Hunting with iron sights. - Page 2

cornbush · September 29, 2012, 09:26 AM

doofus47- Here you go, first post in this thread

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348258

Gunplummer · September 29, 2012, 09:25 PM

I shot a lot of running deer with a scope. I like to do the trip down memory lane with my un-scoped 99 levers, BUT in Pa. you have to count points. One year I shot an illegal buck in a snow storm. It was already hit (back leg shot off below the elbow) and it looked like a doe. You get older you should carry a monocular or small scope to take a quick look if your not sure. I know a lot of muzzle loader guys that do that. I hunt VW and it is great! Pretty much if you see horn you are legal. Makes quick decision shots a lot easier. Back to the main point, yes, I do use iron sights on occasion and actually would rather use them.

FairWarning · September 30, 2012, 11:07 AM

Yes. Squirrel and rabbit hunting started to seem too easy to me as a teenager using a 12 GA pump, so I put aside the 12 GA and went back to a 20 GA single, then back to .22 LR rifle, and finally to a Ruger .22 LR pistol.

I prefer to use a rifle for deer. Started out with a Win M94 30-30 many years ago, now looking forward to trying out my iron sighted K31 7.5mm this year!

hogdogs · September 30, 2012, 11:18 AM

Currently I do not own any scopes...

But the only time I use optics is if I need to use a new purchase before I get around to removing the scope and regulating myself to the irons on it... I would buy a rifle with no sights installed only if seller bids down to offset their purchase....

Brent

L_Killkenny · September 30, 2012, 12:14 PM

Scopes are better, plain and simple, close to far, slow moving or fast, thick cover or wide open fields. Not saying that you're not gonna have trouble seeing/hitting a running deer at 50 feet with the over sized, overweight, large scopes in vogue today but keep the magnification and size modest and they're better any day of the week and twice on Sunday's.

I do however occasionally hunt with a 10/22 using factory open sights and scopes on handguns turn my stomach so any hunting with them is using open sights. Other than that if it can where a scope it does where a scope.

JimPage · September 30, 2012, 01:06 PM

I much preferred iron sights long ago when I could see them. Since then I have put a 1.5x-4x on my deer rifle. It helps me focus on the target and see the sights. For awhile I could use a peep sight, but even that is gone now

So some people just can't use iron sights. Not only from age, but some poor kids are born with poor eyesight. So be kind to them.

shortwave · September 30, 2012, 03:25 PM

Quote:

So some people just can't use iron sights. Not only from age, but some poor kids are born with poor eyesight. So be kind to them.
__________________

Thank You JimPage for posting this. My eldest stepson was born legally blind. He can see with glasses but not good enough to use open sights.

bamaranger · October 1, 2012, 02:05 AM

I'll hunt irons a wee bit every year. I bowhunt deer pretty hard in our long seasons here, the bow season runs concurrent with gun season for over 2 months.

Sometimes if scouting, or in really bad windy weather, I'll get in the thick pine plantations or other sheltered areas and slip along (or try to) with a light easy to carry rifle.

I like an old Rem model 14 in .30 Rem, which was my first deer rifle. I have an older tube feed Ruger .44 with XS sights which is easy to tote also. Another is an early Marlin 1894 in .357, and Williams peep, its often in the truck for GP use anyhow.

I have taken a Garand a few times as well, but not on stalking hunts, and have never killed one with a Garand, though with its longer sight radius, I shoot the Garand best.

I've decided if I'm ever going to kill another with iron sights I better do it soon, as I don't see'em as clear as I used to.

doofus47 · October 1, 2012, 10:54 AM

nice rifle, cornbush.
I love that you provoked a 7 page thread on sporterized milsurps.

There are some pretty, pretty rifles on that thread.

Jack O'Conner · October 1, 2012, 07:49 PM

Iron sights are still good for me.

Jack

Zorro · October 3, 2012, 03:59 AM

You only need a scope for shots beyond 100 Yards.

My Marlin 1994 in .44 Remington Magnum just has a peep sight and a Gold Dot.

Scopes only matter past 100 yards.

