I might even be interested in a little speed test of iron sights versus appropriate optics over a diverse set of shooting situations. Of course we shoot like men for pink slips.
Any thoughts on shooting events to sort this question out once and for all?
ss
A scope is better for the first shot at everything except for elephants. And a reasonably low power variable for the game hunted, imo 1x4 for buff for example, with an illuminated reticle that has a reticle that is still good when the battery dies is the epitome.
But when it comes to elephants, proper express sights or a good wide apperature are far, far better. Any optical sight on a rifle results in a large blind spot, even whith both eyes open , which for a righty is to the right and forward. Moreover, the blind spot goes from ground to quite high, high enough to hide an elephant. Go get a scoped rifle out of your rack and try it if you doubt this.
For anyone to make their express or apperature sight work best, file the friggin' bead! If the bead is not filed flat, there will be shifting poi as the light changes. For example, if the light is on the right, the right side of the bead will be more visible and you will center the most visible portion, pushing the shot will be to the left. Vice versa for sun on the left. Not much change in poi, but some, a couple of inches at 50yds. Its so easy to eleiminate it that it is just dumb not to. And beads are a dime a dozen if you screw it up.
For the bead to show well in any light, file it at about a 30* cant off vertical, low portion toward breech high portion to muzzle. Then polish it.
Guys who claim optics are better for elephants, or for follow ups are either kidding themselves or don't have the experience, or haven't figured out what good open sights are maybe.
JPK
