A hunting rifle without sights is not a hunting rifle.

[Klondike Mike]

I won't own a rifle without iron sights. Don't get me wrong I do love good quality scopes and most of my hunting rifles wear one but I have also learned to be prepared for when, not if, a piece of equipment fails. Usually at the most inopportune time. That's why all my scopes can be removed with nothing more than a Leatherman tool. This was one of the reasons I chose Ruger rifles with their machined in bases. I also don't understand this trend by manufacturers trying to build the cheapest hunting rifles but building them without iron sights making the economy minded buyer shell out for a scope and rings before even being able to shoot his new gun. What would a fold down rear and a bead front sight cost the manufacturer? I'm guessing it would only add between five and ten dollars to the retail price. And finally and this is just my opinion but I don't think a quality rifle looks finished unless it wears a good set of iron sights.

 

[Paul B]

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

So do I, at least when it's an expensive guided hunt. On my guided antelope hunt back in 2009 in New Mexico my primary riffle was a scoped .270. back up rifles were a 7x57 with sone rather warmish handloads and a 30-06 none of the rifles have iron sights except the 270.

One six different elk hunts, again in New Mexico I've sometime had two or at least one back up rifle on hand. Primary rifle, a custom .35 Whelen and usually the 30-06 back up. A time or two that back up was a .270 or 280 Rem..

One those hunts I never needed the back up rifle until I did. It was at the NRA's Whittington Center rifle range when in the middle of sighting in the reticle in the scope went AWOL. The 30-06 saved the day. Another elk hunt and I had a clean laser measured 350 yard shot at the elk. I shot and it went down. I chamber another round in case it got up and where in hell did the crosshair go???? That .35 Whelen has been awfully hard on scopes but I have had scopes die quite a few times over the years.

Most of my hunts, especially when I lived in Nevada were usually 50 miles or less from home so usually didn't bother with a back up rifle. My DGRs, All Ruger #1Hs have iron sights and only the .375 H&H has a scope, an old 3X all steel Weaver. The .404 Jeffery and .416 Rigby are sighted in at 50 yards with the irons. I figure if I'm ever gonna hunt something big and nasty with teeth that bite and claws that scratch, I'm gonna get as close as I can so that shot number one does the trick. And yes, I can do a rapid reload using the #1.

I've done a fair share of hunting with the #1 rifles and the only reason I never used one on my elk hunts is the the ranch that held the herd and the outfitter both forbad the use of single shot rifles. Their ranch, their rules. Funny thing though. I took six elk off that ranch over the years and every one was one and down but they still wouldn't let me used one of my #1s on their elk. Serious bummer.
Paul B.

 

[Hertervillian]

If the target is close enough for me to be comfortable with irons it's close enough for no sight at all. I wish that were quite the exaggeration, sadly it's only slight.

I'm the guy that strips the iron sights off when a scope is installed, preferring the slick look. I did leave them on the 1895 Marlin, opting for QR scope mounts, I'm not a heathen.

 

[Hvymax]

My 300 EBR even has offset irons. I duplicated an M1 National Match aperture and what I call a Tactical Pyramid front sight.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I haven't lived where I could hunt with a lever gun in years. If for some reason I had an opportunity to hunt in woods that was short distance shooting I might.
My 45/70 has an AO sight which I like but it's my bear gun with my ATV.
Realistically in Alaska it's too expensive to get to where you want to hunt not to have a scope and every edge you can get. Plus I really like moose.

 

[the_leper_colony]

As I think some folks have already mentioned, range is an issue, and for me, weight and expense are also issues. I own more than one rifle, and they're chambeted in more than one caliber. If I'll likely be shooting a rifle at long range, I'll spend the money and hang a pound or more of "glass" on it. If I'm more likely to be shooting a rifle at short range, iron sights are fine, and I'll skip the weight and expense of a scope. IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc.

 

[David Lee Valdina]

 

[contender]

"You have obviously never hunted ( or know anything about ) Coues Whitetail in southern Arizona."

