Did anyone happen to read the article in the February issue of AMERICAN RIFLEMAN with respect to Finn Aagaard's Model 70 .375? He mounted a 2.5 power Weaver on his rifle. He wrote that "I believe you should have scopes on all your African rifles, even the "heavies"...There is nothing that iron sights will do, including charges, that a low-power scope won't do as well or better."

I thought that was pretty interesting.

Dave

Finn needs to modify this a bit.....

quote:

He wrote that "I believe you should have scopes on all your African rifles, even the "heavies"...There is nothing that iron sights will do, including charges, that a low-power scope won't do as well or better."

it should have said

"I believe you I should have scopes on all your MY African rifles, even the "heavies"...There is nothing that iron sights will do, including charges, that a low-power scope won't do as well or better."

there.....let him speak for himself!

So who would someone recommend to put a new Tasco scope on my H&H Royal Grade 577 3"? I figure a good set of Weaver mounts will really set it off.......

quote:

Originally posted by congomike:
So who would someone recommend to put a new Tasco scope on my H&H Royal Grade 577 3"? I figure a good set of Weaver mounts will really set it off.......

Two words......hose clamps.....

I believe Fin's comments came about from a "practical marksmanship" test he put his clients through whilst engaged as a Safari operator/guide. Against the stopwatch, clients shot faster and more accurately with scoped rifles cf open sighted. I'm unsure if his results were ever published before his death, but I do not believe the WR 458WinMag he used as back-up was scoped either.
I think there is a difference between a client's rifle and the PHs back-up rifle ... and that maybe clients do a better job with scopes than open sights, hence the comments.
Cheers...
Con

I read it too. Con - I think you've nailed it.

For me, I grew up shooting scoped rifles. I'm quicker and more accurate snap shooting with a scope. The only time I think I would be better off with iron sights (ghost ring is my choice) is hunting something so damn big and close I can't determine what I am looking at through the scope.

I grew up with shooting scoped rifles too. For 20 years I hunted with nothing but, and I couldn't imagine a modern guy actually using irons to hunt with. Once I finally tried them, to say that I was shocked at how well a really good set of express sights worked would be an understatement. I'm quicker and more accurate snap shooting with express sights and have hunted for years with them now. I find the idea of sorting out a dangerous animal on the move in even moderate cover with a scope more frightening than the prospect of the charge itself. I've had the experience of trying to find a large animal moving through heavy cover at close range in a low-power scope with the pressure on, and don't care to repeat it.
------------------------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

IMHO, based on my somewhat limited experience, Finn is absolutely correct about the relative speed of a scope-sighted rifle. And in Finn's case, as others have noted, it was more than just a theory: He proved his point empirically by running a series of tests against a stopwatch.

IMHO, the only exception to his rule would be extreme close range encounters, of the kind that can happen when hunting in very heavy brush, where poor visibility is a factor.

Because I have had extreme close range encounters and have hunted in very heavy brush, and I know what that can be like, I use British express-type iron sights for such work.

As an aside, the American Rifleman article includes an excerpt from Finn's notebook, in which he recorded all of the many African game animals he had shot with his .375.

I had to chuckle when I read the entry for "kongarie." I suspect the author had a hard time with Finn's handwriting and misread "kongoni." Either that or perhaps, among his many other accomplishments, Finn discovered a new species.

quote:

Originally posted by congomike:
So who would someone recommend to put a new Tasco scope on my H&H Royal Grade 577 3"? I figure a good set of Weaver mounts will really set it off.......

An H&H Royal grade .577!!! Mikey, you da man

If memory serves me (and it doesn't always) this was an actual test he ran with other professionals and was documented in photos and appeared in one of his articles. I remember reading it and studying the pictures. As I remember it the shooters were all well known and not clients and this was done AFTER he came to the US. I could just as easily be wrong. From what I have read about him he was methodical and accurate about any claims he made.

I am pretty sure this "test" was done after he moved to South Texas. I liked Finn's writing and liked his style as a person. I have a few old Weavers and while "period" and "classic" you can imagine even better results with updated optics. Have shot Service Rifle for years I can tell you that another, quite important variable is sometimes left out of the Irons vs. Scope discussion. The vision of the idividual shooter. It is THE critical piece. gduffey

Dave...alas my H&H is only a dream....guess I let my sarcasm get the best of me.....but you never know, I buy lottery tickets each week...one or two....so maybe someday

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
Because I have had extreme close range encounters and have hunted in very heavy brush, and I know what that can be like, I use British express-type iron sights for such work.

