Open Sight Improvements

[Jimbob]

Evening (well it is here),
I have semi buckhorn sights on me Uberti 1885, I've read various odds and sods about open sights but a lot of it is target shooting based.
I like the sights on it but what I'm after is to increase gathered light and have a bit more precision aswell.
John Taylor mentioned about angling the back (express) sight forward to gather more light which seems sound advice but obviously he had a big front bead for DG.
I could slim the blade down for precision but then it's harder t see.

Anyone have any advice for improving open sights?

 

[Velo Dog]

Have you considered a tang peep rear sight to go with your existing front blade?
With same, you could use a larger aperture to let in more light / target acquisition.

 

[Jimbob]

I have had a look but wasn't keen on my eye being that close to the sight since the rifle is in a heavy recoiling calibre when loaded up some.
They do look perfect otherwise though

 

[Velo Dog]

I have had a look but wasn't keen on my eye being that close to the sight since the rifle is in a heavy recoiling calibre when loaded up some.
They do look perfect otherwise though

That is an excellent point.
The copy of a Sharps heavy target rifle that I once had was only in .45-70 and it weighed 13 pound so, recoil was not a serious consideration.
Now that you have pointed it out, I agree that your High-Wall in the more powerful cartridge would be a concern with any sight placed too close to the eye.

 

[Jimbob]

Current thoughts are to paint the aft face of the blade white or maybe dayglo (don't know if I can do that to such a nice rifle though, so most likely white)
From there I may angle the rear sight forward.
I'm just concerned about overcast days in woods in the UK being a bit dim for the old girl.
I doubt i'd have such problems in SA.

 

[sestoppelman]

Evening (well it is here),
I have semi buckhorn sights on me Uberti 1885, I've read various odds and sods about open sights but a lot of it is target shooting based.
I like the sights on it but what I'm after is to increase gathered light and have a bit more precision aswell.
John Taylor mentioned about angling the back (express) sight forward to gather more light which seems sound advice but obviously he had a big front bead for DG.
I could slim the blade down for precision but then it's harder t see.

Anyone have any advice for improving open sights?

Yep, buy a scope!!

But no seriously. Open sights are generally better for those with young eyes or really good glasses. I have neither. I do strangely still shoot pretty well with open Express type sights, but on my most recent hunt I took a Model 95 Winchester (Miroku) in .405 Win with a Williams Fool Proof peep sight which I found I could shoot better than the factory opens. For all the shooting I did I could have done fine with no sights! One critter at under 50 yards! I have a Rossi M92 in .44-40 with opens that I can shoot really well at 50 yards though, buckhorn style at that.

 

[Sika98k]

My ropey eyes won't allow me to use open sights but back in the day an Ivory front bead was used. A bit of white paint would not be too much sacrilege.

 

[Jimbob]

For some reason I can't post what I wanted to write.
I think white nail polish or maybe glitter gold on the aft edge of the blade should do nicely. The gold may help with light a little more

 

[spike.t]

I have had a look but wasn't keen on my eye being that close to the sight since the rifle is in a heavy recoiling calibre when loaded up some.
They do look perfect otherwise though

i have two .458 lotts with peep sights and havent managed to impale myself on them so far..........

 

[Jimbob]

Firstly, cheers Spike, I won't write that idea off yet.
Secondly, let's have a look

 

[Royal27]

i have two .458 lotts with peep sights and havent managed to impale myself on them so far..........

I have a feeling I'm going to end up with something like this on my new Lott. I just know I don't want a scope on it.

 

[spike.t]

Firstly, cheers Spike, I won't write that idea off yet.
Secondly, let's have a look

not a great photo with my phone

 

[Jimbob]

Nice rifle that mate. Used it in anger at all?
I see you have a receiver sight on there. That may work nicely over the tang arrangement we talked about earlier
I'll give them a google

 

[spike.t]

so far only on a charging puku that i shot for meat .

 

[Velo Dog]

not a great photo with my phone

View attachment 31770

Beauty !

 

[Jimbob]

Not the Puku!!! You're a brave man, I've heard they're called 'the golden brown death'

 

[spike.t]

Not the Puku!!! You're a brave man, I've heard they're called 'the golden brown death'