Selecting Sights

Sights

With the exception of shotguns (which we will deal with separately) all target rifles and pistols have some system for allowing the shooter to aim the fall of the bullet onto the target. These systems are sights.

Sighting systems for rifles and pistols

Iron Sights

Post and notch

One of the oldest and simplest sighting systems is the post and notch. It's commonly used on hunting and sporting firearms and is mandatory on many target pistols.

The post and notch system consists of a front blade or post (foresight) near the muzzle and a rear blade or notch near the breach. The rear notch is typically square or U-shaped. Both blades can be adjusted up and down or side to side using drifting or adjusting screws.

To aim, the shooter aligns the front blade within the rear notch and positions the target to appear centred on the foresight. If the sights are correctly adjusted for distance and windage, the shooter should hit the target.

While this system is suitable for sporting or military firearms, it's too crude for target shooting with small targets and can be challenging for those with imperfect eyesight.

Tunnel and dioptre sights

Small-bore match, full-bore target, and match air rifles often use a tunnel foresight and dioptre rear sight.

Tunnel foresight: A short tube at the muzzle aligns with the bore axis. The foresight element (a metal ring or transparent plastic disc with a hole) fits inside the tunnel.
Dioptre rear sight: A 'peep hole' through which the shooter aims.

The sight picture consists of the circular target centred in the foresight element, with the tunnel centred in the peephole.

These sighting systems are highly precise, with adjustable foresight elements and micrometer adjustments for windage and elevation on the rear sight, graduated in fractions of a Minute of Angle.

Dioptre sights offer versatility with variable aperture diameters and colours. Polarising filters and correcting lenses can be added to enhance the sight picture. Despite their simple appearance, these sighting systems are incredibly effective and capable of achieving exceptional accuracy.

For a visual representation, refer to this diagram of sight pictures.

Telescopic sights

Telescopic sights offer a significant advantage over dioptre systems, which rely on the shooter's eye to focus on both the target and the foresight. This can be challenging in poor light or with less-than-perfect eyesight.

A telescopic sight is a telescope mounted on the rifle that provides a magnified image of the target. Crosshairs are projected onto this image and can be adjusted for elevation and windage. In theory, the shooter simply aligns the crosshairs with the target centre and squeezes the trigger.

While telescopic sights have long been popular on sporting or game rifles, target shooting demands specialised scopes with specific features:

High magnification: For clear target visibility.
Focus adjustment: To accommodate different ranges.
Long-range focus: Ability to focus at distances up to 1000 yards and beyond.
Accurate adjustments: Precise windage and elevation adjustments.
Wide adjustment range: To cater to a variety of distances, from 100 to over 1000 yards.

Until recently, few scope manufacturers catered to the target shooting market, making specialised scopes rare and expensive. Consequently, telescopic sights are often not permitted in many UK NRA and NSRA disciplines.

Benchrest

Benchrest is a precision shooting sport where competitors shoot from a bench using heavy front and rear rests. The shooter's only input is positioning the rifle, adjusting the sights, loading, and squeezing the trigger. Benchrest requires top-quality rifles and scopes.

While popular in the US for many years, benchrest is now a flourishing international sport. This increased demand has led to more target-grade telescopic scope manufacturers entering the market.

F-Class shooting

In the UK, 'F' Class shooting, introduced by the DCNRA (Canada's equivalent of the NRA), has significantly increased the demand for target scopes. This discipline allows for any sensible calibre rifle and telescopic sight. The NRA and other British Commonwealth rifle associations have adopted F-Class, driving the demand for high-quality target scopes.

Leading scope manufacturers

While Leupold (US) and Schmidt and Bender (Germany) are renowned for their quality scopes, several other manufacturers have emerged in recent years. Nightforce (Australian, made in Japan) is a leading contender with excellent scopes. However, these top-tier options can be expensive, often exceeding £1000.

More affordable options

For those seeking more affordable options, consider IOR (Romanian, ex-Soviet era military) and other manufacturers from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China. Some notable names include Nikon, Nikko Sterling, BSA, Hawke (distributed by Deben in the UK), Burris, Bausch and Lomb, and Tasco.

Scope Mounting Methods

There are several ways to attach a telescopic sight to your rifle. Many .22 lightweight sporting rifles have integral dovetail rails, allowing you to directly mount scope rings.

Mounting Rails

If your rifle lacks a dovetail rail, you'll need to attach a mounting rail to the top of the receiver. If your receiver is already drilled and tapped, you can install a rail using those attachment points. Otherwise, a gunsmith can help you mount the rail.

Rail types and availability

For rifles based on American actions like Remington or Winchester, you can likely find a compatible rail from a target rifle specialist. Some target rifle actions, like the RPA Quadlite, are dimensionally similar to Remington actions, making factory-made rails a possibility. If no suitable rail is available, you can have one custom-made by a gunsmith specializing in target rifles.

There's a wide variety of scope rail types, each with a different profile, which can complicate finding compatible mounting rings. The most popular mounting system is the Weaver rail, which is dimensionally identical to the US Milspec Picatinny rail.

Scope mounting for long-range shooting

Most scope mounting systems align the optical axis with the barrel's bore. This is suitable for medium and short-range shooting. However, for long-range shooting (1000 yards and beyond), the scope's internal elevation turret may reach its limits, especially if the scope has a one-inch body tube. Raising the rear mounting of the scope can address this issue.

Inclined scope mounting rails

Do not use packing or tape in the bottom half of the rear ring mount. This can bend or distort the scope body. The solution is to use an inclined scope mounting rail. When creating or purchasing a rail, request a 20-minute (1/3 of a degree) taper from front to back, ensuring the rear is higher than the front.

Shimming a non-tapered rail

If you have a non-tapered rail, you can add shims between the rear of the rail and the receiver to achieve the desired inclination.

Shim thickness: A 20-minute (1/3 degree) inclination is generally sufficient for most scopes to elevate from 300 to 1000 yards. Use the following formula to determine the required shim thickness: Shim thickness (inches) = 0.006 x D, where D is the distance between the mounting screws in inches.
Shim placement: Place the shims under the rail adjacent to the rear screw.
Shim Source: Common drink cans (stainless steel or aluminium) are often 6 thousandths of an inch thick. Cut a few pieces and insert them under the rail.

Shotgun Sights

Shotguns use a different sighting system. Instead of a rear sight, they have a coloured bead at the muzzle end. The shooter's eye position serves as the rear sight. Therefore, proper stock adjustment is crucial for correct eye placement.