I use open sights only on my 9,3 Merkel. There are limitations that are conditional to use and enjoy them. I’ve tried to bring myself around and here is roughly how I apply it (just speaking strictly for myself).

Major

I have shot so many game so far with my scoped rifles that I am well over that phase when you consider a hunt to be unsuccessful if you don’t end up with a dead animal. Now I am really enjoying Hunting – and open sighted double just goes along perfect. Passing not just a shot here and there but on occasions most of them shouldn’t be of any significance. If I couldn’t get over that I’d scope it.

Eyesight

Just turning 40 next month – my eyesight is still good enough to use irons responsibly. Once I won’t see the bead clearly I will stop using them. Making the bead bigger or brighter may work on very close work on elephants – almost all else is irresponsible to the quarry – spray and pray is not my cup of tea –shoot to kill or pass. If I couldn’t get over that I’d scope it.

Art

Shooting irons very well doesn’t come per-se. It is a form of art that evolves after many - many rounds down the range with a single rifle and it’s set of sights. If you expect you will just grab that rifle out of the box and go dinging gongs at long range – good luck. Almost anybody can shoot irons reasonably well out to 30m maybe 50m. However things get rapidly worse with distance. All the sudden many things must come together just perfect to achieve acceptable result repeatedly on longer ranges – and it isn’t going to happen every day. If I couldn’t get over that I’d scope it.

Anyway – after 2 ½ years with my Merkel I am still learning and trying to improve the rifle, sights and my shooting just to achieve what the rifle is capable of, therefore I still have a long way to go before I will be satisfied - I just hope my eyesight will be there that far. If I couldn’t get over that I’d scope it.