the Evans to 100yds with ease at my range which only goes to 100. I would be comfortable beyond that but not sure how far.

The rifle was built in 1904 for Lord de Clifford who died in an automobile accident in 1909. The rifle was subsequently sold second hand in 1929 by H&H.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...th_Baron_de_Clifford

Beautiful H&H. Did JJ tap and drill the Rib?Or use the existing rear sight?

I was about to say I nteresting period to die in a car accident, but cars were topping 100mph back then and I’m sure he was on the wrong side of the road and the wheel also!

Beautiful guns.

quote:

Originally posted by Slider:
Beautiful H&H. Did JJ tap and drill the Rib?Or use the existing rear sight?

For the Royal he drifted out the original rear sight and machined a new plate to fit in the existing dovetail. He then mounted the optical sight to the new plate. To replace the original sight I just drift out the new plate and replace it with the original sight.

In this way there are no modifications to the rifle. The only downside is if I want to use the original sights I have to reinstall them.

The advantage to the method on my Evans is to use the original sight I just unscrew the optical sight and remove it as the original sights are still installed but it required some machining to the rib that I preferred not to do with the Holland.

The other clever aspect of both of these setups is the optical sight unscrews with the rim of the cartridge vs a screwdriver.