Old Eyes And The Ghost Ring Setup

[VTDW]

My 444SS came on Thursday. Upon opening the box I found the rifle equipped with a LimbSaver pad, thumb lever, an XS Scout Mount and an XS Ghost Ring setup and the XS front post. Enclosed were several other goodies.  

I have not been able to shoot open sights for years because of the old eyesight. My vision is 20/800 left eye and 20/600 right eye. Glasses correct the vision somewhat but focusing up close is just impossible.
So…I have been putting scopes on every rifle I own.

I had never held a rifle with a ghost ring setup until Thursday. Today we went to the range and was I ever surprised!!! We put out targets at 100 yd, 154 yd, and 200 yd. I sat down at the bench and looked thru the ghost ring. Dangit but the front sight post is white and the targets are white in the circle I wanted to shoot so I couldn’t even think about shooting at the white paper targets. We had taken out a 1 1/4” steel plate measuring approx 12” X 24” and set it up on the horizontal at approx 165- 170 yd. Easy contrast with the front sight and first shot…Clang!! I then walked down to within 50 yd of the 100 yd target and just threw the rifle up and put the front post where I wanted to shoot…BAM and just barely outside the 2” square ‘bullseye'!!

NOW I understand why folks love the ghost ring setup. These old eyes can shoot the ghost ring sights easily. For you folks that haven’t been able to shoot open sights, I truly recommend the ghost ring setup. And I mean truly. The front sight post just naturally centers in the ghost ring.

I now know for sure that I have a true brush gun. I love to stalk in the woods and have always disliked the scopes I had to use. I need to go back tomorrow or next week to sight the ghost ring in to ‘my eye’ and can’t wait to hunt with this rifle. My other 444S circa 78’will stay scoped for when I hunt where I need to shoot at distance during dawn and dusk and hogs at night, but the new 444SS is staying without the scope.

Happy I am.

Dave

p.s. Go for it!!!

[LMM]

I'm glad to hear that!! I've been considering putting those sights on my 1894CP. You just helped make up my mind.

[VTDW]

LMM,

That is why I posted it.  I have always hated to have to use a scope at my hunting ranges of under a 100 yd and less.

I think you will like it for sure.

Dave :grin:

[jgalar]

Peeps and receiver sights work well for us older shooters also.

[ScoutMan]

Dave,

At the range I used my reading glasses to get a sharp focus on the post front sight. I got a 2" group at 100 yds. with this method. In the field I will go without the reading glasses. In my own case, my front sight is slightly out of focus but not enough to make a difference out to big game ranges (200 meters and under.)

[IntrepidWizard]

Where are the sites on the "Ghost Rings".I have only the 99 300 Savage-rarely used-- and the 1022 for Ground Squirell and the MIA removable but preferre Iron sights and I am in need of a improvement.

[Winter Hawk]

Try the Williams or Lyman receiver sights.  Type those in on your search engine.

The original "ghost ring" concept was to remove the aperture from those for hunting, and use the aperture for target shooting situations.  You will probably have to install a higher front sight with a receiver sight.  They are the "poor man's scope."  Look at the sights the US battle rifles have worn since the 1903-A3 Springfield through the M-16 - all peeps.

-WH-

[Prince of Wales]

Kees after reading this thread  about the "ghost ring" it got me to thinking that I have never actually used the small aperature that was included with these sights. I  installed one out of curiousity and low and behold it actually increased clarity of the front sight and also to my surprize the visable image is not noticably reduced. Perhaps if I were to take running shots I would find a difference but as it is aquisition is both rapid and the image clear so in it stays. POW