Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

My new rifle will be .35 Whelen, many people are suggesting Ghost ring sights. My question is this;( Ihave never carried a rifle with peep or ghost ring)

How accurate can you shoot these things? I know that it depends on the man, but say, if you have a rifle capable of shooting 1" groups at 100 yards with a SCOPE, what loss of accuracy, or how much larger would the groups be with a ghost ring?

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Ghost rings were never meant for 200 yard accuracy, but maybe 50 yard quick target accusition.

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Ghost rings are outstanding for short range and woods hunting. I am going to buy the new Marlin in .475 and Linebaugh and some Ashley ghost rings are going on that thing. Who wants to shoot more than 150 yards anyway? :D That should ruffle some feathers.

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

With Ghost ring sights, I wouldn't personally shoot over 150 yards, BUT, again, what size group could you shoot if the rifle was capable of MOA?

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

With good target peep sights, I can shoot just as about as well as I can with a low powered scope out to 100 yards or so. The ghost ring won't be as precise, but I'd think a 1 MOA with scope rifle should still be 2 to 3 MOA.

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

maine hunt...

what kind of rifle is it? is it a pump? i will vouche for the willaims peep sights that you can buy for rem 7400/7600's.
i had great accuracy out to 2050yds with my old rem 7600 in 280rem.which i got about 1.25" at 100yds and about 3-4" at 200yds and about 4-6" at 250yds. also had one on my rem 7600 in 308win.which was dead nutz at 50yds 100yds and 150yds. but when she got to 200yds i got to get about 5" also have one on my savage scout rifle chambered in 308win. which gets 3/4" at 75yds 1" at 100yds 1-1.5" at 150yds.
there are some better than others. since i perfer ( used to ) perfer peep sights over scopes in stalking/still hunting applications.untill i found the light ( and the $$$$ ) to buy a nice vari-X-III
i also like to paint my rear peep sight ring with a red or white paint so it was easier to see the front sight in darker days or early in the morning.
A.O. outdoors also makes a great peep sight setup but sometimes i have found that you will have to replace the front sight to compensate the rear peep sight. i had one of them on my old marlin 336SS chambered in 30-30win and get decent groups at 50yds 100yds and sometimes 150yds. but the trigger was rough.
mainehunt... let me know what you have and what you are looking for.i beleive i have several lying around in my gunsafe/ gun draws acess. that i can give you for FREE!! P.M. me if you are interested. always willing to help a fellow hunter out . like others have done for me.

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Hi mainehunt,

The "ghost ring" is a peep sight with a larger rear hole. What the larger hole does is several things. One, it makes finding a target in the sights easier. Two, it is by it's nature, somewhat less precise than a smaller peep hole would be. Many adjustable aperture sights (peep sights) come threaded to accept different sized apertures. So you can tailer, to a degree, the sight to your needs. You can even get "twilight peeps" which have a "bronze" ring around the aperture.......which helps during periods of limited light. (It tends to gather light....extending how early or how late you can effectively use the sight.)

To a large degree the size of the aperture will determine how accurate the rifle can be fired. But the trade off is in speed of target acquisition. Aperture sights are less precise than good scopes.....for many shooters. But they have benefits as well as disadvantages. They are considerably smaller, lighter, quicker (as in Ghost Rings), and less prone to damage. They are highly recommended on rifles used for dangerous game or defensive use. And they are extremely useful particularly on rifles that their caliber would dictate they are not necessarily well suited for "true long range work". (Though we used aperture sights on Match Grade M-14's for shooting matches through 600 yards.......and some at 1000 yards. So they can be used accurately.....but that was not hunting!)

In the end......only you can decide if you are willing to "trade" one set of advantages.....for a "different" set of advantages. Either low powered scopes.....or "peeps" can be used to accomplish the same goal!

Good luck with the decision!

Dave

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Hi again Kevin,

One other thing I forgot to mention. In periods of really inclement weather......it is great having that aperture sight.....and not worrying about optics getting wet. (Even with Butler Creek caps I nearly always use.....you have wet lenses to contend with in really bad weather.) The worst I've ever seen peeps in either heavy rain or snow.....is just blow hard through the aperture....to clear it! (Can't do that on glass;), unless you want it fogged.)

