Using A Buckhorn Rear Sight As A Peep Sight

[Pete44ru]

I thought this might be interesting, since it's how I use the full buckhorn rear barrel sight on my flintlock rifle - although many a levergun has sported buckhorn sights.



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[gary rice]

It's more than interesting, ive been thinking about this very thing in fact. Hows it working out for you? I originally used the semi buckhorn sight that came on my marlin cowboy and after getting used to it i could shoot it alright at 75 and 100 yards but when i went to a peep sight it changed everything, shot a whole lot better. Now i have this browning 1886 i bought a few months back and im not doing real well with the semi buckhorn sight on it at all as far as consistancy. actually this past weekend i took a marbles semi buckhorn sight and soldered on a washer about an 1/8th diameter to the rear of the sight, turned it into a peep sight so to speak, i intend to try it out this weekend although it will be more of a barrel type peep, dont know if it will work or not. Anyway I too have wondered about the idea of using a full buckhorn sight on the gun as a peep sight, im glad you posted this.

[Sixgun]

Don't know if this works but I took it off an 1893 Marlin before I had a chance to shoot the rifle. Its from the turn of the century so the idea is not new.

After thinking about it, I don't see why not, but with the reduced sight radius and the large opening, it probably would not be any better that a standard open sight.---------Sixgun

[gary rice]

Don't know if this works but I took it off an 1893 Marlin before I had a chance to shoot the rifle. Its from the turn of the century so the idea is not new.

After thinking about it, I don't see why not, but with the reduced sight radius and the large opening, it probably would not be any better that a standard open sight.---------Sixgun

That looks very similiar to what i did with adding on the washer only the peep hole will be quite a bit smaller on mine. Lol very primitive but we'll see. Thanks for the pic of that.

[KCSO]

That's how I was taught to use a buckhorn by my grandfather. A good shot can do surprisingly well out to 300 yards or more with a buckhorn, IF he is willing to learn and PRACTICE.

[20cows]

Makes sense to me.

[AJMD429]

You might have seen these sights Marble's makes - part 'peep' part 'open'. Saw the very top off, and you'd have kind of a 'buckhorn' concept, as well.



The view really does look like this next picture, so the outer 'ghost ring' provides a rapid sight picture, and the inner 'fuzzy' looking one, allows a more precise aiming point (or points, if you put the front bead between or on the rings). The old-timer who showed me this sight the first time did 'windage' the same way, and nailed many running rabbits with his 39A - I could never get the hang of 'Kentucky windage' with ANY sight, myself. Lots less of the view blocked than with the conventional 'open' sights, too:

...actually this past weekend i took a marbles semi buckhorn sight and soldered on a washer about an 1/8th diameter to the rear of the sight, turned it into a peep sight so to speak...

Here's another "washer" sight - the original open-notch rear was lost, so I drilled the smaller hole you see in the flat area of the washer, then Dremel'd and hand-filed the rest, leaving the arc from the original larger hole, which had to straddle the hammer/firing pin area.



I thinned down the lower part, so it would sit in the groove, and...



Not a bad view, either...

[gary rice]

You might have seen these sights Marble's makes - part 'peep' part 'open'. Saw the very top off, and you'd have kind of a 'buckhorn' concept, as well.



The view really does look like this next picture, so the outer 'ghost ring' provides a rapid sight picture, and the inner 'fuzzy' looking one, allows a more precise aiming point (or points, if you put the front bead between or on the rings). The old-timer who showed me this sight the first time did 'windage' the same way, and nailed many running rabbits with his 39A - I could never get the hang of 'Kentucky windage' with ANY sight, myself. Lots less of the view blocked than with the conventional 'open' sights, too:

...actually this past weekend i took a marbles semi buckhorn sight and soldered on a washer about an 1/8th diameter to the rear of the sight, turned it into a peep sight so to speak...

Here's another "washer" sight - the original open-notch rear was lost, so I drilled the smaller hole you see in the flat area of the washer, then Dremel'd and hand-filed the rest, leaving the arc from the original larger hole, which had to straddle the hammer/firing pin area.



I thinned down the lower part, so it would sit in the groove, and...



Not a bad view, either...

Nice work on that. actually I hadnt seen the marbles version until now when you posted it. Im not sure what part id cut off, probably the top as two rings would probably blind side me. Ill check into that one, again nice work on that home made one.

[gary rice]

You might have seen these sights Marble's makes - part 'peep' part 'open'. Saw the very top off, and you'd have kind of a 'buckhorn' concept, as well.



The view really does look like this next picture, so the outer 'ghost ring' provides a rapid sight picture, and the inner 'fuzzy' looking one, allows a more precise aiming point (or points, if you put the front bead between or on the rings). The old-timer who showed me this sight the first time did 'windage' the same way, and nailed many running rabbits with his 39A - I could never get the hang of 'Kentucky windage' with ANY sight, myself. Lots less of the view blocked than with the conventional 'open' sights, too:

...actually this past weekend i took a marbles semi buckhorn sight and soldered on a washer about an 1/8th diameter to the rear of the sight, turned it into a peep sight so to speak...

