Howdy
I have lots of lever guns with lots of versions of Buckhorn rear sights. Full Buckhorn, Semi Buckhorn and Flat Top Buckhorn.
Generally speaking I like to have my sights set up for a Six O'Clock hold for the reason you state, so the sights do not obscure the target.
Technique will vary a bit depending on the type of sight. This is a Full Buckhorn sight. The 'horns' of the sight almost come together to form a full circle. Notice there is an adjustable insert with a small notch in it. Generally speaking with a sight like this it is easier to use it as a ghost ring, and allow the front sight to 'float' in the center of the ring, rather than try to center it down in the notch. The disadvantage to this type of sight is that it obscures a lot of the target, so it might not be too good for hunting. I can only guess at that, I am not a hunter, but I would guess this sight would obscure a lot of any animal it was pointed at.
View attachment 959893
Hear are a few Semi-Buckhorn rear sights. Notice there is a fair amount of variation in the designs. This first one is a standard Marbles Semi-Buckhorn that usually comes standard on Uberti lever guns, such as this replica Winchester Model 1873. It too has an adjustable insert, and it comes stock with a white diamond on the insert, but we have to black out the white diamond for CAS.
View attachment 959894
Here is an antique Semi-Buckhorn on an antique WInchester Model 1873.
View attachment 959895
A Semi-Buckhorn on a relatively modern Marlin Model 1894.
View attachment 959896
Another Semi-Buckhorn on an antique Winchester Model 1873.
View attachment 959897
Notice the size of the notch in these sights varies from reasonably large to tiny. My old eyes cannot even see the tiny notch on that last Winchester. In Cowboy Action it does not matter, the steel targets are large and close and all I have to do is center my sight picture on the center of the target and I will hit it. For shooting soup cans at the 25 yard berm, which bounce much better than soft drink cans because they are made of steel, not aluminum, I will nestle the bead of the front sight down in the notch and hold at Six O'Clock.
This is a Flat Top Buckhorn on an antique Winchester Model 1894. Lots of visibility to the sides with very little sight blocking the target, and a nice deep notch to settle the front sight bead in. If I were a hunter I would guess this sight would be ideal because it would not obscure much of the target. For soup cans at the 25 yard berm I nestle the front sight bead in the notch and hold at Six O'Clock.
View attachment 959898
Still another option. A folding rear sight that I had installed on an antique Winchester Model 1892.
View attachment 959899
I had this Lyman folding peep sight installed on the tang of the same '92. For close up shooting I fold down the tang sight and use the folding rear sight mounted on the barrel. I keep the peep sighted in for 100 yards and fold down the barrel mounted sight and use the peep out around 100 yards. This particular peep is only adjustable for elevation. Marbles makes one that is adjustable for elevation and windage.
View attachment 959900