My New Skinner Big Boy Express Sight

[flat_topp]

I'm using sight picture #1. 6 o'clock hold at the bottom of the 2" dia red or white bullseye.

All ammo is 158 gr, except the Fiocchi which is 142 gr.

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[ESquared]

Based on what you've explained, I'm no longer of any help, I'm afraid.

One would expect that the heavier bullet would drop more, but your lighter Fiocchi is landing lower than five (!) different 158 grain samples.

The only thing that stands out to me is that this is not all that "controlled" a set-up and that shooter movement is at play.

That said, I defer to the others here, who may have some suggestions.

[flat_topp]

... your lighter Fiocchi is landing lower than five (!) different 158 grain samples.

Actually, the Fiocchi is higher than five other samples, but who's counting?

... shooter movement is at play.

Shooter movement is indeed a factor, but I would expect it to be randomly distributed above and below the equator for a properly sighted-in rifle, unless I am consistently doing something to pull/push the shots upward. Ignoring the errors in windage, if I just look at the vertical distribution of 80 total shots fired, I count:

56 shots (70%) above the 2" high bullseye band
22 shots (28%) within the 2" high bullseye band
2 shots (2%) below the 2" high bullseye band

Since my Skinner rear peep sight is all the way down, it seems like the logical next step is to try out a taller front sight to bring the shot groups down. Hey, it's only money, and Andy at Skinner would probably appreciate the business!

[ESquared]

Yep, the data supports your next purchase! We're all doing our part to keep the economy going, aren't we?

[flat_topp]

So I finally received my new Skinner front sight. I ordered the one advertised as 0.650 inch. I measured the height as-received at 0.666 inch. The original Henry sight measures 0.556 inch. Here is a photo of my original Henry sight (left) next to the new Skinner sight (right). With family visiting from out of town, I probably won't be able to fit/install the new sight until later next week.

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[JEBar]

looking forward to your coming range reports and comments

[ESquared]

Me, too, please keep us posted. Are you going to paint a square of some color or other at the top?

[flat_topp]

... Are you going to paint a square of some color or other at the top?

No, my plan at this point is to leave it black. In fact, I also ordered and received a bottle of "Skinner Cold Blue" for touch up, in case I have to file down the front sight a bit.

[flat_topp]

Update:
So this week I mounted my new front sight and a dovetail blank to dress up where I had removed the factory buckhorn sight. Took about 1.5 hours to do both, including filing the dovetails to fit, applying the cold blue to the shiny parts, and then tapping into place. I deliberately went slow, so as not to screw things up.

SkinnerFrontSight.jpg (50.06 KiB) Viewed 8553 times

Took the rifle to the range yesterday. With the now taller front sight, I had to raise the rear peep sight 2.5 rotations to get the correct elevation. No need to file down the front sight, for which I am glad. This is 10 rounds at 50 yards after making the elevation adjustment. A 2.75 inch group … I think I'll keep it!

Target_50yds.jpg (71.69 KiB) Viewed 8553 times

[PT7]

Definitely a keeper, flat_topp. Good job on the sight install, good results on only having to make the peep adjust and no filing to the front sight, and a great job on your target POIs!! I'd be a happy camper with all.

BTW, Congrats on conquering your rifle sight needs. Feels really cool to be the "victor," doesn't it?!?

[Mags]

yup looks like got it where it should be. nice work and good shooting. got a picture of the dovetail?

[flat_topp]

got a picture of the dovetail?

No, but I can take one and post it. I assume you mean the dovetail blank? It’ll have to wait until tomorrow when I get back home from a trip out of town.

[Rifletom]

flat_top, with the new front sight, what ammo did you test with? Good shooting.

[flat_topp]

flat_top, with the new front sight, what ammo did you test with?

I used the PMC 357mag 158gr JSP.

[Redthies]

Update:
Took the rifle to the range yesterday. With the now taller front sight, I had to raise the rear peep sight 2.5 rotations to get the correct elevation. No need to file down the front sight, for which I am glad. This is 10 rounds at 50 yards after making the elevation adjustment. A 2.75 inch group … I think I'll keep it!
Target_50yds.jpg

I’d be very happy with that group.

I have another couple of weeks to wait for my .357 to be in my hands as I will be out of the country until early October. I’m planning on ordering a Skinner Express before I leave, and based on what you have posted, I may just order a .650 front at the same time as I will be leaving on a turkey/white tail trip on the 10th.

Nothing sets you up for success like taking a brand new rifle on a hunting trip! I will bring my 7-08 along as well since one of the venues is open ranch land and I expect 200 yards or more to be possibly necessary.

[flat_topp]

One more photo showing the Skinner rear peep and the dovetail blank that I installed.

Peep_and_Blank.jpg (103.25 KiB) Viewed 12782 times

[Mags]

I see the dovetail blank in the latest picture. Thanks for sharing it.

got a picture of the dovetail?

No, but I can take one and post it. I assume you mean the dovetail blank? It’ll have to wait until tomorrow when I get back home from a trip out of town.

[pennsylvaniapete]

Hey flat-top, I just installed a picatinny rail and a Vortex Venom red dot on my .357/.38 BB CCH,
Side gate rifle. I used the same PMC bullets that you have. Great fun at 25/50 yds.

I also have the same rifle in.45 Colt. I plan to get the Skinner Express and a .650 front sight plus a barrel dovetail blank for it.

[flat_topp]

Hey Pete … I bought my first red dot sight (sig romeo 5) earlier this year and put it on an AR. I like the red dot a lot, but I think I prefer the less obtrusive profile of the skinner peep on my Henry. For me, the skinner peep is a definite improvement over the factory buckhorn sight. I think you’ll be happy with a skinner on your 45 colt.

[flat_topp]

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2024:
6 years and 810 rounds after installing it, I noticed my front sight was loose in the dovetail at the front of the barrel. So I removed the front sight completely, made a couple of punch marks in the base of the sight to upset the metal, and re-installed it. It seems to be snug again. Took the rifle back to the range, and here is my target with 10 rounds at 50 yards after re-sighting it in. I really like my Henry BBS!

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