To scope or not to scope... For the beginner?
- Thread starter Pops1085
- Start date
I've taught several kids to shoot and find that it's easier for them to learn the fundamentals with a red-dot or low-powered scope.
The red dot doesn't add much weight or wiggle to the equation, so kids are more likely to be willing and able to shoot offhand with it. Kids who start shooting very young like to shoot from a rest when using a scope, because of visible wiggle and weight. They can shoot from a rest very well at a very young age, however.
I don't like open sights on any rifle, preferring receiver rear sight and front post for field shooting. It's faster and more accurate in most light than open sights and looking through the aperture, there's only one thing (front sight) to line up with the target. In stressful situations, like shooting deer for the first few times, people tend to look right over an open rear sight, resulting in shooting right over deer.
My grandkids just LOVE to shoot small metallic sihouette targets at various distances at the range. It's instant reward, both visually and audibly. By keeping them painted and showing them hits, I can encourage kill zone shots.
It's funny that some prefer shooting the 10-22, while others like the bolt actions or lever actions. There are enough rifles to go around. After learning how to shoot with scopes, red-dots, and receiver sights, I'm amazed at how well they do with handguns.
The red dot doesn't add much weight or wiggle to the equation, so kids are more likely to be willing and able to shoot offhand with it. Kids who start shooting very young like to shoot from a rest when using a scope, because of visible wiggle and weight. They can shoot from a rest very well at a very young age, however.
I don't like open sights on any rifle, preferring receiver rear sight and front post for field shooting. It's faster and more accurate in most light than open sights and looking through the aperture, there's only one thing (front sight) to line up with the target. In stressful situations, like shooting deer for the first few times, people tend to look right over an open rear sight, resulting in shooting right over deer.
My grandkids just LOVE to shoot small metallic sihouette targets at various distances at the range. It's instant reward, both visually and audibly. By keeping them painted and showing them hits, I can encourage kill zone shots.
It's funny that some prefer shooting the 10-22, while others like the bolt actions or lever actions. There are enough rifles to go around. After learning how to shoot with scopes, red-dots, and receiver sights, I'm amazed at how well they do with handguns.
Hello, I have a follow-up question about a similar situation. I am new to rifles, and about a month ago I bought my first 22lr that came with a scope. I planned on spending the first few weeks shooting just with the iron sights then mounting the scope once I felt I had gotten the fundamentals down. Unfortunately, I didn't realize until after buying the gun that it does not have sights. So, I mounted the scope and have been learning with that.
For those that recommended learning with iron sights, do you think it is so important that I should exchange the rifle or have iron sights installed? Or should I just continue with the scope? My hopes are to eventually hunt small game, so I think I'll need to learn how to use a scope in the future. Thoughts?
For those that recommended learning with iron sights, do you think it is so important that I should exchange the rifle or have iron sights installed? Or should I just continue with the scope? My hopes are to eventually hunt small game, so I think I'll need to learn how to use a scope in the future. Thoughts?
Why learn to use iron sights?
Knoledge is a good thing.
If somebody hands you a rifle without a scope, can you make hits with it?
It's good to have a plan B.
If you look through your scope on a hunt, and the cross hairs don't cross .... or you can't keep it zeroed ..... what then?
Knoledge is a good thing.
If somebody hands you a rifle without a scope, can you make hits with it?
It's good to have a plan B.
If you look through your scope on a hunt, and the cross hairs don't cross .... or you can't keep it zeroed ..... what then?
Kac624
No keep the rifle and have fun . Do you shoot pistols and or hand guns ? The point of learning with irons is to understand how to use them and get a proper sight picture . If you shoot hand guns although not the same they are the same idea . If you know how to line up pistol sights . You can probable pick up a rifle with iron sights and hit the target . If you have never shot a firearm before you should learn to use iron sights cus
No keep the rifle and have fun . Do you shoot pistols and or hand guns ? The point of learning with irons is to understand how to use them and get a proper sight picture . If you shoot hand guns although not the same they are the same idea . If you know how to line up pistol sights . You can probable pick up a rifle with iron sights and hit the target . If you have never shot a firearm before you should learn to use iron sights cus
L_Killkenny
New member
Iron sights are a pretty crappy Plan B. Judging by the lack of factory iron sights I'm not the only one thinkin that way.
Iron sights as Plan B is nothing new.
My grandfather's Savage 99 deer rifle has a scope mount designed with hinges so that you can fold the scope over out of the way and use the flip-up Marble's peep sight instead. Probably an idea from a time when scopes weren't very reliable.
(Makes cleaning the lever action rifle a bit easier too
My grandfather's Savage 99 deer rifle has a scope mount designed with hinges so that you can fold the scope over out of the way and use the flip-up Marble's peep sight instead. Probably an idea from a time when scopes weren't very reliable.
(Makes cleaning the lever action rifle a bit easier too