BBSC/Skinner Sights range report

[deano5150]

So I got out to the range to adjust my new Skinner sights today. When I installed the Express rear and tall front blade I tried to get them both centered perfectly on the rifle. Easy enough on the rear but the front blade I just wasn’t sure about. When I got to the range the rifle was shooting low right. So I drifted the front blade to the right slightly and raised the rear sight by a complete 360 degree turn. That got the elevation pretty close. However, it was still shooting too far right. So I moved the rear sight to the left a bit and that seemed to solve the problem. Looking at my targets now, I see I’m a tiny bit too far left now. I’ll have to work on that next trip. All in all I’m pleased with my first outing with these sights. All shots were fired while resting the rifle on my range bag. Next time I need to shoot free hand to see if my POI changes. I probably hold the rifle a little differently while standing so I’ll need to adjust for that. Here are my targets. Keep in mind I’m new to these sights and I’m no marksman.

[JEBar]

it certainly looks like you are well on your way to getting her sighted in .... looking forward to your reports along the way .... I'd really like to hear your impressions on using your new sights .... how does your sight picture change at the different distances

[deano5150]

it certainly looks like you are well on your way to getting her sighted in .... looking forward to your reports along the way .... I'd really like to hear your impressions on using your new sights .... how does your sight picture change at the different distances

JEBar I put about 35 rounds downrange and I’m still learning the new sights. So far I really like that I have a clearer view of the front sight. The peep allows me more peripheral view of the target, as well. It’s easier for me to use a six o’clock hold with the patridge than with the brass bead. My view is less obstructed and it’s easier to get the windage lined up with the thin blade. As far as different ranges go, from 15-50 yards I used the same six o’clock hold for all. Other than needing to drift the rear sight back to the right just a touch, I think the sights are adjusted fairly well. The groups need some work but I’m sure that’s all me. I need to continue to work on fundamentals. Also, some eyeglasses are probably in order. That front patridge post is a tad blurry when I try to focus on it. I was very pleased that I didn’t need to file that front sight down even though I did have some fliers both high and low at 50 yards. I believe that was operator error. So far I really like the sights.

I did notice something that seemed odd to me, though. I mounted the rear Express sight while the buckhorn was still on. Looking through the peep while it was perfectly centered, the right “horn” of the buckhorn blocked my view. I wondered how that could be possible when the buckhorn sights were lined up correctly. I tried to center the front sight perfectly. When I got to the range I noticed the rifle was shooting to the right. So I drifted the front sight to the right slightly. At that point it was definitely off-center and to the right side of the barrel and I was still shooting to the right. I didn’t want to drift the front sight any farther so I moved the rear sight to the left. Being an OCD type person, I had hoped I could perfectly line up the sights (for the sake of aesthetics). I assume having both sights a bit off center is a result of the way I hold the rifle. I’m not sure but it was a bit puzzling. At any rate, the fun part is figuring it all out. More shooting and more experimenting is in order.

[JEBar]

thanks .... interesting observations that are much appreciated

[North Country Gal]

I think you're doing just fine in the marksmanship department, deano, especially with a new setup like that. As for the receiver peep aligning differently than the buckhorn out on the barrel, don't sweat it. Have seen it many times when adding a Skinner peep to a rifle or even a Williams style peep. It's actually pretty rare that the bore line of a barrel on a rifle lines up perfectly with the axis of the receiver when the barrel is attached to the receiver, so when going with a receiver mounted peep, you can expect to have a bit of drifting to the right or left with the peep or the front sight. Have seen examples even more off center than yours and the rifle still shot just fine with the peep. The only thing that counts is getting the sights that you plan to use aligned for the sake of shooting, even if either the Skinner peep or the front sight are not perfectly centered in their respective dovetails. Again, in a large number of the lever guns in which I added the Skinner peep, either the peep or the front sight was slightly off center in the dovetail. Not a big deal at all and not something to spend time on trying to get things perfect. Your time is better spent on keeping that good progress going on your shooting skills.

[deano5150]

I think you're doing just fine in the marksmanship department, deano, especially with a new setup like that. As for the receiver peep aligning differently than the buckhorn out on the barrel, don't sweat it. Have seen it many times when adding a Skinner peep to a rifle or even a Williams style peep. It's actually pretty rare that the bore line of a barrel on a rifle lines up perfectly with the axis of the receiver when the barrel is attached to the receiver, so when going with a receiver mounted peep, you can expect to have a bit of drifting to the right or left with the peep or the front sight. Have seen examples even more off center than yours and the rifle still shot just fine with the peep. The only thing that counts is getting the sights that you plan to use aligned for the sake of shooting, even if either the Skinner peep or the front sight are not perfectly centered in their respective dovetails. Again, in a large number of the lever guns in which I added the Skinner peep, either the peep or the front sight was slightly off center in the dovetail. Not a big deal at all and not something to spend time on trying to get things perfect. Your time is better spent on keeping that good progress going on your shooting skills.

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, NCG! I guess I like to tinker with things too much sometimes. You’re right that my time would be better spent improving my skills and learning to adapt myself to the rifle instead of trying to make it “perfect”.

[RanchRoper]

Looks good to me...nice shooting.

[deano5150]

Looks good to me...nice shooting.

Thanks!

[Redthies]

Great report Deano. I’m glad they are working out for you! The front Patridge really makes a lot of the difference in my mind. I’d like to put a smaller version of it on my SGC, but I don’t think Andy makes a smaller one. I’ll have to check on that.