I recently received my first AR15 a Smith and Wesson M&P sport 2 and I am wondering how many people shoot longer ranges with iron sights? I know some competions such as service rifle events have a class for iron sights out to I think 600m but I wonder how many actually shoot at those distances regularly? Yesterday I had a chance to shoot at an outdoor range with the AR and was able to hit the gong at 400m about 3 out of 10 tries with the iron sights I had to use the target frame as a reference and had a friend spotting my shots but it seems like its doable with more practice. So how many of you shoot thus way and what tips or hints do you have for the new guy?
Shooting with iron sights at ranges beyond 100m
- Thread starter Red Beard Forge
- Start date
Having a proper A2 style rear sight and gathering your DOPE helps out.
This way you can just set your elevation to the distance and can focus more on your form. (Rather than trying to do a hold over too)
A Spotter is always going to help. You cant see your splash at 500m if you miss the gong.
Practice..... a LOT...... Start at 100m, get tight groups work up to 200, get tight groups, 300 and so on.
Focus on the front post.
Your brain will automatically put the tip of that post in the center of the aperture so dont over think that part.
This way you can just set your elevation to the distance and can focus more on your form. (Rather than trying to do a hold over too)
A Spotter is always going to help. You cant see your splash at 500m if you miss the gong.
Practice..... a LOT...... Start at 100m, get tight groups work up to 200, get tight groups, 300 and so on.
Focus on the front post.
Your brain will automatically put the tip of that post in the center of the aperture so dont over think that part.
Just remember. Focus on the front sight. Let the rear and the target be blurry.
If you focus on the target then your brain has a tough time centering the post in the aperture (Creates inaccuracy)
My problem with glasses is that they slide down my nose so when I get a good cheek weld and sight picture I am either looking over them or worse part of the gram obscur3s the sights so I constantly have to adjust them ...mostly just annoying and inconvenient .... I always focus on the front sight ... At 400m I can't see a 2ft diameter target very well anyway and the front sight totally covers it anyway ... I think its pretty cool how we can actually accurately shoot at something we can't really see, thousands of subconcious calculations and miniscule muscle adjustments we aren't even aware of
Well, then you might need different glasses
I used to shoot with glasses but then I got laser beams shot into my eyeballs and they are better. (For now, will need glasses again soon).
BUT, any time I am shooting I have glasses on of some sort. All of them are ANSI rated safety glasses. I have never had an issue with them interfering with vision. I can see how standard designer glasses could slip down though.
Well, then you might need different glasses
I used to shoot with glasses but then I got laser beams shot into my eyeballs and they are better. (For now, will need glasses again soon).
BUT, any time I am shooting I have glasses on of some sort. All of them are ANSI rated safety glasses. I have never had an issue with them interfering with vision. I can see how standard designer glasses could slip down though.
When i wear contacts I wear impact rated sunglasses over them but they are much larger and fit tight to my face so shifting is not an issue and if they do shift it doesn't affect my vision like my prescription glasses moving would
You young whipper snappers! Although I don't wear glasses for distance, a slight astigmatism makes it nearly impossible for me to see a "clear" front blade on any of my FA's. By 100 yards the target is small and unsharp enough for me to warrant the purchase of an optic.
I prefer CQB over precision fire so I will be heading in the Red Dot direction and keeping the distances closer to visual acuity.
I prefer CQB over precision fire so I will be heading in the Red Dot direction and keeping the distances closer to visual acuity.
Travis Bickle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Upper Lower Middle Alberta
My only AR is an M16A1 clone with irons only obviously.
I have shot it out to 300 meters and hit steel plates easily all day. I have a precision front sight post though.
My favorite paper target for distance with irons is a large upside down triangle (point down to the 6 o'clock position) cut a stencil out of cardboard and spray paint them on the back of a large target or cheap sheet of paper.
Perfect elevation aim point and perfect windage reference hold as the tip of the triangle points to dead center of your front post. Elevation ditto.
Anyone can shoot with glass. Knowing your irons and shooting them well takes serious skill.
I was invited to shoot as a guest of one of the members at the Milo range this go around. I normally shoot indoors here in Calgary except for the odd time plinking or shooting gophers with non restricted. To shoot longer range I usually shoot at the lloydminster gun club when I visit my parents as I have a membership there
I run these on a few of my AR's. Sure makes long shots a breeze!
I have never seen one of those before ... I can see how it would help
