Just wondering how many people on this board that hunt with a revolver do so with open sights and your reason for going scoped or open.

[ 05-10-2003, 16:37: Message edited by: 5shot ]

I'm still using iron sights. I've debated going to a scope on at least one pistol, but still can't do it.

By the time you put a scope on a 6.5" revolver, it gets heavy and bulky to me.

When I first got my 454 I was about to put a scope on it. I took it to the range and a fellow shooter asked to shoot it. On his second try he hit a soda bottle on the berm of a 100 meter range (the sights were off). I figured if this guy could do that without ever having practiced with the particular gun, I should be able to do the same with practice.

I don't need a pistol to shoot much over 100 meters.

Hiting a pop can on a open range is one thing picking out the front shoulder of a deer in the brush is the other. I shoot several thousands rounds a year thru open sited hand guns. I limit the range with them. With a scoped one I can double the range that I hit very easily. The same with rifles on a clear sunny day with your target in the open you can shoot very small groups with open sites. Add some over cast or dawn or twilight it becomes a lot harder.

My pistol shooting went from pretty bloody terrible to pretty bloody good with a holo sight.

I have perfect eyesight, but seem to have some sort of problem aligning wide rear and front sights like those commonly found on a handgun, especially the olympic standard type that are "extra" wide.

Shooting an open sighted rifle is fine for me, but I think that's because they generally tend to have a narrowver "v" with smaller "|" which to me feels more precise.

I have both. I can shoot more accurately with the scope and faster with open sights. Scope can give myself more range because I can "see" better at the farther ranges.

Hcliff

I'd like to throw the 2 cents on a couple of points. With handles like recoiljunky and 5shot, you guys probably know what you're talking about. I can attest that a jackrabbit sitting in the flats with a high sun is dead meat at 100 yards, as opposed to a jack sitting in his form with ears back and looking like a grey football. The front sight is much harder to focus on.

I also think many people don't learn the art of handgunning well enough that don't live out West, or atleast another area void of houses and filled with vermin. This is the only time I'll admit it, but I was a former 'Yank. You just can't get the practice you need in populated areas, the so called "woods", or your local range. Too many people buy a revolver, burn a box or two at chipmunks, eventually hit one at 10 feet, and are instantly a "handgun hunter". I know, cause that's how I used to be. Until you get to judge range, actually see bullet drop/dope, and practice with it, it just doesn't compare.

In New Mexico, one can shoot 50 rounds an evening at Jacks and stretch the ranges a bit and get real world senarios. I honestly don't care if I clip jackrabbits by pushing my effective range limits and the leg comes off. A hit is a hit, although it tells me I missed the main vitals of a deer and to keep practicing or limit my range 10 yards shorter. I've got a dog that runs down the cripples and finishes them off anyhow.

I'll finish with stating that a 100 yard soda can is a dream for me. Maybe 1 out of 5 rounds, but it would have to be lit up and wide open. I am still not even a "good" handgun shot. The ability to shoot a handgun accurately is a fading art. And if a handgun wears a scope it's no longer a handgun, as it has lost all admirable properties which dub it a hand gun.

Sell three crappy handguns and buy a Freedom Arms. Believe me.

[ 05-13-2003, 02:41: Message edited by: Jesse Jaymes ]

I prefer iron sights, but I'm primarily a rifle hunter who packs a handgun for close in shots, and backup.

I don't shoot a scope well offhand, I don't like the added weight and bulk, and even with a 2-2.5X on the low end, the field of view is very small.

I figure my effective range is 25 yds offhand, and 50 yds from a good rest. If it's further then that, I'll use a rifle.

I prefer iron sights.I have a scope but havent used it for some time.If you have an accurate handgun which is properly sighted in and adequate eyesight with proper techniqe and practice you will be amazed at how proficent you can become with a handgun.I mostly shoot varmints but do so almost everyday.For me if I am going to carry something with a scope it will be a rifle.w/regards

I have a S&W .375mag that I would never scope, and like to use for practice.

Also a .454caull that I would like to scope.
It is already a heavy bulky gun, so I don't think I stand to lose much.

I will agree that sing a scope is "cheating" but if it will improve your shooting, then why not?

In a calm stright foward way how does one get the idea that using a scope is cheating? Generally I have found from my experience watch people shoot is if they can shoot they can shoot; if not they can't no matter what they use.

[ 05-13-2003, 17:24: Message edited by: MePlat ]

I much prefer iron sights.

Most of my handgunning is offhand and I feel steadier with iron sights...the movement is magnified or at least more apparent with a scope. When I am using a rest the scope has definite advantages.

IMO, a handgun is a light, portable firearm which is much easier to carry than a rifle when out and about. Using a scope detracts from this "handiness" factor.

As I progress farther into middle age, my eyesight is not as sharp and accuracy with open sights has suffered some, but I am still pretty good to 100 yds and will stick with iron sights for as long as possible.

I do sometimes wish for a scope when doing load development...

