RE: iron sights
One of my favorite guns for hunting deer is my sks (7.62x39). It has ugly combat sights. But with practice you can get really good with it. And it is cheap to shoot, so practicing isn't a problem. I haven't yet, but I would shoot one past 100 yards with it. Most shots are a lot closer though.
I like the iron sights. Gives you a sense of reality. A scope seems like you're watching on tv to me.