Sights for Cowboy action rifle

[phoenix1151]

I just got a Rossi 20" octagon barreled R92, and the semi-buckhorn rear sight and brass bead front sight just don't work for my old eyes.  I am contemplating the Marble Bullseye Ghost ring (replaces the existing rear sight) or the XS rear sight (mounts on the top rear of the receiver, drilled and tapped).  I'm looking for supporting opinions from those that have used these sights.

I'm still a bit hesitant about having a post front sight though.  I can focus on the front sight OR the target, no longer can have both in decent focus.  I'm wondering about having a ring for a front sight instead of a post, that way I can align the sight picture through the rear and front rings for alignment, and focus on the target.  Anyone heard of such an arrangement?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I use a Lyman #2 tang sight.  As far as I know they are legal.

[Pettifogger]

The Ghost Ring rear sight is not SASS legal.  The most popular set-up is a big bead front sight (.125 bead or a little larger) and a Marbles flat top rear sight.  If you are taking time to truly try and focus, you are shooting to slow.  Put the front bead on the target, doesn't matter if the target is in sharp focus at CAS ranges, and shoot.  I know a few people with globe front sights that tried using a ring in the front.  Slowed them down and they switched to a post or removed it and went to a large bead front sight.  Remember the game is primarily designed to be quick and close.  You want a flash sight picture, fire and move on to the next target.  If you are thinking about it, you are wasting precious time.  The XS sight that mounts on the top of the rear of the receiver is also not SASS legal.  Only tang mounted aperture sights are allowed.  Oh, almost forgot.  Very, very few people can focus on the front sight, rear sight and target and have them all in focus.  The human eye does not have an infinite depth of field.  Focusing on the front sight and having the target blurred is pretty much a normal sight picture.

[phoenix1151]

Not really into the tang sight, it seems to me to be more for longer range shooting, no?.  According to Pettifogger, I can forget both the Marble Bullseye and the XS ghost ring too.  Sounds like 'leave as is' or grind down the semi buckhorn to a flat top and try that along with enlarging the front bead.  I'm sure I read that one cannot use any luminous sight paints but what are the restrictions on enhancing the front or rear sight with other colour paint, like white, gold, yellow, etc?

[Pettifogger]

If you are shooting SASS go to the SASS website and click on the rulebooks section.  There is a whole section on sights.  White and gold paint are certainly OK.  You see lots of painted front pistol sights.  However, most people use a brass or white bead for the rifle front sight.  There are all kinds of sights on Rossi rifles so I'm not sure exactly what sights you have.  If the front sight has a bead is it possible someone replaced the front sight?  Maybe you can post photos and we can give you some ideas.

[hp246]

I was always taught front sight clear, rear sight clear, target out of focus.  If you are having problems with focus as your eyes age, go to an ophthalmologist that caters to shooters (ask around).  They can help tremendously.   Once you get the vision corrected then take a look at your sighting systems.  Just my .02.

[Curley Cole]

i agree if you are spending that much time focusing, then you are losing time. Tupelo Flash had Jim Bowie put an ivory bead on the front of my rifle and as soon as I can see that bead I let loose...I have been told by folks counting my scores that I was putting my hits right on top of each other. and pretty much dead center.

So just workin on lining that front site up and go to town. At home I practive with an empty gun (or with snapcaps) and use pictures on the wall. bring the gun up on the picture and fire, and move on to the next one. (you wouldn't believe how many people wait to see where the shot hits before moving on to the next target. After you have pulled the trigger move on to the next target all you need to do for confirmation is listen for the clang. That is all you care about A hit. but if you practice like that just a few minutes a day, you would be surprised how quick the muscle memory kicks in.

curley