Rifle Barrel Sight Installation Placement

[Cpl. Ashencheeks]

I would like to know if there is a general rule to placing basic sights on a muzzleloader barrel.

On most long barrels that I have looked at on long rifles, I have seen the rear placed somewhere near the portion of the fore stock where some people might place their support hand.

I have a 42 inch barrel I need to put sights on at some point and do not really have an idea on where to place the rear sight.

Does anyone have a general rule they follow?

 

[Coot]

Two general thoughts on rear sight placement:

Sights further down the barrel are easier for older eyes to use than are sights closer to the eye. If not now, then a few years down the road you may wish the sight was a bit further away.

Find the balance point of the rifle (where you would carry the gun) and do not put the sight where you will want to hold it (the gun) for carry.

 

[Swamp Rat]

One close to the muzzle and one back further from the muzzle, oh and on top flat. :haha: You said General. I was reading somewhere about using a thin magnet like refrigerator to test different locations for the rear sight for the guys with older/weak eyes. Thought that was a good tip to share.
I'll let someone with more knowledge answer you for what your actually looking for.

 

[Onojutta]

Advice I was given by someone with a lot more knowledge and experience than me was to place the front dovetail the width of three fingers back from the muzzle.

For the rear sight there is no hard rule. Many originals have it right near the balance point. I located mine above the ramrod entry thimble because I did not want it right where my hand would go when carrying the rifle at the balance point. I chose to locate it forward of the balance point, as opposed to rear of the balance point, because of all the guys who say it is harder to see when it is closer toward the breech. I have seen a Mike Brooks rifle that has the rear sight positioned the way I did it over the rear entry thimble.

I personally think it looks a little better when it is more toward the breech, so on my next rifle I may opt to locate it rear of the balance point instead. In theory, the further back the rear sight is, the better the accuracy too.

 

[galamb]

Here's one example of a number of rifles all built by the same shop (Hawken Brothers in this case).

You can see that all the trigges are pretty well lined up so it's quite easy to see the variations in placement of the rear sight.

Because of the varying barrel lengths it's a little more difficult to see the front sight placement, but looking close it's apparent that there is some differences in the distance from the muzzle. While some may be due to cutting back the muzzle a touch because of damage (maybe) - otherwise there doesn't seem to be "some rule" as to where they were placed.

We tend to obsess over small things looking for how far, how much etc etc - I would suggest that the builders "back when" where not so finicky about the small details or, in the case of rear sights, as noted here, the customer may have had "some input".

Most of these were "made to order", it's not like today where Remington cranks out a few thousand rifles and you get what they make the way they make it.

Anyhow, here's the pic...

 

[Black Hand]

I have a 42 inch barrel I need to put sights on at some point and do not really have an idea on where to place the rear sight.

Place the rear sight where you can see it clearly. It is not unknown for the sight to be moved forward as a person ages, and the unused dovetail filled.

 

[MSW]

Two general thoughts on rear sight placement:

Sights further down the barrel are easier for older eyes to use than are sights closer to the eye. If not now, then a few years down the road you may wish the sight was a bit further away.

Find the balance point of the rifle (where you would carry the gun) and do not put the sight where you will want to hold it (the gun) for carry.

+1 ... also, put the front sight far enough back so that you're not always whacking into it with your hand when you go to load the rifle (I put mine back about 2 1/2 inches from the crown, which works well for me - you mileage may vary.)

good luck with your build!

 

[Vaino]

Lately all my builds are "spec builds" and naturally they're w/o customer input. So....had to decide on some dims for what I think is "everyman" buying my MLers.

The rear sight is located by having the rifle held at the balance point w/ all components installed and placing the sight towards the muzzle side of my hand. Haven't had any complaints w/ this location. This usually places the rear sight somewhere above the entry pipe depending on the swamped bbl used.

The front sight dovetail center is 1-1/2" from the muzzle.....Fred

 

[ZUG]

I place the front sight as Flehto does then I tape the rear sight in a position that fits the customer if he is present. If he is not available then I ask him his age and what condition are his eyes in (glasses, near or far sighted, no glasses) also I ask if he has a rifle that "fits" him well and ask for that sight placement. Not much more you can do :hmm: . The type of sight will also make a slight difference in positioning (wide, narrow, vee slot).

 

[Cpl. Ashencheeks]

Thanks for all the input everyone, I do appreciate it.

Yes I was sort of thinking about the location that would possible be used by most others as well as my self.

The possibility of having a rifle that could be sold later or handed down to someone else where they would not have too much difficulty sighting the rifle in.

Once again, thank you for all the responses.

 

[Gustavo Hoefs]

Before installing the front sight lean the rifle against the wall to check the front sight placement will have clearance when you lean it up against things like trees or barns etc. And maybe bend or damage the front sight.

 

[Pete G]

FWIW; most original longrifles had the rear sight somewhere near the rear entry pipe.