{"id":2352,"date":"2024-08-12T12:07:34","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T16:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/?p=2352"},"modified":"2024-08-12T12:11:20","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T16:11:20","slug":"are-iron-sights-obsolete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/are-iron-sights-obsolete\/","title":{"rendered":"ARE IRON SIGHTS OBSOLETE?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Craig Boddington<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"ARE<\/a>
ARE IRON SIGHTS OBSOLETE?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Magnifying riflescopes <\/a>aren\u2019t new. Limited use in the American Civil War, and a few bison hunters used scopes in the 1870s. Scopes <\/a>improved and became more popular in the 20th<\/sup> Century, but only came into widespread use after WWII.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a youngster, I learned to shoot with open-sighted .22s, rifles<\/a> and handguns<\/a>, but I did my first hunting in the \u201860s with fixed 4X scopes. I never hunted with iron sights<\/a> until 1979. By then, I had my first variable, a 3-9X Redfield<\/a>. Wow, that huge image made shot placement so easy. Today variable magnification runs deep into double digits, along with scopes that incorporate laser rangefinders<\/a> and yield shooting solutions. Just yesterday I went to the range and zeroed a Pulsar thermal imaging riflescope<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With such advancements, are iron sights still useful? Despite magnifying scopes<\/a>, lasers<\/a>, and reflex sight<\/a>s, open sights<\/a> still dominate in handgunning, because ranges are short, and because a handgun with an optic is more difficult to carry and holster<\/a>. In the rifle world, generations have grown up shooting and hunting with scopes.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Boddington<\/a>
Boddington and Tim Baugh with a fine Kansas whitetail, taken with a classic 6.5×54 Mannlicher with factory open sights. In order to assure a close shot, Baugh used an archery stand in thick woods. As often happens, enough light to see the sights was an issue, but patience paid off.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This is sad. Much to be gained by learning to shoot with iron sights. One quickly learns slight aiming errors cause huge differences. Daughters Brittany and Caroline had no interest in shooting or hunting until they were mid-teenage. Then, as if a switch was turned, both suddenly wanted to go hunting with Dad. I made mistakes with both. We began with scoped .22s<\/a>, but I skipped starting them with iron sights. They shoot well, but they missed the valuable lessons of carefully aligning front and rear sights.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Boddington<\/a>
Boddington is about to drop the hammer on a Texas hog, using a Winchester 94 in .30-30 with factory iron sights. Although adequate light is always an issue, feral hogs are ideal game for iron sights: You can usually get close enough, and often get multiple opportunities.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Eastern deer hunters who started with Grand-dad\u2019s .30-30<\/a> received this training. So did all veterans\u2026until adoption of the ACOG riflescope<\/a>. Today, many younger hunters have little or no experience with iron sights. Regrettable they don\u2019t have that background, no way to appreciate how spoiled we are by magnifying riflescopes<\/a>, or the fun and frustration of iron sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of iron sights: Open and aperture. The open sight is typically a blade or bead front sight, which must be visually centered in the notch of a rear sight, usually a V or U. The aperture or \u201cpeep\u201d sight uses a similar front sight, with an open circle rear sight, in which the front sight must be centered, then superimposed on the target.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"On<\/a>
On both open and aperture sights the front sight is normally a blade (left), or a bead. Boddington prefers a bold bead of about 3\/32-inch diameter. A large bead obscures more of the target but is easier to see and faster to acquire.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Open sights require the eye to focus in three focal planes: Rear sight, front sight, target. The aperture sight reduces this to two: The eye naturally centers the front sight in the circle. The rear sight \u201cfuzzes out,\u201d but the eye must focus on front sight and target. The riflescope reduces this to just one focal plane: All the eye must do is focus on the target and superimpose the reticle. Same with the reflex or \u201cred dot<\/a>\u201d sight, which has only existed since the Aimpoint <\/a>came out in 1975.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"With<\/a>
With good vision and adequate light, peep sights are capable of superb accuracy. Up until a decade ago, Boddington could regularly produce groups like this with apertures. This is a 1930s RF Sedgely Springfield, fitted with receiver-mounted aperture.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Capability with iron sights depends largely on size of target and visual acuity (which tends to diminish with age). When I was young, I could resolve open sights beyond 200 yards. Today, less than half. Before scopes, the aperture sight was the \u201cprecision\u201d sight. In the Marines, we qualified annually to 500 yards with peep sights, and much 1000-yard competition is still done with apertures.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Qualification<\/a>
