Iron sights
- Thread starter mike t
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Reflex red dot sights like the Burris Fastfield are my choice for that kind of shooting. And yes, I do have one mounted on my Merkel Double .450-400 and it accompanied me on a buffalo hunt in Namibia. A reflex sight works better than irons, even on a "traditional" rifle used for African dangerous game. In Europe, red dot or prismatic zero magnification sights are the most common sight choice for driven hunts. I love iron sights, and most of my hunting rifles have them, but my eyes don't like them much any more. Like others mentioned, a receiver sight is superior to any open iron sight except possibly at very close range. I bought my after-market iron sights from New England Custom Gun. They stock good quality Recknagel sights from Germany.
You are both correct, a low powered scope is a fine set-up. I have 2 Browning BAR stalkers, one a shortrac and a longtrac. The shortrac has a B&L 1.5-6 on it currently so I want to put straight sites on the 06. I'm currently toying with the idea of having the barrel cut down to maybe 19-20 inches and having a receiver site installed with a nice big brass front site
Never be better?
Astigmatism, battery, emitter going bust, open emitter designs are very weak just a little mud and sand at tiny space which is hard to clean, visible tint on the reflector, taking space more suitable for regular scope, zero shift at a cold weather.
If it actually was a 1-4X9 you would definitely regret it... but I have never seen on or heard of one. As for running bucks in the bush, I use a 1.5-5x20 on my .358 bush rifle and leave it set at 1.5X, and it works very well on fast moving deer.
I've never seen someone shoot faster or more accurately with irons than a red dot. That goes for both beginners and seasoned shooters.
People may have preferences but mechanically there is no way that lining up sights on a target is going to be faster than putting a dot on the target.
I agree Gatehouse, I've hunted with red dots for a number of years now. I want a rifle with irons as well for the "just in case" scenario. Seeing as I have 2 Bar stalkers the opportunity to trade one for a stainless BLR has presented itself so what the hell just might give it a go
Very true SuperCub, I've used that setup before but I'm the dog man that goes through with the hounds and on multiple occasions I've come out of a chase and my scope lenses were caked in snow. This is the 1 and only reason I dont run a scope on my dogging rifle. If it wasn't for that I would run a 1-4 or 1.5-5 and leave it parked on low
more than one like phil and taj shoemaker or finn aagard has demonstrated in the past low power scope or red dot are faster to acquire and shoot precisely than any open sights ... easthetic and real use can be contridactory like any human and i do remember Paul (SC) telling me it is way less expensive to get a second scope ready to go than getting a real safari open sights kind and still agree with him.
I’ve been there and done it. Not very easy to frame them up when their running you over. That’s been my experience, and most of my deer hunting has been spent dogging in the bush. If they don’t run to the watches, or squirt out the sides they sit tight and bust on the doggers at the last second. To each their own and your mileage may vary as they say.
Normally I like a relatively low power scope, but I shot my best Blacktail buck in the pouring rain with open sights on a Steyr-Mannlicher Model M Professional (that's the one with the plastic stock) after I had to take the scope off. Sometimes because of the weather, a scope (any scope) just won't do. I've done the same during some snowstorm hunts in Alberta. Some bucks seem to feel that it is safe to move around in daylight during the worst weather. The excellent Steyr-Mannlicher Model M open sights are similar to the sights on the new Sako Blackbear.
I prefer actual "open" sights for this type of work, not peeps. Peeps can easily get plugged with snow and ice. The worst is when you try to blow the snow out of the peep and then the mositure in your breath freezes up inside the peep.
Using irons can also make a rifle much handier to carry.
I prefer actual "open" sights for this type of work, not peeps. Peeps can easily get plugged with snow and ice. The worst is when you try to blow the snow out of the peep and then the mositure in your breath freezes up inside the peep.
Using irons can also make a rifle much handier to carry.
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Definitely. Two older model Swarovski 1.5-4.5X20 with German #4 reticle are my all-purpose scopes.
The same year that I shot that buck in the pouring rain, I again removed my 4X scope before I went alone into black timber at twilight after a big wounded bear. I figured the shooting distance would be just a few yards. Happily I found him dead. If I would have had a low power variable, I could have just set it on 1.5X and gone in after him.
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