I am using Tech Sights Model 200 on my Ruger 10/22...I have been reading up on the value of a smaller aperture on the rear sight...Tech Sights sells an inexpensive kit ($15) that allows aperture changes...However, the smallest they offer is a .42 aperture...The stock aperture on the rear sight is a .62...Does anyone think I would gain enough clarity of the front sight to make it worth the bother? (I have read of shooters making their own apertures and gluing them on the Tech Sight, but I am dangerous with tools...Don't want to ruin a $69 sight!) Thanks for the opinions...
Steve in Kansas
All the tech-sights are fine sights.
I don't want to sound like I'm dogging your abilities, but until you're a good enough shooter, the size of your aperture ins't going to matter all that much. You'll find out at your first Appleseed event there are waaaay more important things to concentrate on first.
It sounds like you have a good set up already. I'd say work on the "software" before you go fine tuning the "hardware." Plus, shooting at the event will let you know if you need a bigger or smaller aperture or if you already have the goldilocks aperture installed - just right!
Smaller is good, but like Slim says, for now, concentrate on your skills before making equipment modifications.
So you know, when you do get to where you can start tinkering, that arpeture is the same part as an AR15 arpeture, and all you need to do is find an M16A1 Surplus part to tinker on.
I don't recommend making Match grade mods until you're consistently shooting well under 4 MOA. When you get yourself down to 2 MOA, with a rack grade gun and quality ammo (like Federal Champion Target ammo), then you can justify tinkering.
Myself, I wouldn't bother at all. Better to use the 10/22 for training/practice, and put your effort/money into a top quality centerfire, once your skills justify that.
I installed the small aperture on my Tech Sight because with the stock aperture the front sight was indistinct (blurry, that is). It is difficult to keep the front sight in focus if it won't, well, focus. Switching to the smaller aperture makes the front sight much more distinct. YMMV, but I am glad I did this inexpensive mod.
Not sure how much time you've got on the stock sight/aperture but when I first started dinking around with Tech Sights I too had trouble focusing on the front sight. With more time and practice, that problem went away......O.L.
Steve, welcome to AS
I have older eyes and understand your question.
I can not read the words on the screen with out 2.50 mag glasses. I can punch a straight pin hole in a index card and focus and read every word including the smallest print.
If you want to see if a smaller aperture hole will help you focus on the front sight try this trick. Place a small piece of black electrical tape across the eye side of the aperture get a nice sharp straight pin or a needle poke a clean hole through it as close to the center as you can. Now get down in the livingroom floor and pick out a electrical outlet and go through the 6 step of firing the shot and see if the smaller aperture hole helps. If you need pass a little larger needle through making the hole larger. Now you can determine if you will be spending your money wisely.
Hope this helps,
hangfire
Hangfire: Great idea...Why can't I think of the simple things! Off to find some tape and a pin...Thanks so much...I'll report my findings!
Steve