New Rear Sight

[Jon]

My new rifle has a rear sight that doesn't have a notch in it yet and I need to file one in so I can sight the rifle in. I've never done this and was wondering if any of you fellas had some advice for me. I would appreciate any and all info I can get before I start this so as not to mess it up.

Jon

[Duane]

I think I would use a round needle file if it were me at least to get it started.

[Jon]

Thanks Duane. I'll have to dig my set of fIles out. I guess just measure out the center of the sight and start filing there?

[Duane]

I posed the Question on the ALR forum, hopefully, we will get some feedback.

[Jon]

I appreciate it Duane. I'm not a member on that forum. Thanks for your help.

Jon

[teakmtn]

Jon, first off, do you have a rifle with sights that you like? Or friends that have different rifle sights you can try out, not to shoot necessarily, but to sight down looking at a target or something. And try to do it outside with natural light, bright sunlight as well as in shade. When you find what works for you simply duplicate it on your new rifle. Cut with either jewelers saw, or a fine tooth hack saw, or jewelers files if just a small notch. But, that also depends on what type of front sight, whether thin blade, thick blade or small "Barley Corn" type.
Some like real fine and small notches where the next guy will want to see daylight on either side of the front blade. I like daylight on either side. You may not.
Good luck,
Doug T.

[Jon]

Thanks for the advice Doug. I've got a few muzzle loaders that I've looked at and they all have square notches with bigger (thicker) blade front sights. I think i'm going to try a small "v" notch and see if I like it first. Work has been busy so I haven't got to work on it yet. Plan on trying it this weekend though. I let ya know how it goes.

Jon

[teakmtn]

Yep, thats always a good idea. Start small and gradually get bigger. Hard to go the other way.

[Jon]

Well I got that notch filed in this weekend. I went with a small "v" and I think its going to work great. I haven't got to sight it in as the wind was horrible all weekend long but at least I got something done. It wasn't near as bad as I was making it out to be. I just took it slow and easy filing from front to rear of the sight and I think it looks pretty good for my inexperienced eyes.

Jon

[TurkeyCreek]

Jon, when does the wind NOT blow out here on the southern plains?

[Jon]

Man if that ain't the truth TurkeyCreek! One minute it's beautiful out and the next i'm hunting a hole to crawl into! I've lived here all my life and I still can't get used to that wind.

Jon

[Duane]

it blows pretty well up here on the northern plains as well lol

[TurkeyCreek]

Yep Duane, it do! We used to live in northern Wyoming and I remember one time having to literally crawl from the shop to the house. Shinin' times boys.

[teakmtn]

Wellllllll Jon,
Have you had a chance to take that new rifle out and make smoke? How'd she do? And were still waiting on some pictures.

Doug T.

[Jon]

Man oh Man Doug would you be disappointed in me! I have yet to shoot her if you can believe it. Between bad weather and busy schedule, I have failed at breaking her in properly. I started to take her out after I filed the rear sight and it dawned on me I was without proper size lead ball. All I had was .49 and she's a .54. With a tear in my eye I put her back up and ordered some balls, lead bars and a new mold. But....supposed to be 80 degrees and sunny tomorrow and i'm going to spend all day with her! I've read in the help section of the forum about posting pictures but not sure which way is best to go about it. I don't have a photobucket account or anything. Does anyone have a suggestion on the easiest way to do this?

Jon