Your hunting rifle: scope or no scope?

[90WAG]

Does anyone besides me not have a scope on their main hunting rifle? I shoot a MarkX Mauser in .30-'06 and have it fitted with a Lyman peep. I remove the aperture unless I'm sighting it in. Really for the terrain I usually hunt (dense hardwood timber) I cant even see a hundred yards out, most deer I shoot are 50 yards or less. The only thing I do miss about a scope is the advantage in low light conditions. I was thinking about it today and I don't recall ever having seen a bolt action rifle without a scope. That's even if it came with factory open sights which is getting increasingly rare. I still see the occasional lever action with iron sights but most of them are starting to sport glass as well.

If I were to buy a scope it wold be a low power variable, maybe 1.75-3x or something like that. My philosophy on scopes is open sights are better than a cheap scope. I can't afford a good scope, so I decided to go with open sights!

[southernfriedcj8]

Scope for me.

[SanDiegoCJ]

Scope for me.


Same here. Bushnell® Sharpshooter™, 3-9 x 40 scope on a Remington 710 30.06.

[45acp]

My main rifle is an old Ruger 270 w/ an older 3x9x40 Redfield.

For super thick dense areas i have a 45-70 with a Tasco Pro-Point (no magnification) on it.

[chris408]

No scope, terrain here also only allows 100 yard shots. Spanish Fr8 (.308) is what i have (peep hole sights)

http://www.gunsworld.com/spain/graphs/fr8-1.jpg

[mike]

No scope deep woods, scope open prairie.

[Camarogenius]

Ishapore Enfield .308 with open sights.

[The Joker]

I always take two guns with me just incase. 30.06 with scope, .243 without scope. Although I do plan on putting a scope on the .243 as well.

[Diesel Smoke]

Like most it depends on the area, this year scope for sure.

Remington Model 700 ADL .30-06 with a Leupold VX-II.

For some of the brushier units I can pull the scope off and use the sites, or get another gun.

[basketcasejeep]

I use a short barreled win. '94 in 30-30- no scope. I rarely use a stand- I tend to walk around in the brush looking for them. :D

[smokeeater]

For thick woods, M38 7.62X54R, iron sights

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/M38_small.JPG

For open range, 8mm Turkish Mauser , iron sights (2000 meters :eek: )


http://www.surplusrifle.com/mauserturkish/graphics/full.jpg

[threadkiller]

Some of my rifles have scopes, some of 'em don't. All my centerfire bolt actions have scopes, though. I have a Williams peep sight on my 30-30. Handguns don't have a scope, nor do my bolt action rimfires.

For your purposes, I don't think a scope is necessary. If your stock is cut for use with iron sites, then go with that. Most mausers have stocks cut for iron sites, BTW. If low light conditions are a problem, check into a fiber optic front blade. Williams is one company that makes them.

[tmacie]

I have a Ruger 77 .308 with full stock. Its fitted with a scope and see-thru mounts. I can shoose either or. Most of the shots here at sub 100 but there is that chance it will be further so its fitted with a scope.


Travis

[Phonedoc]

My "modern" rife has a peep sight, the others have buckhorns.

[SmashedS10]

tikka t3 .300WSM w/ burris fullfield II 4.5-14 power

[speedo]

Remington Classic in .375 H&H with a 1.5 x 5 Leupold and a Remington Classic in .300 Wby. with a Pentax 3 x 9. I hunt primarily at or above tree line and I do most of my hunting with the .300, the .375 is what I use when going after bear. I find the 1.5 x 5 scope allows quick target acquisition with the scope set on 1.5, which is nice when going after a wounded griz in thick brush.

Gus

[mgoodman]

Scope on most for elk here in CO, no scope on muzzleloader (not allowed to hunt with in CO)
usually a Leopold 3x9 or a 4x12 depending....

handgun, no scope...but on my .44, scoped for the moment.

[90WAG]

Remington Classic in .375 H&H with a 1.5 x 5 Leupold and a Remington Classic in .300 Wby. with a Pentax 3 x 9. I hunt primarily at or above tree line and I do most of my hunting with the .300, the .375 is what I use when going after bear. I find the 1.5 x 5 scope allows quick target acquisition with the scope set on 1.5, which is nice when going after a wounded griz in thick brush.

Gus

Are you married? If not, are you in need of a "special" partner?:D

[imwiththebann'd]

Scope on the savage 111 30.06, and open sights on the Mosin m38 though it was slated to be scout mounted with a low magnification scope, and the recoil cracked the scope...


It all depends on range and condition of what im shooting in

[fullygruntled]

My S&W 629 wouldn't fit in the holster with a scope :D . Still good out to ~200yds.

Alternate deer gun is a Remington 870 police gun, loaded with slugs. Scoping it would be silly.

Alternate-alternate (last resort) deer gun is a sporterized 7x57 Mauser 96. It has a 3-9x Bushnell scope, but the barrel is so shot out that the crosshairs only give you a rough idea of where the bullet will land.

[SilverZuk]

I hunted with scopes for years.
If I am serious about bringing home a deer under tough conditions or hunting a specific individual deer, I will take the scoped rifle.

This year I plan on using my super blackhawk 44 mag pistol w/ open sites. I have been practicing quite a bit (40-50 rounds a week). In the past seasons I have hunted and taken deer with a 45-70 lever gun, open sites, 300 gr lead bullet, an SKS open sites, scoped rifles, hawken style muzzle loader.

Taking one with a pistol is my next goal.

