What rifle for hunting with irons?

TaperPin

WKR
Joined
Jul 12, 2023
Messages
3,229
That's all obvious. What rifle and sights? I've never looked at rifle options that come ready for or with iron sights.
I thought it was obvious - you can get iron sights installed on any rifle. A front ramp can be screwed on or soldered on. A rear sight can screw directly to the rear scope base holes, attach to a picatinni rail, or holes can be tapped on the side of the receiver.
 

Formidilosus

Super Moderator
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
9,986
If you were going to set up a factory rifle to hunt with without a scope how would you go about it? What rifle? Aftermarket sights/peep? This is for deer hunting.

Edit - yeah, I get the concept of hunting with irons. The question is what specifically would you use?

If a bolt action, the T3x Arctic. Was tailor made for it.
 

bradmacmt

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 14, 2014
Messages
263
Location
Mont.
Model 70's and open sights are like peas and carrots. Years ago I did a M70 Fwt 30-06 cut to 21" with an NECG rear, and XS Sights front w/ blade. Bansner stock. What I call a Wilderness Wandering Rifle. My next will be similar, but in 308 and different rings.



 

Shraggs

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
1,592
Location
Zeeland, MI
One aspect of a lever is the drop for check is already correct. I don’t know about the tikka arctic tho.

I can shoot my win 32 spl with irons to 200, wished it had a peep.

If a lever I’m partial to the browning BLR these days in any number of caliber choices.
 

eamyrick

WKR
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Messages
1,351
Location
Central Texas

Something like this. I had a low comb pre-64 featherweight with rear peep. I could easily hit 5 for 5 on an 8 inch plate at 150 offhand. Irons are very capable sighting systems. Where they start to suck is low light.
 
Joined
Dec 16, 2021
Messages
605
Location
Larkspur, CO
There’s always a CG-63 (CG-80s are even better) Swedish Mauser or two available on gunbroker. I imagine you could shoot deep into muley ranges with one of those. Long sight radius, excellent action (even pre-1900’s specimens), good ergonomic stock, primo target peep sights, and best of all 6.5x55!
 
Joined
Nov 19, 2021
Messages
407
If I were buying today, Henry lever action possibly with the 360 Buck Hammer.

Or the new Ruger made Marlins. 30-30 or 45-70.
 

Steve O

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
3,080
Location
Michigan
My Browning Lever Rifle in 7mm-08 from the mid 80s had some nice iron sights on it.

If I were doing this I’d pick up a Pre 64 Winchester in anything .243 up or a Savage 99 similarly chambered.
 

Koda_

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 24, 2023
Messages
278
Location
PNW
I dont think Id be much good past 150yds, if I was dedicated to irons the only rifle Id hunt with would be a 30-30 lever gun.
 

robtattoo

WKR
Joined
Mar 22, 2014
Messages
3,500
Location
Tullahoma, TN
Old school cool?
Husqvarna m46 in 9.3x57
20230316_200122.jpg

Big boy cool?
Remington 721 in 9.3x62
20220911_143547.jpg

Modern option? Savage Hog Hunter
20210328_224410.jpg

My open sight preference is a shallow V style safari rear, with a highly visible silver or ivory front bead. But, I'm never going to be taking an open sight shot at an animal beyond 100yds (+/-) If I'm know I'm going to be hunting where a longer shot is likely, or even possible, I'm taking something that's full-time scoped.

I have a Williams peep on my '94, with the small aperture removed, but I've never actually hunted with it. I always gravitate to a bolt gun.
 

squid-freshprints

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 25, 2023
Messages
125
Location
CO
I thought it was obvious - you can get iron sights installed on any rifle. A front ramp can be screwed on or soldered on. A rear sight can screw directly to the rear scope base holes, attach to a picatinni rail, or holes can be tapped on the side of the receiver.
Also, removable clamp on shotgun sight up front for heavier barrel bolty. this with a pic mount rear sight ground to low profile so it sits under the scope as back up, 3 moa. but passed a bunch of drop tests so far, way better than the scopes it resides under.
 

Gseith

WKR
Joined
Jul 7, 2018
Messages
327
Location
Ohio
A lever gun just looks good with iron sights. A 30-30 has taken a lot of different animals, and is what I would use if I had to choose one caliber. Or a 45-70 lever action if you live in a straight walled cartridge state.
 

grfox92

WKR
Joined
Mar 14, 2017
Messages
2,746
Location
NW WY
I can't believe it hasent been said yet, but the only correct answer is a Remingtom 760/7600 Carbine in 30-06 with a Williams peep sight. I'm willing to bet my next paycheck that that combo has killed more whitetails in the Northeast than any other open sight combination.

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk
 

_S_R_

FNG
Joined
Sep 7, 2022
Messages
82
it’s sweet looking rifle on pictures for sure. I made mistake and order none fancy in 500 s&w. After over 2 years waiting I received not what I expected. Coating on barrel was smuge and not equal coating. Cheap wood wasn’t fit to the gun. Standard sights too big for even pistol caliber rifle, it was cover 1/2 uspsa target at 50 yards. Trigger was awesome tho.
 

_S_R_

FNG
Joined
Sep 7, 2022
Messages
82
If you were going to set up a factory rifle to hunt with without a scope how would you go about it? What rifle? Aftermarket sights/peep? This is for deer hunting.

Edit - yeah, I get the concept of hunting with irons. The question is what specifically would you use?
Tikka battue have irons that works well.
 

Caseknife

WKR
Joined
Feb 22, 2020
Messages
321
it’s sweet looking rifle on pictures for sure. I made mistake and order none fancy in 500 s&w. After over 2 years waiting I received not what I expected. Coating on barrel was smuge and not equal coating. Cheap wood wasn’t fit to the gun. Standard sights too big for even pistol caliber rifle, it was cover 1/2 uspsa target at 50 yards. Trigger was awesome tho.
Haven't seen any in person, but they do look beautiful. For that price, though, I would want to hold a few in hand prior to making the purchase.
 
Top