Utah used to have a rule of 1x scope max. I liked that rule. But I found I preferred a Peep sight to the 1x scope at the range and hunting. The cross hair on my 1x Burris was large enough at 100 yards that I would cover the entire 6" circle. With the front bead on the rifle and a tang mounted peep sight, I could use a 6 o'clock hold and get shots touching in the bull with regularity. I opened up quite a lot at 200 yards, but 150 was still really good. Longest shot on game was a slightly quartering away shot at 161 yards. Felt entirely comfortable, prone over a boulder, and the nice muley buck dropped at the shot.
Today, I can use a magnifying scope. At 100 yards, with my 3-9x40 Burris Fullfield II, I can shoot about as accurate as I did with the peep sight. At 150, it is easier to see the target, but groups similarly, maybe slightly smaller. At 200 yards, I am more accurate than with that peep sight. Same gun, same loads. Just one time was using a peep sight, the other I was using a magnifying scope.
I guess my point is, with the right gun, sights and hold, you can shoot accurately way out there with a ML. I can't shoot traditional open sights. My eyes won't focus on the rear sight, front sight, and on the target, but a peep sight is very doable for me. Made a world of difference for me and my marksmanship. I have seen folks shoot a lot like "Quigley Down Under" did with that old rifle of his. I can't, but I know folks do. My son shoots tiny little groups with regularity with his modified military weapon. He has multiple 40/40 scores on his military marksmanship tests in the Army. They are doing that shooting with open sights. He is even better with a scope of some sort. It is pretty impressive actually. The weapon didn't change, just the ability to see the target improved.
So...if my ability to focus the bead on the target with a peep sight is considered fine in the eyes of the traditional shooter, who is to say that using a 1x scope is significantly more efficient? And does the Variable power scope really make the rifle that much more effective? Or is it merely the ability to see further or more accurately?
I like traditional hunts. I think that they have their place as well, but just because I have a in line rifle, high powered scope, and saboted slug, doesn't mean I can shoot at 335 yards effectively. But also, it doesn't mean that someone who is using an open sighted, percussion capped, lead conical can't regularly shoot at those distances either. I just know that I can't.
FH
