White's UM Front Sight Question

[philnie]

Hi Guys,

I ordered a Lyman SME57 for my UM ... I've seen various posts here and on DWB that say for larger conicals out past 100yds or so its better to get a shorter front sight overallheight wise - the question is what front sight are the ones to get?

I'm having a hard time seeing the exact edge of the current front sight as it is - theflourescent dot is kinda "fuzzy" - ya' know what I mean? So I think a plain white dot or white blade / perhaps just a plain black blade w/ sharp edges. Ideally I'd like the rear peep vertically centered (or favoring the lower half of travel section just a bit) ...

As always I'm grateful for all the great info you guys have here.

cheers,
phil

[cascadedad]

Phil, This is what I went with per UC's recommendation.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=430733

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=763623

I did three of them, and only one worked out perfect. The problems that I ran into were

1) pressing the dovetail sight into the ramp was way too tight. Looking back, I should have used a small, fine file on the front sight so it wasn't so tight.

2) the screw provided with the ramp and the original screw are too short. I think they only grab about 1 thread.

So, I ended up with 2 of the guns having the original ramp with the new sight. For the screw, I used one of the screws from the original back sight and cut some of the threads off so it wasn't too long. I have yet to shoot one with the higher ramp and new sight. I know it will be ok, just the back peep is a little higher than it needs to be. The setup with the new shorter ramp and the shorter front sight is perfect in my opinion.

Yes, I completely butchered this job, but all three are fuctional. I am going to leave everything as-is for now, but will redo the 2 of them after hunting season.

By the way, I do not have one of the tools to press the dovetail in and out, I just used a brass punch/hammer.

I highly recommend trying to get a longer screw for the ramp if you decide to change it out. Local gunsmith probably has them. If it's too long, just cut/grind the excess off.

Let me know if you have any other questions, might save you some of the agony I went through.

[philnie]

cascadedad
Ok, thanks cascadedad! I will definitely get a longer screw (or two) as you recommend ... I was going to buy a Williams rear peep and decided I didn't like the clunky adjustments when compared to the Lyman - despite the Lyman being a bit larger, etc. Do you use the default peep aperture or have you changed it out to something larger/smaller? If so, what size did you settle on?

How did the replacement ramp fit the White UM barrel? Nice and snug? Not too long? Curved contour fit the barrel contour? Inquiring minds need to know my man.

thanks,
phil

[cascadedad]

I started off using the smallest aperture. I believe it is probably the most accurate, but it is very hard to see through to locate the target. I then switched to the larger sized one. It is really about perfect for me. In very low light situation you can just leave the aperture out and use the big hole. Similar to a ghost sight I believe.

When I was a kid I had a 30-30 that was a very old one. Actually I still have it. But, it has a Lyman peep site and there was no insert, I just used the big hole. Worked fine on the only deer I shot at.

The replacement ramp is fine as long as you get a longer screw. It fits the barrel perfect.

Good Luck,
CD

[philnie]

Ok thanks cascadedad ... I ordered the same sight parts from Midway last night. Should have the both the front parts and rear sightthis coming week.

cheers,
phil