Front Sight, What Is Correct Height?

[Landngroove]

When determining the height of the front sight, in this case for a T/C Renegade with an octagonal barrel, dovetail sight, is the sight height from the top of the barrel flat, or is the dovetail base added into the total height. I see that Marble's has sights listed in thier chart, from .260", to .570", and different increments in-between. So when they say a .260" sight, for example, is the height of the dovetail base figured in, or is this from the flat of the barrel to the top of the sight?

 

[walruskid1]

usually measured from the bottom of the dovetail to the top of the sight

 

[B.Habermehl]

Wallruskid is correct, the hight of the sight is measured from the bottom of the dovetail to the top of the sight. You will want the front sight about .060 lower than the rear sight at the middle of its adjustment range, normally. BJH

 

[walruskid1]

brownells has a nice page on figuring sight heights on their web site.

 

[Stumpkiller]

When figuring for a swamped or tapered barrel remember you will need to calculate the total height required by using the center of the bore (1/2 the measurement across the lands at that spot) as the datum line. Your rear sight may be 0.14" above the dovetail but your front may need be 0.16" depending on the barrel profile.

And remember, better to high then too short for the front. You can always file off metal.