Matt,
Yes, Peds are nice rifles for sure and much better than most Italian guns I've seen. Better steel and better fit/finish. I have seen C.Sharpes and wouldn't own one but Axtell is gorgeous..but very expensive.
For a wonderful front sight look into Baldwin. The level is on the inside of the tunnel and is not affected by ambient light...a real bother when shooting in different sun angles. I have his sights front and rear. The Soule is of wider stock and has bigger numbers for my aging eyes.
www.baldwin-sights.com/
I shoot silhouette monthly and find it harder than the 1000 yd. stuff...go figure. Most of us have gone to 38-50 or 38-70 for softer recoil of late but I still have my Cody Ballard High Wall 45-90. If you are not already on the BP-L you should at least lurk for good info. Email me off list for more info.