How accurate are you fellas' with open sights?

Grimace: I used to shoot peep sights also. I loved to shoot NM course of fire, and 1000 yd service rifle catagory. Not bad at it either. But, as I aged, that front sight got harder and harder to focus. Until finally, I can't see it at all, even with the little lens in my NM hooded rear sight. If I could, I would. But I can't, so I don't. I miss it real bad. Hope you don't have to join our ranks in your near future. Keep up the good shooting for us old guy's. And remember, we have been there.

If you are talking open sights, you are talking Wimbeldon Cup & Palma, there is more 1,000 yard stuff, but I'm most aware of the Palma. These folks can flat shoot those Palma rifles. Their course of fire is 800, 900, and 1,000 yards. They are limited to .308 for a chambering and are required to use 155 grain Sierra or similar ogive bullets (although I recall reading somewhere that they could transition to 175 grains . . . ). The X ring is the same as for the NRA Any/Any or F-Class (who can use a scope and rest) - 10 Inches, and the 10 ring is 20 inches (2 MOA). Not bad for open sights at 1,000 yards.

My USMC M16A1 (back in the old days); could barely find 1 MOA, especailly shooting the standard 55 grain ball ammo. Windy day you were toast, especially at the 500 yard line.

I have read many of times that in order to administer complete traning for any given marksman or sniper one must start by mastering iron sights. I have read that it is a very good base to build on because it teaches you lessons not as easily learned with a scope.

Grimace:

If you are thinking about going to a scoped rifle, you would probably be very happy with your results. As far as getting another M1A or not, that would be totaly up to you in the long run. But, if you have not tried a top of the line bolt gun at long range, I would suggest that you do. I think you will be very happy with the results. You have a really good foundation to start with. Why not take it as far as you can? :wink:

Grimace:

If you are thinking about going to a scoped rifle, you would probably be very happy with your results. As far as getting another M1A or not, that would be totaly up to you in the long run. But, if you have not tried a top of the line bolt gun at long range, I would suggest that you do. I think you will be very happy with the results. You have a really good foundation to start with. Why not take it as far as you can? :wink:

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I would rather have a bottle in front of me, then a frontal lobotmy! :shock:

well with my M4 Carbine i shoot about as accurately scoped as unscoped (around 3/4 moa) i have more accurate rifles that scoped i can put 10 shots into well below 1/2" @ 100y, i dont think i can do that with iron sights but i have never tried with the same rifle however i can honeslty say that that would be an unrealistic expectation for me to consistnatly hold 10 shot groups like that

DR308 said:

Grimace:

If you are thinking about going to a scoped rifle, you would probably be very happy with your results. As far as getting another M1A or not, that would be totaly up to you in the long run. But, if you have not tried a top of the line bolt gun at long range, I would suggest that you do. I think you will be very happy with the results. You have a really good foundation to start with. Why not take it as far as you can? :wink:

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as i am neither a sniper, hunter nor 1000 yard shooter, i have no need for anything too extravagent. to be quite honest, my rifle was more of a toy than tool that i used at the range to entertain me. i am always a rifleman waiting for the call, but in the meantime, i am casual shooter.

scoped rifles are fun but i enjoy peep sights too much. i also enjoy printing better groups that some of the fellas' at the range that are running $2000 rifles with $1000 scopes. i was happy with my M-14, chambered in good old .308 and i think i shall purchase another.

i am very happy with the groups i shot and could ask for nothing more...to be honest, im happy with 1" groups and the rest is gravy

this was more of a base line question to see where abouts i stood in relation to some of the more experienced shooters on this forum, accuracy wise.

the lure of longer ranges is a strong one but around here, its near impossible to find anything over 100 yards.


thanks

Grimace: So be it-----Let me suggest that when you decide to get another M1A, Why don't you build it yourself. The satisfaction you get will be something else.

Ive never really shot rifles without scopes but I can shoot a shotgun at good efficiency at up to 150yds.

.....

a shotgun at 150 yards lol

SilentHunter said:

Ive never really shot rifles without scopes but I can shoot a shotgun at good efficiency at up to 150yds.

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You've got to be pretty damned good then.

I've hit a quarter at 50 yards, and can do so pretty well (22LR). I've hit a quarter ONCE, with about 10 shots fired, at about 100 yards. I knew where to aim is about all I could say LOL.

But open sights is fun, I'm into archery so I use them constantly. Also with my 20 guage I can put 10 #3 Buckshot in a 6" circle at 70 yards.

The only rifle I have is an old model 52-.22LR Winchester that's been in my family for a while. I used to shoot it competitively for a bit back when i was about 12, and recently got it back from my parents and took it out to the range. I was trying to get used to the sight picture and sight the rifle in and managed to shoot a 11/16" group with 3 shots at 50 yards.

I don't know how this compares over all, but with a 0.22LR with open sights at 50 yards, I'm fairly happy, considering I haven't been to a range in at least 7 years.

I emailed Mel a while back asking about the rifle and what the maximum range for accurate shooting was and I was told 50 yards. I'd love to get shooting at longer distances, but I don't really have any ideas and a very limited budget at the moment. Any thoughts?

depends on what you define a tight budget
a bolt action .223 could run ya under $500, good prices on full metal
jacket budegt ammo for $3.50-4 per pack on www.cheaperthandirt.com
then you mgiht need scope other stuff though
and .223 is not a long range caliber but it can go medium distances, 600m in a good gun, .308 will go furhter if ya want it and shoot at longer ranges w/ mroe accuray Savage, Remington other comapnies seem to be pritty popular and are known for 1/2 moa out of the box but 1 moa being more common
there are other centerfire calibers inbetween
shooting is an expensive hobby

Thanks for the info Jeff. I had been pricing some firearms using Mel's suggested setup of a Remington 700 with a Leupold vari-x II 3-9x40. I'd figured I could get something of that setup for a touch under $1000, but had been debating what caliber to get as well as how economical the entire project would be.

I need to be realistic that by large, this set up will only be used for punching holes in paper.

well... a good rifle for under $1000 including scope is reachable
im going to be getting a Rem 700P in .308 should get for about $700, $200 for a VX-I, and mounts... all i can say is that your $1000 investement... dont neglect mounts cause your investment will be worth nothing
Savage rifles are less money, they are also known for out of the box accuracy, shot their law enfrocement model i dont like the Savage cheap plastic stock on it but thier accutrigger wasnt bad.. i think it goes for like $500 so its reasonably priced
i dotn own either yet but ive shot af ew prefer the Rem 700P

caliber wise:
if you can afford a .308 go for it if you want accuracy at longer ranges
yes a .223 can hit a target at 600m but not nearly as well those light bullets drift in the wind yea it will produce the same results in paper at 100-200y but further ranges you will notice a differnce as it will drop less and drift less

i must appologize, i must have been on crack when i wrote the first post.

1 3/4" and 1 3/8" not 3/4 and 3/8"

i am retarded

heh dont worry about it
i know a lot of people who cant hold 2 moa w/ iron sights from a bench for a 3 shot group
all i can say is practice, practice practice some more heh