Author Topic: A question of sights (Read 563 times)

JPH45 · « **on:** November 20, 2004, 06:44:38 PM »

I'm now 45 and can't see as I did when younger and don't like talking about it either, but vanity will not solve this. I hunt thick woods, 40 yards is a long shot. Usually I can't see more than 30 yards in any direction and sometimes that is cut to 15 yards and less. I have scopes on my rifles, 4x and one variable, because I don't trust my eyes anymore. I had a shot at a doe 2 years ago but didn't take it, it was late in the day and there was not enough light to let me take the shot with irons. I swore then that I would scope everything I was shooting. I find a scope pretty quick to use, but I am also leary of the time when I will not be able to find my deer in the scope because the range is so short and the bush so thick.

Much as I hate to admit it, I need glasses. Not because my vision is so blurred I can't see a deer, but because I can't change my focus quickly anymore. This is another advantage of a scope, its magnification along with the sight being on the same focal plane as the target "forgives" my failing ability to rapidly change focus.

What to do? Is a red dot really an answer when I need the added magnification aid in target clarity? I've also been looking at those holograpic sights, but I think they will have the same shortcoming, no magnification. I've shot a frieds AR-15 a bit, and while I find the apeture sight quick enough but it leaves the target blurred enough that precision shooting is a joke. Best I can shoot it at 50 yards is nearly 3". Whats a fella to do?

Sign me "Going blind in 'Bama"

tallyho · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2004, 07:16:31 PM »

JPH I have the problem too... at least it sounds similar. I wear glasses to see distance (even 50-100 yds) and deer. I have been using low power (less than 4x) scopes for a number of years. One of my faves was 1.5-4.5 Weaver that I had on a Ruger #3 45-70. When hunting I kept it at 1.5x all the time.

Unfortunately I got kind of cocky one day and decided to try some 'hot' handloads someone had given me and after about six shots the scope went all wonky from the recoil (not to mention my shoulder). I now have a 2.75 Bushnell Scopechief that was on the Ruger (sold it) and will probably put it on my NEF 30/30 or whatever turns out to be my hunting gun next year.

I use a red dot on one of my plinking air rifles, but I don't think I'd be comfortable hunting with one, either that or I'm just an old curmudgeon and won't use such a thing on a hunting gun.

If you use low power scopes, there really shouldn't be a problem being able "to find (the) deer in the scope because the range is so short and the bush so thick." The lower the power the less chance of that happening.

And by the way, I can see just dandy with an aperture sight on my lever guns. I take the removable aperture out and use the larger hole as kind of a "ghost ring" - and that may be an option (or not) for you.

Cheers
Kerry

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2004, 07:18:28 PM »

I believe a good low powered variable would be the answer. A 2-7x Leupold or maybe one of the Bushnell 3200 fireflys would do fine. Or even a fixed low power. They have a good field of view and are bright enough to shoot on their low settings in any legal light. I've hunted the last 20+ years with a 2-7x leupold compact on my BLR in much the same kind of stuff you describe, and at 57yrs old now, it works great for me and I have worn glasses since I was 10yrs old. My huntin partner of over 30yrs who is over 60 has much the same issues as you and these options are exactly what works for him, too.

https://secure.theopticzone.com/webstore/ProductDetails1.asp?ProductID=228&VisID=22737
https://secure.theopticzone.com/webstore/ProductDetails1.asp?ProductID=498&VisID=22737
https://secure.theopticzone.com/webstore/ProductDetails1.asp?ProductID=279&VisID=

De41mag · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2004, 07:40:59 PM »

JPH;

