Question for experienced riflemen...

[Scharfschuetzer]

Before deploying to VN, I attended the army's "Quick Kill" course which taught instinct shooting with BB rifles sans sights. Many troops became so good that they could hit coins tossed in the air. Later as a LE officer, I attended an instinct shooting course for pistols and shotguns.

I've used the techniques learned in those courses in both my careers under pretty stressful situations. With that said, I don't think that I would ever sacrifice or remove the sights on any of my weapons, rifle or pistol. You can effectively employ instinct shooting with the sights on the weapon without taking them off, yet still keep your ability to hit at extended ranges with the sights.

As Crow Hunter suggests above, perhaps a red-dot-type sight would be a good compromise for you. The first one that I used was the Occluded Eye Sight (circa 1970) that had a tritium dot in a non-see-through tube on the M16. The current Aimpoint and EOTECH sights that we use now are tremendously good sights and well worth your consideration. Keep in mind though, if it is battery powered, the battery will fail when needed most. "Murphy's Law."

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

I have had a Marlin 45-70 since 1982 with a peep sight on it. I've put a lot of rounds through it, and if you want a close range version - I'd go with the ghost ring setup.

However, I really think you're selling a 12 gage with slugs a bit short. A 12 gage with Brenneke Black Magic slugs would be far better at close range than a 45-70. If you're anticipating the shot being 30 yards and under - the 12 gage with Brenneke slugs. Over that, the 45-70 would probably be better.

I've shot both the 3-inch Brenneke Black Magic and the 2-3/4 inch. The 3-inch is a real handful. I use an FN SLP with a SureCycle recoil system and that is about as soft shooting for an semi-auto outside of the Beretta with the Kick Off system. The 3-inch Brenneke in the SLP kicks as hard as the 45-70 with a 350 grain bullet and 51 grains of 4198 - a maximum load where you have to slightly crunch the powder down as you seat the bullet.

One of the problems with a big caliber gun is follow up shots. If I was looking at a gun for short range and bears, I be looking at the SLP with the SureCycle system and a reliabilty package from SRM performance.

After testing the 3-inch and 2-3/4 inch slugs, I'd probably load both in the gun with the 2-3/4 first and a 3-inch for the second shot as the follow up from shot one would be much faster with that loading sequence.

If anything can get past two rounds of Brenneke slugs - especially the 3-inch - you're in elephant / rhino / hippo territory & need a completely different type of rifle.

 

[WildBill45]

Won't you be sacrificing alot of the utility of the rifle, by removing the sights?

YES, but the purpose of the rifle is protection only, and as such OK!

How about a compromise and add a Red Dot/Holographic Sight like an Aimpoint or an Eotech?

Considered such, but too complicated and delicate for Alaska wilds … Keep it simple! They work in Iraq with backup troops right behind you; in Alaska it will only be me most of the time … No Backup!

Similar instinctive aiming, but you don't sacrifice the longer range potential of the rifle by removing the sights.

Yes you do sacrifice the long range, but again for a dedicated defensive rifle it doesn’t matter.

Have you looked into that option?

Thought about it, and still considering it. All your comments are right on point and good!

 

[WildBill45]

Keep in mind though, if it is battery powered, the battery will fail when needed most. "Murphy's Law."
__________________

That is my concern to the above suggestions. Electronics are dicey as well under stress, which is why I do not like lasers either ... for gun fighting at least!

 

[WildBill45]

The 3-inch Brenneke in the SLP kicks as hard as the 45-70 with a 350 grain bullet and 51 grains of 4198 - a maximum load where you have to slightly crunch the powder down as you seat the bullet.

Good points, and a possibility, but I just don't trust slugs as much ... I think they are TOO FAT to penetrate deeply, and brittle and may breakup on big bones...

I am totally oblivious to recoil, I just am. I used to shoot my .460 Weatherby at tin cans! My .458 Lott feels light, and is also in Alaska for my heavy carry. I am looking at something lighter to carry for light work in areas not too dangerous, but as a 'just in case' gun, and the shotgun with 3-inch Black Magic slugs may be the right choice if I can get over my thoughts on the slugs. In Africa no one uses slugs for anything that I saw, not even small stuff... I like shooting shotguns for fast work, and this is why I am thinking about making a rifle shoot like one!

See photo of me touching off my Lott!

 

[WildBill45]

I have had a Marlin 45-70 since 1982 with a peep sight on it. I've put a lot of rounds through it, and if you want a close range version - I'd go with the ghost ring setup.

I agree, and we are putting a set on the Browning BLR takedown, 450 Marlin!