Author Topic: H+R front sight (Read 1333 times)

black lab · « **on:** February 28, 2013, 07:56:43 PM »

I'm still waiting for my 45/70 Handi rifle.

I want to put a globe sight on the front and has wondering if the front ramp is screwed on or is there a dovetail ?

Spanky · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2013, 08:24:14 PM »

Sights on the 22" barrels are screwed on. The Buffalo Classic and the 45LC barrels are dovetailed.

Spanky

black lab · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2013, 10:51:56 PM »

That's what I suspected. The one that I'm waiting for has a 22" barrel. Is there anyway that I can put a globe sight on it short of cutting a dovetail ?

hoytcanon · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:07:44 AM »

Sure... Buy a Marbles dovetail ramp and the Lyman 17 front globe (comes with eight inserts)... Brownell's carries both... The Marbles ramp will fit right into the H&R front sight hole.

Norminator · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2013, 06:38:29 AM »

My BC came with the standard Handi front sight! I was a little pissed when a couple of years later I noticed the globes on BC's in the catalogs.
Anyway, I put an NECG barrel banded and hooded front sight on it that really turned out good. It's not a globe but works like one. FYI

Norm from Canuckistan

gcrank1 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:00:30 AM »

Be advised that a globe front sight is not well favored by most who have tried to use one for hunting; they are great for target shooting. Most of the 'hooded' shorting front sights allow the hood to be removed; you get kinda the best of both worlds but without the interchangeable insert choices, of course.

black lab · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2013, 12:00:02 PM »

What would the spacing be on the tapped sight holes ? I have a spare front globe from one of my Brno target rifle's a #3 or 4 can't remember off hand, that may work. It's spacing is 17/32" or .558" or 14.18 mm. I wanted a BC in 45 Colt but couldn't find one in Canada, so I thought I would build my version of a "Mountain Buffalo Rifle"

22" barrel 45/70. I have the right wood, lace on leather butt pad still in the mail from Buffalo Arms and a Williams FP sight with Target Knobs as well. I don't plan to hunt with it, just a "Toy" to play with. I don't think Brownell's will ship to Canada.

Norminator · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2013, 12:41:19 PM »

Strangely enough, there is only one hole tapped for the NEF front sight. So no problem marking an tapping fo a second mounting screw if needed.

hoytcanon · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2013, 12:48:23 PM »

Brownell's will ship sights to Canada.

black lab · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2013, 01:14:26 PM »

Perfect, I guess I'll have to wait until I can measure my barrel, unless someone can tell me what diameter a 22" 45/70 barrel would be ? How tall a ramp would I need for a 100 yd. Zero be

Quote from: hoytcanon on March 01, 2013, 04:07:44 AM

Sure... Buy a Marbles dovetail ramp and the Lyman 17 front globe (comes with eight inserts)... Brownell's carries both... The Marbles ramp will fit right into the H&R front sight hole.

black lab · « **Reply #10 on:** March 02, 2013, 03:06:14 PM »

Anyone know the barrel diameter of a 22" 45/70 barrel at the front and rear sights ?

gcrank1 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 02, 2013, 05:04:19 PM »

Those 17A globe sights come in several different heights and so do ramps. the combination you choose will depend upon the lowest setting you can get on your rear sight for the closest range you want to -0- on a with what load and bullet weight.
The easiest way Ive found to work it out is to mount the rear and whittle up a wood piece for the front to tape on with a small dia. nail as the sight. I clip it with a side-cutter to get me in the right zone and can remove it to measure top to bottom of base. One chap mentioned doing a copper (?) wire wrap with one end standing up as the post, just tape the coil wrap down to hold and measure while on the barrel. Seems like a good option to me.

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2013, 10:45:55 PM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on March 02, 2013, 05:04:19 PM

One chap mentioned doing a copper (?) wire wrap with one end standing up as the post, just tape the coil wrap down to hold and measure while on the barrel. Seems like a good option to me.

I had mentioned that also, on another thread, but can't take any credit for it.

I read about it on a webpage from a sight manufacturer, the name escapes me

black lab · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2013, 08:40:16 PM »

I was hoping I could go with a medium height ramp and the adjustment in the rear target sight would have enough adjustment to take care of bullet drop at 100 yds. regardless of bullet weight. I was guessing that the front barrel diameter was .875" and I could use the formula that I was looking at the other night. I didn't know the Lyman globe came in two heights. I'm used to flat shooting rifles so this is all new to me. I'm only going to be shooting at 200 yds. max. Is a taller front sight needed for what I call ultra long range like 300 plus yards. ?

gcrank1 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2013, 03:42:07 AM »

To get more elevation one raises a rear sight or lowers a front, or a combination of the two.
I have found it best to have the front height suitable for close range shooting (you pick that distance) with the rear almost all the way down (ie, a bit up in adj. to fine tune for loads), that gives you the most elevation range possible and keeps you from having your cheek off the comb for most shooting (unless all you do is long range).

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #15 on:** March 04, 2013, 05:26:52 AM »

on most sites that sell sights, they say to have the rear (when in the middle of travel) equal in height above bore centerline to the front sight height above centerline.

I'm in the process of making some changes, and need to know if everyone's experiences seem to mimic that regarding Handis.

I've got 45/70 standard handis, as well as a 30-30 handi, that I'm interested in.

once I have them sighted, I'd like to get my Whelens D&T'd for a front sight.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 04, 2013, 06:57:07 AM »

I used to do that 1/2 way on rear but found I had better use of my sight adjustments when I used only up 1/4 -1/3 maximum of the travel; maybe just me.......

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #17 on:** March 04, 2013, 07:56:03 PM »

GC

do you match the front post height to the rear sight level when first installing?

hoytcanon · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2013, 03:37:29 AM »

Quote from: nanuk-O-dah-Nort on March 04, 2013, 07:56:03 PM

GC

do you match the front post height to the rear sight level when first installing?

Nuk... thats what I do... center of bore to center of peep (in middle position) is equal to center bore to top of post up front.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:17:41 AM »

If I am just messing about with the bits I have in the bin that will make the gun usable for trials, etc., but that has not been optimum for me, though a guy has to start somewhere. At the price of sights nowdays I pick the rear I really want and do the mock up for a front to ENSURE I get what I want the first time. Once my mock up stayed on for a year.........

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2013, 08:04:08 PM »

Quote from: hoytcanon on March 05, 2013, 03:37:29 AM

... center of bore to center of peep (in middle position) is equal to center bore to top of post up front.

good to know.

and I like GC's idea of setting it up for the lower third if one is looking into long range shooting. It only makes sense.

black lab · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2013, 04:30:39 PM »

If I understand right, and I'm shooting at 100-200 yds. a ramp and globe equal to the stock front sight should be pretty close. I'll just have wait until I get my rifle. Thanks for all the replies

Quote from: gcrank1 on March 04, 2013, 03:42:07 AM

To get more elevation one raises a rear sight or lowers a front, or a combination of the two.
I have found it best to have the front height suitable for close range shooting (you pick that distance) with the rear almost all the way down (ie, a bit up in adj. to fine tune for loads), that gives you the most elevation range possible and keeps you from having your cheek off the comb for most shooting (unless all you do is long range).