Gun Site Installation

[Thresher]

I'm building an English Gentleman's sporting rifle from Jim Chambers Flintlocks. I need to position and install the rear site. I need some guidance on where I should place that site. I didn't have to do this on my last gun.  Any suggestions.

Rumely

[jbullard1]

This is only my opinion and I have old eyes. I placed the rear sight forward of the balance point of my rifle and it works well for me
I have 20/20 vision after cataract surgery on both eyes but the close in vision is less than desired

[Thresher]

thanks. forward of the balance point seems to make sense to me. It' a good place to start.

[Three Hawks]

What exactly does the balance point have to do with where one sites his sights?   Inquiring minds and all that.

Three Hawks

[huntinguy]

When I was young it wouldn't make a difference where the sight was on the barrel.

Now that I am old I would place it down the barrel far enough that I could get a good sight picture.  (my new reason for a long barrel   ).

[Hank in WV]

Sometimes when the rear sight is at the balance point where you carry the rifle, it can dig into your hand and be awful uncomfortable after awhile.

[Bigsmoke]

I guess the answer to that is rather than placing it at whatever point, you bring the rifle up to sight it and have someone slide the sight along the barrel to where it is clear to your eyes.  That is where the sight belongs.
With that being said, I think I recall that I heard somewhere that the rear sight had to be located at least 6" ahead of the breachplug in order to be legal to shoot in some matches.  And of course, not to have it at the balance point where it could dig into your hand when carrying it.

[Thresher]

Thanks all for the suggestions. All I have to do now is get a sight picture that is clear, at least 6" from the breach plug, close to but not exactly at the balance point and see where it is. Im guessing that meeting all of those requirements will narrow it down considerable. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[MedicineSoldier]

Although the previous suggestions should be taken into account I think the priority would be to set the sights by where they will best allow your eyes to focus on them.

Get a small package of magnetic tape that has adhesive backing.  Cut some of the tape to the size of your sight bases and place them on the bases using the sticky side.  Use the magnet sights by placing the front sight in the appropriate position then move the rear sight up and down the barrel until you feel you have the best sight picture. Mark the barrel for installation at these points.   Maybe mark it, put it down for a while and then try it again to assure you get the same results.  This will raise the sights up a higher on the barrel so keep that in mind when you are shouldering the rifle but it should not make a difference on the locations.  It will give you a chance to compare the rear sight to the balance point as well as the best sight picture.

Medicine Soldier

[Thresher]

Gentleman. All of your suggestions are appreciated and as it turns out are correct. I will take the advice of MedicineSoldier and put it away and try it again later.

Here are my results. I am at a point in the gun building where I am making final assembly to make final adjustments prior to disassembly again for finishing. The balance point on this gun is about 4 1/2 inches from the breach plug. Next I shouldered the gun and took a sight picture and then moved the rear sight forward until both front and rear sights were in focus. The front sight is already placed. This turned out to be about 7 1/2" from the breach plug. So --- All of you were correct.

I'll do it again later to verify my results. I like the idea of the magnetic tape. I've got some laying around.

I've been shooting black powder off and on for about 30 years, all kinds and types. However as "life happens" I started out from scratch again about 2 years ago. I decided to stay with more historically correct pieces and strictly flintlocks. My first gun build was a trade gun. I 've had lots of fun with it and shot the heck out of it. Even tried some skeet shooting with it. I joined the TMA and am glad I did. All this stuff is fun. I feel like Im getting back into it the "right" way.

Thanks again for all your help.

Rumely

[Captchee]

yep . MS and BS are correct . there is no set place that you have to put the sights . basickly you set the rear just as you did . move it up or back tell both the front and rear are clear .
 becouse im getting older  i would add .  mark and check that lockation 3 times .
1 once in the am . once after you eat at lunch and once just before bed . then place in the avrage of all 3 .

[flintlock62]

This is strictly my own opinion.  I place the rear sight on my rifles anywhere from 8-1/2" to 10" from the breech plug.  By barrels range from 36" to 42"