Iron sight vs scope

[misterburns]

Hi there!
I was just wondering how far can you shoot with iron sight for a .22 bolt action rifle before you absolutely need a scope for it?

 

[Buck1950]

Depends on How Accurate YOU can shoot/see . . . and how accurate you want to be. I find it hard to see small targets at 100 yds when using irons, unless the target is 'high contrast' like a Black dot on a white paper. But a 6-inch or 8-inch plate is fairly easy to see even to 200 but you need to practice to know Where the bullet will go with the hold on the sight. Lots of variables arise and Even using a Red dot optic will improve accuracy to a degree but you need a good 2-MOA or better

 

[Buck1950]

PS - At 100-yds a 22 SV will 'drop' ca 6-inches from a Zero at 50 and Much more at 200.

 

[ivobb]

my problem is seeing the front sight your eyes go bad as you get older - i need a scope for anything over 20 yards

 

[OkayShooter]

Infinite

You'll get to a point where you cannot adjust the sight any higher and be aiming over the target.

 

[scotteboy]

My eyes are crappy so 50m is max if the target is about 4" in diameter

 

[jjohnwm]

My eyes are crappy so 50m is max if the target is about 4" in diameter

That's the important factor. Not only is there the question of the accuracy of the gun, or the shooting ability of the user...but also, one must be able to see the target in order to hit it. I regularly shoot my open-iron-sighted CZ452 at 100 yards, but I need a target at least 10 inches in diameter, well-lit and contrasting well with the background in order to actually produce decent groups. I like using paper plates spray painted HiVis orange.

 

[OkayShooter]

My apeture rifle 100 yard target is 8 inch.

V notch iron sight target is larger. I heard a big V is suppose to be good.

 

[rembolt]

20 years ago when I had much better eyes I could consistently put 10 shots on a 10 inch gong at 200 yards offhand with my 452 trainer .now days a 2 inch target at 50 yards is real challenge.

 

[maynard]

I am not sure if it it still a thing, but a few years ago there was a group of shooters, shooting 500 yards with .22 rifles over in Bisley with apeture sights. They shot regular 500 yard NRA UK targets.

 

[Meroh]

I rarely shoot 100 yards with open sights except for a bit of fun from time to time. I usually end up surprising my self.

I have an old Russian Toz 8 built by Baikal. I fitted it out with a micrometer rear aperture sight and a Lyman front globe sight. From a bench rest, all shots taken landed on a 5" x 5" 25 yard handgun target. (at 25 with a rest, they go in the same hole). I was able to dial up the micrometer, so no hold over was required.

 

[OkayShooter]

I rarely shoot 100 yards with open sights except for a bit of fun from time to time. I usually end up surprising my self.

I have an old Russian Toz 8 built by Baikal. I fitted it out with a micrometer rear aperture sight and a Lyman front globe sight. From a bench rest, all shots taken landed on a 5" x 5" 25 yard handgun target. (at 25 with a rest, they go in the same hole). I was able to dial up the micrometer, so no hold over was required.
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With my Anschutz and Mossberg apparure sight. 100 yard is about 3/4 up the dial. So I suspect 200 would start needing hold off, or add risers.

 

[Buck1950]

I feel that a 'square-notch' at the rear will be easier to 'center' the front post, as opposed to a V. I used a small needle file to square the sight on my Marlin 60. Prob only 1/16" wide notch.