Thread: Who still uses open sights ?

Just interested to know if anyone else uses open sights ?
I have used Aperture sights on my workhorse Ute rifles for about 15 years now and was amused to see the reaction of a couple of young guys recently when they spotted my rifle with no scope.
Now don’t get me wrong, I do own and use scopes on my hunting rifles, but for my behind the seat ute rifle bouncing around the property I have discovered that a scope isn’t required 99% of the time and it can be a hindrance at times.
So how many old timers are out there shooting naked ?

I do. On all milsurp rifles

i do on my service rifles one place i shot at i was able to consistanly hit his 300m plates once i figured out where the shots were going

Personally I think the aperture military sights are the best sights available. If the aperture is small enough and close enough to the eye it is essentially parallax free (at least at usual iron sight ranges), making it a very easy and fast aiming system. I have the same problem as you, all optics get knocked out of line when used for normal farm work. My last shooting with my old SKK was a classic stuff up (which I admit too here for the first time), twelve deer at about 80m, SKK with a nice 30rd loaded mag, red dot on top (just been sitting on ute deck), couldn't hit a thing. I had check-sighted it in about 3 days earlier and hitting reliably within 3cm at that range which is fine for pest control. Previously I had lots of problems with the 10/22 scope getting knocked out of line, but this SKK red dot stuff up was the one I will remember. One of the 12 deer stood and watched me shooting at her, until after about 15 rounds I gave up, watched her run off. Iron sights only for me for farm pest control use!

Having said that I am at the age where close vision is declining noticeably, so perhaps I will need to revisit this in future.

Yep have my gun setup so I can drop the scope and use irons when hunting in the wet or really tight crap,had a peep sight but found I couldn’t see the ring in the dark understory of the bush on wet days so use a v rear sight with hiviz front post.

Yup. Used irons for Service Rifle before the fun-police got involved.

Also have irons (Skinner aperture) on the 45/70, and hoping to put some on the take-down bush pig.

open sights on my 3 lever actions and 4 shotguns, everything else is scoped

Greetings All,
We have an inter club iron sight shoot on the NZDA deer target and it has been interesting to see how well the better marksmen can shoot with an aperture sight. This assumes that the rifle is zeroed for the ammunition and is capable of decent accuracy in the first place. Older people, myself included can usually see aperture sights well but open sights (blade and barrel mounted rear) are pretty much a lost cause.
Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by ebf

Yup. Used irons for Service Rifle before the fun-police got involved.

Also have irons (Skinner aperture) on the 45/70, and hoping to put some on the take-down bush pig.

I have a new Rossi 44 mag that shoots a metre high at 100 metres! Where would I find a front and rear set of Skinners for it these days?

Just bend the barrel

Originally Posted by outlander

I have a new Rossi 44 mag that shoots a metre high at 100 metres! Where would I find a front and rear set of Skinners for it these days?

@outlander-try taking out the little stepped bar you use for adjusting the sights. Took mine out and found it was smack on.

Originally Posted by csmiffy

@outlander-try taking out the little stepped bar you use for adjusting the sights. Took mine out and found it was smack on.

Must be the beginnings of dementia, what a bastard! Never thought of doing that, thanks.

Originally Posted by northdude

Just bend the barrel

Along with the magazine tube, or just run the tube alongside the new bent barrel? Side by side, as it were.

Where would one procure aperture sights in NZ?
Whats the deal with getting them from offshore?permits and a fuckaround?

I don't use them exclusively but I sometimes like to shoot them and am a decent shot with them. Next hunt I go on ill probably take an open sighted rifle.