Modern Metallic Sights

Gidday Folks

It's 40 years since I seriously shot metallic sights of the double aperture type.

I've just acquired a Winchester M52 with a Lyman 48 rear and a Parker Hale 15mm foresight. I've been able to shoot some superb groups but man it's hard work for short sighted 61 year old eyes.

I can only shoot in really good light as the foresight tunnel seems to make things dark. And getting consistency with the rear aperture with my spectacles also takes a lot of concentration.

So - would some if the new stuff I see about on the sling and jacket shooters websites help?

I'm wondering about an adjustable iris with a built in dioptric correction and maybe a transparent front tunnel to get the foresight better lit . . . Although I'm also having trouble at the target end with light and I can't see changing the tunnel will make any difference to that.

Thoughts?

What sort of foresight elements are you using?
What diameter is your rear aperture? 1.2 mm is a good starting point.
Common failing is using too small a rear aperture under the belief that it is easier to centre the foresight.

I've shot with all three rear elements I have, from "ghost ring" down - I completely ignore the rear sight, my eye does the centering without any input from me (I did a fair amount of 3 position shooting in my 20s, under some top level coaching). As I mentioned an adjustable rear iris is on my list.

At the front I have one of the old Parker Hale sights that take the small 16 mm elements (currently a broad post, but I have adapted my aiming point to help with that) and I think it's too small and too long - when I "look up" I can clearly see the aiming point but it darkens when I get down on the sights (and obviously it also loses a lot of focus, but I expect that.

If you had a top level coach there's probably not a lot I can help youi with.

The equipment available today is just so different to the stuff about then . . .