MR,
I think at truely close range, rifle fit begins to take on extra significance .. for those situations where a rifle needs to be pointed like a shotgun .
I'm currently debating with myself British express style OR banded front sight with a peep at the back of the receiver for a 500ASquare build. What are your thoughts?
Cheers...
Con

Con, fit is a given to me. It goes without saying. The rifle needs practically to sight itself when raised to your shoulder.

I have thought a fair bit about using an aperture rear sight on a DGR. I have many rifles with peep sights. I've never done a test, as Finn did, but the British express sights are really very fast for me, plenty fast enough, so I have never felt the need to go with an aperture rear sight on a DGR. I'm also a traditionalist, and to me, a peep sight on a DGR looks funny.

That's not to say that for you or anyone else it might not be the best thing. Jeff Cooper had a peep sight on his Baby .460 G&A DGR and loved it.

BTW, in the only two charges I have ever faced, I used scope sighted rifles. In one case, I shot from the hip at less than ten feet. Needless to say, the scope was not a factor.

In the other case, I shot at less than 20 yards, and I used the scope, set at 2.5 power. My PH, who was using an iron sighted rifle, and I both faced the charge. We raised and fired our rifles together. Our shots were virtually simultaneous, and both hit the target square in the chest.

Rifle Fit ,,, Rifle Fit ,,, Rifle fit..... Since I don,t care for wood stocks , I felt quite at ease getting after the stock on my CZ550 Lott ....I shortened it .... Got rid of the front sling stud,,hogged out the wood in the grip area so my hand wouldn,t cant the rifle ..I,ve got a rather thick lunch hook. Replaced the express sights with the ones from a European 550 sf.mag ,, took a belt sander to the comb and check piece.. I got it close but couldn,t get it just right until I slipped on an extra recoil pad.. the 13 5/8 lop is perfact for that rifle for ME and the way I hold and shoot it .....Off hand with the express sights I am now getting the occasional 4" group @ 100 meters and if the rifle isn,t on target it is a foot placement issue not scrunghing my body here or there...Every thing is comfortably relaxed and in position for the shot .. Being comfortably relaxed but not soft the recoil of full house 458 Lott , which granted isn,t sevear,, Is not at all disconcerting...... Make them Fit..and express sights are as good as peep sights ... I have head shot several deer with express sights over the years at 100 yrds and over. with 458 wins 416 Taylor and 375.... Express sights I found lend themselves to a front sight hood that eliminates a partial shadow on the bead....I think this is the cause for much poor shooting with iron sights.......

Dave
I made the opportunity of spending the last several days with Berit Aagard Pace, Finn's widow. We were at the Hacienda just outside Uvalde Tx, during my shooting event. We used Finn's 458 and 375. I have a training\competition shoot, a charging buffalo in a rail, less than 10 seconds for 3 shoots. Quite a lot of fun. Randy Brooks from Barnes was there, that fellow can handle a rifle. Look for more info in the magazines soon.
Charlie

quote:

Originally posted by Sisk Rifles:
Dave
I made the opportunity of spending the last several days with Berit Aagard Pace, Finn's widow. We were at the Hacienda just outside Uvalde Tx, during my shooting event. We used Finn's 458 and 375. I have a training\competition shoot, a charging buffalo in a rail, less than 10 seconds for 3 shoots. Quite a lot of fun. Randy Brooks from Barnes was there, that fellow can handle a rifle. Look for more info in the magazines soon.
Charlie

Charlie:

I really envy you. I always had the highest regard for Mr. Aagaard. He is greatly missed.

Dave

For the Africa oriented "grown up" Norwegian big game hunters, Finn Aagard will always be our hero.
His roots are from Norway, and just look at the picture in the article where Finn is sitting by the buffalo with that very typical Norwegian knitted sweater.

A big hunter and writer he was and a man who walked the talk!

I recognized Finn at a gunshow about 6 or 7 years ago. I didn't know what to say and did not bother him. I feel really stupid now... I wished I had at least told him I admired his writing.

I held the assumption he was to be buried with his pet .375. It appears if the rifle is still active? Part of me wishes they were both carried to Vahalla in a funeral pyre.

Count me among the man's admirers. What he wrote about may not have been very exciting or Madison Ave but it went to the heart of the matter.

Happy Hunting Mr. Aagaard.