New Zastava M70 Bolt Action Needs Iron Sights. Suggestions?

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js8588

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About a week ago, I picked up my brand new 270 Winchester Zastava M70 bolt action rifle from my local FFL. I bought it on GrabaGun.com, caveat emptor on online gun purchases, I know. Anyway, I took it out of the box before doing the background check and all that jazz and discovered, to my consternation, that the gun had been incredibly misrepresented by the stock photo used over at GrabAGun. They showed the rifle as having both the bavarian style buttstock and iron sights. The rifle I received had a monte carlo stock and no sights. Seems the new imports are trending towards the "American" preference of scope-only. -sigh- I had half a mind to refuse the transfer and send the rifle back. Upon further inspection, I observed that the stock fit me very well and although barely finished with a light coating of oil (this was expected. I know not to expect CZ finish at Zastava pricing), it has some of the nicest fiddleback I've seen in-person on a rifle (think stock photos of the CZ550FS). A few coats of linseed or tung oil ought to really make it pop!

So, now I'm going to have to take her to the gun smith and get it either dovetailed or drilled for a set of open sights. I'll defer to the smith on which is best for this particular gun. This begs the question, what sights should I get/what will be compatible? I will likely put a scope on her down the line but I like backup irons on my rifles. I'm fond of the idea of aperture sights though I have more experience with the notch and blade variety.

Budget limit is $150 for front and rear sight not including smithwork.

Other observations about the rifle-
VERY solid. Feels more like the old world construction of my VZ 22 and VZ 24 than my Winchester M70 Alaskan.
Blueing is adequate. Not phenominal but it'll do.
Lots of factory gunk and grime to clean out but the action is SMOOTH.

I'm annoyed that my $500 rifle is going to be a $750+ rifle by the time I'm done but I was going to need a smith to bed the action and float the barrel anyway so, this is just one more flourish that will just make the rifle more -mine-
 
rifle sights

I put some iron sights on a mauser that had the barrel shortened.
I used a Williams "Streamlined Ramp" up front with a 1/16" Gold Bead (sold separately) and a "WGOS" rear sight base (blades sold separately).
There is a wide variety of front and rear sight options available, and good gunsmith will know how to calculate heights.
I don't have any pics but you can see them on Midwayusa.com:D
check the thread "Carbine vs Hunting Rifle" post 25, it's the top rifle in the pic.
I did a edit= WGOS= thanks LAGS, my mistake.
 
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I would vote for the Williams front ramp, either a 1/16 bead front sight or a Fire sight Blade, and a Barrel Mounted Williams WGOS rear ramp.
Both Drilled and Tapped to the Barrel.
Your Smith can measure your barrel diameter and come up with the correct Heights for what will be needed.
I use this set up on my customs, so the rear sight and front ramp sight can be removed if you later want that Slick Look or install only a scope.
 
There is a rear scope base that has a fold down aperture sight. I think it is right around your total budget for both the front and rear sight, but then again it is also your scope base. I've also had good luck finding older banded front sights online at good prices. The Lyman's give a rifle a nice classic look.
 
@js8588
You can get the sights from Midway or from Brownell's and several other sites on the net
But you need to figure out the diameter of your barrel and get the Base and ramps theat will work within the range of the height of sights you will need and work for you.
Actually, In the Brownell's catalog, they show a formula to do exactly that.
 
Redfield used to make a steel base with pop-up peep, before Leupold took them over.... I hear said that Talley has similar concept available.
 
I think he might be referring to the Williams "Ace in the Hole" rear peep and rail combo.

http://www.williamsgunsight.com/gunsights/AceInthehole.htm

It doesn't come with any sort of companion front sight and much of which you opt for on the front would depend on the sighting line if you go with this setup as a rear. If it requires a tall front sight the ramp style would be the way to go. If the receiver is low then it may just require a standard dovetail style.

Of course if this rail is too long and would block part of the ejector opening it's easy enough to cut it down. You'd simply have to get a piece that is the same cross section to use as a front mount.
 
AABen,
Scopes break. Also, in PA, over 100 yard shots aren't all that common making scopes unnecessary for most applications. This rifle was purchased with the intended purpose of being my primary whitetail rifle.
 
Stan Rose,

I'm ok with going over budget, just had that figure as a sane starting point. Love the concept and would probably be willing to pay a little more for something like that if need be.
 
Stan,
The Gen 3 front and rear ghost ring sight is exactly what I had in mind! Perfect, thanks, man. A little more than I planned to pay but will be well worth it.
 
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