Cowgirl Corner: A scope helps, sorta

[North Country Gal]

Such beautiful weather, so took we took a couple of beautiful rifles to the range to match. These our our Winchester 1885 Low Walls that are scoped with the 17 HMR on top and the 22 LR on the bottom.


Thought it might be interesting to see what a difference the scopes made compared to the 1885 Low Wall 22 LR with a peep that I shot last time out.

First, the 17 HMR with the 4-12x Nikon


17 HMR group at 50yards, offhand


And the 22 LR with the 3-9x Nikon EFR


22 LR group. Should explain that Standing/Sitting no rest part. Was getting fatigued, so last 10 shots were with me seated, but not resting the gun on anything and no change in my hold on the rifle. I think I am a touch steadier this way, but it's mostly about giving these old bones a little rest.


My thoughts on scope versus peep.
Group size:
I don't think group size was significantly better with the scope, not at 50 yards, anyway. In the past, I've found the scope to be more of a group shrinker at 100 yards and beyond. At 50 yards, my eyes are still good enough to do just about as well with a peep.

Consistency:
Yes, slightly better consistency with the scope than with the peep, with fewer pulled shots with the scope. Not a huge difference, but I do think better target visibility aids in consistency.

Fatigue:
This was easily the biggest difference. With a peep sight or open sight gun, I'm good for a limited number of shots before things start to get a little blurry. That's why I always do any iron sight shooting, first thing, during a range session and save any scoped guns for last. Last time out with the peep sight Low Wall, my eyes were pretty tired by the end of the session. My eyes were still fresh, though, after today's much longer session.

All in all, at 50 yards, I do think a good peep sight setup can match up with a scope. For me and my aging eyes, though, the scope allows me to shoot more effectively over long range sessions. Have to say, though, that shooting that 1885 with its tang peep is somehow more special in a way that the scope can't match. I'm one lucky gal, indeed, to have a choice in what Low Wall I want to use on a given day. Will never take it for granted.

[ditto1958]

I dunno, NCG. Whichever way ya look at it, that's some good shooting with a couple of really sharp rifles.

[PT7]

I agree with ditto's compliments on your shooting....you use any rifle with any sight set up you choose, and show us great groups!

And I totally understood and appreciated your "thoughts on scope versus peep," NCG. I'm there also, and reading your range time experiences reminds me of my own. Ain't it fun?!?

[Henry88]

I remember an old range report with SirH, believe it was the small game carbine, but he shot minute groups with a peep @50 yds, but that was from a rest.

NCG's standing groups are beyond explaination.

I think she toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in a previous life.

[North Country Gal]

Thanks, guys.

You know, my eyesight has never been that good. Been wearing glasses since the fourth grade and the world is a very fuzzy place for me without them. I sometimes think that I work so hard on the fundamentals to compensate for my okay vision. My husband, Bill, though has excellent vision and does very well with iron sights even though he has far less shooting experience. As always, it's about making the best of the cards that have been dealt us.

[Les]

Thanks, guys.
As always, it's about making the best of the cards that have been dealt us.

And lots of practice, practice, practice!!

Great report, and great shootin' as always, NCG.

Oh, and those two rifles are a pleasure to behold!