Here's another "washer" sight - the original open-notch rear was lost, so I drilled the smaller hole you see in the flat area of the washer, then Dremel'd and hand-filed the rest, leaving the arc from the original larger hole, which had to straddle the hammer/firing pin area.



I thinned down the lower part, so it would sit in the groove, and...



Not a bad view, either...

Nice work on that. actually I hadnt seen the marbles version until now when you posted it. Im not sure what part id cut off, probably the top as two rings would probably blind side me. Ill check into that one, again nice work on that home made one.

[Winnetou]

This is an interesting topic. The barrel-mounted aperture sight is an excellent concept. A hundred years ago, and more, they appeared in several varieties. They were briefly revived in some .22LR rifles in the post-war era. But to-day, there are few choices.

I like the Marbles Bullseye sight. It is a robust and well-thought out design, reminiscent of the past. But its lowest elevation is considerably higher than that of the standard open rear sight from Marbles. It requires a tall front sight, or one that is mounted on a ramp, especially if the barrel has significant taper. The reason for the greater height is obvious: the outer circle is the limiting factor. If Marbles would make a similar sight with a smaller outer circle—and perhaps a smaller inner circle, too—they might achieve perfection for many rifles, where (I think) the closer the line of the sights to the axis of the barrel, the better, particularly if one does much precise shooting at relatively short ranges.

Skinner Sights offer a barrel mounted aperture sight that is splendidly low:

http://www.skinnersights.com/barrel_mount_6.html

It has the additional advantage that apertures of different sizes can be used. However, the elevation range is limited, and adjustment requires loosening a set-screw. Never the less, I use one of these excellent sights on a Baby Rolling Block rifle in .22RF, in conjunction with a Lyman 17A globe front sight—with superb results. I use an aperture that is considerably smaller than that of the Marbles Bullseye.

It occurs to me that a combination of the two systems would be ideal: a Marbles sporting rear sight with a low, inverted U-shaped boss drilled and threaded for small aperture discs.

[AJMD429]

It occurs to me that a combination of the two systems would be ideal: a Marbles sporting rear sight with a low, inverted U-shaped boss drilled and threaded for small aperture discs.

It would be interesting to thread the inner ring of the Bullseye sight for apertures to use when at the range. For my eyes, though, a small (i.e. the 'screw-in' type) aperture needs to be back on the receiver, and not the barrel; the Bullseye sight is about perfect for on-the-barrel mounting, however.

OTOH, the other thing about many sights is they don't adjust easily or repeatably, which makes sighting-in full of compromises. I've thought (and even set aside some parts) about taking a Williams FP sight base and somehow mounting the Marble's actual sight ring(s) on it, for use in an intermediate position, like the front two scope-holes on a Marlin.

[mikld]

I tried the Marble's Bullseye rear on my Puma. I guess my eyes are too bad for this sight, as the center ring "fuzzed out" when I tried to sight the gun. I went with a Williams receiver sight instead.

[jnyork]

This flinter has a fixed full buckhorn rear sight, has worked very well for me over the years, have harvested about 15-16 pronghorns with it. I do indeed use it like a peep sight, the ears of the sight almost touch at the top.

[Pete44ru]

While I firmly believe that a closed-ring peep/aperture sight, located on the barrel of a rifle, is too far from the shooter's eye foor proper use as a peep sight, the buckhorn seems to work (IMO) due to the unclosed circle (open top) passing a better sight picture than an aperture.

Here's a view of the full buckhorn on my rocklock:



(The front sight is German Silver)

.

[rangerider7]

On a full buckhorn where is the dot supposed to be at 50, 100, 200 etc.? I have always put the dot in the v at the bottom for 50 yards.

[jnyork]

Rangerider, you will have much better accuracy putting the bead, top of the post, etc, in the middle of the "ring" formed by the full buckhorn, exactly the same way you would use a receiver or tang sight. Using the bead in the bottom of the "v" covers up too much of the target, IMHO. Sure, you can hit using the "bottom of the 'v' hold" but you can hit BETTER using the center of the ring hold. This is why all rifle target shooters use a receiver sight instead of open sights, it is so much easier to shoot accurately due to being able to SEE better. Pete44's photo shows exactly how it is done.

[JDL]

This is a very intresting topic as this thought crossed my mind several years ago and I never got a round tuit to try it out. The only full buckhorn sight I have now is on my .36 cal. flintlock, similar to jnyork's but a half stock, and eventually I'm agona try it.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

This is an interesting topic. The barrel-mounted aperture sight is an excellent concept. A hundred years ago, and more, they appeared in several varieties. They were briefly revived in some .22LR rifles in the post-war era. But to-day, there are few choices.

