A hunting rifle without sights is not a hunting rifle.

[Patriot_Precision]

I'll start off with the concession of varmint hunting. Otherwise, to me, a hunting rifle needs iron sights. I have great respect for modern optics. Most all my rifles sport them proudly, but there's something to be said for the refined skillset that is required, and the way a sighted rifle rifle presents its self. Its not only a good back up, but makes the rifle look visually robust. I see no downside, and I would like to see Ruger do more of it. Thoughts?

 

[Jeepnik]

If one has no intention of using iron sights see no reason to have on a firearm. On the other hand if one wants them they should be an option from the factory. But the days of ordering a rifle from the manufacturer has gone the way of ordering an automobile the way you want.
On the plus side you can either remove or install iron sights with out too much hassle.

 

[Mobuck]

^^agree with Jeepnik.
Open sights AND scope seem excessive in this time frame. Fifty years ago when scopes were still somewhat fragile and unreliable, additional open sights might 'save the day' if the scope fogged up or the flimsy reticle broke. IIRC, the last time I had a scope failure during a hunt was when my older Son was 10 years old and he's middle age now.
Very similar logic applies to 'flip-over' and/or QD scope mounts. A properly mounted scope of reasonable magnification doesn't present problems at short range. The only application warranting such features might be a dangerous game scenario but just how many of those might one encounter?
If one 'likes the look', go for it but some folks prefer belt and suspenders too.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

Maybe open sights will work just fine if you are shooting shorter distances.
Out here 300 yard shots and farther are common.
I want to kill my deer , not just put a bullet in him.

 

[Gator89]

Since I can't see them clearly, I don't need sights to get snagged on limbs, vines, gun case linings, etc.

I prefer the simplicity of a scope or dot. Put the green dot in my Trijicon scope on the target and activate the send lever.

I actually have removed sights from a couple of my hunting rifles.

 

[GunnyGene]

Since I can't see them clearly, I don't need sights to get snagged on limbs, vines, gun case linings, etc.

I prefer the simplicity of a scope or dot. Put the green dot in my Trunk on scope on the target and activate the send lever.

I actually have removed sights from a couple of my hunting rifles.

80 yo eyes and iron sights don't play well together.

 

[Mobuck]

I learned to shoot with open sights. I learned to shoot well with aperture and front globe sights. I became proficient at killing things with a scope. I can still shoot with open sights (taking into account the older eyes) but see no need for having them on a hunting rifle.

 

[kentucky yeti]

I'm the minority. I like irons on my rifles with scopes. Much the same as I like having a spare tire with me when I'm travelling, and not just saying that tires are a lot better now than 30 years ago and don't blow out. Or carrying more than one round when I'm hunting. If I am on a hunt 1200 miles from home, and the unthinkable happens and I damaged my scope, I like the idea that I can remove it and still have a useful rifle. I've used a 700 BDL .25-06 since 1980 with see-thru rings. Never had an issue switching from irons for close-up woods whitetail to pronghorn at 200+ yards. Just my personal preference.

 

[Gator89]

I'm the minority. I like irons on my rifles with scopes. Much the same as I like having a spare tire with me when I'm travelling, and not just saying that tires are a lot better now than 30 years ago and don't blow out. Or carrying more than one round when I'm hunting. If I am on a hunt 1200 miles from home, and the unthinkable happens and I damaged my scope, I like the idea that I can remove it and still have a useful rifle. I've used a 700 BDL .25-06 since 1980 with see-thru rings. Never had an issue switching from irons for close-up woods whitetail to pronghorn at 200+ yards. Just my personal preference.

I carry two or more rifles when I visit deer camp.

 

[GasGuzzler]

I be the OP yells at clouds too.

 

[bobski]

'iron sights, iron men.'
navy rifle team motto.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I learned on irons. My kids all learned on irons. Everyone should learn basics. I have several rifles and handguns without optics. Gets harder and harder to focus on that front sight.

There is a place for both.

