Another Handi Rifle (SB2 S44) sight replacement question

[Rob62]

Seasons Greetings All,

First off I would like to say that I did read the sticky at the top of the page on sights/FAQ.

However reading it has me a little confused as to what I actually need.  The gun in question is a new Handi Rifle chambered in .44 Remington Magnum.  If I am reading the serial number correctly for year of manufacture (SN: NR 266###) it was made in 2001.  Which means it was sitting around in a gun shop for quite a while.  It came with synthetic stock and iron sights.   

Yesterday was my first range session and while it shot OK I think I could have done much better with higher quality sights.  FWIW –The front sight blade is a too narrow to work well with the notch in the rear sight IMHO.

Like many people, I want to get one of the Williams type Peep sights.  I know that the there is a Williams WGRS available. But that sight if I understand correctly simply replaces the current rear sight and does not mount where the scope base goes.  Further if I do get a WGRS (factory rear sight replacement) then I can use the current front sight without any problems. 

However if I get any sight that mounts where the scope base goes then I would need to replace the front sight as well.  Is this correct.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards,
Rob

[Slufoot]

Hello Rob62,
The Williams WGRS peep sight for the H&R, mounts using the two scope mounting holes closest to the breech on the barrel.
I installed one on my 45-70 and was able to use the front sight that came on the barrel.
Hope this helps!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[jpshaw]

Rob62 - I'm doing the same thing with my .44 Mag.  I'm getting a Williams peep and hope I can use the existing front sight but may need a higher one.  Mine was made in 2002 and sadly it is one of the overbore (.432) instead of (.429) and is not the best shooter in the flock.  However, the guy from Beartooth bullets says he has some 285 grain bullets sized .432 with a long bearing surface that will be very accurate in mine.  I hope he is right.  Either way I will let you know if the front sight works after I put the peep on.  Like Slufoot said, the peep goes on the two scope base holes above the chamber closest to the breech.  Good luck with your rifle.

[pagris]

Rob62:  See my posting in this topic posting for info concerning installing a WGRS peep sight on my Handi:

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,123929.msg1098432694.html#msg1098432694

pagris

[Rob62]

Thanks for the comments.  Within the next day or so I will see if NEF/H&R Customer Service still has the WGRS peep sights available at $18 - that is a GREAT deal on this sight.  If not, I will get it through Brownells (dealer price is in the high $20 range).  If NEF/H&R do have the sight I will order one of their tall front sights as well.  It can't be that much money and will be good insurance in case the front sight that is currently on the rifle is too low.

I will update this thread with what happens and how this project works out.

Rob

[quickdtoo]

I wouldn't hesitate, they're gonna shut down for the next 2 weeks like they usually do, ya better call this week or wait until next year.

Tim

[Slufoot]

I wouldn't hesitate, they're gonna shut down for the next 2 weeks like they usually do, ya better call this week or wait until next year.

Tim

Hey Tim, I called yesterday morning about getting another barrel for my receiver and asked how long they were going to be closed for Christmas. The nice lady I was talking to told me they were only going to be closed on the 24th and 25th.
I didn't ask about New Years Day.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[quickdtoo]

That's new, they have always closed for about 10 days to 2 weeks, but maybe since they're so busy filling all those pistol caliber barrel orders, they can't!!

Thanks,

Tim

[jpshaw]

Rob62 - I just received my sight I bought from 44Man which came off of a BF.  It does look like it might need a higher front sight.  I had zeroed my original rear iron sight to be level with the front then left it on when I installed the rear peep.  Adjusted the peep all the way to the bottom then looked through it to center the front which showed the original rear low on the front meaning it would hit high with the peep all the way down.  This is on a .44 like yours so you will probably need a higher front sight too since our barrels are the same.  I will check with NEF which height sight is on the .44 and hopefully its not the highest one.

[superdown]

but maybe since they're so busy filling all those pistol barrel orders, they can't!! . Tim are they making pistols or making the BBls for someone else ? . superdown

[quickdtoo]

Indiana changed their deer hunting regs to allow rifles using pistol cartridges, the Handi is offered in several legal chamberings, it's impacted production at H&R heavily.

Tim

[superdown]

i knew  that i guess i got ahead of my self and was excited that they might start selling a pistol like TC ? thanks anyhow .superdown

[Rob62]

Partial Update - Thinking ahead to my next "Handi" project   I ordered two of the WGRS rear sights from H&R Customer Service on the 20th or 21st.  Total cost was $41.50 delivered.  With the Christmas holidays I am not expecting delivery before the new year    but that should be expected.

On a side note, I slugged my barrel and found two things.  First, my barrel is over bored at .432" measured distance between the grooves (lands on the slugged bullet).  And secondly, as I was driving the bullet down the bore with a sized wooden dowel, there were several places where the bullet really "skipped".  By that I mean sections of bore where it took hardly any pressure to move the bullet forward.  I presume that this means my bore is not concentric, or .432 uniformly down the bore.

(My procedure to slug a barrel while not fancy has worked well for me in the past.  I lube the bore with a high quality lube, in this case Shooters Choice.  I then start at the chamber end and place a soft lead bullet in the chamber/throat and drive it down the bore with a close to bore diamater wooden dowel or cleaning rod.  I use a small hammer to drive the rod/bullet down the bore.)

My initial range test while very limited did not indicate any serious accuracy issues, but I  was only shooting at 25 yards.  For now I will probably wait until the sights come before I shoot this rifle again. 

Happy Holidays,
Rob

[Rob62]

After what seemed like forever, the sight(s) finally arrived today.  I placed it on the rear of the barrel and compared how it lined up with the original factory rear sight/front sight. 

With the peep aperture set as low as possible the peep sight actually seemed like it would work with the current factory front.  I know this is not what has been the experience of many people.

I should be able to get out to the range within the next week and report how it shoots.

Regards,
Rob

[Rob62]

I went to the range a few days ago to test out the WGRS rear peep sight with the factory front.  As was expected the rifle shot about 9” high at 50 yards even with the peep set at its lowest setting. 

For those that care about the exact dimensions.

Barrel diameter at muzzle .800” – height of factory front sight above barrel .400”
Barrel Diameter at Chamber 1.110” – height of peep center, set at center of adjustment range .500 above barrel (Total height 1.610”)  Doing the math and talking to Brownell’s Service Technicians, I needed a front sight that was about .800” high or twice as high as the current factory sight on the rifle.

I ended up ordering the following Brownell’s parts

Williams Shorty Ramp 3/8” (.375”) , # 962-010-282
Red Fire Sight – 450N, # 962-564-380

Total cost for both parts delivered was about $35

The total height on these items is .825” But I was informed that the dovetail cut would need to be factored in and also with so many choices of sight parts it was hard getting the exact height I needed – guess that is why the rear peep is adjustable.


Will update once sight gets here and another range session is done.

Regards,
Rob