Quote:

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Except that the quote, that I mentioned, is in direct reference to cocking-piece aperture sights mounted on bolt action rifles and he specifically mentions personal experience with Krag and Springfield rifles, the latter in .400 Whelen calibre.

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Well, just trying to brainstorm the original question.
In order to get poked in the eye by a cocking piece peep sight it seems like one would have to be snugged up very close to the bolt/cocking piece. On a mil issue Krag or 1903 Springfield the stocks length of pull were pretty short.
Now Elmer Keith shot a lot of military rifle matches, so perhaps when shooting stages from prone?

As well, the current vogue when shooting game (or matches) with big rifles is to keep the rifle on ones shoulder while cycling the bolt. Surely there would be a problem with bolt to face clearance if one were so close to the cocking piece as to possibly get hurt?

All in all an interesting question.
.....I personally have not given this question any thought til now as I can still see the typical open V iron sights sufficiently for up to 50 yards on targets, and 100+ yards at game, past that a peep or scope is nice.
I usually give the most thought to my thumb giving me a bloody nose with the really heavy kickers if I don’t watch out.
- Mike

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"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields

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