If you take the time to make the adjustment......peeps on a rifle like a .35 Whelen make a lot of sense. Especially when you have other scoped rifles that can be applied in different circumstances. But having a "heavy timber" rifle with a peep......or a "big bore" rifle for short to intermediate ranges on heavy game......would perfectly compliment your .308 and .300 Win Mag. (And makes for an easy decision in snotty weather.) Just a few other considerations!

If you really aren't sure how you'd handle it. Put a Williams peep on a Ruger 10/22, (or something similar....like buy either the Taurus pump or Taurus semi-auto .22's with Tang peeps installed), where you can shoot thousands of rounds for a few tens of dollars. That will give you a fair chance to evaluate your ability with peeps. And if you do the shooting from typical field positions......it will most likely prepare you for the upcoming season like you've never been prepared before! (Plus who can't always use an extra .22....especially with a ten year old around?!:D)

Once again good luck.

Dave

P.S. Once again.....I apologize about those house projects;)!

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

There's no reason that a ghost ring sight should ever be put on a hunting rifle, period.

They're not accurate enough for ANY long range shooting, i.e. you'll be lucky to get hunting accuracy at 100yrds with them, even in a rifle accurate enough to be a 400yrd shooter...they're great for short range, quick shots, really good for shotguns that need a bit more accuracy than beads allow, but on a .35Whelen (assuming levergun) that should be a 250yrd shooter (in most people's hands, that isn't asking TOO much with a scope), there's no reason to limit your range. Stock iron sights are MUCH more accurate than any ghost ring, your peep sight would be a better combo yet, but not as many people like peep sights as should...it's harder to aquire your target, and some people can't get their eyes right for them. I use a peep on a lever action .45-70, in conjunction with a tang mounted ladder sight, it's capable of incredible accuracy, I've shot those big slugs out there to 650yrds accurately enough to hunt deer with. I have ghost rings on a .44mag levergun for cowboy action shooting-shots are fast and at targets only 30yrds+/- away, and it's just right for that, I've got the same gun with stock buckhorns on it and I get slower shots, but accuracy out to 250yrds (.44mag mind you).

At any rate, don't do something stupid and put a ghost ring on a hunting rifle. I absolutely love them for "tactical" shotguns or rifles/carbines, or on say a turkey gun or maybe a shotgun for deer with buckshot or slugs, but certainly NOT on a hunting rifle.

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Ooopppss! Double posted.

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Hi Nomercy,

It's important that those of us that know the difference between standard "peep" sights and "ghost ring" sights don't confuse someone that may not understand the difference between them......which is largely only the size of the rear aperture. And as you pointed out peep sights are very good hunting rifle sights when used in the right applications. I personally wouldn't use "ghost rings" for any normal hunting rifle. Though I very might consider them on a really heavy caliber stopping rifle! (Quite a number of African professionals are doing exactly that!) But those are not .35 Whelens either.

On the other side of the coin you wouldn't want someone to think that an extremely "small apertured target peep" should be mounted on a normal hunting rifle either. Normally the apertures on most of Williams peeps are just about right for normal hunting application. Though with the threaded sight the aperture itself can be changed and adjusted. Which is the best system for normal hunting ranges!

I'm not contradicting what you said.......only pointing those things out for the benefit of some that may not know!

Dave

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Quilly. Tell me a little about the sight on your 760. I just bought a new 7600 and was thinking about a peep sight as a back-up. Does it just screw on where the factory iron sight go or do you have to get it dilled and tapped for it. Where did you get it? Do you recall the part no. of the sight?

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Hi James,

I had a Williams aperture sight on the back of a 7600 chambered for .35 Whelen. It mounted in the predrilled holes intended for the rear scope mount. It was adjustable....but not target precision adjustable. But it worked fine for hunting use. It was also threaded which allowed you to adjust the size of the aperture, or as I did.....use a twilight peep!

The nicest thing of all....it wasn't terribly expensive and you should be able to find it at their web sight!

Hope that helps!

Dave

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Hi again James B,

Double check the customer service number (toll free). But I believe the same model rear peep from Williams that fits the 7600 is the one that fits the 7400. (But call to insure......do NOT take my word on this....I haven't been able to verify.)

Here is a site that carries a reasonable selection:

http://www.shootnhunt.com/gun_sights.htm

Not sure if that helps....let me know!

