iron sights

448 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Mac 1, May 23, 2003

sisu

Discussion Starter · May 21, 2003

When I started target shooting (only a few months back). I assumed that I should be using circular front inserts on my front sight (Lyman Apertures). I assumed they would be the most accurate since the Anschutz guys next to me were using circular front sight inserts. Last week a guy at the range suggested I try the thick vertical post insert and much to my surprise my groups improved. I am wondering what types of iron sights and front aperture inserts other people favour for straight target shooting and silhouette matches. Maybe it's just that my eyes are getting old. By the way, I did try all of the different sizes of circular insterts before switching. Thanks.

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Al D.

· #2 · May 21, 2003

Sisu,
Just how old are those eyes? This may be the clue to what you should use. First of all, you will not find a whole lot of post front sights in smallbore bullseye shooting. There are some triangle front sights on the market, but you will not see too many of them either. I was having some vision problems and it was suggested that I try the post front. I did, and immediately went back to the aperture. In picking the size of your front aperture, use the rule of thumb that it should be 1.5 to 2 times the size of the bull. This means about 2.8 to 3.6 mm. I use Rx glasses to get my front sight in focus. I also use a .3 diopter lens in my front sight to get the bull a bit bigger (but not in focus). This is legal in NRA but not in International shooting. So, my front aperture is now 4.4 to 4.5 mm in dia. Hope this info helps.
As to silhouette shooting with iron sights. I have tried that too with an aperture front sight. No problem seeing and hitting the chickens, pigs, and rams. But, the turkeys were a challenge. The bigges problem is hitting the right one. I now use a scope like everyone else.

Al

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sisu

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 21, 2003

49 years old with bifocals. It just seems that if I get the bullseye sitting on top of the post the groups are better at least at 25 metres. With the larger ring front aperture it seems that it is too easy to be not quite on centre. When I move down to a smaller ring with less white around the bullseye, it seems harder to keep the bullseye focussed. Maybe it's time to move to a scope.

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rmd

· #4 · May 21, 2003

sisu said:
When I move down to a smaller ring with less white around the bullseye, it seems harder to keep the bullseye focussed. Maybe it's time to move to a scope.

That may be part of the problem right there. Your focus should be on the front sight, not on the bullseye. Yes, the target will be slightly (or in my case, terribly) fuzzy but it's a lot easier to consistently align a fuzzy target with a sharply focused front sight than the other way round. Try this with the post and aperture front sight and see if the post is still better for you.

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Jay

· #5 · May 22, 2003

55 yrs old and I use .040" apertures on the rear and a post or aperture on the front. The "pinhole effect" lets me shoot peeps without my glasses (tri-focals).....for an old man, with old eyes, and several old rifles, I have a whole of fun at the range.

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slickjem

· #6 · May 22, 2003

FOCUS ????

I am 67 years old and I shoot silhouettes. The facts are you must get that front sight in focus and with my regular prescription, with tri-focals that is difficult.
On my last trip to the eye Dr., I told him about my problem. He said that was no problem and prescribed me a set of lenses just for shooting iron sight pistol / works perfect with a rifle also as the front blade is about the same distance from your eye.
The front sight blade is in focus and the target is fuzzy but I can hit with some regulatity.. IT WON'T STOP THE SHAKING!!!

Jerry

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3690

· #7 · May 22, 2003

sisu said:
49 years old with bifocals. It just seems that if I get the bullseye sitting on top of the post the groups are better at least at 25 metres. With the larger ring front aperture it seems that it is too easy to be not quite on centre. When I move down to a smaller ring with less white around the bullseye, it seems harder to keep the bullseye focussed. Maybe it's time to move to a scope.

I am 71. I use my computer glasses for shooting and can then focus on the front sight. I cannot tell when the fuzzy bull is sitting on the post and therefore I do much better with the aperture front sight since it is easier for me to center the bull.

I use both a post and an aperture shooting cast bullets at 100 and 200 yards. The aperture is better except for those occasional rare days when I see really well. I just had my eyes checked yesterday and am still seeing 20/20, this being a step down since when my prescription was new I was seeing 20/15.

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sisu

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 22, 2003

Thanks for the advice. I had thought about getting prescription glasses just for the range. The fact of the matter is I have never really been taught the theory of using aperture sights so I appreciate the imput and will try out your suggestions this weekend and let you know how it goes. Cheers.

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Mac 1

· #9 · May 23, 2003

Aperature sights:

Another option that will help in getting the front aperature in focus is a variable aper. rear sight such as an Merit Var. iris disc or an Gheman disc.

Which one, is dependent on what rear sight you are using because of the different thread sizes the rear aper. screws into.

Either can be had from Champions Choice Shooters Supply. Don't have their e-mail address right now.

Mac 1.

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