JJ says the accuracy is 2x better with a red dot, particularly with someone who has older eyes. A guy who shoots a 2" group with irons will often shoot 1", etc with a dot. Your eyes can only focus on one plane and there's something about a dot on the target that improves accuracy for a lot of shooters vs iron sights. I know that is easily true in bullseye pistol shooting. It does need to be an appropriate sized dot that doesn't obscure too much and many dot sights are large for pistol use at close range. I think JJ prefers the 1 MOA dot for double rifles.
Accurate as always my verde friend!
Bottom line, if your eyes can focus on the front iron (metallic) sight and also clearly see your target, good for you! I remember those days… Shoot those iron sights as long as you can. As Jack O’Connor wrote more than 60 years ago, when a man starts to need reading glasses, it’s time for him to start shooting with rifle scopes.
I grew up shooting iron sights which evolved into successful endeavors in metallic sight only High Power Service Rifle, Service Pistol, and .22 Pistol competition. I became Distinguished via the US Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) in those three disciplines. My iron sight qualifications stated, my former 20/10, almost 20/5 vision has degraded to what is legally 20/20. Though 20/20, I wear bifocals. If fact, I’ve needed reading glasses for both reading and focusing on a front sight since I was 40 years old!
Today’s US Army and USMC Service Rifles employ optics which are also allowed in NRA and CMP competitions. This change was facilitated because now rifle scopes are much more rugged, durable, and overall reliable than those of the Vietnam era. Better optics, be they scopes or reflex (red dot) sights allow the majority of Marines, soldiers, competitive shooters, and hunters to put more hits in the target center than do iron sights. That’s not to say that the top competitors can’t shoot almost as high scores with irons as they do with optics. But that’s them and perhaps the same applies to some of our Africa hunters reading this. Personally, with a large front night sight I can shoot well enough at double rifle ranges. My Heym double has sported a Trijicon SRO with 1 MOA dot for elephant, lioness, buffalo and plains game from 20 to 150 yards. My trusty Heym presently hosts a Aimpoint H2 which although physically larger and a couple ounces heavier that the SRO, should provide me the means for more accurate shooting. A hundred or so shots will be needed to form my assessment if the Aimpoint is better for me than the SRO. Do I need that level of accuracy for an elephant at 25 yards? Oh heck no but it’s nice to have for the occasional 100-yard shot at plains game.
Most of today’s action pistol competitors, younger concealed pistol carriers, and pistol plinkers opt for adding a reflex (red dot) sight. Those little red or green dots allowing for a single sighting plain make it easier for most to hit center! Personally, I chose metallic sights for my carrying because I’ve put hundreds of thousands of rounds in the center black focusing on the front sight! Also, for a 2 to 7 yard fast shot where my life is on the line, I think a natural point of aim is imperative! For shooting very accuratelyin competition similar metallic sights, I need essentially my reading glasses prescription for the entire right lense of my shooting glasses! I’ve even taken cased, unloaded pistols to my eye exams to determine the proper shooting glasses prescription.
If one’s vision allows for focus, intense focus on the front sight of their double or other dangerous game rifle, then who are others to judge. Rather, let’s not be envious of those who can still hit center like we could decades ago.
On a magazine (bolt) rifle, I very much prefer an illuminated reticle 1-4x or 1-6x rifle scope with a true 1x to allow for both eyes open shooting. Other than adding at least a pound to the rifle and making the rifle a little bit harder to carry, there are no downsides to having a good illuminate 1-something X scope. For something trying to kill me a 10 yards or less, my gosh I’ll take a true both eyes open 1X illuminated scope, those that advise a 2x minimum can that their chances!
Expounding on Jack O’Connor’s advice, for us reading glass wearers, a rifle scope on a bolt rifle provides the means for the shooter to be more accurate, pick out lanes of fire through thick brush, better target identification, and frankly, clarity of sight picture should instill confidence.
All the above stated, it’s your money and time, chose whatever sight flips your trigger!