Actually, I do know about the Coues deer,,, AND how the Apache used to hunt them. No,, I've never had the opportunity to hunt them. But if I did,, I'd go after them with a handgun. I know the hunt would be hard,, and if I were to succeed,, it'd be a well earned trophy.

"I invite you to come with me to the Rockies where mountain hunting is at 11,000 feet and more"

Actually I have hunted elk in the Rockies a few times. And yes,, my first trip,, I took (2) rifles. A scoped 7mm mag and a Marlin .35 Remington with iron sights. We camped at 10,200 ft & hunted up from there. I took my first elk on that trip in 1996, using the .7mm Mag. Every elk hunt since,, has been with a handgun. PS; I'd love another elk hunt & your invite is interesting!

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

I've never needed a back-up,, nor the back-up for my back-up. But once you plan for months, spend a lot of money, time & effort,, I feel the minor extra weight & space of a 3rd handgun is minimal insurance for me to use my gun(s) instead of borrowing one or doing without.
Just a few years ago,, I went on a trip to Colorado for elk. When we went to the range to check our guns,, I was the only handgun hunter in the group. A father/son duo who were very green in several ways,, saw me pull out a smaller case than their cases for their rifles. When I opened the case,, they saw (3) handguns. The father asked me; "Where's your rifle?" To which I replied; "I don't cheat!"
As they went to checking their rifles,, they were astonished with my grouping at 100 yds with a .45 Colt El Dorado, open sights. My groups were better than their groups with scoped rifles. But to be quite honest,, they were NOT good shots, (or hunters!)

I do NOT disagree that many people prefer scopes,, and that they can be very helpful for a lot of people. And I have them on many of my rifles as well. But I also agree that there have been hunters & iron/open sights in use a lot longer than optic sighted guns have been in general use.
It used to be the skill of a hunter was on how close they could get to the game AND place an ethical killing shot.
Nowadays,, there are people shooting game at 1/2 mile away & think that's sporting.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I am not going to argue with you .
I grew up in Arizona.
I know a little bit about the Apaches. I also know how they hunted yesterday and today. Not sure what that has to do with anything.
I am also not sure what makes hunting at 11,000 feet relevant.
I have killed my share of elk. I have no desire to kill another elk.
A good Coues impresses me more than any trophy elk does.
All I said is that 300 yard shots and farther are common for Coues , and they are.
I never said I take 1/2 mile shots. That's ridiculous.
I have hunted Coues deer for well over 50 years.
They are the only big game I am interested in hunting.
I have done all the hunts , rifle , archery and handgun.
Never use a muzzle loader though.

I know where they are if you ever want to try your pistol out.
I would like to see that.
Just remember to bring your shoes , you will need them.

 

[Mobuck]

If/when we travel somewhere to hunt, there's ALWAYS a backup rifle for the group. Most often it's mine because I have a better selection and more time to fine tune 2 rifles. That said, in the several trips I/we made, the backup has never been needed. We don't hunt from camps far away from end of road so no big deal having a spare rifle. In this scenario, a spare rifle is far more effective than open sight plan B.
It's a personal choice.

 

[kentucky yeti]

"I invite you to come with me to the Rockies where mountain hunting is at 11,000 feet and more"

Actually I have hunted elk in the Rockies a few times. And yes,, my first trip,, I took (2) rifles. A scoped 7mm mag and a Marlin .35 Remington with iron sights. We camped at 10,200 ft & hunted up from there. I took my first elk on that trip in 1996, using the .7mm Mag. Every elk hunt since,, has been with a handgun. PS; I'd love another elk hunt & your invite is interesting!

I'm there every September for muzzleloader season. We park and basecamp at a spot that shows right at 10,600 elevation. Come on sometime; It would be a fun time, even though it's a LOT of work carrying out a deer, let alone multiple trips up and down with elk quarters (as you already know).

 

[XUSNORDIE]

@Hvymax is that a REM 7600 action?

