Sights for Wesson and Harrington (H&R) in 38-55 and other dumb questions

[Uncertain Tex]

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I know it is just the minimum and I know it is just plain cheap but thaaaaat is the point.  I always wanted to shoot the side matches in long distance. But they are just that ...side matches and dropping a few grand on a custom gun just doesn't make sense. So I bought this little beauty and I really don't want to spend more money on sights than the gun and I do not want to build this thing for a year...I want to shoot it. So I defer to the experience in this web site and ask what sights do I get and where do I get them? Smith's ladder site from Brownell's for this gun looks easy to set up and not tooooo expensive. Taylor's front globe with inserts looks right in price and function and their case hardened colored Creedmore looks real cool but could be a pain to mount on this gun but both could be had for the price of the Smith's rear. Help a beginner out and let me know what you use and most importantly what would you use if you could do it all over. Oh and where would you buy it.  And is 300 yards long or medium range? Being from a military family of the old school, 300 yards is engagement range with an M14 and 38/55 is not .308/7.62.  Finding dies and brass should prove fun but possible. Bullets however could get interesting. Any and all guidance would be appreciated.

[mcgiiver]

I also have the H & R Target. Dies are no problem, RCBS Cowboy Dies, Cast Performance Bullets .380 diameter, brass is now available again by Winchester, got mine at Cabela's.  You might consider having the chamber reamed out to accept .380" bullets, by Old Scout, Gunsmith, Ontario, CA . I am struggling with sight issues right now myself.

[Capt. Augustus]

On my Target Model I put the Smith Enterprises rear sight.  It then shot about a foot high at 100 yards.  So I changed the front sight with a Williams Globe sight and base.  Then I had to open the rear sight to frame the front sight, I am back to sighting it in.

[Nine Toed Bob]

 Hey Tex! Or should I say Dash Caliber?
After we talked yesterday, I called Brownell's and got hold of a "Gun Tech". He gave me some part #'s for rear sights that I'd have to get a 'smith to install but they were made for tang mounting and would be way too high to use. Then I found the Smith's from them in another thread here.
Hallelujah!
851-000-045 (In Stock)

Wesson & Harrington Long Range Sight
 It's on the way!

[Blackpowder Burn]

Tex,

First, slug your barrel.  The bore diameters for 38-55 can vary considerably.  An excellent outfit for all paraphernalia relating to BP cartridges guns and reloading is Buffalo Arms - whether you use black or smokeless powder.  Really nice people and very knowledgeable. (www.buffaloarms.com)

If your bore diameter is near 0.380 inch, you may have trouble chambering a cartridge with the proper diameter bullet loaded in Winchester brass - it is thicker walled than original 38-55 brass (It is, in fact, basically their .375 Win brass).  Starline makes 38-55 brass of the proper wall thickness and that should work just fine - and it is less expensive.

[Jbar4Ranch]

I've had this tang sight bouncing around in a parts box for decades and decided to rig it up on my .38-55 on top of a hardwood pedestal screwed & glued to the wrist to get it up high enough. On cool calm days, I've shot five shot groups under 10" at 500 yards using Goex CTG and a 255 grain cast bullet with this hokey setup, and some as small as 8".