Author Topic: Nightime hunters-scope or open sights?  (Read 841 times)

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Offline wipartimer

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Nightime hunters-scope or open sights?
« on: October 10, 2003, 05:04:31 PM »
Hi guys. I'm headed for Texas in Feb to see if there are any pigs left. The outfitter says we will be doing some night shooting too. Would iron sights or a scope work better for night shooting with a spotlight? Thanks for your input
Mike



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Offline huntsman

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Nightime hunters-scope or open sights?
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2003, 05:26:08 AM »
A scope will work fine. Iron sights might be a problem unless you have some kind of ambient light shining on your gun, which of course will illuminate you as well. However, hogs are notorious for their bad eyesight, so unless you are having a party with your ambient light, it probably won't effect your hunting.

For the kind of precise shooting you will likely be doing on hogs at night, I would recommend a scope simply because you can be more accurate, especially at longer ranges. Hogs rarely like to pose for a shot, and sometimes angles can be tough (like head-on and quartering away). You won't be disappointed with a good scoped rifle.

As for pigs being left, I wouldn't worry. They are taking over the country and I doubt you will have any trouble with population. Finding them may prove a bit harder, but the night hunting will help.
There is no more humbling experience for man than to be fully immersed in nature's artistry.

Offline markc

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Scope
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2003, 11:58:03 AM »
decent scope with a fair size objective would be best at night.  Tasco World Class 3X9X50 is what we use.
markc
markc

Offline wipartimer

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Nightime hunters-scope or open sights?
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2003, 03:24:26 PM »
Thanks guys, i guess I'd best get busy mounting and zeroing a scope. Huntsman i'll be about an hour south of you around Pearsall area, so i'm glad to hear you say there are plenty o' pigs!
Mike



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Offline HWooldridge

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Nightime hunters-scope or open sights?
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2003, 05:18:32 AM »
I like open sights if the light in on my head to illuminate the front sight.  If the light is controlled by someone else then go with a low magnification scope - no greater than 4x.  Shots may be quick so too much magnification can be a bother.  I second Huntsman - there are way too many pigs around here and Pearsall has their fair share.

Offline Robert

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Best thing would be to do a dry run....
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2003, 08:32:34 AM »
Take both up in the woods or out in your back yard in the dark, shine your light and see the difference between the two. This is just my two cents, but rifle sights stand out pretty good against a lighted beam.  A scope works good too, but iron sights are quick on the target if you can see them.  Just check and see what is more comfortable to you.  Confidence is everything.
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Offline howie1968

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ive used both
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2003, 09:27:08 AM »
Ive used  both open and scoped rifles at night  with  a  scoped rifle  i  have  a  varmit master light  on  mine   it  works  great  has  a  red  lens  also  with  it   i  use  a  flood  light  with  my  open sighted  rifles  and  can  shoot   and  see to about  60  yards   with  a  pretty  good  degree  of  accuracy
Hi  enjoy  hunting  guns    teaching  my  2  daughters  about  hunting  and  boxing