Hunter Customs · October 3, 2012, 08:28 AM

I hunted for years without a scope and I'm going back to sights this deer season.
Most likely will not have a shot over 100 yards away but if I do I'm confident I can make longer shots acurately.
I do prefer aperture type rear sights with a post&bead front, however a good ladder rear with knife point front works well for long shots.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

sc928porsche · October 4, 2012, 04:38 PM

If I am going to hunt that day in heavy timber or brush, I will drag out the old model 94 with buckhorn sight.

Sweet Shooter · October 4, 2012, 05:22 PM

Today and for hunting this year it's going to be irons. I'm on again/off again with scopes.

I think being able to hit is not just about eyesight. Regular notch and post is like a Star Wars thing... like a force that runs through you. Even oldies with bad reading eyes can do it, but need to tune it in.

I'll let you know how that works out for me.
-SS-

Tucker 1371 · October 4, 2012, 05:36 PM

Shot this one with iron sighted M1A scout. I'll admit it was an extremely close shot, 25yds at ground level, not sure how he didn't see me. Realtree and a little discipline work wonders I guess.

bacardisteve · October 6, 2012, 12:10 AM

Sure do! If I am participating in a deer drive or still hunting I take my M1 Garand. I tend to over swing on running deer with most rifles but the weight of the Garand cures that.

b_rad · October 6, 2012, 04:10 PM

I installed a Skinner peep site on a '82 Winchester 94 30-30 for my 13 year old. At 100 yards he was grouping the shots at about 3" consistently around the bull’s-eye using factory Remington 150gr loads.

We also tried some of the Remington reduced recoil 100gr (I think) and I was very surprised how well they shot. They seemed to group on the low side of the bull’s-eye and as far off as 5" but all and all not too bad.

I guess I'm old school in thinking everyone should start off with iorn sites and move up from there. I'm not by any means on the level of most that post on this forum but it's how I was taught and we have plenty of guns with scopes that he (my son) can choose from in time.

September 29, 2012, 09:26 AM	#26
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	doofus47- Here you go, first post in this thread http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348258 __________________ The best shot I ever made was an accident

September 30, 2012, 11:07 AM	#28
FairWarning Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: GA Posts: 1,149	Yes. Squirrel and rabbit hunting started to seem too easy to me as a teenager using a 12 GA pump, so I put aside the 12 GA and went back to a 20 GA single, then back to .22 LR rifle, and finally to a Ruger .22 LR pistol. I prefer to use a rifle for deer. Started out with a Win M94 30-30 many years ago, now looking forward to trying out my iron sighted K31 7.5mm this year! __________________ Mauser Werke, Schmidt-Rubin, Colt, Walther, HK, Weatherby, Sig Sauer, Browning, Ruger, Beretta, etc, etc....a few friends of mine

September 30, 2012, 01:06 PM	#31
JimPage Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2010 Location: Rome, NY Posts: 941	I much preferred iron sights long ago when I could see them. Since then I have put a 1.5x-4x on my deer rifle. It helps me focus on the target and see the sights. For awhile I could use a peep sight, but even that is gone now So some people just can't use iron sights. Not only from age, but some poor kids are born with poor eyesight. So be kind to them. __________________ Jim Page Cogito, ergo armatum sum

October 1, 2012, 02:05 AM	#33
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	sure I'll hunt irons a wee bit every year. I bowhunt deer pretty hard in our long seasons here, the bow season runs concurrent with gun season for over 2 months. Sometimes if scouting, or in really bad windy weather, I'll get in the thick pine plantations or other sheltered areas and slip along (or try to) with a light easy to carry rifle. I like an old Rem model 14 in .30 Rem, which was my first deer rifle. I have an older tube feed Ruger .44 with XS sights which is easy to tote also. Another is an early Marlin 1894 in .357, and Williams peep, its often in the truck for GP use anyhow. I have taken a Garand a few times as well, but not on stalking hunts, and have never killed one with a Garand, though with its longer sight radius, I shoot the Garand best. I've decided if I'm ever going to kill another with iron sights I better do it soon, as I don't see'em as clear as I used to.

