Sight Placement, Especially Rear

flatcreek · Nov 17, 2024

Putting a new barrel together and having old eyes was looking for some advice for rear sight placement and type. Now I use a peep available from TOTW placed in the normal position, should I move this to the breech or maybe try a different sight like a Skinner or something else? Like to have some thoughts from some with more experienced.
Thanks Phil

Phil Coffins · Nov 17, 2024

Place the sight of choice on the barrel then shoulder the rifle as if to shoot. Slide it forward and back till it is the best place for your eye. Also make sure it’s not where the gun balances in your hand.

waksupi · Nov 17, 2024

Widen the rear notch so you have light on both sides of the front sight. I did that on my rifles, got my cataracts removed, and was welding the notches to re-cut to more narrow!

bldtrailer · Nov 17, 2024

you can use a peep sight and or co witness with barrel mounted rear sights.
fore placement of rear sight I take a strong magnet and placing it on the barrel and try all different lengths till a clearer sight picture, it also depends on how wide the notch

in the rear sight is. I like to use peeps to work up loads for a rifle co witnessing ,then sight in open sights( peeps force the same sight and rifle mounting to find the rifles best load, then it's only your limitations

with open sights)

oldwood · Nov 17, 2024

A thin sheet of refrigerator magnet between the barrel and new unmounted perpendicular blade rear sight allows back and forth movement of the sight to make positioning easy. A Johnson rear peep sight modified by cutting in half , on an angle , and mounting it from the bottom of the tang by a single small screw is wonderful. Standard inserts widely available fit into this sight. I think the Johnson Peep sight is available from Track of the Wolf or Ml Builder Supply...... :thumb:

longcruise · Nov 18, 2024

With that peep, I'd say move towards the breech. They are more effective as they get closer to the eye.

If it were me, and I'm aware that not all of my opinions are not shared, if staying with a peep style I'd switch to something adjustable for vertical adjustment. Downside, it won't look very traditional.

Spikebuck · Nov 19, 2024

Peeps are best mounted close to your eye. I have used the Johnson peep, available from Muzzleloader Builders Supply, on several rifles. I use a Williams Twilight Aperture with them. It's not adjustable, so all that must be done with the front sight.

If you stick with the traditional sight, as pictured, I also recommend the previous tips to open the slot enough so you have some daylight on both sides of your front blade.

This about as far forward as I've mounted a peep and it worked very well.

Rifleman1776 · Nov 19, 2024

Peep or open is a matter of choice and how the rifle will be used. However, with open sights they must be moved forward so aging eyes can focus on them. One should have a friend and a bench rest to determine where they should go. Try sighting and have friend move forward to where they look good for you. Mark the spot, cut new dovetails and insert the enjoy. (Note: they may end up half way down the barrel. In museums you might be surprised to see how many rifles are like that. There used to be a saying that you can tell the age of the rifles owner by where the rear sight is located.) There is an upside to the old eyes issue. Many clubs are now dispensing with rules that prohibit peep sights. If you like the peeps use them as others here have suggested.

waksupi · Nov 19, 2024

A work around for a primitive rear sight, is to put on a buck horn. File the opening to round, and a highly visible front sight. The buckhorn can then be used as an aperture sight. The open part of the top of the sight doesn't distract from centering the front sight. It's also a fast to use sight in brush or poor light.

Flint62Smoothie · Nov 19, 2024

Aperture 'peep' sights definitely work best close to the eye, which will naturally center it.

But also try putting an aperture on your shooting glasses! With my rear sight blade 10" forward of the breech plug line, I can see the sights as clearly now as when I could when i was far, far younger!

Try it, as I've recevied DOZENS of thanks and complements from members here who have tried it out ...

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...our-glasses-so-you-can-see-the-sights.160334/

Sight Placement, Especially Rear

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