Dangerous game rifles & open sights

B

bjld

Guest
Hi all

I've never had a "dangerous game rifle" so I bought one: a 375 Ruger Howa 1500 barreled action with a Boyd stock (I hope that qualifies).

I fitted a 4x Leupold fixed power scope without open sights and took it to a friend's farm to put a couple of rounds down the tube to begin barrel break in.

Without sighting in the scope I looked down the barrel and hit a tree stump about 10" across at about 30 yards.

I offered it to my friend (the farmer) and he did likewise, although the recoil made the scope push his glasses firmly into his face (he may be 6'5", but he's only 220 pounds).

The barrel is drilled and tapped for iron sights but I've fitted none.

My question is: should the scope be mounted high so sights could be viewed underneath, or do hunters actually remove the scope while being charged??

I'm of the opinion that you should be able to sight instinctively down the barrel to save your life - dangerous game tends to be bigger than the hunter.

I'm no expert - this is my first rifle bigger than 30 cal and I probably won't shoot anything more "dangerous" than sambar deer with it - I just wanted a 375.

Regards
Ben
 
I think I've answered my own question: you sight down the barrel and kill whatever is trying to kill you first.

If you want to keep hunting you remove the scope and use the iron sights if you have them. Afterwards.

Full bore shooting gives you a real appreciation for the utility of iron sights.

I'm sure there's afficionados for scoped and iron shooting.

I'm teaching my son iron sights first, like I was...
 
I know nothing about dangerous game hunting but enough about rifles in general to think that for something large, moving rapidly and perhaps close, a scope isn't the correct tool.
 
For dangerous Game. The big seven,The kind that hunts back. You need a heavy caliber,open sight rifle. Nothing less than .375. Also,a good pair of "Nike" running shoes,just in case you miss an "Up Close" Shot.

Just my opinion.


Glenn
 
bjld said:
I fitted a 4x Leupold fixed power scope
Click to expand...

That is your problem. A 4 power scope is simply not a good option on a DGR. If you use a fixed power scope, get a 2.5 Leupold - it has good eye relief, and all the magnification you need for a DGR. I have used a 1.5-5 power, and carry it mainly on 1.5. I have no problem getting a sight picture with this scope, and find it easier that iron sights in all practical applications I have used it in.

You will get a lot of answers to this question on the internet, and most of them will be from people who have never seen "dangerous game" let alone hunted any. I am no expert, but have shot buffalo in Africa and Australia, using mainly scoped rifles and with lesser experience with open sights. The one cape buffalo I hunted with iron sights was very difficult to make out in long grass at 60 yards, and I felt I would have been much better placed to take the shot with a scope.

The reality of hunting DG today (at least in Africa) is that you will be backed up by a guide who will have an open sighted rifle. A charge is very unlikely, and you are much better off if you set yourself up to handle the first shot on an animal than to fixate on how to deal with a "charge".

Also, you need to recognise that any .375 IS a dangerous game rifle, but is IS NOT a "stopping" rifle. A .40 cal upward starts to get in to suitable charge stopping rifles.
 
bjld said:
My question is: should the scope be mounted high so sights could be viewed underneath, or do hunters actually remove the scope while being charged??
Click to expand...

While being charged? Those who have been charged will tell you that it happens super fast and you barely have time to get the rifle up and get off one shot, most of the time. If you tried to fiddle with detaching the scope it would be "End Game."
 
vicvanb said:
While being charged? Those who have been charged will tell you that it happens super fast and you barely have time to get the rifle up and get off one shot, most of the time. If you tried to fiddle with detaching the scope it would be "End Game."
Click to expand...

LO-friggin-L!!!


That's got the ring of sincerity right thar right thar boyo! BAD plan to be taking your scope off during a charge eh! WOULDn't be prudent...


Altho one could train for it by mounting a scope on one's grouse gun, "fiddling with detaching it" whilst the wily partridge is on the rise would prepare one for the eventual Mbogo Surprise....

hmmm

al
 
I still recall a double rifle I was shown with a swivel up night foresight. A big iridescent white dot it was, about the same diameter as a .222 case head.
 
Listen to woodhunter and Fergus as they have been there. My 458 Lott has a 1.5X4. My 450 Ackley magnum has iron sights. My 416 Rigby that is in the works will have both. The problem with using both sights on the same rifle is a compromise. You need a low comb to be comfortable with irons and a higher one for scopes.
 
Fun stuff. I had a .458 that I played with for years. I had a 1-3 Weaver mounted on that rifle, as well as several others. Those scopes will take a beating. Set on 1 they are quicker than iron sights, once you are "practiced up". We have even better low power scopes available now. A "whiplash injury", took all the fun out of the .458 and I let it go. Nice rifles Woodhunter.
 
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