Dave

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Thank you kind sir. That looks like the one. I will however call them for the confomation. The price is pretty good as well. It would be nice to have one on there in case of a scope mishap. Also when we hunt from Tree stands in Canada the peep sight would be ideal. Most shots there are about 25 yards. Last time I was up there a big old moose walked right under my stand. NO MOOSE TAG. One of my quides said when they were young the used to see the moose swimming across some of the small bays, He said they used to run up beside them with the boat and climb on thier back. He also added that you better get off before they got thier feet on solid ground unless you wanted one hell of a ride.:)

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

....tell that to the boys that shoot highpower matches out to 1000 yards with iron sights! The M1, the M14, and the M16 ALL use ghost ring type sights for shooting. They are the most accurate sights there is.

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Fellas, if you haven't met him, this is Blain, he knows less about guns than just enough to get into trouble saying stupid things like his above post....men who shoot long ranges with "hole sights", such as famous black powder rifle shooters, ARE NOT using ghost ring sights, they're using peep sights, most often mounted on a receiver or tang mounted folding ladder sight, with globe front sights (not a ghost hood sight)...get your story straight before running your mouth.

AK, thanks for clarifiying on my earlier post, I don't often think about people not knowing the difference in the two, I guess I always figure if they don't know what I'm talking about, they can check them out online to find the difference.

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

james..

the wilkiams peep sight for the rem 7600 also fits the rem 7400. same setup. i got 2" groups at 150yds using those sights on my old rem 7600 chambered in 280rem.

RE: Ghost ring sights, how accurate?
 

Well said nomercy. I don't think I could have said it any better myself. I have never used a ghost ring sight. I do however use the Williams peep sight. In the NE and NC parts of PA where I do most of my hunting and shots tend to be less than 75 yds. I opted to take the scope off my 1895 Marlin guide gun 45-70 and repalce it with the Williams. I've taken two buck and a nice black bear with this outfit. And an added bonus, the rifle weight was cut down.. And, if the peep gets knocked out of kilter for one reason or another, I can just unscrew the aperature and flip up the buckhorn rear sight and I'm back in business.
One thing you forgot to mention is the natural tendency for your eye to center the itself in the peep (or vice versa) which makes the peep so accurate. It will do the same with the ghost ring but accuracy will not be as gooddue to the larger dia. of the hole.

GR Sights
 

I am considerably more accurate with peep sights than any open sight. When I was active duty, I hit a 400 meter target from "rice paddy prone" with my M4, using the ghost ring sights, and shot expert at least half the time, which required hitting at least 36 out of 40 targets, from 25 to 300 meters. I have also used GR Sights to hit running deer. When I had a custom .35 Whelen built, I put GR sights on it.

GR sights are inherently more accurate, due to how the human brain works.

John

This is the correct answer!

Funny, my "training days" back in the 80's in the Marines were a good bit different than mentioned above. As in our training M4's did have "flip up" emergency irons but they sure weren't Ghost ring OR Williams type peeps. If our ACOG got busted we pulled it and used the irons. Our M4's didn't have the retarded carry handle (a most ridiculous and stupid design) like the M16's.
But JShirley, You quoted NoMercy but did the exact thing he explained and talked about Ghost ring and Peeps as if they were the same. And I am in the same camp as he about the accuracy differences between the 2. A ghost ring has MUCH to large of an aperture for any type of precision shooting beyond 50 yards on a rifle.

Also, Bravo on digging skills. This post was from 2004!

Except it's wrong. There's a reason why national match sights are aperture.

Again you fail to realize there are different "aperture" type sights. Peep sights and Ghost ring sights are similar as in they operate under the same principle but the Ghost ring is HUGE which is why it is for close range work and works very well for that purpose. But beyond 50 or so yards it becomes quite difficult to hold center of aperture. National match sights are aperture but they are Williams type and most have the target aperture installed which is very tiny.

I was going to, respond again but what is the point is someone is willing to ignore facts!

The guy joined a nearly dead forum to respond to a 20 year old post so he could brag about his use of a 200m sight (so marked, and how he was trained) to hit big targets at 300 to 400m and convolute ghost rings with apertures, and ignoring the post was about a punkin chucking levergun rather than a fast flying 5.56... I know John, this isn’t surprising.