Sight removal=drift left or right?

[.22LRGUY]

Hey guys-have a couple of sight issues to address, main one being a rear sight replacement on a BL-22. Got the replacement a while ago but when I've gone to swap it out, 2 questions pop-up;

1.does it matter which direction you drift the sight?
2.centering=eyeball only? (not adjustable for windage)

Now I think the answers are NO and YES respectively, but thought I'd ask some guys who'd actually know.

 

[struff55]

left to right and eye ball centring

 

[Lodi]

To remove - Left to Right
To install - Right to Left

A combination square can be used to get you close on install. Add a piece of tape to the square to prevent scratches then align the blade with the center of the aperture. Set the square before moving the original sight.

 

[Thunderhog]

To remove - Left to Right
To install - Right to Left

A combination square can be used to get you close on install. Add a piece of tape to the square to prevent scratches then align the blade with the center of the aperture. Set the square before moving the original sight.

Right to remove.
Left to install.

This is also how I was taught by a gunsmith!

 

[trevj]

Measure first, cut once...

Seriously, put a digital or dial caliper to both sides of the dovetail, to see which is the large vs. small side if the taper involved.

 

[.22LRGUY]

Thanks guys!

 

[fingers284]

2.centering=eyeball only? (not adjustable for windage)

Just to clarify...the dove tail slide is the adjustable windage available to you...it matters not that it is "centered", what matters is if it puts the slug into your aiming point.

 

[.22LRGUY]

Just to clarify...the dove tail slide is the adjustable windage available to you...it matters not that it is "centered", what matters is if it puts the slug into your aiming point.

For sure, but with sight widths not always matching the dovetail length-guess I was wondering if there is a way to measure/center. I understand that if you're not hitting your target=rear sight will need to move. That foundation was learned around 48-50 years ago with a pellet rifle a few miles from Wasaga Beach.

 

[jjohnwm]

No point in getting any closer than just eyeball-centered, or in using any fancy measuring tricks. You will almost certainly be making adjustments to fine-tune the sighting of the gun when you shoot it.

The eyeball method is very entertaining also; you will be amused and amazed when you find out how many rifles have barrels and receivers that are very poorly aligned with each, easily seen with the unaided eye if you are actually looking for it.