Distances with iron sights or scope

[oneballjaywax]

Just I have one more quick question (my GF is yelling at me to get off the computer;). When I see different posts about people hitting targets say @ 30 yards would that be with a scope or iron sights? I mean if I see a post that says 60 yards I know that would most likely have to be scope but was just wondering in general how far can most of you hit a fairly small target with iron sights. I know myself anything greater then 60 feet (walked it out..and don't do yards;) the iron sights obtruct the target...not really good for pinpoint accuracy.Well that about, take it easy.

[melloroadman]

I do 50 yards with a 1.5 inch red bulls eye on white paper with open or peep sights alright .Marvin

[vinceb]

...the wings on a fly at 10 yards, you need a scope. If you want to hit a pieplate at 50 yards, you don't. By and large. the smallest target I can have any luck with at all at 60 yards is a tennis ball or a soda can.

It all depends on the shooter.

[Gene_SC]

It all depends on the shooter eye sight's. How healthy his or her's eyes are.

[shadow]

My eyeballs are still doing great which does help when using iron sight's. I do think it's a combination of good vision, airgun and the ability of the shooter to combine all this into consistent and accurate shot placement. Ed

[DanoInTx]

I hear that there is some guy, DanoInTx I think his name is, that can hit a 1" bull at about 25 yards offhand consistantly with open sights if he is holding his tounge just right :emoticon:  :emoticon:

In all honestly though I think about 15-20 yards is probably about the max for most people at a <1" target unless you've got real good eyesight, but as has been said, the bigger the target the longer the distance.  Btw:Open sights shouldn't block a target at all if you're aiming correctly, the bull should sit on top of the front post, not be covered by the front post....unless maybe I've been doing it wrong all of these years:)

[fisherdude]

Most of us hard core airgunners use scopes.  The reasons are two-fold.  First as we get older, our eyes aren't as good.  Second, we sometimes like to shoot at extremely small targets, so small that they would be obscured by the front sight.  Actually, a good set of iron sights will work great for most kinds of targets.  Shooting a coke can at 30 yards doesn't require a scope; shooting something the size of a 9mm shell casing is pretty hard at 30 yards is pretty difficuly because I can't see it.  Lots of shooters don't use a scope.  I like both.

[erskine]

The US military believes, and I have seen it done, that a man with good eyesight can hit a 3.5" target at 100 yards with the peep sight on an M-16/M-4m.  This is easily scaled down.  A good shot with a peep sight at fifty yards can hold a 1.75" target,  at 25 yards you are talking about 7/8", at 10 yards you are talking about .35".

Now all you need is a rifle that can do that.    Most wont.

-m-

[spark22]

I belive that if you can see a 4" target from a 100yrs you should be able to hit it but I know lots of people who can't even see one at 30 yrds and think that thier eyes are ok,with out my contacts I cant see 5 feet in front of me but with them I can take out a squirrel up to 50yrds with open sights and a 100yrds with a cheap scope.take a look around and see how far you can see clearly if its not that far get your eyes checked.

[gamo2hammerli]

I used to have pretty good eyesight and steadier hands. I can use open sights up to 30 meters at a 2" target. Now I`ve blurred vision and shakier hands.....must be the d@mn computer screen and lack of exercise. With open sights now....I can probably get bullseye at 10 meters with a 2" target. Anything further or smaller......will need a scope.

[riflejunkie]

When using iron sights, and I'm assuming you are talking about a post front and notched rear sight you want to use what is called the 6 o'clock sight picture. Like this i Imagine you are shooting at a squirrels head. If you cover up his head you cant see anything. Check this out

http://www.tpub.com/content/advancement/12018/css/12018_387.htm

[riflejunkie]

Using aperture sights front and rear, 22 rimfire and whatever the wind offers over the course of 160 shots an Expert class minimum score
is 1576 meaning that 24 out of 160 shots fired were outside the 1 1/4" 10 ring.  That's an average of 3 nine's in 20 shots for the duration of the match.  Some really talented competitors hold the 1/2" X ring for over a hundred of the 160 shots.  
As Gene mentioned though, young eyes are the trump card and even the best shooters get higher scores when we switch from irons to glass.  It's not exactly like shooting at a critter, but there are similarities.  In my opinion, for hunting, I don't care much for a front aperture.  Target aquisition is very difficult when you are looking through one very tiny hole, finding another circle and then trying to locate some furry creature who just happens to be about the same color of the surroundings and locating said critter in the center of the front aperture.  Ideal irons would be a ghost ring rear and post front.  The ghost ring almost disappears and all you have to worry about is the front sight and Alvin. (What was the other chipmunks name?) Your brain will naturally center the front post because the center is where the most light is.  It is a definite upgrade from notched rear sights even if you are young with perfect vision.

[PistonJackson]

When I shoot with iron sights I adjust them so that my target is just above my front post. Your eyesight alone limits what you can hit. I don't wear glasses and I am supposed to but I can consistently hit soda caps at 25yds.

[gamo2hammerli]

I think I need to do the "6 o`clock" position technique with my iron sights....I had been told of it during my firearms phase....but never really tried it.  Always had the post right on the bullseye.....