Front sight aperture inserts

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Have myself a sportco model 44 target rifle. Need a couple inserts for the front sight.
Which should I buy?
Going to be shooting at a metal gong around 100 yards away.

 

[tiriaq]

Are you referring to the diameter of the aperture in the front sight element? The diameter of the gong would be a factor, as would your perception of the sight picture.
Or are you referring to the make of front sight unit, and what elements will fit?

 

[OkayShooter]

You need to know what sight it is first. As there are various different sizes.

Lyman 93 & 20 MJT.. Can uses the Anschutz M18 apetures. If you measure the inside where the insert rests. You'll be able to find online which ones you need.

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Here's the photo of the fron sight.
The brand seems to be John Wilkes Precision.

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Few more.

 

[OkayShooter]

Measure inside picture #4. Right where that lip is, that the insert sits against. Or the OD of the insert.



Because if it's around 16.9-17.2mm or around there, you can run common a M18 Anschutz inserts that you can get from Nordic Marksman. But the actual Aperture size depends on what size gong you have. Too big and it gives too much room for error. Too small and you wont fit the gong in the sight picture.

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Measure inside picture #4. Right where that lip is, that the insert sits against. Or the OD of the insert.

View attachment 691443

Because if it's around 16.9-17.2mm or around there, you can run common a M18 Anschutz inserts that you can get from Nordic Marksman. But the actual Aperture size depends on what size gong you have. Too big and it gives too much room for error. Too small and you wont fit the gong in the sight picture.

Looks like it's a 17.8mm insert. Going to be interesting to find a couple. I think Dad has 2 steel gongs, just checked, one is a 10" going to be using that as the main one.

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Found out something interesting about the sights, seems that both the front and rear are made by a fellow called John Wilkes, from what I'm reading on other forums made during the 80's.
http://https://www.gunboards.com/threads/precision-aperture-range-sight.384967/

 

[tiriaq]

Here's an AE Clarke sight with its box. Central style. The other device is an adapter allowing this sight - or any Central pattern sight - to be installed on a Weaver top mount base. The aperture is stamped 2.9, indicating a 2.9mm aperture. Note that the positioning lugs are offset asymetric.

 

[peterdobson]

Send your address to info@hirschprecision.com and we'll send some inserts at no charge.

 

[sillymike]

Get a set, and try different size

 

[OkayShooter]

I know the guys in small bore F class, use 2.9-3.0mm. That is what I ordered.

Most apeture front sights come with 3.2, 3.4, 3.9, 4.2mm and other size apetures.

I would take a gamble with using a M18 anschutz, William's globe, Lyman (93/20) inserts.

 

[tiriaq]

Get a set, and try different size

I prefer those inserts to the steel ones. Another option is a front sight with variable aperture.

 

[sillymike]

I prefer those inserts to the steel ones. Another option is a front sight with variable aperture.

Yup, but a big difference in $.
- Slimlime were $20/set... Anschutz adjustable iris, about 10x more...

Depending on the size of the gong, OP could also use a post insert

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Yup, but a big difference in $.
- Slimlime were $20/set... Anschutz adjustable iris, about 10x more...

Depending on the size of the gong, OP could also use a post insert

I'm going to be using a 10" steel gong. Might either, haven't shot with aperature sights before so going to be interesting how it shoots.

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Send your address to info@hirschprecision.com and we'll send some inserts at no charge.

I'll do that.

Mark

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Get a set, and try different size

If I had access to a lathe I could spin up a few to try.

 

[OkayShooter]

I prefer those inserts to the steel ones. Another option is a front sight with variable aperture.

Min 250$ plus tax and shipping for a Duo. Or 8.50 for the plastic disk.

 

[tiriaq]

The price of a front and rear sight set for TR is now enough to bring tears to one's eyes. Costs more than my first TR did, complete with sights. Inserts for a vintage unit are a bargain.
I haven't shot TR for years, but still have two competitive rifles and all the kit necessary. First one is a Nielsen MN300, now fitted with a Schneider barrel. The second is the one I made up as a replacement for the Nielsen. Musgrave action in an adjustable Robertson stock with NZ True Flight barrel.
The Nielsen was a descendent of the Sportco like the OP has. Lloyd Nielsen started out making adapters so Sportco shooters could rebarrel with other than Sportco barrels. The Sportco bolt locks into the Sportco barrel. The adapters morphed into an action, which used Sportco boltheads.

 

[Canuck65]

Nordic Marksman has a good selection of apertures and inserts individually or in sets. Hard to say what you need without knowing more about the target size, lighting conditions, sight radius, the condition of your eyesight, etc etc. a decent set isn’t that expensive and you’d have options to suit your conditions that day.