Scope vs. Iron Sights

[b4uqzme]

I'm just now sitting down to take the scopes off a couple of bolt action carbines. I found that it's more fun to shoot the open sights. That got me wondering if I was alone in that preference...or just plain crazy...or what?

These aren't hunting rifles...just paper shooters.

[Bawanna]

I much prefer iron sights as long as they can accomplish what I need to accomplish.

Eye's are a bit tired so scopes become a bit more important.

Even hunting what little game I've shot was never over 75 yards and one deer was about 10. If the rifle wasn't in my hand I'd of used my pistol.

I don't like scopes when a real close shot presents itself. All you see if hair.

I always thought the tip off mount scopes were a great idea that never really got perfected. I'd carry tipped off and if a long shot, scope needed shot presented itself, tip it up into place.

[muggsy]

I like to use the sight that gives me the best opportunity to harvest game as humanely possible whether it's the bead on the end of my shotgun barrel or a high power scope. It's all about hitting the target.

[AJBert]

Depends on what rifle I'm using. Brush guns are only open sights. Most of my .22s are open sights. Every thing else has a scope.

My thinking is that if I can't hit what I'm shooting at with open sights inside of 100 yards, then maybe it is time to stop hunting. Haven't gotten to that point yet, though I do wear my glasses every time I'm hunting. Well, except bird hunting of any kind.

[TheTman]

If it's a moving target at close range, iron sights for sure, longer ranges, over 100 yards or so, I need a scope. The older I get the shorter the distance I use iron sights.

[ltxi]

I'm just now sitting down to take the scopes off a couple of bolt action carbines. I found that it's more fun to shoot the open sights. That got me wondering if I was alone in that preference...or just plain crazy...or what?

These aren't hunting rifles...just paper shooters.

The only scoped carbine I have is my Remington 600 based, .308 scout rifle. For me, scopes normally be reserved for longer barreled weapons.

[Bill K]

Took the fixed 4X scope off my Ruger Super Blackhawk. More fun like you say. For hunting I'll just limit my shots to bow hunting ranges. Longest shot I've taken bow hunting was 32 yards and most are 15-20.

[Barth]

Scopes just aren't sporting...

I'm just now sitting down to take the scopes off a couple of bolt action carbines. I found that it's more fun to shoot the open sights. That got me wondering if I was alone in that preference...or just plain crazy...or what?

These aren't hunting rifles...just paper shooters.

I put a Bushnell zoom scope on my Ruger 10/22.
After zeroing it in - seemed like I hit everything I aimed at.
Got boring real quick.
Pulled it off and never used it again.

Literally decades later, my new AK Suchka runs factory iron sights.
And it's going to stay that way.

You're not alone.

[ParabellumJ]

Scope vs. Iron Sights

Depends on what it's for. A plinker or close range rifle, irons are quicker and more fun. If it's a target rifle or longer range weapon, a scope. Self defense carbine, red dot with back up sights.

[Bawanna]

Of course there are scopes and then there are scopes.

Scopes to see far away and scopes to admire while seeing far away. I saved a long time for this one.

12X Unertl





I feel like Carlos Hathcock everytime I touch it.

[yqtszhj]

I'm kinda mixed on the topic. I like to be able to hit with irons whatever I can see no matter how far away it is. Then sometimes I like to be able to hit things I can't see, or put multiple bullets through the same spot.

I'm not too sure I'm liking carbines in general since they don't seem to group as well for me. I've got a SOCOM 16 that is OK but doesn't group well. The factory stock is plastic, It flexes really bad. I guess I need to get used to shooting basketball's with it and not golf balls

[Barth]

Bawanna, your scope reminds me of a Missouri Boat Ride...

[hardluk1]

You might set one of your fen rifle up with a globe front and receiver rear to make open sight as good as they can be. That's the only Open sights I use on a long gun anymore. I grew up hunting in swamps with some being so thick you could not see the sky- fakahatchee swamp- so as odd as it may sound to some a scope , with a lower power setting lets you pick a shot and leaves your focus to be on the game and not the sights. make close shots easier with some as close as 20feet but still pick a shoot with the power turned up a little at distance that would purely chance with open sights.

[garyb]

Of course there are scopes and then there are scopes.

Scopes to see far away and scopes to admire while seeing far away. I saved a long time for this one.

12X Unertl





I feel like Carlos Hathcock everytime I touch it.

Nice looking OLD Winchester 22 take down and Win shotgun in your box. I have each of these. Shotgun in 16ga....part of my father-in-laws collection handed down to me with an old lever action saddle gun 25-20. Cool stuff.


Oh and I guess these days I am a scope guy on all my rifles except my old traditional percussion smoke poles which have iron sights (50 cal Hatfield long rifle in tiger maple; Pedersoli 32 cal blue ridge long rifle in walnut; and a home made TC Hawken 50 cal.) You just don't put scopes on percussion long guns. It ain't right.

[medezyner]

All my hunting rifles now have 1.5-4.5x variable scopes. At 1.5 you can track a running deer with both eyes open and use in brush with no problems. It works awesome. Now if I could just stop dropping them and throwing off my zero I'd be all set.