Hello Folks,

I'm looking at two models of current production Winchester High Wall rifles, in 45-70 chambering. Both are Davidson's exclusives ( http://www.galleryofguns.com ). One is the High Wall Sporter and the other is the Short Hunter. I prefer the 22" barrel of the Short Hunter, but have several concerns.

1. The Short Hunter has a crescent buttplate. Although I've shot a lot of muzzleloading rifles with crescent buttplates, and they are uncomfortable enough, I've never shot a hard-recoiling rifle with one. I don't like them. If you have experience shooting rifles that kick and have crescent buttplates, please comment.

2. The Short Hunter has a "tang" aperature sight, but it has no tang. I'm concerned about this sight perhaps being mounted with wood screws. Is this something to worry about?

3. If I get the Sporter, I will want a receiver sight. Williams lists a receiver aperature sight for the Browning 1885 that requires no drilling (FP-1885, http://www.williamsgunsight.com/gunsights/FPpage.htm ). I have a Browning 1885 in 30-06, and it has two scope mounting holes on the receiver, and two on the barrel. Does the Williams sight mount to the two holes on top of the receiver? I don't see how that could be. Please comment.

Thank you.