Upgraded sights (ladder vs tang) on lever action?

[teddy12b]

I've been on the fence about something for a while now and I've decided to get back into the 45-70 game with a Henry. I debated wildly between the all weather picatinny vs the case hardened model finally deciding to go with the case hardened model. It's not my first 45-70 as I've owned a Marlin Guide, Marlin 1895, and a H&R Buffalo Classic. My intent with the rifle will be to take it wild hunting in Nov, but also as a range plinker where I can play with it at distance for nothing more than the joy of watching a big glob of lead whack steel. Having said that, I can't leave anything alone so I was debating between a tang mounted sight like a lyman, or a ladder front sight like the skinner. Between the two, I've only ever used a ladder sight that I put on a '92 in 44mag that I regret selling years ago.

Anyone here with experience and a preference between a rear tang sight vs a ladder sight on a lever action? The sight upgrade will be for plinking at the range, the hunting will be at 70 yards on in so it doesn't really apply for that distance.

 

[Leadeye]

Tangs will actually help you see everything better, sights and target. It has something to do with looking through the small hole which someone better versed in optics and eyes can explain better. I do know that this effect falls off as the light dims.

 

[Creedmoor]

I'm a MVA Vernier sight with a Hadley eye cup guy on my BPCR rifles, not much help, sorry

 

[two70]

I'm not entirely sure I'd want a tang sight that close to my eye with full power .45-70 loads but they would tend to be more accurate and easier to shoot well at extended ranges in my limited experience. In addition to the optical benefits Leadeye mentioned, the longer sight radius would also help with accuracy. An adjustable rear peep sight would be another option that would still likely be better than a ladder sight.

 

[teddy12b]

Honestly, the vernier sights were on my list to look at too because they look like they would be more repeatable in terms of their adjustment from one distance to another.

 

[Doug]

You might consider one of these:

Marble's Bullseye Rear Sight 2-3/4 Double Step Elevator .338 to .535

The Bullseye rear sight naturally centers the front bead much like an aperture sight but with improved target visibility. Young or inexperienced...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Creedmoor]

Honestly, the vernier sights were on my list to look at too because they look like they would be more repeatable in terms of their adjustment from one distance to another.

Spend some time looking, you can spend as much or more on new front and rear vernier sights.
Some of the BPCR sites will have whats out there for your rifle.


This is what I have a few sets of.

Soule XLR - Montana Vintage Arms

Introducing the newest sight from Montana Vintage Arms—the Soule XLR. Over the past few years we have received quite a few requests for a sight that would be capable of keeping you on target at distances approaching one mile. Not backing down from a challenge, we are proud to offer a sight with...

montanavintagearms.com

Hadley Eyediscs - Montana Vintage Arms

This accessory is a must for the competitive shooter! Standard thread is a 10-40 for MVA sights. We offer the Hadley sight for both the MVA Soule and the Sharps Vernier tang sights. We have limited remaining stock on special Magnum Hadley sizes, please call for more info. Additional $10 for...

montanavintagearms.com

#117/118 Winchester-Style Windage Globe Sight - Montana Vintage Arms

The Stevens/Winchester line of sights are close copies of the originals. Our goal with these sights is to give the shooter a competitive quality sight, which is authentic to the rifle they are shooting. These sights can be ordered with a plain clip, Spirit level clip, or both. The inside...

montanavintagearms.com

They also have quite a few sights that are much more reasonably priced, when I bought mine that didn't have near that many options.

 

[teddy12b]

You might consider one of these:

Marble's Bullseye Rear Sight 2-3/4 Double Step Elevator .338 to .535

The Bullseye rear sight naturally centers the front bead much like an aperture sight but with improved target visibility. Young or inexperienced...

www.midwayusa.com

I've never seen one of those and I kinda like it.

 

[Doug]

I really like it. I pair it with a blade front sight and have the same set up on my Winchester 92 in .44 magnum and my Henry .22.
I would recommend filing down the front blade for dead on at 70 yards with the lowest step on the rear sight. Then you can step up the rear sight for farther distances.
The "blade in the center of the circle" sight picture is fast and accurate. The sight is low to the bore and as rugged as the standard sight. It is also relatively inexpensive.

 

[teddy12b]

I really like it. I pair it with a blade front sight and have the same set up on my Winchester 92 in .44 magnum and my Henry .22.
I would recommend filing down the front blade for dead on at 70 yards with the lowest step on the rear sight. Then you can step up the rear sight for farther distances.
The "blade in the center of the circle" sight picture is fast and accurate. The sight is low to the bore and as rugged as the standard sight. It is also relatively inexpensive.

I have a 92 clone in 44mag and now you've got me thinking....

 

[INP8riot]

Skinner sights. They are used on some factory options. Had I not scoped my 30-30, I would have gone with a skinner option.

Henry

Machined from Solid Bar stock, Skinner Sights offers improved function, durability, and appearance over factory sights. Specializing in Peep Sights - Aperture sights. Check out our innovative and expanding sights, optics and accessories product lines.

skinnersights.com

 

[Gingerbeardman]

I have a Skinner sight on a lever gun and I can vouch for it being pretty fast to acquire sight picture. I prefer it to traditional sights and it's much faster than my Soule.

 

[Creedmoor]

I have a Skinner sight on a lever gun and I can vouch for it being pretty fast to acquire sight picture. I prefer it to traditional sights and it's much faster than my Soule.

The Skinner is a great sight that was designed for 100 yd or less shooting.
The Soule with a Hadley was designed for 12 times that under many conditions.

 

[Gingerbeardman]

My Soule has an aperture about the same size as the skinner I think, but maybe it's the distance from the eye that makes it seem faster to acquire. And yes, they were clearly designed for much different purposes. I would think for hogs the Skinner with a brass or hi viz front bead would be great.

 

[Creedmoor]

My Soule has an aperture about the same size as the skinner I think, but maybe it's the distance from the eye that makes it seem faster to acquire. And yes, they were clearly designed for much different purposes. I would think for hogs the Skinner with a brass or hi viz front bead would be great.

If you can justify one the Hadley from MVA has an adjustable aperture.
I use the "Magnums"

Hadley Eyediscs - Montana Vintage Arms

This accessory is a must for the competitive shooter! Standard thread is a 10-40 for MVA sights. We offer the Hadley sight for both the MVA Soule and the Sharps Vernier tang sights. We have limited remaining stock on special Magnum Hadley sizes, please call for more info. Additional $10 for...

montanavintagearms.com

 

[Gingerbeardman]

This is what I have, looks similar.