Recently bought an old 22 rimfire single shot with no scope mountings. Discovered that I still could shoot accurately using just the iron old sights! Have we been convinced that without the latest and greatest variable powered scopes that we need to spend at least the cost of the rifle in order to shoot a deer? My rifle in 30-06 is deadly out to 300 yards but i haven't shot an animal over 100 yds for several years. My eyes are failing too but just wondering....
Retro! Anyone still using iron sights?
- Thread starter Jetjock
- Start date
greywolf67nt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Stony Plain, AB
I have several rifles and don't own a single scope. if I can't hit 200 yds with irons I am going to pack it in.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Gotta be a joke... Nothing "retro" about irons, you speak like they belong with vinyl records. 
Scores of hunters use them as the go to. They're lighter, faster, tougher, and simpler. They don't fog, need covers, or suffer from paralax. They reach a lot better than most think too, I regularly ring the 200 yard gong offhand with my .375 double. Always gets people interested. Some iron sighted adventures and fun.
Scores of hunters use them as the go to. They're lighter, faster, tougher, and simpler. They don't fog, need covers, or suffer from paralax. They reach a lot better than most think too, I regularly ring the 200 yard gong offhand with my .375 double. Always gets people interested. Some iron sighted adventures and fun. 
I use the irons on my big game workhorse. A M305-S. The longest shot I can take hunting is about 200M. I have to remember to dial the sights for the range. Last Nov I missed a shot on a bear because the rear sight was not set.
Both my levers are iron only as well as one of my .22lrs. I am teaching my kids to shoot the iron sights so they know how it's done. Half the time in the field is spent with them. You have to learn the basics before you can move on.
Maritime Storm
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Riverview, NB
Glass isn't allowed in my gun cabinet.
I use irons on all my lever guns, but I had to switch to Firesights to accommodate my old eyes. As another has stated, I was able to shoot some groups with one of my lever guns (1895 GG) with irons and its puny 18.5" barrel - a ragged one hole 5-shot group at 100. The only problem I have is that I haven't been able to duplicate that using any handload I've worked up.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
Got a couple of rifles with irons that put meat in the freezer.
More glass has appeared in my cabinet lately...arrived attached to traded rifles ( can't buy anymore til oil hits 70 $ / bbl ).
I like good irons, they work for me. Glass, works...then mysteriously throws flyers ( that'd be me...). I am fond of those Mauser LSR mounts. Spin the wing nut and slide it off the rear, into a leather pouch and push bush. Can glass things at a distance without sweeping someone ( D-bag move right there ) as the scope is dismounted.
Move into the open and slide the scope back on, spin the nut and ready to reach out and touch something.
Good irons are great to use IMO
I like good irons, they work for me. Glass, works...then mysteriously throws flyers ( that'd be me...). I am fond of those Mauser LSR mounts. Spin the wing nut and slide it off the rear, into a leather pouch and push bush. Can glass things at a distance without sweeping someone ( D-bag move right there ) as the scope is dismounted.
Move into the open and slide the scope back on, spin the nut and ready to reach out and touch something.
Good irons are great to use IMO
Very few I can see any more and I used them for much of my life. I am beginning to regret giving all the old boys in the past a hard time about not seeing, #####ing about life in general etc cause I find that karma is giving me everything I used to kid them about. Damn Karma!!!! I now can relate to the saying "Getting old is not for the faint at heart"
But at least the heart is still beating.
The only alternative to not getting old is a wooden box.
I grew up using iron sights, but they are a thing of the past for me, my eyesight is not up to it any more, luckily the mount and scope options available today are close to as rugged and reliable as irons... and more precise, if slightly slower.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I use the irons on my big game workhorse. A M305-S. The longest shot I can take hunting is about 200M. I have to remember to dial the sights for the range. Last Nov I missed a shot on a bear because the rear sight was not set.
Unfortunately you've been misinformed, your shot wasn't missed due to not dialing elevation. .308 150gr if zeroed at 200 yards is only 1.8" high at 100, in fact you're ok to 250- only 3" low at 250. Even if you zeroed (set your sight) at 100 no change is required to shoot 200, you're only the length of a playing card low at 200, 3.6".
