Making a barrel band sight for a 336. It has a blade slot parallel to the barrel. I would like a white bead about 0.1" in diameter. Any ideas on what to use that will hold up. Thanks

Ivory is the old school way. Warthog tusks will work. I can send you some to try. No charge. Lukeswoveland 719-249-1991

Red or green plastic is nice on a factory gun, designed for hunting, but nostalgia calls for wart hog Ivory, just depends on the individuals taste. I would always go with Ivory, but doubt its as practical or as effective in the long grass..

Or just buy one from NECG: https://www.newenglandcustomgu...products.php?cat=337

bargain if you DIY. Tagua nut. AKA Vegetable Ivory. postage would be more than the product.


http://www.oneworldprojects.ne...x.cfm?productID=6954

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/tagua-nuts-5-piece

What bigluke suggested.

Interesting this thread came up. Just this weekend I made up a new front bead for my 404. Used a plug cutter to section out a piece of ivory from a warthog tusk. Put it in a drill and flied it down to the needed dimensions. It was for a NECG front sight and took me about an hour and a half to do it, pretty simple really and now my front sight is from a warthog I shot in 2020.

I've made several sight beads from Ivory micarta rod available from knifemaker supply houses. Easy to work with and durable.

If you want I have some elephant ivory from piano keys. I can send you a piece if it will help. PM me if so.

Wow, thanks guys. Lot's of options. I looked at NECG but the band/blade are all to tall.

Pretty hard to beat the old fashion Redfield Sourdough "blade" with a angled gold inlay pared with a receiver sight on a hunting rifle..I filed out the gold and use a piece of warthop Ivory to replace it..I really liked it, on my 404.