Open sights on a long range rifle?

[Blackhawk]

As we all know anything can happen in the field. I dropped my son off to go hunting and I arranged to pick him up when he was done. So I just get home and he calls to pick him up because he fell on his rifle and damaged the scope, a Vortex viper PST GEN2. He explained that he was fine and already waiting for me. So when I got there I was surprised to see that the lens was cracked even though it had butler creek caps and a vortex neoprene cover. Which got me thinking that we spend thousands of dollars on our gear, thousands of dollars on lifetime hunts and even though we usually have a spare rifle it's not usually on hand. What if this was on a 7 day trip? Or a days walk in the mountains? Would open sights atleast give you a second chance at still hunting? I know you would have to get closer but it's better than walking out. Maybe a second scope with rings already setup to just swap it out? I'm just glad my son is ok and I know Vortex will take care of it and send me a new one so no worries there. Anyone ever been in a situation like this?

Question :
Does your state permit the use of sidearms while legally hunting game?
If so, then I think that this is a perfect example of the need to carry one.
I myself when hunting always carry a big bore revolver in a shoulder holster as backup. ( just in case scenario )
Earlier on it was a Super Blackhawk in 44 magnum, now it is a Super Redhawk "Toklat" in .454 Casull caliber.
I have been hunting in this manner a number of years and quite frankly the added weight distributed under my shoulder and on my upper torso does not other me .
Honestly I feel as though I'm not fully dressed to hunt unless I shoulder carry my back up weapon under my arm!
I must admit that it did take a while however to find the correct rig.
I have found those Alaskan Guide Style holsters that have your handgun located across your chest too uncomfortable as well as impractical when carrying a rifle ,and subsequently have ruled them out.
Admittedly I am broad of shoulder and what has been successfully applied for me may not work for you.
If you choose to pursue this further, a lot of trial and error is needed from both you and your son before you feel comfortable with this style of rig!
A holster that is located on your hip, and supported by a belt (in my opinion) is still to bulky to be carrying afield along with the other items that you are carry.
Additionally it leaves your handgun semi exposed to the elements if you open carry, ( rain , snow, plus additional snags on branches , rocks etc.)
On this matter I speak from personal encounters!
Perhaps if your State Hunting Guide Lines permit the carrying & use of handguns during regulated hunting seasons a canceled or a premature ending to a hunt will not occur as a back up firearm will always be carried with you!
My firearm is carried under my hunting jacket which usually will be left open at least to my chest that is of course dependent on the weather conditions and as is shielded to a degree from the elements.
In closing I do not have to worry about my firearms location ( having it getting snagged on underbrush, or dropped and lost) as it is always just a pat away.
If none of this is agreeable then perhaps you may look at a non scoped back up rifle such as a Jeff Cooper Style Scout Rifle from either Ruger, or Savage, or the Marlin 1894 Lever Action in 44 magnum. or other fast handling lightweight brush guns that are in current production.
( Note You may consider small lightweight carbine style rifles that are chambered for the new 350 legend, or 450 bushmaster, either may serve as an ideal back up weapon )
In addition to being ideal in thick brush and , easily carried , you will find them economically priced.
They can be stored under a car seat, locked in a trunk, or behind a pick up's front seat and are easily retrieved if need be. !
As a backup , IMHO It sure beats having a frustrating as well as an unsuccessful day hunting due to a malfunctioning firearm in any way shape or matter.

 

[TRexF16]

Not really "long range" as most of the members here think of .....as my maximum is 600, under near perfect conditions! But yes, I do have irons on my rifle. However, I would also need my back-up scope ( QR base/rings and already zero'd) to fail also. So.....my iron's are 3rd in line! memtb

I'm with memtb in my "perfect world." Not all my rifles are set up this way yet (iron sights third in the backup queue) but every one for which Leupold makes their QR bases, gets them. That covers the Mausers, Remingtons, and M70s, which is about everything I shoot except the '03 Springfields.
So all the rifles with QR bases have backup scopes that I carry with me in my pack, already sighted in. Mostly either Leupold 2.5x or 4x Compacts, which only weigh a few ounces. Any hunt where I have to drive a long way or am camping out multiple days I take along a backup rifle and ammo too.

Never needed any of the backup stuff yet, but there's a first time for everything.
Cheers,
Rex

 

[Greyfox]

I've never bothered with back up irons, spare rifles, or scopes with my LR rifles. I do pay special attention to equipment selection, and rifle handling. My DGR does have iron sights and a scope with detachable mounts. This is mainly for close in work where iron sights are preferred.

 

[OleEd]

Guess I'm just too old fashion but in my time in the Marines (1960-1970) first having my beloved M1 and M14, we fired the A range for qualification which is out to 500 yards. Eyes are going and due use scoops on my 30-06 and 308 but I always have open sights as because of the scope. I tripped and dropped my rifle while hunting the east range of FT Sill, OK. It's open country and not trusting my scope, took it off and did get a young spike at paced @150 yds that PM.

