Receiver sights allowed/recommended?

[45-70guy]

Very new here guys, and have found a ton of info in the search bar. I’m seeing more and more info regarding optics and irons mostly for a backup option.
Kevin Robertson in his book says he really only recommends irons for elephants and the rest is always some type of optic. Obviously giving a better sight picture and low light abilities.
My question is, how to PH’s feel about running solely irons and getting closer to game? Would they not allow that? I’m sure they would recommend optics like most others and it being the norm these days. I have run both peep sights and scopes, variables and fixed power for a long time but for say 150 yards and in with normal conditions the peeps have been my go to for many years.
Simpler, lighter, and more satisfying of a hunt.

 

[IvW]

Ghost ring setup is the best open sight....

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Hi 45, are you talking a bolt gun or a double?

 

[45-70guy]

Bolt gun and lever guns mostly. Those are my majority of use, a double is out of my league I think for now.
I have my receiver sights setup at ghost rings when hunting.
Here in the states we also are not being guided by someone who may have expectations and are not surrounded by animals that aim to fight.

 

[Luvthunt]

I have always preferred receiver sights for under 100 yd hunting. A couple of Lyman 57s filled the bill.Always found for quick shooting that I did better with the ghost ring then open sights.
As I have gotten older scopes are a help as to definition.
When I went through military training we used receiver sights on Garands out to 500 yds on the range. Most folks did ok.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Have you considered a red dot, 1moa?

 

[45-70guy]

How to PH’s feel about clients who prefer to use ghost rings?
I have used red dots in the past and see their advantages, but for now trying to stick with either my irons if allowed and up close, or a low magnifying scope to gain a slight edge on low light/ more precise shot placement after a day of hoofing.
For now I practice mostly standing free hand and sitting. I try not to use the bench unless I am sighting in a new load/sighting system.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

If you shoot well with open sights or a ghost ring I am sure no PH will mind. Remember all safaris begin at the bush range and aim to put four shots in to convince yourself and them.

 

[AZDAVE]

I also prefer irons/peep/ghost rings on some rifles. Most PH's I have worked with don't have a problem with hunting that way. However you should speak with them you PH when setting up your hunt so that they have an idea of what and where to hunt. You also have to be disciplined enough to walk away from shot's you are not a %100 percent sure of. Your expectations also need to be inline with the reality of not taking a shot at say 175-200 that would be a simple shot with a scoped rifle.

 

[45-70guy]

Good to hear thank you, most of my life has been hunting in the thick bush with majority of shots in the 50yd range.
I have had to walk away from many animals due to the fact the irons do not give as clear or as precise of a shot, though I think that’s more of the attraction to them for myself.

 

[Red Leg]

Good to hear thank you, most of my life has been hunting in the thick bush with majority of shots in the 50yd range.
I have had to walk away from many animals due to the fact the irons do not give as clear or as precise of a shot, though I think that’s more of the attraction to them for myself.

I am with Kevin with regard to this question. I spent a career in the military before we went electronic, and fully appreciate the capabilities and limitations of peep sights used by someone experienced with them. There are two other things that I would suggest you should add to your consideration process.

Firstly, your hunt will be relatively short - likely seven to ten days. You will have a prioritized list of game animals and a limited number of opportunities. Kudu, for instance, or notorious skulkers in the thick stuff. After four days, you finally have a 55" bull standing with another young one at seventy yards with a tiny shot window or two offering patches of gray, bits of horn, and lots of dark shadow. With a scoped 30-06, sorting out what is what and where to aim is pretty simple. With open sights it may well be almost impossible. Walk away to likely never see another or risk a shot?

Which brings us to the second consideration. In Africa, a drop of blood equals a trophy fee. Take that risky shot either due to frustration or perceived pressure, and it could easily become a very expensive lesson in the limitations of open sights.

It is easy to say, that one would never attempt such a shot. "I would just walk away." It has been my experience that can be hard to do on a hunt that represents a lifetime of dreaming and typically years of saving.

For a first hunt in Africa, I would strongly suggest an accurate scoped rifle. It will give you a far larger opportunity window than the peep sight. More importantly, that hunt will inform you in a way that books, websites and videos can not with respect to the utility of a peep sight in a modern PG scenario. With that knowledge, you can thing make your own decision about what to use on that second safari. And because you have already populated the trophy room with a representative group, walking away becomes much, much easier.

 

[45-70guy]

Thank you for that insight, great concept to think about where time is limited to only maybe getting one chance at an animal.

 

[Nyati]

Fully agree with Red Leg.

Besides, it´s your hunt, and your responsability when you pull the trigger, so hunt with what you feel comfortable with.

