Author Topic: 760/7600/7400 & Peep Sites (Read 2657 times)

257Robt · « **on:** August 24, 2004, 06:00:41 PM »

I am wondering if anyone has shot or does shoot their pumps or autos with peep sites? If so, what are your thoughts about this set-up. I am also wondering if you need a higher front site. I ask this question because last fall I was playing around with a peep site and my rifle would shoot low. I could not get it to shoot higher no matter what I did. I only tried shooting for about 1/2 hour and then put the rifle away. I know that the Benoit's use peep sites on their rifles and they say that they put a high front site on them. I am wondering how high you have to go and will this make a difference.

targshooter · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2004, 01:20:45 AM »

257Robt,
I had a Model 742 with a Redfield side mounted aperture sight. The rifle did require a rather high front sight. The aperture rear sight was mounted rather high and this arrangement did suit me, allowing rapid and easy target acquisition.
I presently have a NECG peep that attaches to the Weaver scope mount base on my 7400 Carbine. This arrangement works, but I would not use it as my primary sight system, as the sights are not positioned so that I can acquire a sight picture quickly. I could not use the factory sights at all, having to creep and crawl around the buttstock just to get a sight picture. As the NECG peeps are back-up sights for the scope I use (with which the rifle/sight set-up acquires targets very well), I can accept the arrangement.
BTW, when I had the peep sights installed on the 742, the gunsmith used a temporary peep sight apparatus to determine the proper installation height for my handling of the firearm. He than drilled and tapped and installed the Redfield sight at a height that best suited my physical requirements.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2004, 03:05:24 AM »

If you mount a higher front sight on your rifle, your point of impact will be even lower. Front sight adjustments are the opposite of a rear sight.

DeerMeadowFarm · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2004, 11:17:21 AM »

I used to use a peep on my 7600 before going to the Leupold Vari-X III. It was a William's model and required that the front sight be replaced. The catalog showed what front sight was needed to work with which receiver sight. It's a great set-up. When I was first starting deer hunting I'd get excited when I'd see deer (well, I guess I still do or I wouldn't still be chasing them) and I'd tend to look over the sights. The peep kind of forced you to look through the sights. Easier and faster to use than standard open sights. I took the screw-in aperature right out of it and left just the big hole. You shouldn't try to focus on the peep at all. Some guys call them "Ghost Ring Sights"; your eye will automatically center the front bead in the rear opening which will appear fuzzy (hense the "ghost ring") and your front bead should be sharp. Place the bead on your target and you are on! Once I buy my back-up 7600 in .35 Whelen (my wife isn't reading this right?) I plan to put the peep on that gun. Go for it, you won't regret it. I still use peeps on a lot of my other guns.

targshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2004, 02:10:11 PM »

I am guilty of not being clear in my reply. With its factory iron sights and a peep sight mounted low, I have a difficult time mounting the Remington 742/7400 rifles so the sight picture is quickly and accurately obtained. This results in my vertical stringing of the shots with a tendancy to shoot low in quick shots. I did not put the high front sight on the rifle to move the point of aim relative to the rear sight, but to maintain its original relationship at a higher horizontal plane above the receiver so I could acquire the sight picture better. This was the purpose of having the 742 peep sight mounted high.

257Robt · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2004, 02:27:04 AM »

Does anyone know what the correct height of the front sight should be for proper use with a peep sight?

targshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2004, 01:22:11 PM »

257Robt,
There is a basic point that has not been stated here. You do not usually have to change the front sight to install a peep sight. None of my Marlin or Winchester lever rifles have required any change. With these rifles the stock configuration is such that the peep sight can be used quickly, accurately and comfortably when the rifle is shouldered, and the sight arrangement allows adjustments such that the the shots can be placed where needed. Because I have the adjustment range needed, the front sight height is fine.
The 7400 stock does not allow easy sight acquisition for me unless the entire sight plane is moved higher above the receiver than possible with the factory front sight. Thus, the front sight must be changed.
A note. Some people leave the factory irons in and thus need to move the sight plane higher over the receiver. This requires a higher front sight.
Hope this helps.

while99 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2005, 06:06:01 PM »

I have a Remington 7600 in .280 that has a Williams Guide Receiver Sight (peep). It has a Williams firesight on the front. It is mounted on a BDL ramp and has a BDL hood. I really like this set up and don't feel the slightest bit handicapped using it. Get yourself a Williams catalog by calling 800-530-9028 or www.williamsgunsight.com. The catalog has a set of instructions that tell you how to calculate the correct hight for your front sight. Keep your gun-hand ready and your eyes peeled.

marlin shooter · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2005, 10:34:36 PM »

257Robt
I have a 7600 .35 whelen with a williams peep that mounts in the rear scope base holes. I changed my front sight and the new one measures .450. This measurement is the insert only, not the ramp the sight goes in. hope this helps.

Bandito · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2005, 12:56:11 AM »

I have never had to change the front post when adding an aperture rear sight. I used an old Rem 600 in .308 for a few seasons in that setup. It seemed to be my go to rifle at the time. I now have a 99 in .358 WCF with low power scope (2.5X) Kahles, fold down open sight, and NECG Weaver based aperture sight in a buttstock pouch. All the sights are sighted in and functional. The Kahles is in QD Weaver style rings. In case of rain or sleet I put on the aperture and go. The Kahles goes in a case in the fanny pack. Spent lots of thought and time on getting this right. It works. The buttstock pack (Eagle Industries) is designed for the tactical boys but it has cartridge loops on the outside and a pouch for matches, a few squirrel loads, folding knife, fish hooks, etc. A nice addition to any gun. Forgot to add there is a thin padded cheekpiece on the pouch. Schweeeeet! The ghost ring sights add a great dimension to hunting. I just like my low powered scopes as my eyes are not great. The 7600 or the 99 are great guns with the ghost ring. I think most guns would be or the military wouldn't use them on almost everything. Top notch. Hope to get Mr. Piggy with mine spring of '06. Bandito

Bretzky308 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2005, 11:52:33 PM »

Mount a Weaver-style base on the receiver. Mount scope in QD rings. Detach scope and install XS Backup Ghost Ring rear sight and Williams Firesight front hooded sight (sold at Wild West Guns in Alaska). You are all set after dialing in the weapon.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2005, 05:50:29 AM »

I had a William peep sight installed on my late 1950's era M760. It was replaced with a scope in a few years. But I did see a improvement in accuracy and sight acquisition. It was an improvement over the factory sight. Later a number of LE 870's were equipped with Williams peep sights. A great addition to the shotgun and firing rifle slugs. It extended the accuracy range over the shotgun.

I highly recommend the Williams peep sight. It never lets rain mess it up, nor does it fog-up.