Qualification day at Edson Range, Camp Pendleton. Until the recent adoption of Trijicon\u2019s ACOG scope all Marines shot out to 500 yards with aperture sights.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

With all open sights, as distance increases, the front sight subtends (obscures) more of the target. Absent magnification, same with red dots<\/a>. A greater limitation to open sights: They require good light. With age, night vision<\/a> tends to diminish along with overall acuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, sights with lenses that admit more light are always superior in those critical periods at dawn and dusk, aided further by lighted reticles or the illuminated red dot. The only real disadvantage to both scopes and red dots: They are an additional appendage, adding weight and bulk. We have this idea that iron sights are more rugged and goof-proof than optical sights. This can be true, but usually isn\u2019t. Today, factory-supplied iron sights are often flimsy, seemingly supplied primarily for \u201clooks,\u201d little thought they might actually be used. I\u2019ve seen many more iron sights bend, break, and come out of zero than I\u2019ve had trouble with scopes.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"This<\/a>
This herd is just over 100 yards away, no more cover and no more options. If a bull steps out it\u2019s a simple shot with a magnifying scope, do-able with a red dot\u2026but much too far for a safe shot with iron sights.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Still, scopes and red dot sights remain non-traditional with various types of hunting rifles. To the point that we, including me, stubbornly insist on using iron sights. Good examples are double rifles and traditional lever-actions<\/a>. I like both types so, in recent years, I\u2019ve been doing more hunting with iron sights than I did when I was young.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"This<\/a>
This sporterized 1903 Springfield .30-06 was Boddington\u2019s first centerfire rifle, mounted with a Williams aperture on the rear receiver ring. As a youngster, he never hunted with this rifle; he was nearly 40 when he used it for this California feral hog.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There\u2019s a caution here: Iron sights are difficult. At middle-age, kids gone, mortgage paid, we may wake up one morning with the means to acquire a classic double or fine old Winchester. The expertise to effectively use iron sights doesn\u2019t come with the purchase. Steep learning curve, especially if you didn\u2019t grow up shooting irons.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Boddington<\/a>
Boddington on the range with his Heym .450\/.400-3\u201d double, mounted with an Aimpoint red dot sight. Boddington agrees that optics look terrible on classic doubles. However, as his vision restricts iron sight use, optics enhance accuracy, range, and versatility.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We have this romantic idea that big-bore double rifles should wear \u201cexpress\u201d open sights. And older top-eject lever-actions defy conventional scope mounting. Fine. Make a commitment to lots of practice, understand you must keep your ranges short, and accept that you\u2019re going to give up potential shots. Especially at dawn and dusk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To some extent, it depends on what\u2019s more important to you: The hunt or the game. Or, if you\u2019re a \u201cgun guy,\u201d the opportunity to use a certain rifle. Couple seasons back, at our Kansas farm, Tim Baugh wanted to use his late father\u2019s open-sighted 6.5×54 Mannlicher<\/a>,. Light comes late in our thick woods and leaves early. I put him in a stand set up for archery.\u00a0 He saw deer early and late, couldn\u2019t see his sights, stayed patient, shot a fine buck on his fourth morning.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Although<\/a>
Although open express sights are most common on double rifles there are other options. This .303<\/a> double has a flip-up aperture on the tang, greatly increasing accuracy and versatility. These are descending pairs from both barrels after sight adjustments.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Unless very close, I much prefer apertures to open sights. I\u2019ve used receiver-mounted peep sights on lever-actions for decades, and I have a double rifle in .303 British<\/a> with flip-up peep on the tang. With adequate light, I\u2019m still good to beyond 100 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Until<\/a>
Until the 1940s the aperture was the precision hunting sight. Boddington used a 1930s .30-06 Springfield by RF Sedgely to take this Colorado bull, one shot at about 125 yards.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The good news: If you have 100 yards of effective range, you\u2019re in good shape for much hunting. Just understand you can\u2019t always get that close. I\u2019m not going sheep hunting with iron sights. Although, before 1940, everyone did. I\u2019m reluctant to use iron sights for whitetails. Not a matter of distance, but light.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"This<\/a>
