It's a long story, but I'm finally going to build my semi-custom rifle. It is a 280, on a commercial Mauser action. It will have a heavy sporter barrel, somewhere between .650 and .700. I do not like a 'slick' barrel. I want sights!!! I know, I know, but I still want sights. It seems to me that most of the beter sights are sweated on. I am considering building the gun w/out sights, if I can find a good set of screw-on sights. That way I might learn to live w/out them. What screw-on sights do you recommend and where to get them? thanks capt david

For starters, try these:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.as...LASSIC+EXPRESS+SIGHT

or,

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.as...&title=EXPRESS+SIGHT

or,

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.as...ESS+SIGHTS+%26+BASES

FWIW, they don't have to be sweated on. Screw on sights are just fine and they can be installed as an after thought without having to refinish the metal. Or, if you prefer, they can be sweated on. Your choice.

question-

how do you get the radii of the sight base (front or rear sight) to match that of the barrel?

thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by tin can:
question-

how do you get the radii of the sight base (front or rear sight) to match that of the barrel?

thanks.

I use a milling attachment on the lathe to hold the sight, and set the amount of radius with an adjustable boring bar to make the cut.

thanks, can it be done without milling, I mean "by hand" by some method?

quote:

Originally posted by tin can:
thanks, can it be done without milling, I mean "by hand" by some method?

Sure, you can trace the radius on the front of the sight base and then use a round file to cut the radius. By hand, it will be very difficult maintaining the axis of the radius with that of the sight. If you misalign the axis of the sight, it will sit at an angle. Go slow and check the fit often.