Frustration.... What Ever Happened To Iron Sights???

mlehtovaara

BANNED
BANNED
BANNED
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
103   0   1
I am in the market for a new/used hunting rifle, likely in 308 or 30-06, but a requirement is Iron sights and bolt action.

I am willing to spend up to about $700, but apparently the manufacturers don't want my money....

This is going to be a camp/quad gun, and I don't want a show piec, and would be happy with many of the entry level rifles out there, but none of these manufacturers make anything with Irons!

I'm either spending more than I want or. Buying something older than I would like.

Right now it's looking like my best option is a used Browning BLR but I am really hoping for a bolt gun.

Seems that my options are older Ruger, or Winchester rifles, but I hate buying sight unseen, and the local shops have nothing.

Since when did Irons become obsolete? I don't believe in putting all my eggs in one basket so to speak, but I guess the new generation is so dependant on technology a scope is their only option.

Just venting my frustrations, and fishing for ideas, or offers.... ;)
 
It's not a bolt action, but I hunted last year with a M14 using iron sights. As irons go, they're pretty good. Plus, they're easily adjustable for range. If I was gung-ho to do it again, I'd replace the stock front sight with a thinner national match one. Having a living, breathing, moving deer show up in your sight picture as big (or should I say small?) as the front sight post is a bit stressful, even if you've made the shot a hundred times at the range on paper.
 
Tradex has some Zastava Mauser action rifles with iron sights in your price range.
You could get a CZ 550 Lux or Full Stock for a bit more. That's what I decided to go with.
Might put a ghost ring peep on it. But I'm not going to scope it.

PS You could also look at the Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308 . Comes with factory peeps.
 
Well, Ruger gunsite scout rifle, .308 Win, 18.5 barrel, stainless, uses AISC mags so you have options for steel or polymer 3, 5, or 10 round factory mags, top rail mounted forward of the receiver for if you care to use a scout scope, comes with iron sights, or it can be used with a traditional scope and rings if you remove the rear sight, but that kind of defeats the purpose of buying the rifle. I'm rather fond of the rifle, and most people say it's a MOA rifle with handloads. Quite a bit more accuracy than strictly needed when shooting at practical iron sight distances.
It's not a showroom piece, it was meant to be used.

I'm not sure how much they're going for these days.
 
Not willing to spend $1000 on a Ruger or CZ guys.

Sorry, just beyond my limit.

You would think a "budget" rifle, and iron sights would go well together, but I must be retarded.

Then again I'd much rather have a nicer rifle with irons over a cheap rifle and a cheap scope.

It is tax return time after all.....
 
Almost all the iron sights grew some weird fuzzy stuff on them. For a while you could burn it off, but the WFS got resistant to heat and they had to be rounded up, quarantined and scheduled for destruction.
 
I agree with you 100% about the current unavailability of cheap guns with sight. But one of the best kept secrets is (I know you want a bolt action but...) the Remington 7600 pump action carbine in .30-06 with sythetic stock and forearm. They can be found new for under $700 and sometime less than $600. They are light, fast, accurate, have a detachable mag, all steel construction...and as far as open sights go...well Remington has by far the most rugged and well designed open sights you can find as standard equipment on any factory rifle. They even put certain high-priced aftermarket sights to shame!

Elwood Epps has a couple in stock. http://ellwoodepps.com/hunting/firearms/remington-7600-synthetic-carbine.html
 
Last edited:
I understand you want a NEW rifle, but what's wrong with something like a 7.62 converted lee enfield, or the more commonly available mosin nagant? Cheap, iron sights, bolt action. Buy 3 mosins for the price of a new 700.
 
People do not want to learn to REALLY shoot. They want a scope, a known distance, a bench to rest it off of and then call themselves marksmen :)

For my range's themed shoots they hold every year...the amount of people that cannot hit DVD sized cases at >100 yards is laughable but quickly becomes sad when a course is a "non optics" one.

I run into this ALL time, I LOVE irons and like scopes. What I love best tho is irons AND optics as long as the optics are set up in a way that does NOT block my view on the irons at any time. So obviously I go without optics more times then not.

ARs have nice irons on them if you get one with a carry handle and a front post...but they are MUCH to scary for use off the range I am afraid. :(
 
Last edited:
I understand you want a NEW rifle, but what's wrong with something like a 7.62 converted lee enfield, or the more commonly available mosin nagant? Cheap, iron sights, bolt action. Buy 3 mosins for the price of a new 700.

No where near as accurate as a "new" gun. Add in that the ladder for the mosin is no the greatest because it was made for shooting with the bayonet on and aiming at the belt buckle of your target its not exactly an accurate "system" for people that shoot at non man sized target with stock irons. When I sent my K31s ladder for 100, 200, 300 yards it shoots the target I have there. When I set my mosin's ladder for 100 it does not shoot the target.
 
Back
Top Bottom