Precision Iron Sights On A Bolt Rifle

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Silverlax

    Active Member
    Nov 13, 2014
    518
    Eastern Shore
    In recent years after all of the semi auto picatinny rail sights and optics, I want to get back to the basics. Growing up I've shot tens of thousands of .22's with blocky irons and was hoping for something with more precise sights and a larger caliber (MD legal of course.....then again all bolt rifles are legal, right?). Wood stocks, blued barrels, and history is a plus, but not looking for the incredibly rare with the price tags in the thousands. Any recommendations?
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    My most accurate rifle w/o a scope is my 1903a3
    Rear Peep sight increases sight radius.

    There are target shooting set ups a plenty out there.
     

    WeaponsCollector

    EXTREME GUN OWNER
    Mar 30, 2009
    12,120
    Southern MD
    If you are looking for an old school bolt action with a wooden stock you can't go wrong with an 03A3. But I must say my 1980's military style AR15 is my favorite and most accurate with iron sites. This is the target after the first time I shot it a few years back from 40 yards, the shots at the upper right are the first ones before I adjusted the sights(about 100 shots total)....
     

    Attachments

    • IMG_20170604_103452_962.jpg
      IMG_20170604_103452_962.jpg
      144.2 KB · Views: 364

    Cruacious

    C&R Farmer
    Apr 29, 2015
    1,596
    Elkton
    Try looking for a M38 or M96 Swedish rifle in 6.5x55. Excellent shooting rifles that have optional diopter sights you can add onto the rifles and still not extremely expensive. Or you could go for a K-31 or K-11 Swiss rifle in 7.5x55 with more kick but similar accuracy and greater range (plus K-11s and K-31s have straight pull bolts). Mind you, I am a bit biased as I collect C&R ;)
     

    lkenefic

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 19, 2011
    3,778
    I built a prone rifle from a Remington 700 short action in .308. REG rear sight and a Mid Tompkins front sight with a spirit level. I have a Leupold M8 12x on it currently.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    I'm having to mindread the OP , but I'm thinking he would want a hunring/ field type peep sight. Think Lyman 57 or Williams 5D .
     

    Red1917

    Active Member
    Apr 13, 2017
    665
    Anne Arundel County
    A bolt rifle with great sights and history is the M1917. The rear aperture on them seems to be just a little bit bigger than on an M1 to let in a lot of light, and the front post is nice and thin for accurate shots and makes for a great shooter. Definitely one of the most underrated rifles and my favorite rifle since I got one about a year and a half ago. I paid around 800 for mine but it was worth every penny. Target is at 100 yards with surplus ammo prone
     

    Attachments

    • IMG_0034.jpg
      IMG_0034.jpg
      58.2 KB · Views: 250

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    Since the OP mentioned experience with " blocky iron sights " on a multitude of .22's , and wanted somthing different and more precise , only a small leap that he would be thinking of peep sight .

    True, there are such thing as iron sights better in some respectd than those on low end rimfires , I did mindreading that the OP would want to step up to peep instead of trying for the narrow niche inbetween .
     

    Silverlax

    Active Member
    Nov 13, 2014
    518
    Eastern Shore
    All, thank you very much for all the recommendations. To be honest, I don't know what particular iron sites I am looking for, just a rifle that was meant to use them as it's primary sighting system. I've use the Peepsight once or twice in the past and thought they were great, but would have no issue with a fine tuned open site with a thin bladed front post.

    Looking into the m96 it looks like a great rifle and something that might be a very good option. From what I read, I like that the recoil in the rifle/caliber is not too potent because I and looking to become well-versed with lots of practice.

    I only see myself shooting the rifle out to approximately 600/700 yards max. I've shot ARs out to 500 on targets and I know that not far after that my eyes get a little fuzzy with target identification on irons. It would be nice to develop a skill set with iron sights that many have given up on over the years. Still open to any more options you can think of.
     
    Last edited:

    lazarus

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 23, 2015
    13,678
    IMHO, the 1903 and M1 have among the best factory combat rifle sights ever. In general a good peep or diopter is going to be where it is at. Some options in aftermarket for some rifles if you look around. You can probablymget really good picatiny peep sights and mount it on any bolt rifle with a full rail.

    I know you want bolt, but you can get thin front posts for an AR-15 A2 front sight and some really good rear peep sights.
     

    K31

    "Part of that Ultra MAGA Crowd"
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 15, 2006
    35,632
    AA county
    I'll add my vote for the 03A3. The M1917 also has a nice peep sight but finding one with a nice barrel may be a challenge. If you go with an M1 Garand as suggested, get NM sights.

    K31, Krag, also have nice open sights.
     

    Major03

    Ultimate Member
    Agree that for mil sup rifles that the M1 Garand is probably the best peep sight. The 1903a3 close behind it (and a more accurate rifle).

    However I'm not sure the OP is saying he's looking for mil sup rifles.

    I still think an old 40x or Win 70 in .30'06 with Lyman target sights would serve him well. And if not, it'd serve me well lol. Maybe I'll start looking to add an old target rifle to the safe.
     

    lkenefic

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 19, 2011
    3,778
    Exactly... I'm not sure what the OP wants. You can still shoot bolt actioned match rifles in an across the course highpower match. I like my 03A3 for "doughboy" matches... across the course (200,300,and 600 yards) but with no shooting jacket, glove, etc... only the rifle and sling. I like the Remington 700 or 40x with a true precision sight for more serious match work.
     

    lkenefic

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 19, 2011
    3,778
    For instance... here's the rear sight and set up on my match rifle.
     

    Attachments

    • 20170904_111351.jpg
      20170904_111351.jpg
      47.1 KB · Views: 94
    • 2017-09-04 11.20.49.jpg
      2017-09-04 11.20.49.jpg
      71.1 KB · Views: 96

    lkenefic

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 19, 2011
    3,778
    Versus the rear sight on an 03A3
     

    Attachments

    • 2017-09-04 11.24.39.jpg
      2017-09-04 11.24.39.jpg
      39.8 KB · Views: 99

    jimbobborg

    Oddball caliber fan
    Aug 2, 2010
    17,112
    Northern Virginia
    Lee Enfield No 1 MK III or No 4 MK I. No problems finding some with excellent bores. The boys in Canadia used both in long range competitions with great results.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,931
    Messages
    7,259,501
    Members
    33,350
    Latest member
    Rotorboater

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom