Forums.NitroExpress.com

Some time ago, I had several e-mails and messages about where to find an express sight similar to the one on my 14 bore rifle. At the time, I was only able to note that I had purchased my Express sight from Brownells.

Here's another supplier. While not exactly the same as mine, a couple of them are quite suitable - and MUCH less expensive. Mine was $96.00 in 1986. Since that time, I've removed the standing sight, leaving the 3 leaves. When all are folded, close range point blank sighting is taken over the sight 'base', with the low bead front sight's base level with the top. It is very fast and accurate enough for centre hits to about 50 yards. I've filed the leaves in for 100, 150 and 200 yards, since I no longer need the 300 meter leaf for long range shooting at our local range (shortened to 200 meters).

I hope this url is helpful to those wishing a better sighting system. Express sights are best used with a low mounted bead. Be aware, you will need to file your own leaf sights and standing (point blank) sight for your load at the desired ranges.

Most muzzleloaders are well served with a simple standing sight and a single flip-up leaf. I suggest that a normal lighter target load be filed in for 50 yards. This will generally give a zero at 25 yards as well, and be about 1 1/2" low at 75yards, 4" low at 100yards. The hunting load should then strike centre at 100 yards (or meters), then have the second leaf filed for 150 to 165yards.

A rifle with .54 calibre or larger is quite capable of dispatching an elk or moose out to 175 yards, with the 'bore' rifles doing well to 200 - IF the shooter and load are capable. Light 'pistol-type' loads that some folks use for deer need not apply when the game reaches 500 to 1,000 pounds and those light loads give a lot of trouble with hitting at unknown ranges.

A big game rifle should be loaded with a big game load. Good rifles, properly loaded, become more accurate, the heavier the charge - within reason. As an example, my 14 bore shoots better (more accurately - group wise) with 140gr.2F than 125gr. 2F, and better yet with 165gr.2F It's accuracy holds right to 200gr. of 2F, the highest charge I've papered it with - not fun. 3F is for pistols or small calibre rifles, imho.

Due to the pressure and speed that the pressure is developed in the larger calibre rifles, 3F creates excessive fouling (for me) and patch failure problems with heavier, hunting loads. 2F has always proved to be superior in heavy loads - no - it does NOT foul more with the ball and patch combinations I routinely use - it actually fouls less as patch integrity is more easily maintained due to the lower pressures generated, along with the slightly slower rise to maximum pressure.

Here's the site for the sights.

I suggest this sight could easily be shortened, the cuttoff end angled then dovetailed into the top flat, ie: the standing sight along with the twin folding leafs. This is quite easily done by anyone with a bench vice, hacksaw and safe sided 3 corner file. The best part is it's only $60.00 US.

http://www.jeffsoutfitters.com/Images/Photos/thumbnails//SIT001.jpg

http://www.jeffsoutfitters.com/store.aspx?categoryid=67&panel=1