Welcome to midlife. If you haven't wore glasses up till now consider yourself very fortuniate. I've been wearing glasses for 20 years now. It's not as bad as you think. Once you get them you wont believe what you can see and what you have been missing.
My presciption has only changed once in the 20 years that I've been wearing them.
But as I get older, I find that with my glasses, shooting iron sights is what I enjoy more and more. Several years ago I was using a T/C Contender in 41mag with a 2X scope. Missed two bucks with that pistol. I swore I would never use a scope on a handgun again. Well two years ago, on opening morning I had a 657, 41mag. w/ a 7-1/2" barrel. I seen this buck about 80yds. away. I said to my self that it was to far, let him pass. Well as luck would have it, this buck (4pt.) came within 30 yds. and I shot him. That was the shot of my life, even though he did not have a big rack, I felt that I had done what I always wanted, Take one with a handgun.
Shooting the Marlin 1894 in 41 is also a pleasure. No scope on that rifle, ruins the feel and balance of it. Heck.. I even spent $81.00 on scope rings and bases for it, just to take them right off after one day at the range.
And just the other night my father came over and wanted to trade his Ruger Mod. 77 MKII in 7mm-08 for that Marlin. It even had a Sightron 2.5X8X42 scope on it that I bought him for fathers day last year.
Yes, I traded my favorite rifle to my dad for a rifle I don't have much use for. But, after all, as long as he is happy, and I'm thankful that he can still get around very well for a man 74 years old.
Get those glasses, JPH, there is a whole different world out there. :shock:

Dennis

Mac11700 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2004, 08:48:38 PM »

JPH...

I absolutly love my Leupold VX1 2x7x33 on my Marlin 1895GS...it does add a bit of bulk to a fine weapon...but it makes it much more easy to see at first/last light and at distances my poor eyesite can see at those times...while I'm not wearing glasses yet...at those times I should...and did used to wear them...but since going with the scopes on my rifles I can get away without them...I had a Leupold Vari X 2 3x9x40 on it...but traded it back in on this one...and couldn't be more pleased with it...they do make a-lot of good low power fixed and variables...but the non-critical eye relief lets me see with what ever jackets or coats or shirt sleeves I have on and the outstanding warrenty on them sold me on them a while ago...give them a look...I'm sure you'll SEE" what I mean :wink: this is one scope that won't go south on ya...and will hold up to what ever loads your shooting thru it......

Mac

lik2hunt · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2004, 12:11:31 AM »

Might give this one some consideration. I'll be ordering one Monday. Have been wearing glasses for almost ten years now and scope everything, have found a low power variable to be best for the brush and shorter range shot opportunities. This is a fine scope with a good reputation but if you choose not to go with it or one of their other offerings, then go with the Leupold VX-1.

http://www.eabco.com/Swift658.html

Donaldo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2004, 01:03:23 PM »

I would think that hunting and shooting in close timber, late or early the low power scopes with the lighted reticle would be about perfect. I think Mueller has one and the firefly reticle sounds good. I have not personally looked thru any of these but it seems like it might solve the problem.

thecowboyace · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2004, 03:46:34 PM »

Glasses: Midlife, 20yrs wearing them. I am 55 years 9 hours about 25 minutes old now and I have been wearing glasses for almost 52 of thems years. Now on trifocals. Wait till you get them. They are as handi(sp) as a HandiRifle. I would not go back to bifocals. Been wearing tri's for about 15 years now. It took a day or two to get used to them but I would not get rid of them. Broke glasses two weeks last Friday ago. Blinder than a drunk bat. Had some old glasses but they just got me around and that is all. I am going to have another pair made for backup. And from now on every year I will update one pair of those glasses. Just 5 years since my last exam. The old pair of glasses, lenses were 9 years old so you can imagine how they helped. But they did help some though.

Be careful of your vision laddies. Wear safety glasses you hunt. And earplugs. Need them almost as bad 65% in one in and 71% in the other. Shooting toooo long without earplugs. Teenager up until late 70's when I took up trap/skeet shooting.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2004, 03:57:45 PM »

, Happy birthday cowboyace!!! And your right abut protecting your vision and your hearing, especially when your young and foolish and don't think you need to, we have all been there....<><.... :grin:

Fred M · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2004, 04:53:01 PM »

Leupold M8 Compact
2.5x20 Heavy Duplex or the German cross beams and piucket post.

This retical is optional by Leupold designed for just kind of shooting you do.