I like the Marbles Bullseye sight. It is a robust and well-thought out design, reminiscent of the past. But its lowest elevation is considerably higher than that of the standard open rear sight from Marbles. It requires a tall front sight, or one that is mounted on a ramp, especially if the barrel has significant taper. The reason for the greater height is obvious: the outer circle is the limiting factor. If Marbles would make a similar sight with a smaller outer circle—and perhaps a smaller inner circle, too—they might achieve perfection for many rifles, where (I think) the closer the line of the sights to the axis of the barrel, the better, particularly if one does much precise shooting at relatively short ranges.

Skinner Sights offer a barrel mounted aperture sight that is splendidly low:

http://www.skinnersights.com/barrel_mount_6.html

It has the additional advantage that apertures of different sizes can be used. However, the elevation range is limited, and adjustment requires loosening a set-screw. Never the less, I use one of these excellent sights on a Baby Rolling Block rifle in .22RF, in conjunction with a Lyman 17A globe front sight—with superb results. I use an aperture that is considerably smaller than that of the Marbles Bullseye.

It occurs to me that a combination of the two systems would be ideal: a Marbles sporting rear sight with a low, inverted U-shaped boss drilled and threaded for small aperture discs.

I sell the Bullseye for the Rossi 92's. That has been my experience. To me it's not a true full buck.
I have a customer that uses a full buck with a brass bead front on a 24" 92 in 44-40. He uses this gun for CAS. Up close big targets all you need to do is get the bead anywhere in the horns and let'er rip. But he tells me to make a precise shots inside 50yds the bead needs to be in the notch at the bottom. But, he also told me that to shoot to 100yds the bead goes just under the horn tips and 200 it goes on top.

[Idiot]

Several years ago, on the topic of full buckhorn sights, I wrote they were almost worthless because they covered up most of the target. I, of course, was roasted over hot coals for this statement and I later, in a rare fit of humility and deceit, apologized and said I was wrong for making such a blasphemous statement. I then asked if any one could provide a set of original period (when buckhorn's were popular) instructions on the use of a buckhorn sight. No one could. I then asked if one of the experts on the use of buckhorn sights would write up a set of instructions regarding their proper usage. One person stepped forward and said he could, but since no one would read or believe them, said he wouldn't. So, now that the subject has once again come up, and because I am truly interested in the proper use of the full buckhorn sight; would someone please provide a set of instructions on the proper use of these sights.

I am not looking for anecdotal uses, or "how I use them," but an actual and original proper use instruction of the buckhorn sight. I think these instructions would be interesting to study and is a "must have" for a website dedicated to the lever action rifle.

Thanks.

[ByronG]

Well, I always thought the ears were just there to protect the sighting 'v'. Which makes me wonder about the purpose of the semi-buckhorn ears ?

I wonder if Mr Renner sells his "Adjustable Peephorn" separately?

http://rjrenner.blogspot.com/

[gary rice]

Well i tried out my home made version today and im satisfied it will work for me. My only problem was that it shot a foot high at 75 yards with the step elevator down at the bottom. This isnt a problem because i soldered on the washer too high so ill correct that this weekend. It wont be a target rifle but it'll put all 5 shots in a 5 inch circle if i hold it steady enough and thats not real great i know but good enough for me.

[Ysabel Kid]

Thanks for sharing this!

[Eli Chaps]

...

Skinner Sights offer a barrel mounted aperture sight that is splendidly low:

http://www.skinnersights.com/barrel_mount_6.html

It has the additional advantage that apertures of different sizes can be used. However, the elevation range is limited, and adjustment requires loosening a set-screw. Never the less, I use one of these excellent sights on a Baby Rolling Block rifle in .22RF, in conjunction with a Lyman 17A globe front sight—with superb results. I use an aperture that is considerably smaller than that of the Marbles Bullseye.

...

I run a Skinner brass barrel mounted peep on my Mod 60. It's a great little sight and fully adjustable. Not as nice as a receiver mounted peep, but a definite improvement over open sights. I tend to leave the aperture out and use it as a ghost ring.

[gary rice]

I like the looks of that skinner sight, do they make it in blue also?

[oldgerboy]

A few years ago this topic was chased around here. There was one additional item brought up then. It was out of Florida from a company (actually a one-man operation, I think) called One Raged Hole. He made peep inserts for open sights. I got one and installed on my Ruger Bisley and it was great. Several years ago, about 30+ actually, I welded up a peep set-up on my Thompson Renegade. It accounted for four deer.

[gary rice]

A few years ago this topic was chased around here. There was one additional item brought up then. It was out of Florida from a company (actually a one-man operation, I think) called One Raged Hole. He made peep inserts for open sights. I got one and installed on my Ruger Bisley and it was great. Several years ago, about 30+ actually, I welded up a peep set-up on my Thompson Renegade. It accounted for four deer.

I believe it, my home made one is shooting great for me.

[Eli Chaps]

I like the looks of that skinner sight, do they make it in blue also?

Yep and in stainless as well.