Somehow I got a double tap on the Ruger Guide Gun, and no photo of the Ruger Scout Rifle. Let me try again.

 

I can't see well enough to even shoot open sight rifles anymore. About the only rifles that still have open sights anymore are in calibers used for Dangerous Game.
All of my custom action's are controlled round feed.

 

Sighting through a scope of pre-set magnification, when game presents itself close-at-hand, is a good way to see only hair and neither form nor outline as a guide for where to shoot. With "View Through" scope mounts, the best of both worlds can be carried in the woods.

It is not so rare that a "danger close or touch hide" shot presents itself. When that happens, view through scope mounts are a good way to see where to put the shot, rather than sighting down the outside of the barrel, which I had to do on several occasions.

Imo, mounting a scope that obscures fixed sights looks "funny" and "begs" for the fixed sights to be removed. For low mount scope rings fixed sights might have to be removed so as not to obscure the scope.

 

My Scout Rifle is setup like yours, M118, with QD rings. The sights serve as a backup in case of scope failure. And the low power setting of 2x on the scope can come in handy for close up ranges. I tried the see-through rings, but they elevate the scope too high for my likes.

 

All my commercial bolt actions are scoped. Some have controlled round feed, some don't. Don't see any need for iron sights on a hunting rifle.

 

I've seen some, but not many anymore. On the longer-range calibers I can see why the manufacturers wouldn't bother. These days, there are lots of scope options, and I suspect they imagine anybody going "out there" for game simply won't be reliant on just iron sights.

Lever-action, sure. Have had a couple myself, which came with iron sights, but where I added a "scout" scope for <125yd hunting for reasons of "these old eyes."

IIRC, the last bolt-action I had with iron sights but that could accept a scope (with some fiddling) was: a Yugo M48 8mm Mauser. IIRC, those sights adjusted 100-2000yds. I'd have a hard time seeing an elk at 2000yds, let alone the palm-sized spot to strike, so I had to laugh at those sights and wonder how useful the old military Mauser might have been with a scope. (A custom double-square bridge hunting Mauser, sure. Absolutely. Scope all the way.)

Ah, well. Take a number, get in line. Yeah, iron+scope = anachronistic, basically, in this day and age. So are my Hawaiian shirts, but there it is.

 

Ruger American Ranch 7.62x39 did not come with irons.

 

Ruger American Ranch 7.62x39 did not come with irons. View attachment 266613

Unless I'm mistaken, the Ruger American isn't CRF like the rifles in the Hawkeye Series.? How difficult was it to add the irons? None of my extended long range bolt action rifles have iron sights, since it makes rebarreling cheaper and easier. But for target work push feed Remington 700's are less costly to accurize and allow for simple loading with fire formed cases. Not to mention my days of using iron sights at 1000 yards are long past.

 

My eyes have aged along with my body, so I like optics on my bolt guns, but I still like irons on my levers. I do think Ruger missed the boat with RAR in .450 Bushmaster…irons would have been pretty nice…but Burris 2-7 isn’t bad.

 

UTG made the sights but they may be discontinued. NoDak Spud is supposed to have a set but no one seems to be able to find them. I bought several sets of the UTG sights and they work pretty well but I did open the peep. Right now I have a Bushnell Trophy XLT 1.75-4X32 circle X shotgun scope on it and the rear sight is in the stock bag.

 

My CZ527 in 7.62x39 from a few years ago came with iron sights, I have added a scope mount and scope to it but since my cataract and lens replacement surgery I enjoy shooting it using the iron sights:

 

Nice rifle! Those carbines with irons are great rifles. If they would have made the carbine in 6.5 Grendel I would have bought it to go with my 527 American. Instead CZ dropped the 527 line!

 

Here is a few of the Bolt Actions I have with Iron Sights.
1. Eddystone / 2. Springfield 1903 A-3 / 3. Mosin Nagant / 4. Romanian Mauser

But "Never" underestimate their ability.

If anyone is wondering why most of my gun pictures are on this green background?
It is because these are insurance pictures, I take of most all of my weapons. A small picture with the 3X5 Card attached which has the Brand, Model, Caliber and Serial Number on it.
The Picture with the Card is placed in a metal fireproof box and put in my safe.
03

 

They look to nice to take afield. Have any gone hunting lately? Or are they regulated to the range nowadays?

 

M118
They only make it to my little 100 yard range here on the property when Is shoot them periodically. And are also shot off hand standing at 50 or 100 Yards or from the Shooting Bench setting supported, or off the Bags. In fact, I use my homemade Bean Bag rests so as not to damage their wood surfaces. I have a Cauldwell Front Adjustable Rest but want absolutely no metal around them. For them I Only use the wooden Shooting Bench and the Bean Bags.
03

 

Even so, you still get to enjoy them. Now how about that knockabout field grade bolt action? You know, the one with the stainless barrel and synthetic stock. Or have all the hunting/field bolt actions been sold off?

 

 

I hunt in the southern Maine, New Hampshire area where shots much past 75/100 yards are "long shots"!
Even considering the short range I soon realized I was doing much better with an optical sight than with open iron sights!
I competed in local "running deer" matches at local gun clubs and once I became accustomed to using a scope my scores went up significantly! It's quicker to put the crosshairs on target than to align the rear, front sight, and the target.

 

I did the same thing as you on the "running deer" competitions when I lived in Southern Minnesota back in the late 60's/early 70's. Big improvement in scores with I think it was perhaps a 1 1/2 x 4 power scope.

 

Anyone have an idea of what range Old Time Dangerous Big Game Hunters used to set their express sights to? I use 50 yards for my current Express Iron sights setting. At that range it's front sight like in a pistol fight, and it's faster than even a 2X. Over 50 yards and a 2-10 scope is quicker and more accurate. YMMV.

 

Will this do? 1912 Mauser Model B Sporting rifle - used most every day from sometime in 1913 to around 1989 in Rhodesia. I've still got the original Mauser sling, but at the time of the photo it was undergoing some preservation treatment.

 

My latest toy with irons. 1942 Finn Sako m39 rebuilt using an 1895 Tula receiver. Shot it today surrounded by scoped black plastic fanatics. So far 2" groups of 5 @ 100 yards is my best but I think it will do better.

 

Pretty big rifle for a little guy like you isn't it Mike?

 

Browsing the current bolt action offerings it would seem that having iron sights on a bolt action rifle has been determined to be antiquated. Does anyone still search for a controlled round feed (CRF)bolt action with iron sights for hunting? Before 64 it seems that both iron sights and CRF where all the rage, especially for dangerous game. Or am I an antique? View attachment 266591 View attachment 266591

You're probably antique. I'm a firm believer in back up iron sights. Over the years I've used the view through mounts, QD scope mounts, offset irons etc. Your setup should depend on what and how you are hunting. Most of us who were reading gun mags in the 60's & 70's remember tales of working through the switchgrass and coming face to face with a Dagga or Rhino. Fast and effective was the game. Now everyone hunts out of truck mounted towers over bait. Same with any other game. On the ground Irons, LPVO or even a red dot are the way to go. Up in a stand a 3-300x will be fine while scanning the acres below you. I'm pretty much a semi auto guy at this point. I have AR's in 5.56, 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster for almost anything in North America. I have a 300 EBR that I built as well. All have scopes on top and offset irons. I made my version of an American Express Rifle with a Stoeger Condor 12ga and fiber optic Turkey Sights. It's a perfect under 100yd deer gun. Of course the only bolt action I own is a 1930's Marlin 22.