Deer hunting with iron sights.

[N80]

In this case changing the front sight would be simple. Marble makes them of various heights and they are cheap. Anyway, if I can find a reputable gunsmith around here I'll at least ask about what he charges to drill and tap for a Lyman......but at this point I'm getting a long way from my initial goal of cheap and easy. I don't want to end up dropping $200 on what very well amount to a silly idea.

 

[N80]

Update: Did a little research into this particular rifle (Model 51 Sears J.C. Higgins with FN Mauser action and High Standard Barrel) and as it turns out the side of the rear receiver ring is already drilled and tapped for side mounted sights. They are partially covered by the wood on the stock. So, the only thing I would need to modify is to trim some of the wood away from the side of the receiver. I don't like doing this sort of thing in general but, even though the stock is walnut and fairly nice, it is not a fine stock and it has been refinished so it is not in original condition. I can also pick up a used Lyman peep sight for under $50.

So I'm going to give it a try. Will try to remember to update on success/failure and how many rounds it takes before I get there.

 

[RobertN]

I don't see where it should be much of an issue. It should be relatively easy to bore-sight on a 25 yard target. Those sights should give you some information relative to how much each mark is in adjustment, just like a scope.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/sights/pdf/LyC_Sight_57.pdf

"ADJUSTING YOUR LYMAN NO. 57 OR NO. 66 RECEIVER SIGHT
The elevation and windage knobs are graduated to 1/4 minute of angle and for eachgraduation a distinct click may be heard and felt. Rotating the elevation and windage
knob clockwise moves the sight and point of impact down and to the left respectively. Counterclockwise to raise and move to the right. Each click represents a change
of 1/4" at 100 yards and 1/8" at 50 yards, with the same proportion for longer and shorter ranges based on a sight radius of 28':
EXAMPLE: Suppose you were shooting at 100 yards and the group was striking the target 4" below the point of aim. To correct this, move the elevation screw counterclockwise
4 minutes (16 clicks with 1/4 minute graduation) and your shot group will be 4" higher."

So I'm going to give it a try. Will try to remember to update on success/failure and how many rounds it takes before I get there.

 

[N80]

That is one of the things I like about the Lyman. I have some nice Leupold scopes that I like a lot but the windage and elevation adjustment knobs are smooth and continuous and I do not like that. My old Zeiss scopes have an audible click that you can feel and I like that a lot more.

 

[Chilly807]

I'm late getting to the thread, but my thoughts on iron sights.. I like them, don't get me wrong.. a lot of my younger days learning how to shoot were with open iron sights, and learned to shoot targets with a double peep sight. Not really by choice, the guns I had weren't easy to put a scope on, and money was scarce too.

The biggest pitfalls to iron sights are, in order of appearance.. low light conditions that make it hard to see them and the target, they block out part of the target, and in my mind the worst one.. you can't easily see what's BEHIND the target. A clear view through a sharp scope will show you the target, what's around it and behind it, all that's blocked is the space the reticle takes up.

I have an old 32 Special model 94 Winchester with open iron sights I use once in a while, knowing when I leave the house that the gun has limitations. I still use it, but not often. If I'm going out early or late, or if it is likely to be a longer shot, I take a 270 Model 70 which has only a scope, no iron sights. If for some reason the scope gets damaged and I can't shoot, well that's life.

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but hunting using iron sights on a 30-06, 308, etc is a little bit like using stone broadheads on an arrow. I know there's a lot of folks that do, but if you can afford better the animal you're hunting deserves your best shot, literally.

For playing around, shooting steel or paper targets, iron sights are a lot of fun, makes things more competitive too.

My 2 cents,

Sean

 

[N80]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but hunting using iron sights on a 30-06, 308, etc is a little bit like using stone broadheads on an arrow.

I understand what you mean, and I'm still waffling on whether to bother with this at all. But I don't think I agree with the statement quoted above. That would be like saying that if you're going to bow hunt you shouldn't use a recurve, or if you're going to black powder hunt you have to use the most modern version T/C rather than a musket.

I think as long as you know the limitations of the weapon you choose and pick your shots wisely (and humanely) then whatever weapon you choose is fine as long as it is legal. I choose not to bow hunt or black powder hunt because I prefer a modern rifle. But I wouldn't suggest that no one should bow hunt because a rifle is a better tool. And as mentioned above, I realize a peep sight would put me at a distinct disadvantage over my Remington 700 270 in a synthetic stock with a 6x Leupold on it, but that is what might make deer hunting interesting for me again. Who knows? And if I find that it makes it too difficult or potentially inhumane, I won't do it.

[off topic rant] I actually have a much bigger philosophical problem with the inevitable technology creep experienced in the area of primitive weapons. I'm not saying it is wrong to hunt with the most modern, effective black powder rifle but I'm not sure that it is fair that you get a special early 'black powder' season when you are shooting a 'black powder' rifle with a stainless steel barrel, laminate stock, modern clad bullets in a plastic sabot and solid propellant and a 3x9 Zeiss scope on the basis of it being a 'primitive' weapon. [end off topic rant]

 

[vtsnowedin]

[off topic rant] I actually have a much bigger philosophical problem with the inevitable technology creep experienced in the area of primitive weapons. I'm not saying it is wrong to hunt with the most modern, effective black powder rifle but I'm not sure that it is fair that you get a special early 'black powder' season when you are shooting a 'black powder' rifle with a stainless steel barrel, laminate stock, modern clad bullets in a plastic sabot and solid propellant and a 3x9 Zeiss scope on the basis of it being a 'primitive' weapon. [end off topic rant]

Nice rant!!
I quite agree with you. My own muzzleloader is a replica civil war 58 caliber Zouave. It is challenging getting a ball on target but it can be done.

 

[forgeblast]

You can buy sight paint that will glow in low light conditions. If you put it on your front sight it would help with the low light conditions. I have it on my pistols.

 

[RobertN]

At the same time, a cheap scope will not work well in low light conditions, and not have a great overall image either...

The biggest pitfalls to iron sights are, in order of appearance.. low light conditions that make it hard to see them and the target, they block out part of the target, and in my mind the worst one.. you can't easily see what's BEHIND the target. A clear view through a sharp scope will show you the target, what's around it and behind it, all that's blocked is the space the reticle takes up.

 

[seymojo536]

"I always wet my front sight when I'm fixin ta do some shootin" A. York