For me not trusting fancy scopes for durability I have open sights backup. Others, carry another scope and/or rifle. It's up to personal preference and sighting in with a scope or open sights whatever. Me? I love shooting with open sights but hunt with a scope for meat.

 

[26Reload]

Hell....i would have called telling you to bring me a another rifle...and hurry......
Scopes are like fishing tackle...dispensibles.....sometimes things happen......
I head up north with three rifles and a mzldr......something is gonna go down....

 

[memtb]

I'm with memtb in my "perfect world." Not all my rifles are set up this way yet (iron sights third in the backup queue) but every one for which Leupold makes their QR bases, gets them. That covers the Mausers, Remingtons, and M70s, which is about everything I shoot except the '03 Springfields.
So all the rifles with QR bases have backup scopes that I carry with me in my pack, already sighted in. Mostly either Leupold 2.5x or 4x Compacts, which only weigh a few ounces. Any hunt where I have to drive a long way or am camping out multiple days I take along a backup rifle and ammo too.

Never needed any of the backup stuff yet, but there's a first time for everything.
Cheers,
Rex

Rex, I cheat a little, and make it much easier.....I hunt with "only" one rifle! If the rifle fails....maybe my wife will hand me hers...... after, she kills her animal! memtb

 

[SALTINE WARRIOR]

Redfield made a scope base with a built in, somewhat adjustable flip up aperture. If you like reciever sights, it's a pretty nice set up. I have one on my backup Remington 721, it's kind of a third option.

 

[Jerry M]

For a major hunt: a scope and rings that have been previously zeroed on the rifle. Break primary scope? Mount back-up scope, re-zero, go hunting. I'm not giving up hunting time at dawn and past dusk with iron sights.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[TRexF16]

Redfield made a scope base with a built in, somewhat adjustable flip up aperture. If you like reciever sights, it's a pretty nice set up. I have one on my backup Remington 721, it's kind of a third option.

That is my preferred iron sight option - the tertiary backup to the backup scope. I have a handful of these old Refield flip up peeps, and I drill and tap the back side of the Leupold QR rings (2-56, IIRC) and mount the flip-up. Here's my .35 Whelen AI. VX-III 1.5x5 Primary, 2.5X Compact backup, and these are third in line.
Cheers,
Rex

 

[Jed Eckert]

Xs sights makes a "ghost ring" sight that mounts to the back of the picatinny rail under the scope. It's pretty low and out of the way on a ruger American 7.62x39 of mine

mounting the front sight is kind of a pain
I think I used a New England custom ramp and a skinner sights blade. Buy it tall. File it down

I may pursue this on my next longer range set up

 

[tony d willIiams]

Have an extra scope and rifle combination ready at the bunkhouse or behind the seat.
When eleven I had great eyes and no old man muscles. I could hit a five inch group with iron sights on my Mohawk 600 308 bolt action resting my elbows on a bench. That was back in '67.
Would I recommend anybody do that while taking an animals life? No, and again, no. A wounded animal is a horrible thing to do. It has to live in horrible pain until you track it down and kill it.

 

[rewiltshire]

Guess I'm just too old fashion but in my time in the Marines (1960-1970) first having my beloved M1 and M14, we fired the A range for qualification which is out to 500 yards. Eyes are going and due use scoops on my 30-06 and 308 but I always have open sights as because of the scope. I tripped and dropped my rifle while hunting the east range of FT Sill, OK. It's open country and not trusting my scope, took it off and did get a young spike at paced @150 yds that PM.

For me not trusting fancy scopes for durability I have open sights backup. Others, carry another scope and/or rifle. It's up to personal preference and sighting in with a scope or open sights whatever. Me? I love shooting with open sights but hunt with a scope for meat.

I still love the M14. 500 yards, iron sights, not a problem back then. But like you age had reduced (?) my eyesight. But I still shoot a Rolling Block and a Sharps out to 1,200 yards with Soule iron sights. I still carry a '94 to deer camp each year and bring home meat. But I also have scoped rifles.
Semper Fi!

 

[gearguywb]

IMHO, iron sights are fine, but at any distance, particularly in lower light hunting conditions, it is really tough to get a decent sight picture on a dark animal against a dark background at much distance. Close in, sure, scopes are so popular for a reason

 

[Greyfox]

My hunting for many years has encompassed two extremes(or perhaps schizophrenic). I reside in the Northeast, and primarily use an eighteenth century flintlock rifle design, with primitive open sights for the 50-100 yard maximum range shots. At the other end of the spectrum I use a fully equipped rifle/scope/accessories system for Western hunting for shots out to +10X that distance. Each has its own demands, and it would be difficult to choose the most challenging method. The central element with each form of hunting is to go into the field with complete confidence that the system "in hand" that is well proven, and will get the job done under the range of circumstances one could expect to encounter, and, care is taken to always be under control of the rifle. There is no remedy when the failure, error, or rifle damaging incident occurs at the moment of truth! Just the thoughts of an old fart.