- Location
- AB foothills
Maybe for you. I guess what ever you practice most is going to be fastest. In thick cover I will take a good set of open sights everytime, with practice of course.
My 375 Ruger Alaskan***Update***
- Thread starter DIGGER2
- Start date
Maybe for you. I guess what ever you practice most is going to be fastest. In thick cover I will take a good set of open sights everytime, with practice of course.
In heavy cover, when the light is fading (ie. prime time) most iron sights are useless. Perhaps something with a glowing bead might be better but in the most part, a quality low power. with a heavy reticle, wide field of view and generous eye relief is the ticket.
Why mess around then... get a scope with a reticle that has a glowing red dot... 
Myself I can use either just as fast but when in heavy cover/bush I'll take ghost ring iron sights with fiber optic front post everytime but would not feel hindered if I had a scope instead.
Results in a far handier package when I get that scope off.
Myself I can use either just as fast but when in heavy cover/bush I'll take ghost ring iron sights with fiber optic front post everytime but would not feel hindered if I had a scope instead.
Results in a far handier package when I get that scope off.
With a scope your eye doesn't have to focus on the target, the rear AND front sights. Put crosshairs on target and squeeze trigger
Red dot scopes are probably the very fastest, but I don't use them.
With a scope your eye doesn't have to focus on the target, the rear AND front sights. Put crosshairs on target and squeeze trigger
Red dot scopes are probably the very fastest, but I don't use them.
ghost ring sights you just focus on the front post plus it is far easier to keep both eyes open due to not having to deal with a magnification difference between your eye and the scope magnification even when you are on 1X most scopes are not exactly 1X.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I have a Brno ZH-304 that was shooting high with the original front sight but before I went for a higher replacement front sight, I 'attached' a piece of fiber optic to the top. It did help, not only in lowering the point of impact but also made it easier to pick up the front sight in low light conditions.
On my Marlin 444S, Marlin 1895GS in 45-70 and a model 70 in 458WM I have low power Leupold variables, using Weaver pivot mounts, and that also seems to be easier to get on target in low light conditions than the average open sights. Also helps compensate for eyesight that isn't quite as sharp as it used to be.
I have the 1.5-5 VXIII illuminated reticle on one of my rifles and it is awesome in low light. I also have 2 others non illuminated, one of my favorite scopes for an all round hunting rig.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Mine are 1-4, Vari X II and they are an improvement over the issue iron sights. I also have a couple of low power Bushnell vaiiables sitting around. Couldn't resist the Bushnells at the price at a gun show.
I'll have to try a scope with an illuminated reticle one day.
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I took the receipe on "Real Guns" h ttp://www.realguns.com/loads/375Ruger.htm and it clock's a 300 gr. @ 2698 fps out of a 23" barrel. It should run about 60 fps slower in my 20". This bullet speed/weight will fill all my needs to put down deer, black bear and moose.
True about the GR sights- to a point. You still have to center the front sight, although it is pretty natural to do so. Pasting a crosshair on target is still faster for me. I dont' have any issues keeping both eyes open under magnification. I only close one eye if I am intentionally trying to block out everything else.
I don't think there is any arguing that a scope is the best tool for placing the first shot.
In a follow up situation I would prefer using what I am comfortable and instinctive with. Open sights may be a better choice in a fight, but only if you are very familiar with them and your rifle fits PERFECTLY. Poor rifle fit=Poor sight alignment. The end result of which is slower target acquisition.
Most modern stocks are set up for scope use not open sights....Something to consider.
In a follow up situation I would prefer using what I am comfortable and instinctive with. Open sights may be a better choice in a fight, but only if you are very familiar with them and your rifle fits PERFECTLY. Poor rifle fit=Poor sight alignment. The end result of which is slower target acquisition.
Most modern stocks are set up for scope use not open sights....Something to consider.
Is this a hunting rifle or a defense rifle? Let's not forget that this cartridge is not limited to short range and in fact can be considered a solid mid range performer. Big fat iron sights don't cut it much beyond 100 yards. Some versatility is important.
LOL
on another thread there is a love in going on with the 30-30 and it's ability to shoot effectively with peep or iron sights to 200 yds +/-.
I tend to agree that a good peep sight with good eyes can be most effective out to some goodly distances - but as always - know your rifle and practice.
I also agree that when your eyes begin to fail and the light gets low, it gets difficult to even see unlit scope reticles in the dark mass of trees or other background.
I suggest that it is a gradient that changes with age and experience. I started with peep sights and loved them (and still do), then went to scopes with plian reticles but now make up for aging eyes with lit scope or other devices that piss me off sometimes when they fail -- but what can you do.
I like the idea of the big three in a sighting device: an etched reticle that is always visible like a normal scope, that can be lit via natural light or lit by battery. Then you have a fighting chance of not having a failure when you most need someting to sight with.
on another thread there is a love in going on with the 30-30 and it's ability to shoot effectively with peep or iron sights to 200 yds +/-.
I tend to agree that a good peep sight with good eyes can be most effective out to some goodly distances - but as always - know your rifle and practice.
I also agree that when your eyes begin to fail and the light gets low, it gets difficult to even see unlit scope reticles in the dark mass of trees or other background.
I suggest that it is a gradient that changes with age and experience. I started with peep sights and loved them (and still do), then went to scopes with plian reticles but now make up for aging eyes with lit scope or other devices that piss me off sometimes when they fail -- but what can you do.
I like the idea of the big three in a sighting device: an etched reticle that is always visible like a normal scope, that can be lit via natural light or lit by battery. Then you have a fighting chance of not having a failure when you most need someting to sight with.
For me I don't even think about the rear ghost ring sight my eye just naturally centers the top of the front post dead center of the ghost ring crazy how it works but it does.
and I agree on keeping both eyes open when using a scope my comment was it is something that distracts me though.
X-Fan I will argue a little on a scope being faster for the first shot if the shot is inside 50 yards beyond that I agree a scope is possibly faster but it will definately be more accurate I just find a rifle without a scope is so much handier to carry and get into action when I'm in thick bush.
Your's & Boomer's comments are making me think that I may look at sanding down the comb of my butt stock a bit it could make using the ghost rings even better.
I have been considering my choice of scopes for my Alaskan when it comes...of the scopes I currently own, I'll use either a Leupold 2-7X or 3-9x. At first I was thinking that the lower end magnification of the 2-7 would be a smart choice in so far as it may get used as a bear rifle at some point, but then I thought "Why not just pop the scope off for use at those times and go with more magnification the rest of the time. I especially don't like shooting 100 yard targets with the 2-7 compared to the 3-9.
I us a 2.5-8 Leupold, but the 3-9 isn't out of place on a .375 Ruger.
