Sights for Sore (old) Eyes

[Tequila jake]

My eyes have gotten to the point that no kind of iron sights, either open or peep, will let me get a good sight picture with a rifle or shotgun any more. So what's to do? Receiver-mounted scopes for long ranges (100 yards or more) and other optical, e.g., Red Dot, for shorter ranges? Scout scopes?

Strangely enough, I have no trouble with handgun sights.

I do a little whitetail hunting, mostly at ranges of 100 yards or so, and some quail and dove hunting. Other than that, my firearms are for CCW, home defense, or defense in the New Orleans-type scenario where bands of roving BGs are out looking to get what they can.


Tequila Jake

 

[jklinstein]

T.J.

My eyes sound a LOT like your eyes. My problem is astigmatism. When I lean my head against the stock to get a cheek weld the sights go blurry (not as bad with a peep sight, but still not good). But no problem with pistols because my head stays upright. My brother (an optometrist) gave me some explanation for this phenomenon that didn't make sense to me, but he's the expert.

My solution has been in getting decent quality red dot sights. I'll still get a bit of a double image sometimes, but it's better than using irons. I've tried an Eotech and a (Russian) Kobra, and they both can work if mounted appropriately. Using either will change your cheek weld a bit too.

The big question is what rifle/caliber and application. The Eotech is used extensively by the US military for urban applications. The Kobra isn't as fast, but I think it offers other advantages. What rifle(s) are you considering?

Jacob

 

[Tequila jake]

Jacob,

I have a Ruger Model 77 in 7mm-08 that already has a Leupold 3x9 scope on it. I also have an old (top ejection) Winchester model 94 in 30-30, and a Mossberg Model 500 in 12 gauge with a 28" barrel. The Winchester has a Williams receiver peep on the rear with the standard front sight and the Mossberg has the standard middle and front bead.

Tequila jake

 

[Joshua C]

I have the same problem. At least it gave me an excuse to put a scope on my AK