Author Topic: Open Sights vs. Scope - what's the distance? (Read 12111 times))

GD Giles · « **on:** November 16, 2015, 11:51:55 PM »

I've only shot with open sights yet I see more and more AGs available with scopes so what's the operative distance on these? Is there a general rule that any target under X use open and any target over X use scope?

north country gal · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2015, 12:12:51 AM »

No general rule. Just too many variables involved, not the least of which is what kind of accuracy do you want or need?

I use all types of sights on our AGs for 50 yard work. To be sure using a scope typically gets me smaller groups and it does it more consistently under a wider variety of conditions, but there is a real sense of accomplishment for me when I shoot a nice group at 50 with open sights and I do it more often than some folks might suspect. Takes a lot of practice and work and decent lighting conditions, but open sights are not the crude sights some claim them to be. In fact, some are quite good. I'm probably in a minority, here, but I've actually been known to buy rifles, specifically, to use with open sights. Overall, though, I do think the trend these days, is to go with a scope.

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ztirffritz · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2015, 12:26:32 AM »

Many guns now assume you'll be using a scope and don't even offer open sights.

GD Giles · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2015, 12:49:31 AM »

Not only did I learn on open sights, they were fixed sights. Then I got a Diana .177 break barrel with an adjustable rear sight and thought I was awesome. This was like 1973. Scopes hadn't been invented yet.

I guess in round numbers I'm thinking if I can see the target w/the naked eye I should be able to put a pellet there w/o a scope, right? I could see a bird at 50 yards but I don't think I could see well enough to place a head or neck shot.

anuthabubba · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2015, 01:01:09 AM »

Only airgun I ever bought with a scope was my first. An HW35Dx from Law's Air Rifle Headquarters in '80. Most of my shooting is field/outdoors plinking and pesting. Mostly offhand and sometimes rested. For me, opens are easier and faster to acquire the target item and take the shot. Do like lower power (4x-6x) for longer range (>40 yards) shots, but have made 40 to 70 yard headshot kills with opens on rifles and pistols.

For paper punching from a rest, scoped would be the way to go. Used to do a bunch of this. Sold all my big, hi-power scopes a few years ago and now prefer Compact and Mini types, like Leupold 3-9x33 EFR, older Burris 3-9 and 3-12 Compact and 4x, 6x Mini.

Kailua · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2015, 01:03:06 AM »

There are also advantages and disadvantages of using AO and non AO scopes. If you are looking into using a scope for hunting or taking quick shots at different distances. JMO

Pumper · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2015, 02:19:00 AM »

Leyden PEEP sight, 3" groups at 110+ yards, but .22 rim. Peeps are the way to go!

19Sheridan57 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2015, 09:25:21 AM »

I think the biggest reason you see so many scopes on air rifles, is their selling point. It looks cool & it makes you think you are getting more for your money,,, or a better rig, when the rifle is sold with scope & mounts. The BAD part is, most of the scopes furnished with these rifles only LOOK good. So many are cheaply made & may not even work the day you get the rifle !

Methuselah · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2015, 09:30:02 AM »

Quote from: Glen D. Giles on November 16, 2015, 11:51:55 PM

I've only shot with open sights yet I see more and more AGs available with scopes so what's the operative distance on these? Is there a general rule that any target under X use open and any target over X use scope?

Only thing I've noticed that remotely resembles a rule is needing a scope if you can't see well enough without it. Using a scope adds a lot of uncertainties - if I could see 50 yards I doubt I'd own more than one of them!

Welcome to the GTA Glen

Doug Wall · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2015, 09:31:02 AM »

" I'm thinking if I can see the target w/the naked eye I should be able to put a pellet there w/o a scope, right? I could see a bird at 50 yards but I don't think I could see well enough to place a head or neck shot."
You have answered your own question. I wouldn't hesitate to use open sights for an 8" kill zone on a deer at 50 yds (not with an airgun), but if I'm trying to pick off a starling at the same distance, I want a scope.

GD Giles · « **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2015, 11:14:55 AM »

Doug I think you just put the peanut butter and chocolate together! Because AG's typically have less power the hunting target and shot placement zone is smaller and more difficult to see even at somewhat close ranges by other hunting standards, thus more need for a scope at even 30 yards potentially. I wouldn't want to try and shoot a dime sized target at 30 yards if it meant a clean kill or a miss or a wounding shot. I'd want better odds than that.

anuthabubba · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2015, 07:50:48 PM »

"A man's got to know his limitations."

