#1 (45-70) and peep sights

[KnotRight]

Took my new to me #1 to the range yesterday. I had a hard time with the factory blade sight and was thinking about putting on a rear peep sight. Someone suggested NECG for the sight.

One of the problems that I had with the factory sight is that it was too low for a good site picture. Do you think that a peep sight with Ruger mounts will raise the sight level? If it does, does that mean changing out the front sight too? If so. what front sight would you go with?

Any other places to look for a good peep sight?

Or would you just put a scope on the gun? If I go this route I was thinking some thing around a 3 to 9 power. I would not be shooting past 100 yards and will not be hunting with the gun. I have a set of Ruger mounts.

 

[Big Old Boy]

Funny you should ask, I had a NECG sight on my #1 45/70 for years and it worked great but my eyes not so much as I got older.mine worked with the factory front sight just fine. I now have a Vortex 2x7 on the gun that works better for this old fart.if you would like to try the NECG sight pm me.

 

[ThomTender]

I put a Skinner Peer Sight on my 1A 45/70 and it works great, small light and easy to use, Best part with the brass body it looks great

 

[BlkHawk73]

Hav the NEGC rear on 3 or 4 diff Ruger rifles here and I like 'em. Got an extra just in case another one along needing one. (possibly a 2017 #1 depending on chamberings)

 

[pete44ru]

.

Alternately, 5 years ago, I mounted a 2x20 Simmons "shotgun" scope ($45) on my #1-S .45-70 because it has 7" of eye relief & weights only 7oz. - and zero issues from the recoil, etc.

Shooting it is much like using a peep sight, only with more clarity & magnification.


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[Silent Sam]

Using any scope-able rifle with iron sights requires a different cheek weld between the two options. If the sightline is too low for you with the irons a scope is the easiest answer. Especially if you are using it as a range gun. If you want to raise the sightline you have to raise it on both ends. If you raise the front you have to have a rear with enough adjustment to get it zeroed. The peeps designed for Ruger dovetails usually work well with the factory front sight.

 

[wunbe]

I bought a Second Edition Lyman Centennial years ago -- not a presentation model as it had no display case, scope etc just the rifle.... Had the same problem with the cheapo factory irons -- useless.

There is -- or was -- a group of local guys who enjoyed shooting down-loaded 45-70s at loooong range steel targets. Several of them used heavy barrel custom #1s configured like the Lymans. They also added tang mounted Creedmore type ladder sights with Soule front sights that had insert crosshairs and a level, They hit more than they missed considering the iron sights and distances. (They liked to say they squeezed off a shot, lit a cigar, and waited for the thunk.)

Anyway, I borrowed their idea and had Creedmore and Soule sights from Montana Vintage Arms mounted on my Lyman. It made a day and night difference in the gun. I see targets clearer and hit them out to 200 yards -- about as far as I can shoot on ranges I have access to.

These irons also make the rifle look way cooler than the original which has spectacular wood anyway.

wunbe