Iron Sights

[lcpl. huynh]

I just thought it would be nice to post a picture of marines shooting with iron sights at the 300 yardline. I would have taken a picture at the 500 yardline but I was shooting at the time. The reason why I posted this picture is because I constantly hear shooters talk about scopes. One shooter bragged to me about shooting tight groups at 150 yards, I was impressed considering the fact that we usually zero our weapons at around 25 yards, but he mentioned that he used a scope shortly afterward. When it comes to competition shooting, I believe that using iron sights requires more skill than using scopes, further making a "sport" out of the competition, but I'm preaching to the choir right now. I apologize for not posting a commentary.

[JPN6336]

Without the commentary all I could think of was "I could have sworn Iron Sights was an indoor range last time I went."

I know what you mean though, many people don't believe that an AR-15 can hit a man size target at more than 200 yards without special barrels, handloads and a high power scope. They really don't believe that every Marine qualifies at the 500 yard line with an abused rack M16A2 with iron sights.

[tteng]

Just curious, for your 300 or 500yrd-qualify, what size of target and how many times do you have to hit it, and in what position(s) ?

[JPglee1]

One shooter bragged to me about shooting tight groups at 150 yards, I was impressed considering the fact that we usually zero our weapons at around 25 yards, but he mentioned that he used a scope shortly afterward.

Awesome post!

Ive noticed the same sort of thing with pistol shooters... People get real impressed when they hit a beer can at 50 yds with a pistol. Ive seen Big Jon hit a beer can at over 250yds with a .38 SPL revolver..no joke.

Ive got a 48" diameter rock at about 650yds at my BLM shooting spot and I can hit it about 90% of the time with my CZ52 from that far away (with a LOT of elevation hold-over and a couple misses the first try)

I don't put much stock in distances, I just shoot and adjust the trajectory as needed until I hit it.

Wildcard, Myself and Big Jon were out one time knocking off 800-1000yd shots with a .223 PSS (I kid you not) once they had the elevation/hold over dialed they were getting hits like clockwork.

One target was so far away the laser range finder failed to register on it...something like 1500yds.


The best part about Big Jon is he can shoot a gnats eye out at 5 feet with the same .38 special revolver. He does things with that revolver that are pretty amazing. He'd never brag about it himself, but I can tell you I'd never wanna be on the receiving end of his barrel at any range..cuz he'll getcha


JP

[The Soup Nazi]

I shoot with iron sights all the time, even though I don't get spot on groupings or anything, a lot of the older shooters and military vets come up to me and say that I do pretty damn good for using the IS and that its good for me to learn how to shoot right before moving on to optics.

[donger]

Yes, you are preaching to the choir.

Learn how to use the irons first! Most people will be amazed the accuracy that can be achieved with just the iron sights.

[Astig Boy]

My brother (former Marine) always laughed at my gun friends who had all these built up rifles with +$1000 scopes and shooting within 500yds...he said this was comparable to shooting your pistol at 3-4yards...its just too easy and no real satisfaction is attained or real skill is necessary. He always mentioned hitting targets out to 500yds with plain iron sights was the norm. I thought he was joking around at first, until I went with him to family day at Camp Pendleton...He constantly tapped targets out at 450yds with iron sights..with a POS beat up rifle. This changed my views on scopes entirely.

I can understand people shooting purpose built sniper rifles with high powered scopes out to 1000yds, and trying to get that super tight grouping. But tactical rifles with any magnified scope is meaningless to me... I just feel iron sights are good enough on what EBRs are intended for. It takes real skills to shoot quarter sized groups with iron sights while standing and no rest.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

out of 70 something rifles.. I own 3 scopes..........

[Pthfndr]

More Iron Sights. The small bore match I run at the Sac Valley range. Remington 541 rifles with competition peep sights.

These are all kids btw. Ages 8-16.

[JPglee1]

out of 70 something rifles.. I own 3 scopes..........

Remember me if you ever need to let a couple out to pasture, lol

J

[lcpl. huynh]

Just curious, for your 300 or 500yrd-qualify, what size of target and how many times do you have to hit it, and in what position(s) ?

at the 300 yardline, you shoot 10 rounds in the prone, and 10 rounds rapidfire in the sitting with Able targets, and Dog targets. at the 500 yardline, you shoot 10 rounds at a man-size target. the key to hitting the target at the 500 yardline is to have an extremely tight sling.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

Here is a NRA 600 yrd Service Rifle target (the guy is 6' tall). I believe the X ring is 1 MOA and add 1 MOA each out to the 8. The top shooters hold the 10 ring with many X's using a 1/8 twist, 20" barrel, 80g VLR bullets and IRON SIGHTS at 600 yrds prone with a sling. The outward appearance of the rifle may look well used but it's the unseen barrel, trigger, ammo and shooter that make the shot ... and sometimes luck.

[permanent_45]

any one know of a place to shoot 300-500 yard in the SF bay area?

[chickenfried]

Closest for 300 yards is circle S ranch in petaluma

http://www.sonomashooting.org/circles.html

Closest for distances up to 1000 is Sacramento valley

http://www.sacvalley.org/

[MustangO4]

The 500 yard USMC target is the shape of a mans upper torso. You get 10 rounds and it frequently is where we, "Make our money" With good dpoe, a tight sling and body position, 10 for 10 is not hard and very common. When I am at the 500 all I scream in my head it, "Clear front sight, clear front sight!!"
You almost can't see the target at that range if you're doing it right, and sure enough it hits.