I agree with Meplat...if you can shoot, you can shoot. Optics help if you want to shoot a samll group @ 100yds from a rest, but I see no advantage if you are standing on your two legs or are within your "gimmie" range. My .02, dvnv

I don't see a scope as cheating. I see it as a tradeoff. One looses the quick handling features, open field of view, and off hand balance in favor of better shot placement at longer ranges.

On my SRH, a scope essentially doubles my accuracy off the bench With irons and good loads I can shoot 2-3" groups at 50 yds, with a scope, they drop to 1 - 1 1/2".

I just wondered. I use both and like both. Most of my shooting is offhand (probably 95 percent of it.) Many make a blanket statement about a subject without thinking it through. Just from watching many people shoot at the local range I have come to the conclusion that: If you can shoot you can shoot. If you can't, you can't.
This is from many years or watching people with optical sights and iron sights.
Just my opinion although I am sure it isn't worth much.

I would agree with your statement of "If you can shoot you can shoot. If you can't, you can't." to a point. I believe that with the appropriate coaching and practice that anyone can shoot.

I have been HANDGUN HUNTING for over 15 years and have never felt like i was "cheating" or "not using a handgun" since i opt to place scopes on most of my handguns. I have killed almost every game animal in this state with a 41mag S&W 57, some were taken with a scope, some with iron sights. Once i placed a scope on that revolver (and learned how to use it) i never looked back. My accuracy was much improved for shooting offhand or from the bench. If you are going to scope handguns, you will have to practice with it just as much as iron sights, imho.

It all depends for me. I carry an open sighted "packing pistol" most of the time when in the field. This rides on my hip. I use it for tracking/stalking in the thick woods during Deer/Bear season or for woods loafing when big game season is over and varmits/small game are my quarry. When I'm stand hunting I use either a scoped revolver or T/C Contender. Same for long range varmit hunting. Generally I have more time to set up my shot and take an adequate rest in these scenarios. Let the conditions and what you are comfortable with dictate your mode of sighting equipment...RW

I have killed deer, rabbits, hawgs, and coyote with handguns, all open sight. Even so, I really don't consider myself a "handgun hunter". Except for a few times deer hunting, I rarely go "hunting" with a handgun. Usually my handgun kills are targets of opportunity, taken from a tractor seat or when just piddling around on the farm. Scoped handguns or "specialty pistols" resemble what I think of as a real handgun about as much as the "stock cars" on the NASCAR circuit resemble the family sedan. I guess to me a handgun is a utility piece, and when you put a scope on it, it loses its utility.

I pistol hunted open-sights for the first thirty years, then scoped for the last ten. It boils down to HOW I'm going to hunt. I found myself hunting from a blind or stand, more than carrying/stalking these days.

I prefer a scope if I'm letting the game come to me. If I'm going after it, I prefer to carry a pistol without the bulk of a scope.

Getting older, I find the scope helps put everything in one plane quicker. I'm not interested in magnification though. I just put a 2X on it and I'm good to go.

Short range, which is how I use my SRH, so I use iron sights. I want it out of the holster and on target quickly. With it set up like that I can stand on my hind legs and keep a group of about 4 1/2 inches at 50 yards. Took a 3 point with one shot at 30 yards two years ago like that. Anything farther then that chances are I will have a little more time like I have in the past and use my scoped Encore. Slim

OLD EYES mean no scope no shoot, if I didn't scope my handguns I'd have to stay home. That won't happen. I can still drag myself out there sometimes it takes two canes and a long time, sometimes even canes can't do it so I use the ATV, but so long as I can, someway or other, I'll be out there with my scoped handguns.
Sometims I feel that some posters here have tunnel vision when they post their responses. They can only see things through their young eyes. They seem to have no place in there field of view for anyone who isn't 100%. To say if you aren't using open sights you are cheating discounts all the HUNTERS who put themselves through untold crap just to get out there. I try to hunt away from home 2 or 3 times a season. I am always very up front, with those that I wish to hire, about my limitations and what they will have to do to accomadate me. Many don't want me there. Now I have a pundit telling me that I cheat because I use a scope.

These days I pack a handgun because I don't want to bother with a rifle, or I want a back up when I'm bird hunting during the big game season. Or sometimes it fun to chase grouse or squirrels with one.
Therefore I like my guns compact with 4-5 inch barrels and iron sights.
If I were to seriously hunt with one, you bet I'd scope it. No matter what it was. Either a scope or a dot sight. Makes the alginment problem of the front and rear sights a snap. E

Interesting to hear everybody's preference and reason for going scoped or open. Personally I have been hunting with an open sighted revolver for about 10 years now. I take no issue with those who choose to scope their gun, each to his own. When the time comes that my eyes begin to fade I to will shoot with a scope. Whatever it takes to to stay in the game.

5shot

I've never used a scope. Mostly for economic reasons. I would like to accurize and scope my CZ-52 for rabbits, squirrels, etc.. I never had troubles taking bunnies up to 30 yards or so, regardless of light. However, I have relatively young eyes.