When are iron sites better than a scope (if ever)

[ZAP035]

Iron sights are the king when hunting in rain. There’s NOTHING more frustrating than trying to clear a lens off fast as a 160” buck walks out of your life at only 125 yds . Caps only help until you open them.

That being said, I’ve also learned iron sights have the advantage in some situations over a red dot on defensive pistols. After dark, a light from behind can create serious glare on the window impeding target acquisition. There’s also the issue of snow or debris packing into the housing while traipsing through the brush. Had to draw once on a cow moose (thankfully she left after a few bellows at ~7yards) and my window was packed with snow. I’d prefer to be able to place my shots instead of point-and-pray.

 

[Luke S]

My real question is "at what point would I pull a scope off in favor of irons?" I would not do it for most hunting situations. I might do it if i was dealing with a wounded bear but even then I wonder. One area I hunt you'd be so close any shot would be more of a point and pray. I doubt most people would really use sites so much as point. In that situation maybe a scope would get in the way. On the other hand say you shoot a bear a 100 yards and he charges. From 100 to roughly 25 yards I'd be happy to have a 3x or less scope. I think I'd shoot it better. Maybe for that last shot at 20 feet I'd wish the scope wasn't there but that is really your last shot.
I hear the argument that scopes promote tunnel vision and lack of situational awareness. Anyone experienced that? You can get tunnel vision with no scope so I'm not sure I'd consider that.

 

[Wolfshead]

I have a 1.75-5 x 32 on my .308 and I can acquire a sight picture very quickly with it.
I believe It is faster than my peeps on my model 94, but I’ve never actually tested that.
I hope I never have to face a situation where I have a bear charging me from 100 yards as I’m sure that they can close distance very fast, and I bet those last few yards one is doing more “instinctive” aiming than acquiring a site picture through what ever aiming tool they have mounted on their rifle.

 

[Dave0317]

I think a scope is better for almost all hunting uses these days. Especially now that there are some decent 1-6 type options.

For up close and fast, a RDS would be better than irons as well.

So really no game or engagement type would push me to choose irons.

Extremely unforgiving environments could be another matter. Look at the Canadian Ranger Tikka Arctic. General purpose/Bear defense use in wet or snowy conditions and lots of outdoor exposure, irons may be a good choice. I have a single shot rifle with a peep sight that is my first choice if it is actively snowing. But it limits my shot choices.

On the other extreme, if we had a re-do of a Vietnam type jungle war…well that’s getting off topic from hunting, but we could go down a rabbit hole there too.