1886 Tang Sight Questions

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LeverGunner
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1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by LeverGunner »

I have an 1886 on order, the caliber will be 50-110 Winchester. The primary purpose of the gun isn't long range shooting, but I want the ability to do so.

I know almost nothing about long range sights, and with that, I am looking at this model from MVA https://montanavintagearms.com/product/ ... g-range-2/

Which other sights should I be considering for long range shooting?

I want to have a standard rear sight, and then add a tang sight for long range shooting, and remove it when not using it. How close to zero will the sight return? I assume if I used a torque screwdriver it would go back exactly the same.

I assume all tang sight manufacturers will use the same spacing of holes, so that they interchange?
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by Bronco »

I'd be careful with full house loads on a 50-110 with a tang sight! They kick harder than any mule. Watch out for your eyes. I put a receiver sight on mine! I noted the setting for ranges out to 500 yds. with each of the eight bullets I reload. Tack driver it is not but a locomotive stopper it is. It is tickling the lower 458 win mag territory.
Last edited by Bronco on Fri Jan 16, 2026 8:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by LeverGunner »

Thanks. My buddy has one, and has a Marbles tang sight on his gun. We weren't shooting a max load, but 62.0 of 3031 and a 420 grain bullet was peppy.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by marlinman93 »

You can't beat the MVA sight you're looking at, and it will zero every time you put it back on as long as you leave the base and only take the staff off when you don't want it. The MVA Soule will do anything your 1886 is capable of doing.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by LeverGunner »

Thanks MM93. That's good information. How will the sight do taking the base off? The reason I ask is that I am thinking of also having a regular tang sight as well, and switching between the two.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by marlinman93 »

LeverGunner wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 2:02 pm Thanks MM93. That's good information. How will the sight do taking the base off? The reason I ask is that I am thinking of also having a regular tang sight as well, and switching between the two.
It might be just as accurate, but anytime we remove parts held with screws it's impossible to say things will be exactly the same. Maybe, maybe not. Just have to give it a try and see how it does. The sight has little to do with how well it zeros after removing the screws. Mainly because Winchester and clones use the stock screw for the rear sight base. So how much that screw is tightened can affect things slightly.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by Bearskinner »

Skinner Sights has a rear ladder sight that might do the trick. I have a 1876, with the ladder sight that came on it factory, and it is pretty effective, but doesn’t get in the way when walking around carrying the rifle. Nothing to take off and reinstall, although a little limited over a Seoul long range flip up sight
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by LeverGunner »

marlinman93 wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 2:09 pm
LeverGunner wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 2:02 pm Thanks MM93. That's good information. How will the sight do taking the base off? The reason I ask is that I am thinking of also having a regular tang sight as well, and switching between the two.
It might be just as accurate, but anytime we remove parts held with screws it's impossible to say things will be exactly the same. Maybe, maybe not. Just have to give it a try and see how it does. The sight has little to do with how well it zeros after removing the screws. Mainly because Winchester and clones use the stock screw for the rear sight base. So how much that screw is tightened can affect things slightly.
I am already thinking a step ahead. Thinking that I will have a single set of screws dedicated to the use of each sight, and use a torque screwdriver when installing. I think it would be 100% repeatable.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by marlinman93 »

LeverGunner wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 3:43 pm
marlinman93 wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 2:09 pm
LeverGunner wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 2:02 pm Thanks MM93. That's good information. How will the sight do taking the base off? The reason I ask is that I am thinking of also having a regular tang sight as well, and switching between the two.
It might be just as accurate, but anytime we remove parts held with screws it's impossible to say things will be exactly the same. Maybe, maybe not. Just have to give it a try and see how it does. The sight has little to do with how well it zeros after removing the screws. Mainly because Winchester and clones use the stock screw for the rear sight base. So how much that screw is tightened can affect things slightly.
I am already thinking a step ahead. Thinking that I will have a single set of screws dedicated to the use of each sight, and use a torque screwdriver when installing. I think it would be 100% repeatable.
I really don't think you need a different set of screws for each. But using a torque wrench is a good idea to get the torque the same.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by LeverGunner »

marlinman93 wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 4:28 pm
LeverGunner wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 3:43 pm
marlinman93 wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 2:09 pm
LeverGunner wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 2:02 pm Thanks MM93. That's good information. How will the sight do taking the base off? The reason I ask is that I am thinking of also having a regular tang sight as well, and switching between the two.
It might be just as accurate, but anytime we remove parts held with screws it's impossible to say things will be exactly the same. Maybe, maybe not. Just have to give it a try and see how it does. The sight has little to do with how well it zeros after removing the screws. Mainly because Winchester and clones use the stock screw for the rear sight base. So how much that screw is tightened can affect things slightly.
I am already thinking a step ahead. Thinking that I will have a single set of screws dedicated to the use of each sight, and use a torque screwdriver when installing. I think it would be 100% repeatable.
I really don't think you need a different set of screws for each. But using a torque wrench is a good idea to get the torque the same.
You're probably right. I figure after several times of removal and installation, the parts would marry and be more repeatable. I may very well be wrong.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by marlinman93 »

I'd probably be more concerned about flinching affecting POI with an 1886 in .50-110! Even my Hepburn in .45-90 gets my attention and can cause me to flinch occasionally. ;)
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by LeverGunner »

That's a good point. The loads my buddy and I shot were 62.0 grains of IMR3031 with a 420 grain bullet. They were tolerable, it was fun as heck. His rifle has a shotgun butt with rubber recoil pad, and so will mine.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by veeman »

I use these Marbles barrel mounted peep sights on my 76's and Browning 86's.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by barbarossa »

The providence arms Lyman 21 sights are also a good option though it isn t a tang sight but they also have the vintage look
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by Tycer »

barbarossa wrote: Mon Jan 19, 2026 3:25 pm The providence arms Lyman 21 sights are also a good option though it isn t a tang sight but they also have the vintage look
That’s what I ended up with on mine too. I like it. Lots of elevation although I have never used it at any distance past 150yards.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by LeverGunner »

I am aware of the model 21 sight... not sure that I like it though, it's a bit ugly.
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by earlmck »

I shoot with a group of fellows who shoot steel buffalo out to 1200 yards with the buffalo guns. That MVA and the Kelley are all I see anybody using. Good choice!

And it is common to take the upright off the base for transport or to use on a different rifle (some of the fellows use a 45/90 for the long range but drop to 45/70 for the mid-range which tops out at 700 yards).
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by LeverGunner »

Thanks earlmck, I wasn't aware of the Kelley http://www.kelleysights.com/LongRangeSight.php
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Re: 1886 Tang Sight Questions

Post by marlinman93 »

LeverGunner wrote: Tue Jan 20, 2026 1:21 pm Thanks earlmck, I wasn't aware of the Kelley http://www.kelleysights.com/LongRangeSight.php
Baldwin were another equally great sight, but Steve Baldwin recently retired and isn't building his anymore. There's also Lee Shaver, but don't get his Economy Soule, get his high grade Soule if you buy a Shaver. The Economy are a great sight for plinking or hunting, but not for serious work.
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