measuring Dovetail sight slots?

[butcherboy]

i was looking at different dovetail sights on the internet. how do you measure , so you know what dovetail you need? thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Sights for what?

Most American rifles use a 3/8" dovetail.
Front ramps on centerfire rifles may be 1/4".
Height & width also varies.

Here is a lot of good info on measuring height needed:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=365/guntech/Sight_Height_Calculation

Handguns dovetails are much more specific, and there are a lot of different dovetails sizes, tapers, and slide cuts used, depending on the gun make & model.
Your best bet there is to buy from a company that knows what you need to order.

rc

 

[butcherboy]

Rcmodel: rear sight for ruger single six. ruger part #: XR03500.

the height isnt the issue. i just dont know how to measure the dovetail slot width.