OK... I have to revisit the iron sights versus scope debate.

I am a STRONG proponent of scopes as I beleive they lead to more humane kills. Some people around my hunting circle have given me a hard time about this, but I will strongly defend my stance.

The nice part is I own most of my hunting land (250 acres in KY and 100 acres in Ohio). My rule is you use a scope unless you can hit an 8-inch pie plate at 75 yards with open sights. Some argue I am less "sporting" or that open sights provide more of a "challenge", etc.

So here is the story...

My father-in-law loves his inexpensive guns, you know the muzzleloaders with fixed iron sights, the unrifled shotgun barrel single shot with crappy adjustable sights, etc.

Anyway he can't hit the broad side of a barn with them. Misses about half the deer he shoots at and doesn't seem to get discouraged. But due to the conflict of interest (father-in-law) I let him avoid my "rule". Anyway I put up a stink this year when he tried to give one of his guns to a buddy of his on my land. I offered him my rifled scope gun, but my father-in-law already had gotten to him and convinced him unscoped, unrifled, never had a chance to shoot was the way to go...

Needless to say he missed his deer at 20 yards. Even worse he was shooting at a spike after I had gone into the whole quality deer management talk with them. My father-in-law said on the last day of the season you take what you can get, freezer meat. I stated that the only "Freezer" meat is a fat doe on my land, everything else should be a trophy.

What is your guys opinion on iron sights versus scopes?

Hey Killer you might want in on this. LOL
Personaly Shooting targets at 100 yards with scope vs Iron sights is a tad different.Ican hold the pattern better with a Scope. But I have with Iron sights kept every shot in a 4" radius of the center bull with no problems at 100yards. It depends on how well you can shoot with one or the other. I know guys out to 200 yards can almost out shoot me with irons sights vs my scope. Eye sight is a major key. If your iron sights are a little fuzzy when closeing one eye to aim get glasses or us a scope.
I shoot a lot of WWII era guns such as 91/30 Mosin Nagant. Lee Enfield. Swiss K31, Mausers, Etc. No scopes. I take them hunting at times. But prefer a scope.
Have no experience with Shotguns w/ Slugs. But my sidelock is pretty accurate at 100 yards. With sabots vs. Roundballs.

I say to each his own. Some people can make great shots with iron sights, and others can't. The same is true with scopes, although I think that low magnification is a real help in the field to the average hunter.

I have a lousy astigmatism, and while I enjoy firing rifles with iron sight out to 100-200 yards, I feel more confident usinga scope out to 250-300, and so that's what I hunt with.

As for using iron sights for a challenge, that's not my game. I hunt toenjoy the outdoors and fill the freezer. It's challenging enough without reducing my shooting range because I can't see far enough for a good shot just after sunrise or before sunset.

What is so challenging about the high percentage of bad hits/misses on a deer?

I for one was always told once that if you can't hit something the size of an apple from 50 yards with open sights you need to learn how before going to a scope.
i've always used peep sights when hunting. I think it is just one way to give the deer a better chance and make my hunt a little more rewarding.

as for scopes i see nothing wrong with them. I use one on my 22. and it shoots just as good as with a peep sight for me...the only advantages i see with a scope is if your hunting the first or last 15 minutes of hunting time. and shots beyond 200 yards.

but i've been told that a peep sight is good out to 300 yards if sighted right. I use one on my 30/30 and i can see till my shooting hours end.

but thats just me....

Its just all in what you feel most comfortable with to me. I have a Marlin 60 with a scope and iron sights as well as my buddy, and I can whip the pants off of him shooting bottles at 75 yards using iron sights, and him with a scope. Put the scope on and he can whip the pants off of me. Dont get me wrong I can shoot well with a scope, but I love my open sights, especially for speed and quick shooting.

It's all about comfort and confidence. Each person has his/her own preferences. As to your conflicts with the father in law...good luck..
maybe next season you could offer a few targets and some practice ammo to your father in laws friend and let him decide for himself which gun he should take. That is, if there is a next time.. good luck just the same.

No matter which you perfer scope, iron sights, or peep sights its all about practice with that certain type of sight.

I try to not have to rely on scopes. Obviously at longer ranges they are beneficial, but I think that using them all the time dulls your shooting skills overall. I do too much hunting where scopes aren't needed/wanted, so I think it helps me stay sharp.

I read this a little different from the others.

First I don't think this is an iron sight vs. scope problem/issue. Both are effective. Both have advantages as well as disadvantages.

Scope advantagesare pretty easy, distance, more light in low light conditions, less technical to shoot for a beginner.

Scope disadvantages are wet conditions, fog, moving targets.

Iron sight advantage vs. disadvantage - simply reverse the above.

The problem here is - your father-in-law doesn't respect you. I am of the opinion that if respect isn't given, it should be demanded. If it still isn't given, don't let him hunt. You’re not a boy. It is your land. I think you'll feel better about it in the long run. Of course no one wants to piss off their wife, but part of being a good and respectable man is to stand up for what you think is right. If you present it properly, you can't loose, but then again, I wish my in-laws hunted just so that I could tell them "no"! Ha...

Sure you may go a few days “not getting any”, but if you give in, I guarantee you, you’ll regret it 5 seconds after you “get some”!

This sounds like one of those dynamic, character-defining moments in your life with them. You will either gain their respect, or continue to be disrespected.

Ask him if he knows the difference between in-laws and out-laws?


Out-laws are wanted!