While selecting some iron sights for a rifle project I noticed that Brownell's has a formula for selecting the height of your sights. I used the formula but haven't completed the project. How crucial is it to use the formula?

can you post the formula or the link to it? I'll take a look at it and tell you if it would work for me. I have a funny face, not just to look at but the shape I guess, and most sights that will work for others are too low for me. NECG is sending me a new rear blade right now for my safari express 375.

Red

it's important.....however I've just assumed that if I can select sights that are parallel to the line of bore then I have enough adjustmant in the rear to allow for some slop.....this has worked for me......good luck,,,,,are you finally putting sights on that .375 H&H?

I assume that this is all about the maximum point blank range of the gun and not the selection of one site in relation to one that is already on the gun. As a gunsmith the rule of thumb is 1.5 inches above the center of the bore to give a maximum point blank range of 300 yards with magnums and a scope. With iron sites we figure 7/8 of one inch to one inch to give a maximum point blank range of 200 yards with iron sites. I suppose you could make a kinky formula that would tell you what to do for every given caliber! But how far do you need to over complicate some things to gain virtually nothing? Rod Henrickson

damn good tool for firguring out what you might have missed

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/sight.aspx

jeffe

Speerchucker,
First off, welcome to AR.

What they are talking about is the formula that gives you a sight base (with the adjustment at the min) so that the top of the front sight and the v in the rear form a line of sight that is parallel to the bore. Elevation of the rear sight will allow for drop and gain you some range.

You were discussing scope set ups. Generally most scopes are set at 1.5" + or minus above the bore depending on ring heights. If you want to have a point blank range around 300 yards you will need to adjust the scope about 3" high at 100 yards. Less with some high velocity rounds and more with some of the slow pokes but it is a good starting place.