50 yard challenge - iron sights vs scope

N

neilselden

Regular
Rating - 100%
19   0   0
Location
Ottawa
Hi,
The 50 yard challenge seems to be a reachable, though difficult objective (for many reasons). Does anyone know the % of people who have succeeded using a scope? Has anyone succeeded with iron sights?

While I expect the vast majority of folks used a scope, I'm curious if there have been any exceptions.

Now, compared to the difficulty of the 50 yard challenge, what would be an equivalent challenge distance, with the shooter using only iron sights?

Thanks for any insight you can share.

Cheers,
Neil
 
Go to the 50 yards five 5-shot 1/2" group challenge and find dryfire.

He shot the challenge with target sights.

Open iron sights presents a real challenge.
 
I don't think we've had anyone succeed with iron sights yet. I think it's realistically possible with peep/globe sights an an A9/A23 target. The two rifles I've had equipped with such sights weren't up to the task of 1/2" groups though, I barely did it scoped with one of them after many attempts.

*I stand corrected, there is one
 
Last edited:
I tried the 50-yd challenge last summer with a peep and a globe front target sight. I had some acceptable groups, but couldn't get 5 consecutive groups on one target. There would always be a couple with a flier that would spoil the group. I blame my eyesight, not the rifle.
 
The only way to have a reasonable chance to successfully shoot the 1/2" challenge without a scope, is to use aperture rear sights with a front globe. Iron sights such as those found on many sporting/hunting rifles will not do the job.

Skilful shooters with the appropriate aperture sights can successfully shoot the challenge. A problem for them is to find a single target page with all the correct aim points (targets) on it.

These targets must be of a certain size. In ISSF and Olympic position shooting the targets need to be fairly large, about 4" in diameter. These are much larger than shooters using optics need. They can be satisfied with a dot for an aim point.

Since each of these five targets will be about 4" inches in diameter, aperture shooters typically can't do it with 8.5X11 paper because it doesn't have enough space. A single target sheet that will accomodate five aim points or targets is needed. It may be possible to arrange the targets on a single 11x17 page.

Shooters using five approximately 4" diameter targets on a single page will likely find it necessary to design and produce such a target page on their own.

______________________

See below for further explanation

Olympic and ISSF 50 meter position shooters seek to align the round target perfectly centered in the sights. See the image below.



The target itself (or electronic representation for electronic targets) is large enough to almost "fill in" the aperture in the front globe. The black of the target is centered.

Below is a target. The outer 1 ring is 154.4 mm. The entire black circle is a little over 100 mm or about 4 inches in diameter. For reference, the target dimensions are in the adjacent table.

 
Pro tip: only one large circle target is needed on a single page, simply shift the sights across and up/down to form 5 distinct groups as you progress.
 
I have PDF templates for 11x17 size 5-bull targets for the NRA A23 50YD and ISSF 50M targets for anyone with access to a printer that can handle that size paper.
 
islandguy said:
I have PDF templates for 11x17 size 5-bull targets for the NRA A23 50YD and ISSF 50M targets for anyone with access to a printer that can handle that size paper.
Click to expand...

I have an S&L (from a fellow G'nutter) that I've had for a few years now. I'm not going to break any records (blame the shooter) but love shooting it and have gotten some nice results vs my scoped rimfires.
The only problem is I need to find the time to shoot it more! These targets may be the thing to get me to bring it out more often.......

pLNZdlb.jpg

9CBnoAh.jpg
 
Your S&L shown is similar to one that I have here - also purchased on CGN - but not nearly so nice condition - is a M70 or M77 - not sure that I can tell the difference - is perhaps only the trigger mechanism inside that is different between the two?

As was explained by the seller (?) - is likely these were shooting "club" rifles. So sort of like curling rocks in Saskatchewan - very few own their own personal rocks - most people would just sign up for / pay to join the "curling league" and go to local small town curling rink and use the ones that are there - that belong to the club. I am under the impression was similar for rifles in Europe for many shooting sports ...
 
Last edited:
The Seller beautifully restored the S&L before I got it. The bluing is dark and flawless and there must be a dozen layers of linseed oil on the stock.
It's one of my treasured pieces even tho it did not cost a bunch of $$ :). I treat it with pride and care.
I'm no expert on these but if I had to guess I would guess and M70.....
 
grauhanen said:
The only way to have a reasonable chance to successfully shoot the 1/2" challenge without a scope, is to use aperture rear sights with a front globe. Iron sights such as those found on many sporting/hunting rifles will not do the job.

Skilful shooters with the appropriate aperture sights can successfully shoot the challenge. A problem for them is to find a single target page with all the correct aim points (targets) on it.

These targets must be of a certain size. In ISSF and Olympic position shooting the targets need to be fairly large, about 4" in diameter. These are much larger than shooters using optics need. They can be satisfied with a dot for an aim point.

Since each of these five targets will be about 4" inches in diameter, aperture shooters typically can't do it with 8.5X11 paper because it doesn't have enough space. A single target sheet that will accomodate five aim points or targets is needed. It may be possible to arrange the targets on a single 11x17 page.

Shooters using five approximately 4" diameter targets on a single page will likely find it necessary to design and produce such a target page on their own.

______________________

See below for further explanation

Olympic and ISSF 50 meter position shooters seek to align the round target perfectly centered in the sights. See the image below.



The target itself (or electronic representation for electronic targets) is large enough to almost "fill in" the aperture in the front globe. The black of the target is centered.

Below is a target. The outer 1 ring is 154.4 mm. The entire black circle is a little over 100 mm or about 4 inches in diameter. For reference, the target dimensions are in the adjacent table.

Click to expand...

Thanks for all of that info! I know what I'll be keepin busy with at work next time we have a slow day.
 
johNTO said:
I have an S&L (from a fellow G'nutter) that I've had for a few years now. I'm not going to break any records (blame the shooter) but love shooting it and have gotten some nice results vs my scoped rimfires.
The only problem is I need to find the time to shoot it more! These targets may be the thing to get me to bring it out more often.......

pLNZdlb.jpg

9CBnoAh.jpg
Click to expand...

I've never held or shot an S&L, ^that photo makes me think I should! Nice rifle johNTO!
 
.22LRGUY.....thanks. Mine's a beast but a beautiful one! Weighs quite a bit so it gets shot off a rest.
I have/had a few .22lr bolts over the years but the S&L is one of my favs everything considered and shoots CCI SV very nicely....
mhnNNwB.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom