What do you like better on your hunting rifle, a scope or iron sights?

Question

personally I'm an Iron sight man but I do have a couple rifles with scopes (just because they don't have Iron sights)
AND
do you think it takes more skill to use Iron Sights appose to a scope

Answer 1

depends on how far i am shooting. But I like iron sights more.

Answer 2

It all depends on what you are doing it said rifle.

I am a varmint hunter So I take long shots at small targets. I have a 6-18x40mm on my 223 and my 308 wears a 6-24x40mm. Now my 6.5x57mm *** Type 38 has a Lyman #57 peep sight on it. If I were to go on a rifle hunt here in VA I would more than likely take her she is light small adn plenty accruate for 150 yards or less. If I were to go some place else then the 308 might go or the 30-06 that was a stright 15 power scope.



If I were to keep my hunting to deer in my area (Northern VA) I would not use a scope you are not going to get many shots beyond 100 yards.

Each sighting system has its advantages and disadvantages. Scopes are great for seeing the target and good placement of your bullet at longer ranges. But you lose your field of view with a scope. The higher the power the more narrow the field of view is.

Iron sights allow for fast target acquisition easy to use. do not limit your vision. yet they offer no magnification and require you to line the sights up a bit more.

Answer 3

I like both so on all my rifles i have raised scope mounts so i have the option to use either one. And i think it takes a little more skill to shoot iron sights for the simple fact that some have trouble seeing long distance with the bare eye so thats where a scope comes into play.

Answer 4

Both, depends on the circumstance.

On many of my rifles I use iron sights and I have also some upgraded to peep sights like Lyman and Williams. If I'm hunting with shorter range calibers or in the thick, no scopes for me. Also, I tend to take iron sights out in the rain.

Now, since moving out West where the distances are often hundreds of yards, a scope is necessary and the scoped rifles get used a lot more out here from necessity.

I think it takes some skill to be a good rifleman with iron sights and I consider that a prerequisite to hunting at all.

However I know quite a few people that are "poor riflemen" who hunt with scopes and are moderately successful.

Answer 5

Scope. I can be way more accurate and I can shoot in lower light. At dusk it can make the world of difference. There's also no issues with parallax, you don't have to worry about getting the sights all lined up and pointed at the target, just put the cross where you want the round and press the go button. The rifles I use are designed for use with a scope too, you'd have to bend your neck down to get on the iron sights.

Answer 6

I only hunt with iron sights, but I do alot of NRA High Power rifle competition, so I get alot of practice.

I have three rifles that I hunt with, a Springfield Armory M1A .308 Winchester, a DPMS DCM A-15 .223 Remington, and a Puma M1892 .454 Casull. All three sport iron sights.

In response to the first answer, parallax affects scopes more than irons, however, you are right about the low-light conditions. It's near impossible to take a good shot in low light.

Answer 7

Depends on the rifle. But I hate cheap scopes. I would rather use iron sights than a cheap rifle scope on a good rifle. But I'll admit I don't like the prices on most good scopes!!

Answer 8

My CVA muzzleloader only has iron sights on it and I would never trade them for a scope. I missed an 8 point buck opening day with my cousin's 30.06 with a scope at 25 yards and he just sited it in the day before. This past Saturday I took a 6 point buck with my CVA and the shot was perfect ! To me, a scope is just wishy-washy, never a promise of a good shot. With open sites, you can't be off by that much.

Answer 9

Some of my rifles shoot better with a scope, some shoot better with iron sights. I don't judge a rifle until I've shot it, if I can do better without a scope, that's how I shoot it.

In regards to more skill being needed to shoot with iron sights, I agree, but i will add that once you master iron sights, you can pretty much shoot anything.

Answer 10

I like Iron sight from 200 meters and closer.... I like scopes also... some of my rifles have scopes, some dont..... it does take more skill to hunt with iron sights.... most people probably use a scope..... new rifles of course dont have iron sights though....

Answer 11

there is more skill in iron sights then scopes. i prefer iron sights because of this reason. most if my rifles have iron sights except for those which came with no sight.