Shooting be hunting with aperture sight.

[GuyWithGun]

I have a recently new to me 336 Marlin in .35 Rem. Isn't a way to realistically get it shooting more than 150 yards and rarely a need to shoot more than 100 yards where I hunt, figured would save myself some trouble and just put a skinner aperture on it. Shoot well off the bench up to about 100 yards, but when I start shooting from field positions, rarely hold it together on deer size targets past 50 yards. The only other peep I've shot a great deal is my AR... Shoot it nearly as well as a scope from any position up to 200 yards. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

 

[1911 guy]

What style of front sight does it have? A very thick front sight or a sight with a ball on the top (as commonly used in some post and notch arrangements) are hard to use accurately with a peep.

 

[jmr40]

A major misconception about optics is that they are only an advantage at long range. With a good set of iron sights, and with good light I'm not significantly more accurate at longish ranges with optics either.

Optics help you see the target much better under all conditions and are just as useful at 15 yards as at 150 yards. A low powered 1X-2X scope is faster up close, and any optic is a huge advantage in low light regardless of range. A decent scope doesn't cost any more than decent irons anymore and are more durable in my experience.

If you're shooting it from the bench well and not from field positions I'm thinking it is something else. The stock shape/design and triggers on a Marlin are much different than an AR. Might just need some time to get used to the rifle.

 

[Hardtarget]

I have peeps on my '94 and it (I) shoot well from positions but I've had the rifle since ...'66 ish. I took a deer opener of the '13 season at no more than 75 yds in open woods. He never moved his feet. DRT.

I can only suggest shooting the rifle. Make it good practice so you get comfortable with the trigger. It will come around.

Cool rifle. that .35 Rem. has been used to take lots of deer.

Mark

 

[hoghunting]

Have you shot much using field positions or have you mainly used a bench? Could be you need to practice in the field.

 

[MCgunner]

A major misconception about optics is that they are only an advantage at long range. With a good set of iron sights, and with good light I'm not significantly more accurate at longish ranges with optics either.

Optics help you see the target much better under all conditions and are just as useful at 15 yards as at 150 yards. A low powered 1X-2X scope is faster up close, and any optic is a huge advantage in low light regardless of range. A decent scope doesn't cost any more than decent irons anymore and are more durable in my experience.

If you're shooting it from the bench well and not from field positions I'm thinking it is something else. The stock shape/design and triggers on a Marlin are much different than an AR. Might just need some time to get used to the rifle.

+1 to this.

I really prefer optics for low light which it seems is usually the case in the heavy woods here. I also prefer an optic as my eyes are aging. But, in younger years it wasn't such a big deal as it is now. My serious hunting rifles have optics, though, and always have. I don't particularly like optics on lever guns, just the esthetics of it really. But, they don't carry as well with a scope in the way, either. If you're going to be still hunting in cover during daylight hours rather than stand hunting at dawn or dusk, I really like a ghost ring aperture. Still, I perform better with a low power optic even there.

But, I do think you just need to acclimate to your Marlin, practice a bit more. The front sight might be a problem as others have stated, too.

 

[Art Eatman]

My own opinion is that once you've done the sight-in from a bench rest, it's practice from field positions for hunting. You can't learn much from sitting at the bench except for paper-punching.

Stand, or sit on the ground next to the bench. Lean against it. Whatever. Imitate real life out in the boonies.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Have you shot much using field positions or have you mainly used a bench? Could be you need to practice in the field.

That's the secret.

I use the bench for zeroing a rifle and for testing loads. Other than that, I shoot off-hand. If you can shoot well off-hand, you can shoot well from any position.

 

[BCRider]

It sure sounds like it's your field positions that you need to practice. If the rifle does OK on the bench and the peep sight is working for you on the bench then the only thing you're adding is your move from off the bench to field positions.

Perhaps there's something about the fit of the rifle or how you feel you need to position your hands that is different from your other guns? Are you using a sling for better support?

 

[captmoto]

My FIL killed a lot of deer out to 200 yards with peeps mounted on a Arisaka actioned 300 Savage. He used that rifle religiously long after hi quality cheap glass became available.
I think 200 yds. is a long shot with a 30-30.
Like has been mentioned, practice off the bench.