 

[contender]

I wasn't trying to start any kind of argument at all. The point I was trying to make,, is that for centuries,, people hunted w/o any form of optic, and used their skills as a hunter to get close enough to use open/iron sights. Be it a Coues deer, or elk or whatever. Bow hunters do it all the time. And yes,, I fully agree that in today's world,, with quality scopes,, it does make bagging a Coues deer easier for many.
I have NO doubt the Couse deer are hard to hunt from all I've studied. My reference to the Apache had to do with the fact they had to be good hunters & skilled at stalking etc. I only used the reference to 1/2 mile shots because of some of the TV shows, have been promoting "long range shooting" calling it hunting.
I used to teach Hunter Safety, and ethics of a good hunter is to assure a clean killing shot, no matter the weapon used. Too many people rely upon modern equipment to make up for poor skills. I never alluded to you shooting 1/2 a mile. My apologies if it sounded that way.

If it would ever become possible,, I'd LOVE to try the challenge of a handgun hunt for a Coues deer. I'd consider any legal deer a true trophy with a handgun. (And of course I'd have shoes for that hunting,, because I know I'd have to do a lot of walking! )

The 11,000 ft hunting. That was a reply to kentucky yeti, in response to his posting. Yes, I'm an easterner. But I have also hunted the Rockies, and hunted hard. The difference in O2 content & adjusting to it does make a difference. But that part of the discussion has nothing to do with the OP's thoughts on iron sights.
I've truly enjoy hunting with kentucky yeti,, but muzzleloading season wouldn't allow me to use my handgun.
My last elk hunt,, I had planned to use my El Dorado .45 Colt, open sights as my primary hunting firearm. We never got anywhere close to any elk at all. Too warm & they weren't moving out of the high country & we were in a unit that was lower & such. (Craig Co.) I truly want my next elk to be taken with that handgun as a tribute to it's builder,, my friend Russ.

Again, I truly didn't mean to upset anybody. I was just trying to point out the fact that open/iron sights have been used for a lot longer than optics. It required people to be more skilled as a hunter to get closer. That's all.

 

[peachhead]

I like sights. However, I won't turn down a good rifle due to the lack of them.
I generally carry a spare when I hunt. No, I've never hunted at 11000 feet and I've never hunted the elusive ghost deer of Arizona or the spotted goat of New Mexico or whatever. I do hunt with revolvers and I don't use optics. Maybe one day I will change my mind but I doubt it.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I hunted Elk once in Utah....I don't know what the above sea level was. But I was struggling to keep up with my Ex Father N Law who was 35 years older than me. I was in pretty dang good USGI shape back then also. Had a rifle with typical run of the mill 3-9x40 scope.
As for Coues deer that was a lot of walking on one hunt. Sloping hills with little blotches of trees. No use glassing. It was more like still hunting ridges back east. Walk slow. Stop look. Walk slow stop look. That was with a Ruger Super Blackhawk. The archery hunt some will say was not hunting. It was a blind set up on a water hole.

 

[hittman]

"Optics Ready" translates into, sights not included so you need to spend more money.

 

[s4s4u]

Meh, I have some with and some without. I don't even put buis on AR's that are scoped with a magnified optic.

 

[Jack Ryan]

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?

It is a kit gun. You have to buy more stuff, put it together and make it work your self.

 

[Gator89]

I hunted Elk once in Utah....I don't know what the above sea level was. But I was struggling to keep up with my Ex Father N Law who was 35 years older than me. I was in pretty dang good USGI shape back then also. Had a rifle with typical run of the mill 3-9x40 scope.
As for Coues deer that was a lot of walking on one hunt. Sloping hills with little blotches of trees. No use glassing. It was more like still hunting ridges back east. Walk slow. Stop look. Walk slow stop look. That was with a Ruger Super Blackhawk. The archery hunt some will say was not hunting. It was a blind set up on a water hole.

Sitting on water or a food source is the epitome of hunting to me. Here in the southeast it is 99.9% food source or travel lane to & from the food we mostly watch. Water is relatively plentiful compared to the Western US.

 

[Hertervillian]

We bring a backup rifle to camp. Usually it's my 1895 Marlin, yes scoped, with Warne QD mounts and 1 1/2-5 Leupold. Everyone is familiar with a Marlin, the scope is quite forgiving as to eye relief.

It slicks up nicely. Returns to zero as reliably as my checking account.