open sights

[Edgar 1]

Hi all, I bought my Weihrauch HW 57 about a year ago. At the time I couldn't afford a scope. So I used the open sights and after plenty of practice went hunting. This year I have done a lot of hunting and practice and put at least 5000 pellets through the gun. Ive also shot plenty of rabbits rats, crows ect. I restrict my hunting range to about 25-30 yards. These days everyone seems to think you need a scope to go hunting, a lot of hunting rifles don't have open sights. What does everyone think? did you ever hunt with rifles with open sights? or do you now? I realize open sights have disadvantages but why does everyone think you need a scope to go hunting?

[Guest hyperion]

i started out using a bsa super sport with open sights and even though i could have afforded a scope i didnt bother with one for years till i bought my TX200!

cheers

hyperion

[ChrisJones 7,975]

I'd recommend that everyone start with open sights. That is if you're serious about marksmanship. Yes it limits your range but forces you to consider your fieldcraft. I've been shooting for over 20 years and I couldn't afford a scope for the first 10 of them!

 

Too many people want big power and high magnification scopes. It does take the skill out of it but I guess it's what you want from the airgun world. Some people need to control pests and haven't got all the time in the world to learn their field craft. They need instant results.

 

Hounds for grounds I guess...

[hiho 5]

i use to use open sights for ratting and ferrals but when i moved onto rabbits a scope did help me ALOT

[andy s410c 61]

Could'nt afford a set of basic 4x32's for my HW35 as a teenager in the mid-late 's.Nothing wrong with a good set of "irons" but time & tide wait for no man so a scope is 99% the norm now.Still bagged plenty of ferals,rats & the odd rabbit in places you would'nt even think about taking a gun now,how things have changed .Sounding like a right old fart.....

[Fidgety 8]

Had open sights for about 15 years on my BSA mercury - best way to learn in my opinion!

[stealthy1 3,964]

Its what you get used to at the time, you start off with an airpistol then work your way up as a kid, first rifle with open sights, then you get your self some sights, like Chris said, limits your distance, some new guns don't even have open sights anymore.

[whippeter69 88]

Still using open sights now after 6 years, limits my range a bit but i only shoot ferals and rats