Coyote hunting with iron sights??

I don't see why not. I can hit propane tanks standing at 300m with my lee enfield. To me that is good enough to hit a coyote.

I am sure some one will come along and tell you that you need spend a couple thousand on new fancy equipment
 
I don't see why not. I can hit propane tanks standing at 300m with my lee enfield. To me that is good enough to hit a coyote.

I am sure some one will come along and tell you that you need spend a couple thousand on new fancy equipment

Simply hitting a propane tank isn't a good comparison to a clean kill shot on a coyote...

OP, how far can you shoot and keep your groups under 4"? Assuming you've got better eyes than me, and you can pick out a grey target behind the black sight, I see no reason why it's not doable.

Personally I suck with irons, so a coyote is just too small of a target for me and irons (hell I wouldn't shoot at a deer farther than like 75yds with em) but I'm sure others are plenty capable of making that shot.
 
OP, how far can you shoot and keep your groups under 4"? Assuming you've got better eyes than me, and you can pick out a grey target behind the black sight, I see no reason why it's not doable.

Yeah, that's what I mean. My eyes are great, but when you put it that way it really makes me wonder if I should just use a rifle with a scope.
 
Yeah, that's what I mean. My eyes are great, but when you put it that way it really makes me wonder if I should just use a rifle with a scope.

Rule number 1 with hunting (IMO at least) is know your limitations before the hunt and stick to them when the blood gets going.

I wish I could use irons better, there is something about a trim handy iron sighted rifle that is very appealing to me. One day I'll get a better rifle for the job and put some real practice in, but currently I need to stick to scopes if I want to actually hit what I'm aiming at lol

Now, I'm not trying to dissuade you. If you are confident in your skills it is absolutely doable, I don't have the skills (and possibly eye sight) to do what you want to do currently though.

Practice. Go to the range. I'm sure you can find a coyote target at the local LGS or online. Put it out at 100yds and see how well you can make it out. Most 6.5x55 are good shooters, so that part shouldn't be an issue, I'm sure many a man was shot at 300+yds with them during the wars so a 100-150yd shot on a coyote sized target should still be doable if you're up to the task.

Remember that telescopic sights are a relatively new invention that the serfdom couldn't afford until recently...
 
Last edited:
Just a few comments.
1) Can you do it, sure if you can hit a 6" target at whatever distance you determine.
2) why would you want to? A scope offers so many advantages
3) one truth will always remain when shooting at anything. you can only hit what you can see.
4) practice with irons will be the key to success.

Good luck
 
the biggest issue with open sights an any reasonable range, imo is the front post or bead, taking up too much of the intended target, therefore letting in alot of doubt to the shooter.., sometimes it is alot of work to get back into that position/scenerio after having 'pot shots' at game... trust me , i learned this. lol
 
When I was much younger I successfully hunted groundhogs with irons all the time; Mini14's, AR's, leverguns, muzzleloaders, you name it. I knew how to shoot those guns and I still had the eyesight it required. I can still shoot, but I sure can't see the way I once did. :)

So, of course it's possible. Is it something you can or should do? Only an honest assessment of your abilities and skills can answer that. Be aware, of course, that it will never be as effective as using a scope-sighted rifle. It's something you do because you want the additional challenge, not because you actually think you will be just as effective with irons as with a scope...because you won't be.
 
In a running shot, if you miss first shot, it is easier to get back on point with irons than it is with a scope or a red dot. Out past 2-300 you should not be shooting at then on the run anyway; they really go with a couple of hounds on their ass.
 
the biggest issue with open sights an any reasonable range, imo is the front post or bead, taking up too much of the intended target, therefore letting in alot of doubt to the shooter.., sometimes it is alot of work to get back into that position/scenerio after having 'pot shots' at game... trust me , i learned this. lol

Running shot, you will be leading so no worries about the sight covering the target.
 
It definitely is doable. Just not sure that battle sights are the best option. They tend to be pretty wide, and not super visible. However, any rifle with good Fire Sights or similarly visible sights will certainly do the trick. Not that I'd use it for that, but my 1895 Guide Gun with Fire Sights will group about 2" at 100, using LeverEvolution and 325 gr.'s factory ammo. I've shot numerous coyote-killing sized groups at 200 with it, but you have to use a range finder, because the trajectory starts to get pretty steep at that range, not leaving you much rook for error. My Rossi 92 in 44 mag, again with Fire Sights, is definitely minute of coyote out to 100.
 
200 yards on the run.

W3KEp0z.jpg
 
Back
Top Bottom