Traditions Hawken Percussion

[gebudjr]

I have a kit gun that I'm assembling, I put the final coat on the wood and installed the brass. still need to fit the trigger assembly. My question is I buggered the rear sight screw (broke it almost flush) doing a test fit. The gun came with plastic front and rear. I purchased a marvel front gold bead and was thinking of installing a rear apeture sight something simular to this:
Link,,,I know its not correct, Is the gun capable of accuracy to warrant this sight? I am planning on using this set up this fall.
ps, this is my first muzzlerloader and just asking.
Gilbert

 

[paulvallandigham]

You don't need that kind of tang peep sight for hunting. Look for something less expensive( under $40.00), and that has a removeable disc. Use the small aperture for sighting in the gun at the range, but remove it, or get an extra disc that you can drill out to let you see more light through it, for hunting.

Your shots are not going to be at long range, and that sight is designed for shooting at long range targets- from 200 yards to 500 yards.

 

[BrownBear]

Don't own the gun myself, but know several folks who do. Universally they report great accuracy.

I probably wouldn't use that particular sight for hunting due to its bulk and exposed parts. It's more of a target sight than a hunting sight in my book, cool as it looks.

I'm a fan of peeps for hunting and have used them for years on cartridge guns. Though I started out with conventional sights on MLs, age and eyesight has forced me to go to peeps on my hunting guns. I've tried several, but settled on this one for the best compromise between bulk, utility and price. At $45.22 it's a sincere bargain.

My one concern with your Traditions Hawken is the ease of mounting any receiver (peep) sight. If the tang is not already drilled and tapped with holes having the right spacing, you'll be faced with adding one or having it done. Not a big deal to do yourself with the right tools, and not too expensive to have a competent gunsmith do it.

 

[Zonie]

gebudjr: First off, welcome to the forum. You've found the right place to get help and to learn all you ever wanted to know about muzzleloading.

The tang sight you referenced is much to tall for close range use and it will require a special tall front sight to go with it.
This style of sight was intended for long range target shooting.
If you decided to fold it down, it will lay on top of the stocks comb and be dangerously close to your eye if you try shooting the gun that way.

The sight that BrownBear linked to is an excellent sight for your purpose and it is hell for stout so it won't easily be knocked out of adjustment while carrying your gun.
You will probably have to drill and tap a hole or two in your guns tang to mount it but if your careful in locating the holes that is a pretty easy job to finish. (Lots of information about drilling and tapping on our site.)

Let us know what you think and, once again, welcome to the Forum.

 

[gebudjr]

Thanks guys for all the info, I will look into the tang mounted sight.
Gilbert

 

[BrownBear]

If it mounts reasonably on the Hawken, I think you'll be really happy with it for hunting. With the aperture disc screwed in, it's dandy for very precise shooting and hunting in normal light. With the aperture screwed out and in your pocket (it's finger tight and easy), the larger hole that remains is ideal for low light early and late in the day on hunts.

Peep or aperture sights are faster and clearer than any other sight I've ever used, hence my affection for them over the last 50 or so years on lever rifles. With that big old hole back there, you don't even see the rear sight and can concentrate on the front sight just like using a shotgun.

If you stalk hunt in tight quarters like I do, you'll be figuring out how to mount it on every gun you own, muzzleloader or not! Just try lining up conventional sights on a deer 20 feet away, doing 90 and set to disappear in two hops.

Yet the same sight with or without the aperture disc will be accurate as can be for precision shooting at the range limits of your gun.

What's not to like?