Author Topic: Ft sight height help (Read 2474 times)

hortonstn · « **on:** March 03, 2020, 03:31:57 AM »

When setting up a new rifle with ft fixed sight is there a rule of thumb on how tall to make the sight to start sighting in (hope this makes sense) I hate to wear out the frizen sighting in
Thanks

smallpatch · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2020, 03:41:13 AM »

Your frizzen will be fine. Figure the front sight the same height as the rear, above the center of bore.

bptactical · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2020, 04:02:30 AM »

This may help, it is a must for a tapered barrel.
https://www.brownells.com/aspx/learn/learndetail.aspx?lid=13186

smallpatch · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2020, 05:54:44 AM »

Neat little program, but it's just basic math. If you can measure, add, subtract, and divide l you can make this easy.

Daryl · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2020, 09:09:30 AM »

A good place to start is as smallpatch noted. Equal height as the rear sight. Take a file to the range with you to adjust that height if necessary.
It is VERY helpful to have someone hold the rife STEADY as you carefully file the front sight down to get a zero - but first - experiment with load
combinations to find a good load first - THEN sight the rifle in.

Robin Henderson · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2020, 04:20:12 PM »

Old article from Muzzle Blast that may be of use to some.

https://www.muzzleblasts.com/archives/vol3no6/articles/mbo36-1.shtml

Bill Madden · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2020, 04:59:35 PM »

Check out Mark Elliot's sight height calculator on the web.
Bill

Eric Krewson · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2020, 05:10:42 PM »

I just start out with a front as delivered from Track, one always has to file about 1/3rd of it away to get the elevation for your rifles perfect load. I spend a lot more time shooting load combinations to find what my rifle likes than filing the front sight. I file the sight until I am hitting a couple inches low then work up a load. When I am satisfied with a load I take those last few strokes with my file to bring the group up where it needs to be.

Don't worry about wearing out a frizzen, I had a rifle (I was the third owner)that did have a worn out frizzen, the previous owner told me he had put 50K shots through the gun over the years. I shot the gun for 5 or 6 years before the frizzen finally snapped in two.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2020, 08:09:11 PM »

Here's a little trick for when you have to file the front sight down at the range. Find a plastic lid for a coffee can and cut a small rectangular slot that is a tight fit over the front sight blade. When you have to reduce the height of the blade, slip the lid over the sight and it will protect the barrel from the file should you slip. I keep one in my range box.

hortonstn · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2020, 11:29:39 PM »

Thanks for your input

thecapgunkid · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2020, 03:17:41 PM »

Easier to file down a sight that started toop tall than build up one that started too low...

Daryl · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2020, 10:03:14 PM »

Yes - however, adding a bead to the top of a too-short blade, increases the point of impact 1/2 the height of the bead's diameter.
The longer the barrel, the larger the bead needs to be to be seen (by me

)

Darkhorse · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2020, 03:41:17 AM »

Quote from: D. Taylor Sapergia on March 03, 2020, 08:09:11 PM

Here's a little trick for when you have to file the front sight down at the range. Find a plastic lid for a coffee can and cut a small rectangular slot that is a tight fit over the front sight blade. When you have to reduce the height of the blade, slip the lid over the sight and it will protect the barrel from the file should you slip. I keep one in my range box.

That's the kind of tip I'm always looking for Taylor. Thanks. I know what happens when the file slips, and as soon as it drys out I've got another to do and I don't need any scratches.

Scota4570 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2020, 05:28:22 AM »

I use a Jorgenson clamp to stabilize the barrel.

Daryl · « **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2020, 09:50:51 PM »

That would certainly work well, Scota4570, if by yourself and needed to hold the gun steady on the bench for filing.

hortonstn · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2020, 03:01:22 AM »

Well I've filed the sight until it's almost gone I've never had a barrel like this and ive had a lot of them
I'm using the tallest rear sight track sells
I have another 54 barrel with the sights just like the rear has only difference is the one that shoots great is 38 long and this one is 44 both c weight
May be tomorrow will be a better day
Thanks

Daryl · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2020, 10:27:15 PM »

Quote from: smallpatch on March 03, 2020, 03:41:13 AM

Your frizzen will be fine. Figure the front sight the same height as the rear, above the center of bore.

This will work, unless there is some "physical" reason for shooting low.
Hole not in the centre. Barrel bent, or wrong end of a swamped barrel breeched.

Stophel · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2020, 04:21:53 AM »

Quote from: hortonstn on March 06, 2020, 03:01:22 AM

Well I've filed the sight until it's almost gone I've never had a barrel like this and ive had a lot of them
I'm using the tallest rear sight track sells

Bend that sucker. I'd say it's bent out of whack if your front sight is down to nothin'. If you bend it, you can straighten it back out, or at least get it where it shoots where it ought to!

I'm a fairly firm believer that 250 years ago, most sight adjustment was probably done by bending the barrel.

Smokey Plainsman · « **Reply #18 on:** March 07, 2020, 07:30:28 PM »

Please leave enough front sight. Much easier to file a bit off for load adjustment instead of adding it on! I’m learning that the hard way.

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Author Topic: Ft sight height help (Read 2474 times)

Smokey Plainsman