After doing some searching I am having difficulty in looking for an answer to my question. I have a couple of milsurps that are all original and I will not ever put a scope on any of them, and I would like to do some hunting with them. For you bolt guys I have a Enfield No4Mk1* and for you simi auto guys I have a M1 Garand. My question is, are there any "rules" when it come to having an accurate gun with an accurate shooter with irons? I have competed in a few shooting competitions when I was in the Marines and won some using irons. I have yet to go hunting witch I plan on doing soon. I just want to make sure I don't fall into the "showing up with a tacticool AR15 stereotype" (which I do have an AR15). I plan on hunting some hog and hopefully deer one day. I have been reading on a most threads and they always refer to guns being scoped. Well what if I am just as good with irons than most average Joe with a scope, will I be frowned upon showing up to the ranch house with no scope? What say you former guides?

It really depends on who you are hunting with. Some are only concerned about having enough bullet to make a clean kill that won't be hard to track. And you are safe and efficient with your weapon by demonstrating such before going hunting. Just be proactive discussing your setup to make sure they are ok with your weapon of choice.

Thank you!

I agree on discussing my setup with the ranch owner before I fork up a bunch of money to be told I can't hunt with what I have. I just wanted some reassurance that I won't be looked at as one of those guys that decided to grab the first rifle from granddads safe, buy a guided hunt, and show up with a 75 year old bolt gun that the last time it was fired was in ager at the Germans. I am proficient and I go to the range as often as the finances allow (about once a month). I have been looking at most of the ranches that do guided hunts and there are a lot of restrictions on caliber and the such. My rifle calibers are not restricted, but are there very many hunters that do hunt without a scope?

I'd say if you've trained with irons, and you're good with irons, go for it.

+1 but shooting animals with DRT placement is harder than B-27 silhouettes. Scopes make it easier to make a reliable shot, but lots of deer have been shot through the years with iron sights.

The black colored pigs in low light will be the most challenging with iron sights.

For hunting in a blind, the Enfield will be the better choice as the Garand will fling the brass which will bounce off the walls or the guide's noggin.

A 1903A3 or A4 would be a nice choice too.

Last and most importantly, if using them is important to you, find a place where you will be welcome and enjoy the experience. It is your experience, look for the one you want.

My first deer was taken with a collectable Springfield A3-03, at approximately 75 yards. I used 150 grain hunting loads marketed by Smith and Wesson at that time. It all went well, only one shot was required. He trotted 25 yards or so before falling down dead.

Any 30-30 lever gun would have worked just as well, but at that time a collection of military arms was what I had.

My first choice now if I were going to hunt with a full-dress military bolt gun would be the 1917 Enfield in 30-06. - I like the sights on the Enfield much better.

One skilled in his choice of tools should be respected and welcomed. It will fall to you to demonstrate such skill if requested by your host/guide. I learned on a stock 1903 A3, paper plate sized groups off hand at 66 yards. Only then was I allowed to move to a scoped rifle. To this day I have peep/ iron sighted rifles which I shoot and hunt with. It been said but clear with guide/host before booking a hunt to avoid issues.

Like they said clear it with the guide and enjoy the hunt. With any chosen weapon we should learn our limitations and stay within them with chosen weapon and positions of fire. I still hunt occasionally with a few with iron sights of different flavors, from single shots, levers, bolt action and semiauto.

With those 2 finding a hunting load that expands and use it, find you limitations to range and clear with the property owner and go have fun.

Practice!
Shoot under field conditions, not bench, determin what the range you can hit effectively.
I practice using deer/hog targets either black or plain cardboard color with no circle or other aiming points.
Also use reduce size targets and a 22LR.
I limit myself to 100 yards.

M

Been thinking about doing the same thing this year with my old Marlin .30-.30 with Ghost Ring Sights .

If someone is apprehensive, show them at the range that you are prepared to set them at ease.

I have hunted with my milsurps for almost 7 years. The first time I took our my Yugo Mauser I got a bunch of "wth is that?" and "you ain't going to hit anything with that". I took it out to shoot a Corsican ram and ended up killing two rams in one shot at 125 yards. Needless to say, no one gave me crap after that! I practiced a lot and shot in couple matches before that day to prepare. As long as you are well practiced and honest with your capabilities, there shouldn't be any issue.

That's good shootin

Really is. Outstanding with irons

Personally, I think taking game with irons, especially with milsurp guns, gets you some style points.
As long as you practice with your set up and load you should have no problem.

Know your limits. Irons are just fine.

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. I am going to the range on Wednesday to get in some practice but unfortunately I can only go to a restrictive range with benches so I cant practice all of the shooting positions that I would like. So I will make due with what I have. Thank you all again.

X2

PM me if you want to drive to Wolfe City. Field position shooting is half of what we do there.

Hunting with a rifle containing ten rounds of .303 in the magazine, great sights and the fastest military bolt action ever produced, what's not to like? I've successfully hunted with most of the LE models and never felt handicapped and certainly not undergunned. Enjoy that rifle and the hunt.

To me, they're just another 30 caliber weapon. I've been using a butchered and scoped Eddystone for over 50 years. Had to have it rebarreled last year. It's taken everything in North America but a moose. I have 3 or 4 others that are safe queens.

My very first deer rifle was a sporterized Enfield #4 Mark 1 with original sights. When my eyes were young, I could keep it inside 2" @ 100 yards all day. It is a truly sweet deer rifle. IMO, the .303 British is a perfect round for deer sized critters.
It was stolen and then recovered many years later at a pawn shop. I used it last year on one more hog and then passed it on to my son.

Palehorse,

That's a beautiful rifle and I'm very glad you got it back.

I would be impressed to have someone who is that good at irons show us rookies how to do it.

M1A iron sights at 85 yards. The M1A is extremely fun to shoot!!! But tough in low light conditions!

My Garland is spot on with those old iron peeps.

That is a good looking rifle!