Best modern open sights for flintlock

[pamtnman]

Recognizing that we are trying to stay as traditional as possible, nonetheless a time comes when the eyes don’t see the traditional open sights the way we used to.
Today I discovered that time has arrived, as I had a legal but small buck in my sights, and it took every ounce of focus to keep the new sights (new gun) on him.
Thought I had this figured out during the recent sighting in process: white paint on small V notch rear sight and pink nail polish on front sight.
It’s all blurring.
This new gun needs upgraded sights.
Recommendations please

 

[SDSmlf]

This new gun needs upgraded sights.
Recommendations please

Might not be the gun or the sights…. WITHOUT using the rear sight, can you clearly see front sight? If not, start at your local WallyWorld or drugstore and find some 1.00 and/or 1.25 readers to see if they help you focus. You may also what to try a relatively wide (.080”-.100”) flat top square front sight. If you find a combination of glasses and front sight that works, time to move on to the rear sight. I find the best ‘open’ sight type is a wide notch (light is clearly visible on both sides of the front sight), though not quite as effective as a peep sight with a larger aperture.

Final recommendation, visit an ophthalmologist (they are an actual medical doctor) for an exam, not an optometrists (they don’t go to medical school for their degree), and explain your dilemma during the visit. They should be able to help.

 

[tdoyka]

find an eye doc.

3 or 4 years ago, i went to eye doc and it is nearsightedness. he gave me a prescription eyeglasses and i wear them.

i did another thing in my rifles. it is either aperture sights or fiber optics sight. i use Redfield, Lyman and Williams aperture sights.

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...0878?msockid=2f41c5a48f7f61552e8dd0f88ef06039

 

[pamtnman]

Thanks men. I am going to install a fiber optic front sight to begin with. The rear sight is what is messing me up more. Here is the thing: I killed three deer in rifle season using two different guns this season. Saw just fine for those shots. Something is going on here

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

Try using 1.0 readers while shooting.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Thanks men. I am going to install a fiber optic front sight to begin with. The rear sight is what is messing me up more. Here is the thing: I killed three deer in rifle season using two different guns this season. Saw just fine for those shots. Something is going on here

Before you "install", check on your arrangement.

Repro muzzleloaders place the open, iron, rear sight where it would go if it was mounted on a modern rifle, i.e. the same distance from the shooter's eye. AH but in most cases we are talking about an octagon barrel (NOT a round barrel joined to a receiver), so the rear sight may be moved forward, away from the shooter's eye, allowing for that eye which likely has some age, to better use the sights.

Sure, one might have to "open" the rear sight notch a bit, when doing this. Use some fine emery paper when doing this. sometimes not only moving the sight forward, but also switching to a peep sight helps the aging, dominant eye of the shooter. When moving the peep forward, a larger hole may be needed, AND understand that less light comes through so shots very very early in the morning or very very late in the evening may not be possible.

Also YES you will be shortening the sight plane when doing this BUT most traditional muzzleloaders have a sight plane that is sooo much longer than common modern rifles (which are successful for hunting) that losing a few inches of the traditional muzzleloader sight plane isn't going to make a difference ESPECIALLY when you factor in being able to truly see the sights now that they are in their new position.

LD

 

[Buff1958]

I have had good luck with a fiber optic front and rear peep

 

[pamtnman]

Before you "install", check on your arrangement.

Repro muzzleloaders place the open, iron, rear sight where it would go if it was mounted on a modern rifle, i.e. the same distance from the shooter's eye. AH but in most cases we are talking about an octagon barrel (NOT a round barrel joined to a receiver), so the rear sight may be moved forward, away from the shooter's eye, allowing for that eye which likely has some age, to better use the sights.

Sure, one might have to "open" the rear sight notch a bit, when doing this. Use some fine emery paper when doing this. sometimes not only moving the sight forward, but also switching to a peep sight helps the aging, dominant eye of the shooter. When moving the peep forward, a larger hole may be needed, AND understand that less light comes through so shots very very early in the morning or very very late in the evening may not be possible.

Also YES you will be shortening the sight plane when doing this BUT most traditional muzzleloaders have a sight plane that is sooo much longer than common modern rifles (which are successful for hunting) that losing a few inches of the traditional muzzleloader sight plane isn't going to make a difference ESPECIALLY when you factor in being able to truly see the sights now that they are in their new position.

LD

Super helpful thank you, Dave. Really appreciate it. This is a gun made for me, in which we measured everything beforehand. The day i picked it up, Mark measured my eyes once again before installing the rear sight. Something is going on there that I am not handling. As you say, probably too small of a rear notch. I have all my deer and bear rifles stacked up for their annual migration back to the attic safes, but now I am going to look at their sights.
Re reading glasses, I am nearsighted and wear glasses so i can see beyond my extended arm. If I wear reading glasses, I probably will not be able to see what i am shooting at. But i can try it. Thanks again everyone

 

[smo]

The low power readers should help you see the rear sight clearly…
It’s worth a try.

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

I thought the same. But, if your eyes are as bad as mine the 1.0 readers will improve your vision on target and the sights. Its worth a $5 pair of cheapy glasses.

 

[2 shots]

what rifle do you need the sights for?

 

[pamtnman]

One thing I just noticed, heading out the door for a few hours of flintlock hunting, is that my now retired 54 has the same depth notch as the new 62 BSR. Difference is that the new gun rear sight is positively slathered in white paint. I think it is basically blinding me

 

[pamtnman]

what rifle do you need the sights for?

62 cal rifle, BSR, british sporting rifle. 28” barrel

 

[smo]

I tried white paint on the back of the rear sight as well.. didn’t help me any.

 

[yonderin]

Maybe you need better definition on your rear sight?

It rubs off easily so not a long term fix but if it helps determine your next step; I roll up masking or painters tape into a stick and burn it to blacken sights. A nice soft, solid black result with no reflection off the sight. Not permanent if it's not the solution to your issue.

If it does help you can look toward a permanent flat black finish.

 

[Sam squanch]

I have copied my sights after my berthier carbine sights, very thick front sight, wide shallow square notch rear. Front sight painted red, rear sight white. Definitely not target sights, but I can pick them up FAST, and consistently hit a 6” square target at 50 yards, which is the farthest distance I shoot game. If I need close tight groups- I get out the peep sighted rifle!

 

[pamtnman]

Used the patch knife to scrape off much of the white blob i had painted around the rear notch. Already greatly improved the view. Not sure what i was thinking. Separately, as I was walking into the woods, quietly, slowly, I ended up in the middle of a herd. Wind in my face. Closest was a spike 15 yards away, best shot 100 yards away. I let er rip from standing and watched them walk into the regen. Anyhow. I hunted, saw deer, got a shot, improved my rear sight, resolved to install a fiber optic front