Big Bulls, Big Bores, and Iron Sights

[Opposite Pole]

I have a double with two sets of barrels - 470N.E. and 9.3x74R. I have just put a scope (Leica Visus 1-4) on the smaller ones. The reason? I really like that gun and do a lot of night hunting - to do so I’m legally required to use a scope. I can use my bolt rifle for it but simply like my double better. I haven’t shot it scoped yet but it definitely is not as well balanced with the scope. Also the stock fit is noticeably worse, mind you I had the stock custom made with open sights in mind. I don’t think I’d be comfortable shooting big bore with this kind of stock fit-without the scope the rifles fits perfect and takes the edge of the 470’s recoil. I shot my first buffalo (water buffalo) with open sighted double but it was an easy shot through some not too thick bush at about 50m so irons were not a problem. My point is, with a big bore stock fit is important and it’s hard to get perfect fit for both irons and scope use.

 

[1dirthawker]

hmmmm,

well, i wanted a double my whole adult life. ended up buying a 450-400 nitro O/U. i scoped it. i have used scopes my whole life. i acquire targets very quickly and probably use them faster and more accurately than i would using iron sights at almost any distance.

nothing wrong with open sights, i am just not as good with them. as my eyes get older, i suspect i get even less proficient with open sights.

i think it boils down to what you are #1 comfortable and #2 proficient with. after all, shot placement is king.

dangerous game hunting is not very dangerous if you shoot well with good bullets.

 

[zephyr]

Of the five animals that I have shot on my two Safaris three were taken with my 1905 Gibbs 450 NE. The other two a Buff and Eland were taken with a scoped bolt gun but the distances were well with in the reach of my Double. If and when I return and my eyes will let me my iron sighted double will be my go to rifle.
I have taken the liberty to includ my hunt report from my hunt from August 2017.
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...n-the-save-with-roger-whittall-safaris.40307/

 

[TOBY458]

Personally, I still prefer open sights and will limit my range and shooting opportunities to accommodate. I also hunt with a bow so I feel no real handicap keeping the range close (actually prefer it...close or not at all).

I grew up shooting open sights (thousands upon thousands upon thousands of rounds, through various rifles, all with open sights). Then I bought a 378 Weatherby and, a bit later, a 300 Weatherby, each of which wore a scope. Then I sold the 378 and 300 rifles and haven't had a scope-sighted rifle since. Nearing 50 years of age, though, perhaps scopes are in my future (or red dot sights). We'll see...

Do you wear glasses when you shoot?

 

[CTDolan]

Do you wear glasses when you shoot?

Long have (since the beginning, actually).

 

[Accidental Villain]

dangerous game hunting is not very dangerous if you shoot well with good bullets.

Having a successful DG hunt may depend your willingness to walk into situations that make even the most experienced tracker crap their pants,,one wrong move, or in this case the wind shifts(been there), you find yourself in a real situation where your abilities to keep a cool head, as a shooter and the bullets tested to the max. Whether one will call that dangerous or not is a question of how one defines that word..

 

[Bruce]

I use 458 WM scoped ( VORTEX 1-6 X 20) with detachable mounts for elephant and buff. I have a brilliant white foresight installed.
When going into really thick stuff, I remove the scope and then rely on the iron sights... the white foresight picks up amazingly well and quickly!!

 

[Bruce]

hmmmm,

well, i wanted a double my whole adult life. ended up buying a 450-400 nitro O/U. i scoped it. i have used scopes my whole life. i acquire targets very quickly and probably use them faster and more accurately than i would using iron sights at almost any distance.

nothing wrong with open sights, i am just not as good with them. as my eyes get older, i suspect i get even less proficient with open sights.

i think it boils down to what you are #1 comfortable and #2 proficient with. after all, shot placement is king.

dangerous game hunting is not very dangerous if you shoot well with good bullets.

SORRY... DG hunting is ALWAYS dangerous, regardless of what rifle or bullets you are using!!
Getting into elephant at 20m and having the wind change on you is not pleasant... lion, leopard, buff , rhino are .ALL dangerous when within the shooting distance.

 

[1dirthawker]

SORRY... DG hunting is ALWAYS dangerous, regardless of what rifle or bullets you are using!!

ok, fair enough, you are correct, dangerous game is always dangerous. however, my point, if you shoot well, with enough gun, with good bullets, it is not AS dangerous as people that shoot poor bullets, or badly or with a small caliber will make it seem.

 

[Bruce]

ok, fair enough, you are correct, dangerous game is always dangerous. however, my point, if you shoot well, with enough gun, with good bullets, it is not AS dangerous as people that shoot poor bullets, or badly or with a small caliber will make it seem.

OK.. got it!! Agree that not enough gun/ inferior bullets and poor shooting just ADD to the danger, often with dire consequences.

 

[siutis]

Note receiver sight on 1895 .405 WCF in pic to the left. This rifle has taken several large beasties with 300 and 400 grain .411 bullets.

Same goes for my 1886 45-90 with an open barrel sight and a tang mounted peep sight from which to choose. From Blackbuck to elephant.

All the game referenced was taken at ranges from 20 yards to 60 yards and the sights used were just fine in daylight at that range. Getting close to game makes it more interesting and allows more precise shooting.

Question: I have a Browning 1886 chambered in 45-70. I'm contemplating the 45-90. Is yours one of the new Winchester reproduction models? If so, is the rifle capable of handling heavy high pressure loads?

Thanks

 

[Dwight Beagle]

My comments are in reference to shooting game in general, not shooting dangerous game exclusively. I’m old enough to have grown up shooting iron sights exclusively. Analogous to a Rockwell painting I burned up a lot of .22 ammunition in a single shot bolt action. I don’t remember what model it was other than it had a big nut on the forend that was made to be finger tightened.

My grandfather was a rancher though so instead of the back forty there were several thousand acres to shoot up. When I graduated to deer we had two stock milsurps, a 30-06 and a .303. My kids were astounded by my ability to shoot with iron sights when they were young, though my ability in reality was normal, not exceptional. Now that I’m almost 60 I flat out can’t see well enough to shoot with iron sights, so I’m not going too.

I’ve seen in person and read a bunch where people are denigrated for using an optic on lever actions and DGR’s. Somewhere in the dialogue you hear the statement, “If you will just install a good peep sight on your 30-30 you’ll be able to see just fine”. Alas and alack I’ve tried that. Though my shooting improved it wasn’t remotely as good as with a scope.

It may not look classic but any hunting I do, no matter the game or the type of rifle, I’ll use a scope.

 

[1dirthawker]

for what it is worth,

john "ponder" taylor said that he thought one of the best things that could be done for the hunting community is to have hunters use a telescopic sight. i would agree.