Competition question.

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Septicdeath

Septicdeath

Member
Sep 27, 2019
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Pacific Northwest, United States
I have a target range on my property and me and my sons shoot a couple days a week the target is at a maximum range of 50 yards. Mostly at cans and 4 inch circle targets. We pest and hunt and none of us use scopes. None of us shoot tight little groups like I see posted here our groups are within the 4 inches circle usually. Probably because we shoot using iron sights. 

So my question is. Do the competitions all of you go to have categories for iron sight shooters?
 
 I grew up on iron sites. It is easier to shoot small groups with a scope, however, it can be done with open sights. Especially with a quality Peepsight. It’s all about a consistent site picture, And the ability to replicate it.

I have shot MOA 100 yard groups with open sights. I would challenge you, that at 50 yards you could hit a tennis ball 🎾 every time. Again, it’s about the site picture, and the ability to re-create it. I have found a 6 inch V, works especially well at 50 yards. A big bold one. Put the post right on the bottom of the V. Look for geometric patterns that help you make the same shot every time with the same hold.

If you are not into shooting from a bench, use a field target position, it’s incredibly stable. 

I would like to see some 1 inch 50 yard groups! Anyone who can kill a coyote with a break barrel springer is capable of 1 inch groups ...at 50 yds.

mike
 
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I grew up on iron sites. It is easier to shoot small groups with a scope, however, it can be done with open sights. Especially with a quality Peepsight. It’s all about a consistent site picture, And the ability to replicate it.

I have shot MOA 100 yard groups with open sights. I would challenge you, that at 50 yards you could hit a tennis ball 🎾 every time. Again, it’s about the site picture, and the ability to re-create it. I have found a 6 inch V, works especially well at 50 yards. A big bold one. Put the post right on the bottom of the V. Look for geometric patterns that help you make the same shot every time with the same hold.

If you are not into shooting from a bench, use a field target position, it’s incredibly stable. 

I would like to see some 1 inch 50 yard groups! Anyone who can kill a coyote with a break barrel springer is capable of 1 inch groups ...at 50 yds.

mike
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And in answer to your question, I don’t know of any of the various modalities that have an open site division. The scope is way too much of an advantage. I guess 10 m comes close.
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I love fine open sights. There’s no way I myself could ever compete against scoped rifles pat 20 yards. 
I also preferred them for Whitetail in PA as most shots were going to be within 75 yards while herd n the run. By the time you might get crosshair on them, too many trees in the way. 


Most game I've shot is no more than 30 yards and I seldom miss the target. If they don't have a category for open sights they should.
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I suggest that you check local matches. I have a 45 year old Co2 and the attitude of "shoot what you brung". Where I live there is a very active airgun club, so I went and shot a couple of monthly 10 meter silhouette matches. The folks there were more than happy to have anyone interested in shooting shoot with them. Do I score as high as the $1,500 pistols? Heck no, but my pistol is more accurate than me and that is the challenge that I enjoy. 

It will surprise you how well you shoot w/o optics compared to those who have multi-power scopes.

Roboslug
 
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You can shoot iron sights in field target at unknown distances from 10 yards out to 55 yards with kill zones ranging from 3/8" to 1.5" in diameter. There is no official iron sight only class in field target (www.AAFTA.org) but at a local level match directors usually can make exceptions. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=field+target

Also you can shoot air rifle silhouette (standing position only) at 1/10 scale silhouette steel targets (20 yard chickens, 30 yard pigs, 36 yard turkeys and 45 yard rams). You shoot 5 silhouette targets at the prescribed distances - one shot each (5 total) from left to right all standing within 2 1/2 minutes. Here is a YouTube link to the rimfire version but it is shot exactly the same way. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEk3AulEHac

https://competitions.nra.org/media/7825/nra-silhouette-rifle-rulebook.pdf




 
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The aperture sights on Olympic match rifles are capable of very precise adjustments and I have had very good groups at 20-30Y with them. The problem of course was the very low velocity and insane wind drift of a 8.4 grain pellet going 500 fps.

I was able to hit 2" round steels every time in a no wind condition first thing in the morning at 45Y. It was fun for a while till the slightest wind came up.

Sounds like you already have your own comps to enjoy so I'd stick with that or get to scoping the rifles for other types of comps. 


 
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