Optics

[Dosing]

Just wondering, we have pretty much learned that we have some old timey types here, who still actually think peep sights on hunting rifles are appropriate, not just quaint or twee (bully for them). So I thought it would be enlightening to run a poll.

 

[NAA]

Scopes!

Most of my scoped rifles have 3-9x40mm glass on them. I prefer clean barrels with no iron sites.

 

[Salty]

Let 2006 be the year without too many polls. Happy new year, clowns and all

 

[stubblejumper]

medium power variable scope.

 

[bearhunter]

I use all of the above, depending on the type of hunting I'm doing. LARGE "peeep" sights can be very good and extremely fast on deer and moose in thick cover and dureing inclement weather conditions, out to 150+m, I always take a "peep" sighted 7.65 Arg carbine (bubba) with me on extended hunts to cover these conditions. High magnification scope, use for BIG OPEN country where shots on deer and coyotes can and often are well over 400m, also time for a bipod or other solid rest as well. Low 1.5X magnification, use on 7.62x39 Yugo small action mauser, great for deer in heavy cover, when the weather is good. Iron sights are just as good as "peeps" under the same conditions as long as they are large enough and the user has spent enough time practiceing to use them properly. I've seen guys at club shoots useing iron sites, win over guys with scopes at the 100m targets consistantly at different club grounds, under different conditions year after year with iron sites of all types. You have to practice enough with whatever siteing system you choose to be successful it. Whichever system that you choose get to know its good and bad points and how to overcome them if possible. If you can only afford one type, it's not a great problem, but the availability of more is much easier to live with. bearhunter

 

[eltorro]

I like peep sights for the stock option. Scope use improves on low light condition situations.
I don't like rifles w/o iron sights. Will sell all of mine that don't have.
A busted scope is by no mean a reason why I should pass on a shot under 200 yds.

 

[bigbull]

Most of my hunting scopes are low power below 6x, I always prefer field of view to power. The longest shot I have ever made on any animal (moose @425yds) was with a 1.5-6x42 Swarovski set at 6x. There was no problem aiming accurately at a precise point on the animal.
bigbull

 

[martinbns]

I klicked low power, all my scopes are mid range variables, the low end is below 6 (usually 3x9).

 

[ILoveBigRacks]

Well, I clicked high power but I'm pretty much the same as martinbns, I just interpreted (or misunderstood) the voting option differently. I use 3-9 or 2.5-10 pretty much exclusively. If I go with a lever gun in the future for a bush gun I'll most likely scope it with a 1.5-5 or so.

 

[SuperCub]

I own.................

(1) 1.5x5 Leupold
(1) 1.5x6 B&L
(1) 2.5 fixed Leupold
(1) 1x4 Leupold
(1) 4x fixed Leupold
(3) 3x9 Leupolds
(2) 3x9 3000/3200
(1) 2x7 Leupold
(1) 3x9 Trophy
(1) 760 w/reciever sight


SC.................

 

[Eagleye]

I have the following optics on Hunting Rifles;
1 - M8 - 4X
7 - M8 - 6X [6x36]
5 - M8 - 6X [6x42]
2 - VX III 2.5 - 8
1 - VX III 3.5 - 10
These rifles all have bare barrels, no sights came with them.

Varmint and precision LR rifles:
1 - Leupold 10X AO
2 - Leupold 12X AO
2 - VX III 6.5 - 20 AO
1 - Elite 4000 6 - 24 AO

22 Rimfires:
1 - Aperture sights as gun was issued with [M68 Winchester]
1 - Bushnell 3-9 Rimfire
1 - Bushnell 6X AO
1 - Kassnar 4X Rimfire
1 - Weaver 4X [ Old style steel tube with ¼ min dot and parallax adjusted to 60 yards]
1 - VX II 2 - 7 Rimfire
2 - Leupold 12X AO

I have yet to experience an optic failure in the woods, and I started using scopes in 1962. I do take a spare scope, [pre-sighted in] on extended trips, but have yet to mount one. I believe the fixed power Leupolds are about as good as it gets on a hunting rifle, they are tough, light and optically superb, particularly that 6x42. Also do not own any optics with 50mm Objective lenses because of personal preference. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[kombi1976]

O.k., I'll admit it.......I'm a scope wuss.
My groups, IMO, look like pepperoni on a pizza when I shoot with irons so I do everyone a favour(especially me! ) and scope my main rifles.
Since I don't hunt coyotes or prairie dogs(for obvious reasons!), I don't seriously target shoot(yet) and anything centrefire under a 25 cal I find boring, there's been little need to put anything really powerful on my rifles.
Here's a list:

Anschutz .22lr...................6x40
BSA Martini Cadet .25-20....6x36
ShtLE 303/25....................3-9x40
M98 8x57.........................3-12x40

 

[catnthehatt]

The rifles I use the most have irons on them.

I do hunt (occasionally) with two different rifles that are scope, a 6.5WSM that
is a true long range rifle , and an Enfield.
The Enfield has a 3.5X Kahles on it.
The Wildcat had a 10X IOR Valda last year, this year it has a 3X-18X IOR
with some extra features.
This is a competition rifle first however, and a long range hunter second.....
Cat

 

[BIGREDD]

The poll options are not very clear
I use low-mid range variables mostly 2-7, 2-8, 4-12, and my new favorite of 4.5 to 14 VXIII. Even in tight cover and up close work 4X with A/O will do the job efficiently. And 14 power is awesome for long range work on small targets like coyotes/varmints.

 

[roadwarrior]

I hunt in heavy cover where you need quick target acquisition...So I checked Peeps. The only rifle that I own that has a scope is my 22lr. and I only use it for paper punching

Why was'nt there a Red Dot category ? I use one on my 7600...although I am thinking of replacing it with peep sights

Edited for spelling...