What are the best iron sites for a lever rifle?

[davek]

I'm interested in opinions regarding the best "utility" iron sites for a Model 94 .30-30. I'm thinking that I can do better than the bullhorn rear site that came with it, but that a peep site wouldn't be conducive to fast target aquisition. So what are the best all around iron sites?

Thanks.

 

[Preacherman]

I'd recommend the XS Sights ghost-ring setup. They're much faster to acquire than a peep sight, and are very accurate at short to medium range, which is what your rifle is designed for. See here for more information.

 

[Biff]

Its all a matter of practice. I had a williams peep on my .444 Marlin and could EASILY keep my groups well under 2" at 100 yards with full power loads. Once you are accustomed to them, peeps or ghost rings (the Williams peep becomes a ghost ring by simply unscrewing the aperture) are much faster than trying to line up your front bead in a notch and then putting the assembly on target. When looking through the peep, you tend to naturally center the front sight. Keep the front sight in focus, and put it on the target.

 

[Mannlicher]

The old Buckhorn sights hid a lot of the action when you put the rifle up to your shoulder. I removed the factory sight many years ago on my 1964 Marlin 336, and had my gunsmith mount a Lyman 66 Receiver sight. What a difference that made! What was a moderatly accurate field rifle, is now a 2 inch / 100 yard deer rifle. At the same time, I had the rifle rechambered in 30/30 Ackley Improved. I am comfortable with this rifle, and my handloads, out to 200 yards now. 150 grain Speer bullet at 2600fps is big medicine on deer or hogs.

 

[roscoe]

I second the XO ghost ring. Incidentally, if you ask them they also have a threaded one so you can install a Williams peep sight. That Williams peep definitely cuts my groups down.

 

[Z_Infidel]

I honestly never had much trouble aligning the factory sights on my Marlin 1894C quickly, but I'm getting ready to install a Marbles tang sight. With the widest aperture it is about like a ghost ring, and I'm hoping it proves useful. It will probably take a while to get used to a slightly different hold on the rifle with the sight installed -- it almost requires that you hold the thumb of your strong hand on the right side of the stock instead of wrapping it around the top. Of course, isn't this how Col. Cooper says it should be done anyway?

I agree that a ghost ring aperture sight allows you to focus naturally on the front sight -- I really like the sights on my Enfield No4MkI for this reason.

Edit: just remembered Perfessr said he still uses a thumb-over grip with his tang sight... I'll have to see how this works.

 

[Bobarino]

i just put a set of Tru-Glo fibre optic sights on my Win. 94. so far i like them quite a bit. i'm a little concerned about the ruggedness of them though. time will tell. sight picture is great. i got them at Cabela's for $30.

Bobby

 

[Brian Williams]

For general utility I would put a Williams 5D reciever sight on your laver gun. but if you want the best for accuracy and adjustability go with the Marble's tang sight w/ a Merit adjustable disc. I do not have the Merit disc yet but someday.