Aftermarket irons for sporters

S

Sweet Shooter

New member
I see that are lots of aftermarket bolt-on irons for Ar's and wondered why there are none for sporter bolt action rifles? Has anyone ever seen a solution or even dreamed up a DIY solution for the front that will stay put. Given that there are so many options for the rear sight install, I think there's a gaping gap in the market. I'd love to have irons on one of mine.

Ideas anyone?

-SS-
 
You can have a gunsmith drill and tap your barrel, and have iron sights installed on any bolt action for less money than a budget scope and mounts would cost.
 
Sure I realize that but I've had a few rifles that have had serious clocking issues with aftermarket smithing on front sights. I figured that a neat bolt on solution would contribute to eradicating that issue and also allow for head space adjustments in ... ten years, maybe. Just seems like a market opportunity.
-SS-
 
That sounds more like a gunsmith issue to me.

Brownells and Midway both have front band sight bases. Frankly, the 'bolt-on' ones like you'd see on a Ruger 77 always leave a bot to be desired- there's a slight gap at the 12:00 due to the set-screw pulling the base up.

I'd look for a base that can be silver-soldered on, and worry about rebarreling later.

Now, if you're talking about a "Rough-Duty" type of sights for a bolt-action sporter, I agree. The usual sights you see wouldn't last after the first tumble down a hillside.
 
Hello, Sweet Shooter. NECG offers ramp front sights..barrel band, & screw-on front sights for the Ruger No.1 and others. It only requires 1 screw hole. Their rear appature slides onto the 1/4 rib & is held by set screw.
Most if not all of the older american single-shots..Winchester, Remington, Ballard, Stevens, Etc. were drilled & tapped for tang sights
Some of the early bolt actions had optional bolt mounted peep sights.
It is too bad there are no longer quality rear sights on the market. From the early 1900's up thru the early 60's, nearly all the major sight makers had quality precision sights available..most bolt guns were drilled and tapped for the Redfield or Lyman appature sights.
I wonder how many younger guys have ever handled a bolt action rifle without a scope..I have a 7X57 pre-war sporter with claw mounts..when that scope is removed..and this is quite a bit smaller & lighter than most scopes used today..that rifle becomes alive..nearly like a well balanced side by side shotgun!
 
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There's a few reasons.

The first reason is that it's tremendously easy easy to install sights on the AR platform. Stick them on the rail, tighten a couple screws, and you are in business. If it's a quick detach mount, it might be as complex as flipping a lever.

Bolt action rifles are a bit more specialized. If it didn't come with iron sights, it was intended to be used with a scope.

Some bolt action rifles are drilled and tapped for aperture sights (Marbles' sights were popular too), but that is less common in modern times, as previously noted.
 
Irons for sporter bolt action rifles aren't common because no one wants to use them...

I can see no reason/advantage to equip a centerfire bolt action with iron sights.
Even if one hunted in heavy brush at short range, a reflex sight or 1-4x or similar would be a better choice. Irons are fine for CQB rifles and backups...besides that they belong back in the dark ages...
 
Well

I feel like I must intervien to spair some frustration.
Most modern American Bolt Action Rifle Stocks are not designed for Iron sight shooting. Pick one up, without a scope and try to look directly down the barrel. The chances are you wont be able to, because the stock will not have eneough drop.
I hate it, but thats the way it is. :mad:
 
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