 

[Silent Sam]

As has been said practice off the bench... ps: a peep sight is an optic sight. Just saying. ;-)

 

[GuyWithGun]

Spending more time with the rifle seems to be the theme here. Never was an issue from field positions with my bolt gun (but have had it for 25 years) or my AR (thousands of rounds, maybe 50 off a bench). With give it a couple hundred more rounds real world training and if still doesn't work, will say I tried and put some glass on it and see if it helps.

Btw, have a 1/16" Marble ivory bead on it, would it be worth trying a blade? Is one of the differences between it and the AR...

 

[MCgunner]

... ps: a peep sight is an optic sight. Just saying. ;-)

Well, if you're going to get technical....

Full Definition of OPTICS
: a science that deals with the genesis and propagation of light, the changes that it undergoes and produces, and other phenomena closely associated with it

 

[henschman]

I don't like aperture sights on a field use rifle. Looking through the aperture robs you of light. Obviously the bigger the aperture the more light, but any reduction in light is a problem for hunting, when most of your shot opportunities will be pre-dawn and at sundown. If I am going to be using irons in the field, I prefer notch sights. Good glass is the best option though.

It definitely seems you could use some field position practice with the Marlin. Positional shooting is always more difficult with a lever, because working the action causes you to have to break position more every shot. Take it to an Appleseed weekend if you've never been. They will definitely tighten up your field positions with any rifle. I'd probably bring the AR or a .22 too, to avoid having to shoot expensive .35 ammo all weekend.

www.appleseedinfo.org

 

[gazpacho]

You are not abnormal. You just have good eyesight.

Try using some shooting sticks. That simple added point of stability can easily multiply your distance of usable accuracy.

Peeps are fun, with great potential accuracy. I enjoy shooting my CZ 452 Trainer with a peep blade added to the rear sight. From a position seated on the ground, and my elbows braced against my knees, I can easily shoot 3" groups at 100 yards. With target ammo and real concentration, I can tighten those groups up. Given an accurate centerfire rifle, there is no reason I couldn't duplicate those results.

 

[bhk]

I find peep sights a great advantage (both speed and accuracy) over notch sights in any legal light. One must, of course, increase the size of the aperture as light gets low. Merit makes a great adjustable aperture for hunting use, as well a larger one designed for target use.

 

[BSA1]

I have a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington like yours. I have a Williams peep sight mated to the factory front sight with the sight hood attached. I have it set up for hog hunting.

I have never used the screw in apertures on the Williams sight. I just aim through hole the aperture screws into. It gives me plenty of light.

A little "trick" that helps me a lot is I align the front sight hood with the curvature of the rear aperture. In other words when aiming I make sure I can not see any of the hood. It is kind of hard to describe but what it does is automatically centers the front sight in the rear aperture hole. It is very fast and with a little practice comes natural.

This has given me plenty of minute of deer and hog accuracy.

As the saying in Star Wars "let the force be with you" relax, let your eyes center the sights and practice from real hunting positions.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I find peep sights a great advantage (both speed and accuracy) over notch sights in any legal light. One must, of course, increase the size of the aperture as light gets low. Merit makes a great adjustable aperture for hunting use, as well a larger one designed for target use.

A simple approach is to take the disk off and simply use the hole it screws into.

If you take the buttplate off most rifles, you will find a small hole -- where the profiling lathe held the stock blank. If you take the buttplate off my peep-sighted rifles, you'll find the sight disk in that hole -- where it can't get lost and where I can find it if I need it.

 

[Silent Sam]

" little "trick" that helps me a lot is I align the front sight hood with the curvature of the rear aperture. In other words when aiming I make sure I can not see any of the hood. It is kind of hard to describe but what it does is automatically centers the front sight in the rear aperture hole. It is very fast and with a little practice comes natural."
You can do as you like but all that is not necessary. Ignore the peep and just slap the front sight on the target. Your brain will center it w/o any thought. That is the speed of using a peep/ aperture rear for hunting. It eliminates aligning front & rear sights.

 

[MCgunner]

I don't like aperture sights on a field use rifle. Looking through the aperture robs you of light. Obviously the bigger the aperture the more light, but any reduction in light is a problem for hunting, when most of your shot opportunities will be pre-dawn and at sundown. If I am going to be using irons in the field, I prefer notch sights. Good glass is the best option though.

This is why I prefer a ghost ring aperture. But, like I said, for hunting, I prefer glass. But, my eyes ain't what they used to be.