Hunting with open sights?

[SIGarmed]

Well I'm new to hunting too. I haven't tried anyting remotley similar since I was a kid shooting at birds and possoms with my air guns and my blow gun.

I'm going hunting this year in 2003. My only adequate rifles to shoot at big game are my M1A's and maybe my Benelli M3 with slugs.

I think I'm going to use the M1A scout.

How realistic is it to shoot pigs and deer with an open sighted rifle in the hilly terrain of California? I also have an aimpoint red dot scope with a 3 moa dot for the scout. That dot covers 3 inches at 100 yards so I think it'll be adequate, but I don't know yet.

I'm not counting on shooting anything at really long range either.

What say you about an M1A and open sights?

 

[nygunguy]

No Problem

Just practice. I took two whitetails with open sights this year. I'll bet that over 50% of the deer taken are with open sighted weapons. In some situations open sights are the only way to go.

 

[MLH]

Well

I feel that hunting is a sport so lets give the animal some kind of chance. That's why I use a 20 ga. instead of a 12, or a open sight 30-30 instead of some high powered scoped cannon. It's sport, not an execution. Now if you give the rabbit a gun then all bets are off.

 

[Ron L]

I don't use a scope on my Marlin, but I have to admit that the standard semi-buckhorn sights are terrible. There are replacement rear blades and sights as well as peep or ghost ring sights available. My 22 with open sights shoots well enough at 50-75 yards that I suppose if it were a bigger bore, I'd be perfectly comfortable shooting at those ranges with the same sights.

 

[Art Eatman]

MLH, lemme say first that I follow your reasoning. There are, of course, some "however" aspects.

Around here, it's hard to have shots on quail or doves inside of 30 yards. 40 is common. So, I use thumper-loads of 7-1/2 in my 12-gauge. White wings are our most common dove, and they run about 50% bigger than mourning doves. Same comparison for blue quail to bobwhites.

As far as rifle cartridges, there is a high probability that my one mule deer buck during the 16-day season will be out at 200 yards or more. I call the use of a .30-'06 "insurance".

, Art

 

[HSMITH]

The M1a will work just fine. Keep your shots close enough that you know you can put it exactly where it needs to go.

Lots of guys shoot well past their own effective range with scopes just because they can see the animal they will miss or wound clearly, it is a little less likely with open sights.

 

[Northwest Cajun]

SIGarmed,
For me I can stay on a sheet of typing paper out to 200yds with my open sighted ( aftermarket ghost ring rear and fiber optic front) 45-70. Know how your rifle shoots with a cold or warm barrel, know where your load patterens on a cold or hot day and most importantly .....Practice,Practice,Practice!

Cajun

 

[Dr.Rob]

The only time I had a problem with open sights was a 65-70 yard shot on a deer. The bead front sight of my 54 hawken pretty much covered the front half of the animal (it was hunkered down in a creek bed after my partner had wounded it). Before I could figure my sight picture the deer crawled into the creek.

If I had that shot to take over again I would have in a heartbeat. We got that deer, but only after another hour of patient tracking.. IN the creek, and on both sides. The sights on my hawken are.. primitive compared to modern buckhorns, and I just hadn't practiced enough with THAT rifle.

You need to practice shooting your rifle at something other than bullseyes, and off-hand to be at your best when a snap shot like that arises. Varmint hunting, or shooting reactive targets like bowling pins at 'unknown" ranges will help you develop your skills.

As far as a scope goes, 300 yards is a long way for someone who didn't learn to shoot in the Army (namely , me.) so I use a scope, and I hardly consider the 30-06 a cannon, however if you've ever nearly been run over by a herd of spooked elk you may wish to re-consider your choice of "enough" gun.

Have fun and good luck.

 

[Zorro]

I use to sniper sparrows out to 75 Yards with a Marlin .22 and open sights.

Practice and you will do fine.

 

[PATH]

I like to use a scope. My eyes are not what they used to be. I might take a 50 to 75 yard shot with iron sights but I am not as confident as I am with a scope.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Get out and practice with a target the size of a deer's clean kill zone at ranges you're likely to encounter and you should be fine with the M1A. Although the M1A is accurate out to farther distances, I would think that more than 100 yards (a deer's pretty small out there) would be a pretty unsportsman-like shot with open sites to avoid a gut shot, but you should practice and go with your abilities. Be sure to practice in realistic stances -- off-hand, sitting, kneeling, leaning on shooting rails -- however you plan to hunt.

You should check on your local laws about magazine capacity while hunting. In MN, you need a 5-round magazine or a block so your gun can't hold more than 5 rounds.

 

[HSMITH]

If you can shoot well and have a good opportunity there is no reason to limit shots to 100 yards or less. A competent shooter can go out to 300 with confidence. All it takes is PRACTICE in field type shots. The sights of the M1A are especially suited for shooting accurately at distance.

 

[sasnofear]

just zero @ 100 and practice at differant ranges up 2 100yrds. no point in getting ahead of your self and extending that range when u dont really need to. use M1 dont bother with shot gun. Maby before you start your indevour it may be advisable to have the M1 serviced by your gunsmith.

hey this is my 30th post...wahay im now a 'member' in 3210