October 1, 2012, 10:54 AM	#34
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	nice rifle, cornbush. I love that you provoked a 7 page thread on sporterized milsurps. There are some pretty, pretty rifles on that thread. __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

September 29, 2012, 09:25 PM	#27
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	I shot a lot of running deer with a scope. I like to do the trip down memory lane with my un-scoped 99 levers, BUT in Pa. you have to count points. One year I shot an illegal buck in a snow storm. It was already hit (back leg shot off below the elbow) and it looked like a doe. You get older you should carry a monocular or small scope to take a quick look if your not sure. I know a lot of muzzle loader guys that do that. I hunt VW and it is great! Pretty much if you see horn you are legal. Makes quick decision shots a lot easier. Back to the main point, yes, I do use iron sights on occasion and actually would rather use them.

September 30, 2012, 11:18 AM	#29
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Currently I do not own any scopes... But the only time I use optics is if I need to use a new purchase before I get around to removing the scope and regulating myself to the irons on it... I would buy a rifle with no sights installed only if seller bids down to offset their purchase.... Brent

September 30, 2012, 12:14 PM	#30
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,676	Scopes are better, plain and simple, close to far, slow moving or fast, thick cover or wide open fields. Not saying that you're not gonna have trouble seeing/hitting a running deer at 50 feet with the over sized, overweight, large scopes in vogue today but keep the magnification and size modest and they're better any day of the week and twice on Sunday's. I do however occasionally hunt with a 10/22 using factory open sights and scopes on handguns turn my stomach so any hunting with them is using open sights. Other than that if it can where a scope it does where a scope.

October 1, 2012, 07:49 PM	#35
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Iron sights are still good for me. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

October 3, 2012, 03:59 AM	#36
Zorro Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2000 Posts: 1,072	You only need a scope for shots beyond 100 Yards. My Marlin 1994 in .44 Remington Magnum just has a peep sight and a Gold Dot. Scopes only matter past 100 yards.

October 3, 2012, 08:28 AM	#37
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I hunted for years without a scope and I'm going back to sights this deer season. Most likely will not have a shot over 100 yards away but if I do I'm confident I can make longer shots acurately. I do prefer aperture type rear sights with a post&bead front, however a good ladder rear with knife point front works well for long shots. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

October 4, 2012, 04:38 PM	#38
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	If I am going to hunt that day in heavy timber or brush, I will drag out the old model 94 with buckhorn sight. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

October 4, 2012, 05:22 PM	#39
Sweet Shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2011 Posts: 672	Today and for hunting this year it's going to be irons. I'm on again/off again with scopes. I think being able to hit is not just about eyesight. Regular notch and post is like a Star Wars thing... like a force that runs through you. Even oldies with bad reading eyes can do it, but need to tune it in. I'll let you know how that works out for me. -SS-

October 4, 2012, 05:36 PM	#40
Tucker 1371 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 2,649	Shot this one with iron sighted M1A scout. I'll admit it was an extremely close shot, 25yds at ground level, not sure how he didn't see me. Realtree and a little discipline work wonders I guess. __________________ Sgt. of Marines, 5th Award Expert Rifle, 237/250 Expert Pistol, 382/400. D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!! If you start a thread, be active in it. Don't leave us hanging. OEF 2011 Sangin, Afg. Molon Labe

October 6, 2012, 12:10 AM	#41
bacardisteve Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Location: West virginia Posts: 653	Sure do! If I am participating in a deer drive or still hunting I take my M1 Garand. I tend to over swing on running deer with most rifles but the weight of the Garand cures that. __________________ Kill em all and let God sort em out! USAF

October 6, 2012, 04:10 PM	#42
b_rad Junior Member Join Date: September 20, 2012 Posts: 4	I installed a Skinner peep site on a '82 Winchester 94 30-30 for my 13 year old. At 100 yards he was grouping the shots at about 3" consistently around the bull’s-eye using factory Remington 150gr loads. We also tried some of the Remington reduced recoil 100gr (I think) and I was very surprised how well they shot. They seemed to group on the low side of the bull’s-eye and as far off as 5" but all and all not too bad. I guess I'm old school in thinking everyone should start off with iorn sites and move up from there. I'm not by any means on the level of most that post on this forum but it's how I was taught and we have plenty of guns with scopes that he (my son) can choose from in time.

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