Front Target Sight/Barrel Contour Options
Ok guys, as somewhat eluded to in the thread I started last week, I'm planning to do a build project article series this coming spring/summer on a B22 rimfire rifle geared toward competitive shooting with open/aperture sights. I'm working with EGW on the rear aperture mount as we speak (same idea as the mount they made for the Rascal that's depicted in the stickied thread in this board), but I'm still working on the best/easiest solution for mounting a front globe sight.
Option 1: A sporter barreled version of the B22 that comes with iron sights
The front sight on these models is held on by two screws so it would be quite easy to remove/replace the factory front sight with a screw-on dovetail-style globe mount like Williams makes. Downside is that it's a sporter contour barrel and most folks serious about competitive shooting in this discipline would want a heavy barrel - after all, it's a rimfire and even the heavy barrel models are plenty light enough to shoot off-hand with ease.
Option 2: A heavy barrel version of the B22 that doesn't come with any sights
Going this route would require some custom gunsmithing as either the muzzle end of the barrel would have to be drilled & tapped to accept a screw-on dovetail-style globe mount, or the muzzle end of the barrel would need to be turned cylindrical to accept a clamp-on style globe mount like most high-power shooters use.
The ultimate goal here is to have budget minded competition/target rifle for growing Junionr Marksmanship kids (4H, Boy Scouts, etc.) that is made up of readily available parts and requires little to no gunsmithing services so they don't have to worry about finding a competent smith or spending additional money on their services.
As I said, EGW is already working on a rail for the B-Series similar to what they did for the Rascal that has a rear section to accept a Willimas FP-GR sight, and like the one for the Rascal it will allow that sight to be used on both LH and RH rifles without bolt handle interference. This also give the mount a dual-purpose role as one could easily switch between the aperture sight and a scope if using QR rings to use the same rifle for multiple formats of competition with different rules/sight requirements.
The front sight is my sticking point right now. The Lyman #17 or Williams Target Globe front sights are the most economical (Lee Shaver's new #17A is another option for under $100), there's just no simple mounting solution for them that doesn't require some gunsmithing. I'm sure with a little coaxing I could get someone to make the conversion mount for the front globe on sporter barrel rifles to replace the stock front sight, but I want a heavy barrel solution as that's what competitive shooters will be wanting.
I've never shot with or used an aperture/globe sight setup so this is new/gray area for me. Any tips or suggestions are more than welcome from those of you who have some experience in this area.
