Iron Sights Bolt Guns, Why don't they exist?

[Oohrah]

Semper Fi my Brother,
First of all I would stay away from import Military. Most likely
you would have a difficult time finding ammo suitable for your needs
for Elk. Without knowing where and what ranges you hunt, you might
consider something flat shooting and spending a little more for premium
bullets. Some swear by 7mm in heavy end bullets, but I prefer minimum
caliber as 308 Win. or better yet 30-06. Don't need a huge bullet, but
one that stays together while getting through to vitals. Placement is the
kill!
I too would look to used first with a follow up of low end major brands
Stevens, Savage, Rem are a few. Yeah, Corp. E4s didn't make much
money in my days either. Used to haunt the pawn shops and used gun
racks in stores a lot!!!
An Oregon Marine

 

[Urbana John]

I am surprised no one has mentioned my favorite (s) bolt actions

Ruger!! I've got one in .308 Win. with iron sights, but not sure what they cost now.

 

[sansone]

savage in 308 might fit your needs. great affordable guns

 

[schmidtbender]

Iron sights?

I, as you, learned on irons shooting an M2 22 Springfield and a WRA M52B and then an M-1 30 Govt. But I can't honestly suggest that they are preferable to an
appropriate scope for big game hunting. The problem with most hunters is that they are "overscoped" for the species. For Elk and Moose something like a 1-4X variable is perfect. Set at one power it is faster and more accurate than irons
(shooting both eyes open) and you still have the 4X in reserve if you need to slip a bullet through some branches at 200 yards. Part two is to mount it LOW. Too many scopes are perched up like luggage handles. A 1-4X20 can be mounted within 1/2" as low as a receiver sight. That makes for fast acquisition and good cheek weld. There are tons of used Remington 700s in 30-06 that when paired with something like a Leupold VX I 1-4 with the Turkey Plex reticule (don't laugh till you try it!) would make a great "anything in the lower 48 " rifle. here's an example of a 1-4 on a 700 albeit not a 30-06. It's as fast as a 20 bore shotgun.

 

[Mk VII]

As hunting lands shrink and game gets warier many people end up having to take deer in poor light or low light. Scopes have become cheaper [relatively], optically better and less likely to get out of order. The rigors of transportation have eased, most people don't have to pack in on horseback anymore. Faced with this, iron sights on hunting rifles withered away as most hunters didn't use them, didn't want them sticking up in the field of view, and didn't want to pay for something they were going to take straight off and throw away anyhow.

 

[Average Joe]

I have a Remington ADL 700 in .308, bought it for under $400. Great iron sites.

 

[Average Joe]

I have a Remington ADL 700 in .308, bought it for under $400. Great iron sites.