Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Small Game Anybody hunt squirrels with iron sights?

I've been using scopes, almost exclusively for years. Lately, I've been getting a hair up my arse to try a .22 with iron sights. At 62 yo., and wearing bi focals I was thinking of putting on either fiber optic front/rear or mount a fiber op front sight and a peep sight to the rear. When I put fiber optic front on my Ruger no. 1 fro my DG hunt in Zim, 2 yrs. ago, I was rather amazed at how well I shot it out to 50 yds. Got me to thinking[yeah, dangerous ]about setting up a .22 exclusively for that purpose to use in early season, when the shooting is close and quick. I could do it with my single shot or my old Marlin 39a, but I already have scopes on them. Been thinking a semi auto like a ruger 10/22 or a marlin model 60. Both are light weight and quick pointing, with quick backup shots, in case I miss[imagine that] Any of you boys doing that, or what do ya think of the idea?


maddog

Since all that I use are iron sights I think it is a great idea. I use an old (1930s) single shot Savage .22. I use the original sights that came with the gun. I shoot shorts, longs and long rifles in it. There is nothing in the sporting world any more rewarding than a mess of squirrels taken this way.

Maybe you're right. I may have to think about it and get another H&R Sportster and put the fiber ops on it. Decisions, decisions....


maddog

MD, later in the season I hunt with several iron sighted rifles. A 61Win .22WRF, 550 Rem, 69Win, Sav Favorite .22mag, Sav 24.22/20, and a Browning 1885 .357mag, that I shoot .38wadcutters in.
The .22WRFs are getting a little hard to find, thank goodness I've still got a few.

Can't do it with open sights any more, but a receiver sight is probably doable. I'll bet a Skinner sight for that 39a would make it a real game getter.

I've hunted squirrels for years with a .32 cal flintlock. Sometimes I get my limit, sometimes I don't. The population is down here in Michigan this year.

THAT is too cool for School!!!

Yeah, more pics with the flinter! I did that back in my late 20's with a Dixie Tenn. Squirrel rifle that was a 32 cal. flintlock. Sadly I sold the gun and got away from it.


maddog

Here's a pic taken when I first started hunting with flintlocks, 35 years ago. My beard wasn't even gray then..

Ron, I've seen your pics on the trad. ML sites. You need to come here and post more of them! Especially some of your primitive camp pics!!!


maddog

This was a couple years ago at our Tree Rat Rendezvous camp. Oh what a difference 35 years make...

This was with a .54 smoothbore, (28ga)

Way cool!


maddog

Well, I dood it. Went to my favorite shop, and he had a Marlin mod60 with a laminated stock, and a ruger 10/22 stock, with the birch stock. It came down to trigger pull, and ......the ruger won! I'm not looking for aftermarket up grades, and the trigger was cleaner and crisper than the marlin. Also, wasn't too excited about the combo allen/ straight screw driver thingy, for taking off the stock. The only thing I'm gonna do is add a set of fiber optic sites, and eventually a set of sling swivel studs to it. It may be a while before I get that done. We'll see what happens. First semi auto I've owned in over 35 yrs. No, I'm not getting rid of the 39a OR the sportster. stay tuned......


maddog

I use scoped rifles and iron sights. When not using a scope I prefer the peep sights with a fiber optic front sight. Last Sunday I was out hunting turkeys and was carrying my shotgun. Had my Single Six on my hip for small game. I took two fox squirrels with the iron sighted revolver. Did not get a turkey though.

For the past few years, I have almost exclusively been using my 1905 vintage Winchester 1892, 24" octagon barreled 25-20.

It has the factory blade front sight and I use a Lyman tang for the rear. I can stack holes at 25 yards, and keep them under a quarter at 50. I'm positive that the gun STILL shoots better than I can.

I load up boolits dropped from my RCBS 25-85 using straight wheelweight lead in front of 5.5 grains of 2400. Quiet load, does little to no damage on squirrels. Also works well for turkeys, coons, and what have you.. good woods loafing rifle and load.

I have a wally world special 10/22 with a long barrel and deluxe sporter stock. I shoot it with iron sights as I do with my remington 597. Mucho fun.