Retrofitting aperture (iron/open) sights

BRACES of Bristol - Sauer 100 XTA Stainless Package
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User00040

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I am probably among the few who are looking for a way to fit modern bolt actions with a rear peep sight and hooded front sight.

The problems encountered are that modern sporting rifles are almost exclusively used with scopes, eliminating any demand and hence making this feature obsolete.

A prime example of this feature being executed correctly and with elegance was the Sako 'Vixen', 'Forester' and 'FinnBear' line which offered a detachable rear peep sight along with a hooded front sight (most examples have lost their hoods), yet the dovetail system was designed in a way (that I am led to believe) would still allow for a scope to be mounted once the rear peep sight was detached. Unfortunately, many either stored the detachable peepsights 'somewhere safe' or discarded them to permanently affix a scope.

Whilst some modern rifles offer a barrel mounted solution, the sight radius is diminished greatly and the setup is arguably not as accurate and more prone to damage.

Ideally, I would like them to be detachable so I can return to my scope and moderator stalking setup as well.

These would primarily be used on a range in good weather and lighting (possibly under shelter).

I am aware that some rifles still offer this feature, such as the Tikka Arctic and Ruger M77 MKII/Gunsite Scout.

If anyone has a setup like this, please let me know!
 
I think there is an American company which do a peep sight which fixes to the rear scope mount on a CZ 550. I this would help I will have a trawl.

David
 
Kalahari said:
I think there is an American company which do a peep sight which fixes to the rear scope mount on a CZ 550. I this would help I will have a trawl.

David
Click to expand...

Hi David,

Are you thinking of New England Custom Gunsmithing (NECG) sights?

Their irons and QD scope base do look very slick, would just have to find a gunsmith to mount the front sight body.
 
caberslash said:
A prime example of this feature being executed correctly and with elegance was the Sako 'Vixen', 'Forester' and 'FinnBear' line which offered a detachable rear peep sight along with a hooded front sight (most examples have lost their hoods), yet the dovetail system was designed in a way (that I am led to believe) would still allow for a scope to be mounted once the rear peep sight was detached. Unfortunately, many either stored the detachable peepsights 'somewhere safe' or discarded them to permanently affix a scope.
Click to expand...

I think that a lot of those models you mention had a notch rear-sight on the barrel if they had a foresight fitted - which not all did. The SAKO aperture rear sight you mention was made to fit the tapered dovetail on the rear of the receiver. This was AFAIK the same tapered dovetail as on all SAKOs from that time up to the 85 - so you're right, the SAKO bases would easily go on once the aperture sight was removed and vice vera. These aperture sights still come up for sale from time to time - but the foresights that were fitted to go with earlier barrel-mounted tangent rear-sights are lower than those fitted to later models with Williams-type 'ramp' rear-sights: so the aperture may not necessarily be useable with later arrangement.
 
Dalua said:
I think that a lot of those models you mention had a notch rear-sight on the barrel if they had a foresight fitted - which not all did. The SAKO aperture rear sight you mention was made to fit the tapered dovetail on the rear of the receiver. This was AFAIK the same tapered dovetail as on all SAKOs from that time up to the 85 - so you're right, the SAKO bases would easily go on once the aperture sight was removed and vice vera. These aperture sights still come up for sale from time to time - but the foresights that were fitted to go with earlier barrel-mounted tangent rear-sights are lower than those fitted to later models with Williams-type 'ramp' rear-sights: so the aperture may not necessarily be useable with later arrangement.
Click to expand...

Thank you for mentioning that, good points to keep in mind!

There is a Vixen that I have set my sights on (haha! :lol: ) which seems to be configured for the Williams-type 'ramp' rear-sight but the owner might have taken it off to fit a scope and it is sitting in a draw somewhere yonder. Trying to source one now and a few people have got in touch so there evidently still a following. Have requested further pictures of the front sight to ascertain if the endeavour is worthwhile. I suspect the front sight hood is long gone but will wait and see.

It's a shame Sako did not retain this system, probably another cost saving measure!



Having started a thread saying the Sako 75's and 85's are outdated, I'm now looking at rifles that pre-date those actions.

My hypocrisy is clear for all to see!
 
caberslash said:
Hi David,

Are you thinking of New England Custom Gunsmithing (NECG) sights?

Their irons and QD scope base do look very slick, would just have to find a gunsmith to mount the front sight body.
Click to expand...
That's the one. I am afraid I rather thought that if you were just looking for an aperture sight you may well have had a foresight already installed, and if so modifying the blade to make it shorter or changing it to make it taller would be all that would be required. Sorry for the assumption.

David.
 
My first full bore rifle was a BRNO Zkk 600, which had a "pop up" peep sight built into the rear scope mount ( also built in).
I, of course was in a great hurry to fit a scope, and only used the peep sight once or twice to make sure it was zeroed.
In retrospect, I think that was a very neat idea.
 
Have a look on sakocollectors.com Best place outside of SAKO OY for info on all things Sako

Cheers
 
With a threaded Muzzle Cap and some form of rail or rear sight mount this would n't be that difficult.

Rear Sight - something like this


might even be small enough to find under a scope so it is always there.

Or indeed you take an old rear ring cut it down and then fabricate a peep sight.

Front Sight. Take the muzzle cap, or even your moderator. Make sure it's tight, and possibly put a small witness mark so that when you unscrew it it goes back to the same place. Then get a front sight base and araldite or solder it to the muzzle cap or moderator. Key will be getting it the right height above the bore.

There are quite a few clamp on front sights that also available - the Tactical rifles are often fitted with such.
 
Get a side mounted rear sight as installed on older target / military (eg SMLE) rifles and side mount it (with QD screws) onto the receiver (a proper gunsmith job) or use a ramp style rear adjustable aperture on top. (Williams)
The rear element aperture being adjustable allows you to get best focus in different light conditions.
For the muzzle end I rate the tapered dovetail mounted, fixed shroud with flip up post and aperture elements inside it -- As fitted to BSA rook rifles. I have one of these & it is great fun. It is very good in use.-Far more precise than post & Vee options -- Post sight for the bunnies & aperture for bullseye targets all in the same shroud module. Combined with the flip up (tang mounted) rear which is adjustable for elevation, windage and aperture hole size.
 
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