This Alberta black bear was taken with a Big Horn Armory M89 in .500 S&W. The \u201cguide gun\u201d is popular today, often mounted with a \u201cghost ring\u201d aperture like the Skinner sight on this rifle. Getting close enough to take black bears with iron sights is often possible, but light can be an issue.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I often use iron sights for feral hogs and black bears. With hogs, I can usually get close enough. If I can\u2019t, another opportunity is likely. On black bears, light is the issue. Couple years ago, I took a peep-sighted .348 Winchester<\/a> into an Idaho bear blind. Also, a scoped rifle. Had a bear on the bait, too dark to see the front sight. I switched rifles and shot the bear. If you\u2019re really a gun guy, that was serious cheating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big-bores doubles traditionally wear fixed open sights. Strong and sturdy, short in range. Perfect for PHs, who only fire in emergencies. For you and me, questionable for buffalo because, with herd animals, tough to get close enough. Can be done, and I have\u2026always with the understanding that I must pass on many potential shots. Optical sights look awful on a classic double, but they are practical. In recent years, as iron sights grew harder to resolve, I\u2019ve choked it up and put red dots and scopes doubles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, we\u2019ve seen a resurgence in aperture sights. Thanks somewhat to the popularity of the big-bore lever-action \u201cguide gun,\u201d commonly mounted with a large-opening rear aperture that we call a \u201cghost ring.\u201d Not as precise as a target aperture with tiny opening, but faster, adequate for shooting game to at least 100 yards. This type of lever-action is popular with wilderness wanderers in bear country, also carried by some Alaskan guides. Good choice for both.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"This<\/a>
This is the kind of encounter buffalo hunters hope for. If you can get this close, iron sights are wonderful. Problem is, with herd animals like buffalo, getting within sure iron sight range isn\u2019t always possible.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As with Cape buffalo, not ideal for you and me to carry on a hunt for grizzly or Alaskan brown bear. Such hunts often come down to just one chance. This past year I considered taking a big lever-action on an Alaskan hunt, talked myself out of it and went with a scoped .338. My chance came at 225 yards, foolish shot with any iron sight, regardless of expertise.     <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Although<\/a>
Although scopes and red dots are commonly used, iron sights still dominate in handgunning to keep the profile trimmer. This is a favorite hunting handgun, a SIW M29, always used with iron sights. Just need to keep shots close.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There are many close-range hunting situations where iron sights remain suitable. If you can get close enough and have enough light. In the entire spectrum of world-wide big-game hunting, I can only come up with three situations where iron sights are superior. First is during wind-driven precipitation, too hard and fast to keep a lens clear.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Boddington<\/a>
Boddington and Idaho houndsman Bruce Duncan with a good mountain lion. Duncan\u2019s M94 .30-30 is a classic houndsman\u2019s rifle: Short, light, easy to scramble with in tough country\u2026and no scope.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Another is hunting with hounds. Houndsmen are justifiably concerned for their dogs\u2019 safety. They worry about the \u201ctunnel vision\u201d effect of magnifying scopes; some houndsmen do not allow use of scopes. The range is short enough, and a sleek, un-scoped rifle (or handgun) is a blessing in the mad scramble to get to the hounds.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Elephants<\/a>
Elephants are almost always encountered\u2014and taken\u2014at extremely close range. Magnifying scopes aren\u2019t needed, and Boddington believes they are dangerous in this application because of the potential \u201ctunnel vision\u201d effect.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

A third is hunting elephant. 25 yards is a long shot. Magnification isn\u2019t needed, and the tunnel vision effect is dangerous. Not just the risk of seeing a wall of gray hide. The greater is other, unseen elephants. You need peripheral vision. With hounds and hunting elephant, a red dot sight is a sound alternative, but in these specialized situations, iron sights are superior.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Magnifying riflescopes aren\u2019t new. Limited use in the American Civil War, and a few bison hunters used scopes in the 1870s. Scopes improved and became more popular in the 20th Century, but only came into widespread use after WWII.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[101,24],"tags":[19,61,42,39],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2352"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2352"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2369,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2352\/revisions\/2369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}