 

[SETH RINGER]

PLENTY OF GUYS HEAD OVER WITH JUST A BOW AND DO ALRIGHT. ASK YOUR PH AHEAD OF TIME ABOUT HUNTING CONDITIONS. THEY ARE ALL EAGER TO PLEASE THERE CLIENTS AND I'M SURE WILL BE HAPPY TO ACCOMADATE YOU.
I'VE SHOT A PILE OF GAME WITH MY 45-70 GUIDE GUN WITH A SCOUT SCOPE SETUP. GOOD QUICK RELEASE SCOPE MOUNTS TO BACK UP THE GHOST SIGHTS IF CONDITION DEMAND IT AND YOU WOULD HAVE BASES COVERED.

 

[IvW]

99.9% of them sit in a blind all day....not everybodies cup of tea....

 

[318AE]

I’m probably one of the few here that have made a trip to Africa with two rifles, neither of which had a scope, red dot etc - only express iron sights. A few things:

- I’m comfortable with iron sights, having competed with them etc
- Not my first safari - far from it. Really wanted the experience, and really would be satisfied stalking close, coming up empty in traditional terms and going home only with the experience
- I wouldn’t do this in Namibia, or elsewhere longer shots are most common, and there may not be an anthill in between…
- Talked with the PH at Length. He seemed intrigued by the novelty of it, and guy showing up in camp with two 100+ year old Westley Richards…
- It did force the hunt to my terms - especially buffalo and bushbuck
- Ended up getting all the animals I was pursuing, but planned more time for each - which I was fine with - not trying to fill wall space, and have fond memories of the “unsuccessful” stalks as well.
- Lastly - it’s your hunt…..

 

[zephyr]

Like 318AE I'm a big fan of hunting with Irons ... Just got back from a hunt last Aug in Zim.. Buff, Tuskless and Bush Pig... All taken with my 505 Gibbs and Express Sights Buff and Bush Pig inside of 30 Ele inside of 20, heck never even got on the sticks the whole hunt.... Previous hunts; using my Double Rifle and Express Sights.. Buffs inside of 30 Tuskless inside of 15 and a Wildebeest at 100 ....Tell your PH you want to hunt with Irons and get close, if he insists on a scope find another PH it's YOUR hunt. Don't get talked into a shot you do not want to take, if a stalk gets busted while your trying to get within your comfort zone you can try again ....
For me the hunt is everything up to the pressing the trigger, Hours of tracking, the final stalk and the PH putting me in the right place.. If I've done my home work on anatomy and at the range the pressing of the trigger should be anti-climatic
Good Luck

 

[Luvthunt]

I’m with Zephyr!

 

[zephyr]

I should note that I’m fortunate at 65 I don’t wear glasses and I’m still able to shoot Irons

 

[Velo Dog]

Greetings 45-70guy,

I’ve hunted with both scope and with iron sights, in Africa and elsewhere.
Now at age 70, I am still blessed with quite good eyesight and don’t wear glasses except for, reading small print up close (don’t even need the reading glasses if said fine print is well lighted).

Anywhooo, back when I was still collecting firearms, I had simultaneously owned 13 lever action rifles (.22 through .45-70), I think 3 (?) bolt action (.30-06, .303 Brit., .375 H&H) …. can’t remember now if there were more bolt actions with peep sights anymore.
There was also one 1950’s or 1960’s vintage Remington slide action, aka pump action (.300 Savage caliber).
So, I am familiar with that wonderful design of iron sight, to include using same with the eye piece removed, leaving a proverbial “ghost ring” arrangement (my favorite iron sight when combined with a simple blade front sight).
Most of the black tail deer and more than one or two of other animals I have shot have been via the peep sighted rifle, of one caliber or another.
For one example, I shot the buffalo in my avatar with an open sighted double rifle (caliber .450 No2 NE).

With that, my suggestions include:
1.
If using an aperture aka - “peep sight”, you’re actually better off hunting in more open environment.
When in the thick bush, even though encountering game will be almost entirely at close range, it is tricky to see the tiny but bullet deflecting twigs in the shadows between you and the critter of your lifetime.
It is better to miss than to wound.
2.
However, a simple 4x scope or, if you must use a variable power one, then a low to medium power range scope is best for Africa.
Either way, a quality scope, properly zeroed on your rifle, will definitely bring you much higher success than any design of iron sights will.
3.
This is as Red Leg and others have already stated very well.
And so, I will stop whipping a dead horse’s scope here.
4.
Whatever you decide to use, practice mostly from standing position, over shooting sticks.
Practice, practice, practice and then practice some more.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.