[fullygruntled]

This year I plan on using my super blackhawk 44 mag pistol w/ open sites. I have been practicing quite a bit (40-50 rounds a week). In the past seasons I have hunted and taken deer with a 45-70 lever gun, open sites, 300 gr lead bullet, an SKS open sites, scoped rifles, hawken style muzzle loader.

Taking one with a pistol is my next goal.

Your penis will grow by a factor of 1.4

I did it twice so far. This year, I hope to make it up to 6" :D

[featherflicker]

If I want to shoot deer a scoped 7mag.
If I want to "hunt" deer a long bow.

If youre not going to have any shots over 100 yards a scope is kind of pointless IMHO..

[Dieselmh]

I have a Ruger 77 .308 with full stock. Its fitted with a scope and see-thru mounts. I can shoose either or. Most of the shots here at sub 100 but there is that chance it will be further so its fitted with a scope.


Travis

Same here, my 30-06 has the see through mounts, so I can use the scope, or the open sights. Our deer lease had short shots of around 75 yards or so, so I'd use the scope for checking out the deer, then open sights for actually shooting. Came in real handy.

[DavidVanVorous]

I have only one scope (Redfield 4X widefield) and its on a .222. The scope is unique because I did the coating(s) on the glass in it when I worked for Redfield one summer back in '75.

Dont have scopes on anything else because I do open sight competition stuff.

D.

[mgoodman]

My S&W 629 wouldn't fit in the holster with a scope :D . Still good out to ~200yds.

I have the S&W 629 w/ an 8 3/8" barrel... with a scope it fits in the holster, big holster hangs in front of the chest, but tempted to remove the scope now.

[MudzerK5]

Model 100 Winchester .243 with Leupold Vari-X II 3x9 variable.

My BIL and his Bro (I hunt with them on their land) Both have identical guns with exception of one being a Vari-X III with 50mm objective. We like'em. :D

[Haz-matt]

I don't have a scope on my custom .30-06......because I took the scope off and put it on a different rifle.

I think it's all about where you hunt like people have been saying. I like a scope that's based on the game, just like the rifle. My deer rifle has a 4x12 tasco tactical on it while my elk rifle has a 4x16 cat eye on it. Shortest shot I've thrown at an elk in he last couple years was 194 yards across the unit I was in. Where as deer it was 20 yards. I think I'm going to have to get another deer rifle and put one of those red dots on it for that closer in stuff. I could have been on 2 that day if I had been able to get the rifle on them a little quicker.

[fullygruntled]

I have the S&W 629 w/ an 8 3/8" barrel... with a scope it fits in the holster, big holster hangs in front of the chest, but tempted to remove the scope now.

In my experience, whatever accuracy is gained on a handgun by scoping it is lost because the topheaviness of it makes it a bitch to aim.

Just my experience, though.

[Gummi Bear]

I don't have a scope on either one of my hunting rifles.

My good ole .35 will never get a scope, it's pretty worthless over 100 yards but it's got some kickass knockdown power.

I'll probably put one on my Eddystone though. My eyeballs just aren't as good as they used to be.:(

This is the one I want: Here (http://www.riflescopes.com/products/LEU56060/leupold_4.5-14x50_mark_4_lr_t_30mm_riflescope.htm)

[YotaRedneckGirl]

I use a short barreled win. '94 in 30-30- no scope. I rarely use a stand- I tend to walk around in the brush looking for them. :D


x2. If I'm hunting in a heavily wooded/underbrushed area then I carry my 94' 30-30 with open sights.

If I'm hunting clear cuts or open-range then I'll take my .30-.06 with scope.

[TheRedHorseman]

.454 casull raging bull-irons
30-06 has a 3-9x40
my SKS and AK are irons but that's for brushland javelina hunting.
my .22 rabbit slayer has a 4x scope on it

all depends on the game and the terrain

[Otto Man]

You buncha fuckin pussies...

Maybe one day I'll let you guys use my tools for the trade...

http://www.pufferbellytoys.com/images/Products/1782.jpg

[TheRedHorseman]

You buncha fuckin pussies...

Maybe one day I'll let you guys use my tools for the trade...

http://www.pufferbellytoys.com/images/Products/1782.jpg

no dragons in Arizona, duh :shaking:

[lenny1carl]

all of my rifles are scoped. shotguns as well. every one also has see through mounts so i can use the iron sights. 336, 7400, glenfield 25, 8mm mauser, deerslayer-12ga, 1100. i get to sight them in several times a year. no more fun than shooting 'em

[whistle pig]

I have a leupold VXIII 6.5x20x50 on my remington sendero. Scopes all the way for me :D


On the pistol note, I killed my first buck with a dan wesson .357 and it was a great experience. I killed a few with a ruger super redhawk but sold it and it is mostly bow hunting for me now.

[TEX]

3X9 Redfield Tracker - same as what I had on my last rifle.

[DMG]

If I am hunting fields its a Weatherby Vanguard with a Burris Fullfield II
In the woods, a Remington 7600 open sights or Ruger Super Blackhawk open sights
In Allegheny county Rem 870 special purpose open sights

[GETTINTHERETOY]

Leupold Rifleman 4-12x40m on my model 700 30.06

[90WAG]

Thanks for replying, it's interesting seeing what other people find effective. In my area I tend to see hunters who are overscoped and overgunned (IMHO). I agree with most of you, pick your sights to suit the situation.


I would like to pick up a lever action at some point, if I did that it would wear ghost ring aperture and I would add a 1.5-? to the '06. I think that would be a pretty good setup.

[enhuff]

Remington 30-06 with bushnell scope

[bigric]

Burris Fullfield II 3x9 on a Remington 700 Mountain. $30 Bushnell 3x9 on the wife's 10/22.