Methuselah · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2015, 12:27:48 AM »

Quote from: Yrok on November 17, 2015, 07:50:48 PM

"A man's got to know his limitations."

Doug Wall · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2015, 08:57:46 AM »

Distance isn't really the issue. A lot of AO scopes will focus down to less than 10 yards. I was shooting a couple of field target courses earlier this year, and they had 0.25" reducers on targets at about 10 yds. Trying to put a 0.177 pellet through (without hitting the edge) of a hole that size is not easy. Just about impossible with open sights.

Pellgunfun · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2015, 09:25:29 AM »

Here is my little soapbox statement about optics.

A scope on a rifle WILL NOT and CAN NOT make you a better shooter. A scope on a rifle provides ONE thing. Better target resolution!

Instead of just aiming center mass of a silhouette you will be able to pick a very specific part of the silhouette as your aiming point. The idea is "aim small, miss small". A scope on a rifle will not make you a better marksman. Mastering the Marksmanship fundamentals will do that, doesn't matter if it is open sights or a scope. That applies to air rifles as well as powder burners.

Teach your kids to master shooting with open sights first. Then add a scope.

Hehehe.... how was that for a ridiculous soapbox rant.

Yes, I'm poking fun at myself, but what I said is true.

Ol'DeadEye · « **Reply #15 on:** November 18, 2015, 10:07:18 AM »

I think it depends on YOUR vision, choice of targets and maximum available range.
MY choice of targets is starlings, my maximum range is 30 yards and my vision is 20/20 beyond my front sight (eye lense implants).
Starlings are always on the ground, as I live in a suburban neighborhood with houses all around.
My Disco is the only rifle equipped with iron sights, Williams peep and factory front.
No fumbling fingers to coax a pellet into the breech in the narrow, blind confines under a scope.
Set once and forgotten. No fogging, no focus, no battery, no adjustments, no problems.
I always shoot at center of mass on starlings, my only available pest.
Most nervous starlings only stay relatively still for approx. 2-3 seconds. - hence, no head shots
All my other rifles are scope only, no open sights available.
All get their turn at the starlings.
All scoped rifles are set at a 20 yard zero and focussed at maximum magnification to keep things simple.
No time to fiddle with changes, the targets won't wait.

I get the most satisfaction from the Disco kills and my open sights.
I don't shoot targets except for sight-in and checks.
Gets boring real fast at those short ranges.

Do what YOU like best...

Gresh24 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 18, 2015, 11:05:58 AM »

I like both. For me the max distance with open sights is <40 yards. If I'm grabbing a gun to take out a pest or just do some light plinking I go open sights. When I shoot with buddies doing some target shooting I go scope - we usually just set up ranges with cans and targets at various distances from 30 - 50 yards.

GD Giles · « **Reply #17 on:** November 18, 2015, 11:38:39 AM »

I should confess that when I say I've only shot w/open sights my current AG came w/a cheap scope as it's a cheap gun and I've tried to sight it in but being a total scope novice and totally hating the trigger on the gun I don't have it zeroed in yet and I've owned the gun for about 13 years probably. Thus the desire for a new/better gun.

BreakBarrelBen · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2015, 12:14:21 PM »

I have been using my Vantage NP with open sights for a while and if you practice enough you can get very comfortable with the open sights.

BowerR64 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 19, 2015, 07:14:24 AM »

Quote from: Doug Wall on November 17, 2015, 09:31:02 AM

" I'm thinking if I can see the target w/the naked eye I should be able to put a pellet there w/o a scope, right? I could see a bird at 50 yards but I don't think I could see well enough to place a head or neck shot."
You have answered your own question. I wouldn't hesitate to use open sights for an 8" kill zone on a deer at 50 yds (not with an airgun), but if I'm trying to pick off a starling at the same distance, I want a scope.

Thats why i use a scope if i dont i see double at 100 yards. I would prefer iron sights they arnt as finicky scopes can get bump so easy and they can start shooting off

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Open Sights vs. Scope - what's the distance?

Author Topic: Open Sights vs. Scope - what's the distance? (Read 12111 times))