By: Glen Wunderlich Outdoor Columnist Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
A recent survey of rifle owners by HunterSurvey.com concluded that scopes are essential gear. The survey revealed that over 92 percent of rifle owners own at least one scoped rifle and most of them own multiple scoped rifles. The survey also indicated that scopes are also a prominent purchase for many shotgun and handgun owners, as well. While both types of firearms are generally used with open sights, 28.7 percent of shotgunners and 24.5 percent of handgunners say they own at least one scoped model. Count me in.
Open sights may be acceptable for youth, because they are simple and are usually part of a firearm, so there’s no added cost. However, they still have limitations: 1) no magnification, 2) no added light-gathering ability, and 3) limited target acquisition.
The lack of magnification without scopes can be counteracted by using good binoculars, and as a matter of fact, doing so is the safest way to identify and size up game. Viewing through a scope can be dangerous, because looking at objects through a scope also means pointing the barrel in the same direction, which violates rule #1 of gun safety: Don’t point your firearm at anything you don’t intend to shoot. People do it all the time, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Having a shoulder harness for binoculars keeps them at the ready, and at the same time, out of the way. I never go hunting without them.
Additional light gathering is not important if a hunter does his hunting in good light. Examples include varmint hunting for woodchucks or small game hunting. Deer hunters on the other hand, often do their best work in low light and the better the glass, the longer the hunter can remain afield increasing his chances at success. Good glass pays dividends of “prime time” over the life of the hunter. Good scopes have better warranties – many good ones for life – and are transferable to any subsequent owners with absolutely no paperwork. Compare that feature to any other consumer purchase and you will understand the difference between total customer satisfaction and mere weasel words and fine print.
Target acquisition means being able to define the target. Without the advantages of a scope, defining a clear target is only as good as the shooter’s eyesight. But, when longer shots are required, a problematic condition exists with iron sights. Many people make the mistake of sighting in by covering the target with the front sight. Question: If you can’t see the target, how can you hit it? Let’s say, however, that you’ve properly adjusted the iron sights so that your target sits on top of the front sight at 100 yards, which is a fair poke with a non-scoped firearm. Good. That’s how it should be set up for a 100-yard shot.
But, if your target is 150 yards or so, the front sight must be elevated with the bore to be on target which totally blocks a view of the target. Back to that not-being-able-to-see-the-target thing.
All of the above issues point to the problematic nature of iron sights. Sure, many African dangerous-game hunters use iron sights because much of the action is close up and sometimes death-defying. Quick shots don’t allow for adjustments associated with scoped firearms, but there are some phenomenal, high-tech options available that may surprise you. Next week I’ll review some of these and more.
