Service Rifle Sights: 1/4 minute or 1/2 minute

Gary H · December 3, 2002, 11:10 AM

I'm in California and have had an AR lower sitting in my safe. Thinking of ordering a Rock River National Match A2 upper. When shooting Service Rifle in High Power, do you prefer 1/4, or 1/2 minute sights? What are the positive and negative aspects of each? Anyone have suggestions as to good Internet vendor?

Blind Rat · December 6, 2002, 04:17 AM

1/2's or 1/4's are a individualized choice some prefer 1/2's and other prefer 1/4's.

Pluses for 1/2's; Consistent with the M14 NM sights. If you're a convert then it makes the transition easier. Not as many clicks to count to put your dope on the sight.

Pluses for 1/4's; If you're shooting tight, 1/4's allow you to dial into the center more precisely.

Personal experience;
I got my AR with 1/4 wind. While shooting at 600 yards I realized it took more time to make adjustments because I'd be thinking in terms of 1/2's and converting to 1/4's before putting it on. When the wind started switching, I'd click and shoot. When the wind died, I had no idea how many clicks of wind I had on because the numbers were so big (twice as much as 1/2) and I couldn't get back to my "no-wind" quick enough.

From the other side; (I switched to 1/2 wind after that first match)
I shot in a reduced match. I was consistently shooting tight 10's on the 600 reduced target at 9 o'clock. I put 1 click of right wind and found I had clicked through the x ring into the 10 at 3 o'clock. At that point I regretted swapping my 1/4's for 1/2's.

Good luck.

Steve Smith · December 6, 2002, 09:49 AM

Agreed, the 1/4s (or 1/8s) are better for short course than for XC. I started with 1/4 for everything, and think of the aiming black in minutes, so the 1.4 doesn't kill me in a fast switch. If I started playing with windage increments I'd be all screwed up. Get one and stick with it. My suggestion would be for 1/4s but expect it to take just a tad bit longer. 1/2s for a Rattle Battle gun for sure.

Gary H · December 6, 2002, 10:16 AM

I went with 1/2 x 1/2 and will stick with them until my shooting improves markedly.

Thanks...

Steve Smith · December 6, 2002, 12:37 PM

I guess when I said, "get one and stick with it" that just went in one ear and out the other?

Gary H · December 6, 2002, 05:07 PM

Out the other ear, against the wall and under the table. I'll get some experience and then judge for myself. It was the first step that concerns me for now. It isn't that I ignored your post. I appreciate the information, but I doubt that I will ever get good enough to consider such a move.

December 3, 2002, 11:10 AM	#1
Gary H Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 2,267	Service Rifle Sights: 1/4 minute or 1/2 minute I'm in California and have had an AR lower sitting in my safe. Thinking of ordering a Rock River National Match A2 upper. When shooting Service Rifle in High Power, do you prefer 1/4, or 1/2 minute sights? What are the positive and negative aspects of each? Anyone have suggestions as to good Internet vendor?

December 6, 2002, 09:49 AM	#3
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Agreed, the 1/4s (or 1/8s) are better for short course than for XC. I started with 1/4 for everything, and think of the aiming black in minutes, so the 1.4 doesn't kill me in a fast switch. If I started playing with windage increments I'd be all screwed up. Get one and stick with it. My suggestion would be for 1/4s but expect it to take just a tad bit longer. 1/2s for a Rattle Battle gun for sure. __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

December 6, 2002, 12:37 PM	#5
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	I guess when I said, "get one and stick with it" that just went in one ear and out the other? __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

December 6, 2002, 04:17 AM	#2
Blind Rat Junior Member Join Date: March 8, 2001 Posts: 13	1/2's or 1/4's are a individualized choice some prefer 1/2's and other prefer 1/4's. Pluses for 1/2's; Consistent with the M14 NM sights. If you're a convert then it makes the transition easier. Not as many clicks to count to put your dope on the sight. Pluses for 1/4's; If you're shooting tight, 1/4's allow you to dial into the center more precisely. Personal experience; I got my AR with 1/4 wind. While shooting at 600 yards I realized it took more time to make adjustments because I'd be thinking in terms of 1/2's and converting to 1/4's before putting it on. When the wind started switching, I'd click and shoot. When the wind died, I had no idea how many clicks of wind I had on because the numbers were so big (twice as much as 1/2) and I couldn't get back to my "no-wind" quick enough. From the other side; (I switched to 1/2 wind after that first match) I shot in a reduced match. I was consistently shooting tight 10's on the 600 reduced target at 9 o'clock. I put 1 click of right wind and found I had clicked through the x ring into the 10 at 3 o'clock. At that point I regretted swapping my 1/4's for 1/2's. Good luck.

December 6, 2002, 10:16 AM	#4
Gary H Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 2,267	I went with 1/2 x 1/2 and will stick with them until my shooting improves markedly. Thanks...

December 6, 2002, 05:07 PM	#6
Gary H Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 2,267	Out the other ear, against the wall and under the table. I'll get some experience and then judge for myself. It was the first step that concerns me for now. It isn't that I ignored your post. I appreciate the information, but I doubt that I will ever get good enough to consider such a move.