Thread: Who still uses open sights ?

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

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.

I think we are on the same page , and the whole knocking the scope off zero is a real world problem .
It’s not just a cheap scope or rings problem either , there is something about the vibration , knocks and rattling around in a vehicle over extended periods of time that effects even quality optical gear and mounts . Bouncing around in a vehicle is a heap harder on equipment than carrying it around and the associated bumps that happen in a normal hunting situation.
I can honestly say that in 15 years I’ve never had to resight in my iron sighted ute rifles because of them losing zero.
With scoped rifles it isn’t an everyday occurrence, but it definitely has happened more than a few times.
My Farm / Ute guns never see the inside of a padded gun bag or case and the most love they get is a blast off with the compressor and an occasional dose of Ballistol when I remember or feel guilty .
I suppose now that I think about it this thread should have been titled “ who uses a Farm rifle and what sights do you use “ because 95% of my hunting is done with scoped rifles .
At the end of the day iron sighted rifles are tough as nails and have a place in my tool box