Spencer sights

red coneston · February 13, 2006, 09:57:42 PM

Hello SSS
I just got a new Taylors .44 russian and it shoots 9 inches high at 25 yds. I need input on where to get taller front sight and maybe a better rear sight, the front dovetail seems about .450 wide and rear is even bigger. The rifle works well and sure is fun but I need to hit where Im aimin. Sight info would be appreciated.
Red Coneston

Wagon Wheel · February 14, 2006, 01:49:56 AM

Your front sight sits in a dovetail?

WW

Two Flints · February 14, 2006, 05:19:51 AM

Hi Red,

Can you tell us a bit more about your Spencer? Where did you get it? If from a previous owner, was it modified in any way? Are you going to join SSS? Let me know by Email or register on the forum. I will attach some comments by Spencer owners regarding sights to your post. It may give you a lead/suggestion on sights.

Two Flints

from previous posts
[Received my new rear sight from Buffalo Arms Co. It is the excellent Smith Enterprises buckhorn ladder sight on a base with a .450" dovetail. Much better sight picture and ladder sight adjustments..If you haven't seen or owned one of the Smith Enterprises, you are missing a great sight.

My dovetail slot measures about 0.436". I have a safe file for cutting dovetails. I'll cut down the dovetail on the sight base rather than enlarge the dovetail slot in the barrel. That way, I will be able to install the factory rear sight again should I ever get involved with the re-enactment crowd.
I installed the Buffalo Arms sight. Now, I have a real sight picture. I was able to shoot 3-4" groups @ 100 yards on a windy day & without having worked on the trigger pull yet.

One more thing about the Smith Enterprises combination buckhorn/ladder sight. The gun still hits about 10" high @ 100 yards. I will have to deepen the notch in the rear sight to get a point blank 100 yard sight picture using a bottom hold.]

Backstrap Bill · February 16, 2006, 09:40:31 PM

It is possible to compute how tall the front sight should be when you know where the bullets hit at the desired distance. Lots of books have the formulas. I will post them if there is interest.

I have considered removing the top part of the front sight & them building it back up with TIG weld so as not to over heat the brazed joint between the barrel & sight. Then shaping the sight with files & blueing it.

Another more elegant solution I've considered is to remove the top part of the front sight, milling a slot in the stub, drilling a hole for a roll pin, and making sight insets. This would end up looking like the front sight on a Trapdoor. I could make inserts of various lengths, say for a 50 yard zero for Cowboy shooting & one for a 100 yard zero for hunting.

If I under take the project to change the front sight, I'll probably use the 'mill a slot' method. It won't be Period Correct, but it will be hard to tell from several yards away.

red coneston · February 17, 2006, 10:12:52 PM

B Bill, Your idea is interesting, would it be feasible to have the old sight removed and mill a 3/8 dovetail for a marbles front sight as I use mine for CAS shooting.

Backstrap Bill · February 18, 2006, 06:41:32 PM

Red,

I am not a gunsmith, but seems like the barrel is a little thin up front. I'd worry about making it too thin when milling the slot.

You gonna go to Hell on Wheels? I am thinking about using the Spencer there since the only think I expect to win is a pile of style points.

geo · February 19, 2006, 12:21:52 PM

i had the front sight replaced by a blackpowder gunsmith. it stands real tall! but socks the bullets dead center at fifty yards. the sight radius from the v-notch to the back of the front sight blade is 19.5", the barrel length is 24", the front sight stands .52" tall. if both sights are dovetailed you can drift either sight for windage. it's better to have a too tall front sight...you can file the blade down if it's shooting to high. by the way, the spencer bullet drops about 22" at 100 yards. good luck, geo. p.s. i am shooting the 56-50 round with a 30 gr.pyrodex pellet and a 340 gr. bullet.

alex · February 19, 2006, 07:46:03 PM

" it's better to have a too tall front sight...you can file the blade down if it's shooting to high.
[/quote

I think you meant to say if you can file the blade down if it's shooting to LOW, you might find your going the wrong direction if you go the other way.

geo · February 20, 2006, 10:02:22 AM

alex...duh on me...you are so right! thanks for the correction...let's see now, port is on the left side and starboard...

geo.

Grapeshot · February 20, 2006, 10:30:15 AM

When I shot with N/SSA we had a machinist in our unit that would mill a slot in the front sight base and make a replacement front sight blade from a piece of circular saw blade. At no time did the slot milled in the front sight base ever cut into the barrel itself.

The sight was left taller than necessary so we could file it down to hit point of aim with the load that we as individuals shot.

I agree that the slot and replaceable blades are the way to go.

red coneston · February 20, 2006, 05:21:46 PM

It seems to me that milling a slot in the existing sight base is indeed the best way. I was in Cabelas today and on the used rack was an old 92 win with the front setup you described, now to find someone to do it. Thanks for the input from all.

red coneston · May 31, 2006, 06:55:25 PM

Howdy all, after suggesting milling a slot in my front sight base to my machinest friend at the Bulletworks he preferred to mill a 3/8 dovetail and install a .50 height marbles bead sight I had. While it may not be authentic it hits point of aim with 160gr bullets but still about 2 in high with the slower 200grs at 25 yds, havent tried it at longer range yet with the new setup. Looks real good and better sight picture. Red