Iron Sight Accuracy Expectations?

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

I am wondering what kind of accuracy expectations you folks have from your iron-sighted rifles? Any type, any era.

With handloads, I'm getting consistent sub-2" groups at 100 yards (maybe a shade over; I used a GPS to measure), and, at times, I get a cluster of three with two close fliers. Still working on that.

I've not used a lead sled or anything; my shooting is strictly front rest only, and my eyesight in my aiming eye runs around 20/40, so I'm sure the rifle is capable of touching the holes consistently.

Thanks!

Josh

 

[M1key]

When I last shot Colt 1:9 ARs with irons, MOA was achievable with 52 Sierra match loads. This is rested with front and rear bags.
I file the front sight down to a finer point and use the smaller rear aperture.

M

 

[VA27]

With a really nice 03A3 I once shot a 3/4" group at a hundred, two of the bullets going into practically the same hole. My eyes were only 30 years old then. Now, 32 years later, I'd be tickled pink with 2". With young eyes, good technique and good equipment MOA or less groups are possible.

 

[armoredman]

Joshua, that's about what I get with irons with my CZ 527M, front rested with Berrys bullet handloads, 7.62x39mm. That works for me, not being the worlds greatest shot by any means.

 

[Motega]

I dunno, most folks I take to our hunting camp can shoot the 10/22 well enough to shoot cherry tomatoes off shish-kebob sticks at 50 ayrds with iron sights... people with no experience with guns at all... I'd say with practice you can do exceptional things with iron sights if you know the rifle. Just look at the stories of yore from our African hunting forefathers...

 

[chrome_austex]

Cherry tomatoes at 50y are ~2moa

2 moa or better is what i expect from myself with irons.

 

[CraigC]

Given good eyesight, a good set of peep sights and a skilled iron sight shooter, iron sights give up very little to scopes at 100yds. You have to match your target to your sights but if you see an appreciable increase in accuracy at 100yds between optics and irons, it's not your sighting equipment. Problem these days is that most folks don't bother to become proficient with a good set of iron sights, leading many to the false conclusion that scopes are vastly superior. Optics have their advantages and they become more and more apparent as range increases but they are not so great as some would have you believe.

 

[nathan]

My Bulgarian AK 74 with surplus Russian ammo was `1.5 inch group at 50 yds. More than enough to curl a man sized target double tap to the chest.