'iron sights, iron men.'
navy rifle team motto.

When I was on the Miramar team we had a few "new shooter" class types. While practicing for PACFLT the motto was "Don't Shoot Me"

 

[Hvymax]

I generally have either Backup or Cowitness Irons on all of my optic equipped firearms.

 

[contender]

I just knew that this thread would have a lot of "Pro's & Con's" about the iron sights when I read the OP's post.

It used to be that all guns had a form of iron/open sights as standard equipment when they were being manufactured. And as Mobuck mentioned,, when scopes came along,, many were fragile & could fog up or whatever, making them undependable.
Modern times,, most folks use some form or optic, and the expense of adding irons to all guns is seen as a waste of time & money to manufacturers.

Iron/open sights have their place & have advantages in many applications. But, so do the various optics. A GOOD shooter will know how to use both, and be proficient with both types.
I will POLITELY take exception with busterswoodshop & his comment about 300 yd shots. A good hunter learns the stalking skills as well. It's what was done LONG before optics were used.
And if I travel to a hunting came,, I carry my primary hunting tool, a back-up, and a 3rd back-up. No sense in my opinion to drive a long distance, spend a lot of money & only rely upon 1 firearm. JMO!

I see a lot of handgunners in USPSA who embrace the divisions where optics/dots are allowed. Yet,, they lack the SKILLS to use iron/open sights as effectively, especially at longer distances. The same goes for rifle shooters.

A person should be educated & proficient in both.

But manufacturers nowadays seem to NOT put open sights on many rifles anymore. Sad,, but true.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I'm 70 and just got my real eyes back a couple months ago. I love iron sights again. They don't fog up. No more blowing the hair drier to warm up lenses before I walk outside with it. No more searching for the #$%^$ glasses in the dark BEFORE the gun.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I will POLITELY take exception with busterswoodshop & his comment about 300 yd shots. A good hunter learns the stalking skills as well. It's what was done LONG before optics were used.

You have obviously never hunted ( or know anything about ) Coues Whitetail in southern Arizona.
The grey ghost of the desert.
One of the hardest animals to hunt in North America.

 

[kentucky yeti]

And if I travel to a hunting came,, I carry my primary hunting tool, a back-up, and a 3rd back-up. No sense in my opinion to drive a long distance, spend a lot of money & only rely upon 1 firearm. JMO!

I invite you to come with me to the Rockies where mountain hunting is at 11,000 feet and more, and the 7000-8000 foothills there are what folks call mountains in the east. I bring a backup gun to base camp, but when our spike camp is a 7-hour walk from our base camp with no oxygen for eastern lungs, I personally have never seen anyone pack 2 rifles along with their full backpack and MSS sleeping bag. Just my personal experience over the last 25+ years out there.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

Just what kind of guns do you guys use , where you need a back up for your back up ?

 

[XUSNORDIE]

You have obviously never hunted ( or know anything about ) Coues Whitetail in southern Arizona.
The grey ghost of the desert.
One of the hardest animals to hunt in North America.

Hunted them twice. Once with scoped revolver and another with compound bow. If I were to do it today I'd have a scoped rifle. Not in shape to walk those hills that's for sure. It was a combo deer/javelina hunt back in late 80's.

 

[Black Fly]

I don't own any rifles that don't have irons. Even my 22LR, WRM, Hornet and 22-250 wear irons.
All are sighted in at 50 yards with the principal load i use in them. Im comfortable shooting to 100 with the open sights, because i practice with them. I do live and hunt in the east, in the Appalachians, Piedmont and coastal plains, and have made one trip, so far, to Africa. Except for groundhogs, I don't hunt where there are long shots.
I have had scopes go bad in the woods, and I've removed them and kept hunting. I often hunt miles from my truck. So I don't want to waste precious hunting time hiking with a useless gun.
You don't need a bumper, spare tire, tow cables, jumper cables or a jack on your truck, but I don't leave home without them, either. Besides, I like the look of a rifle with open sights.
To each his own,
Bfly