I'm new to the shooting arena and recently bought a M&P15-22. To start with, I've been using the iron sights on the gun to work on trigger and breath control.

I'm a bit confused on what is reasonable with iron sights especially with my bad eyesight before I dive in to adding a scope/magnifier. I want to make sure my techniques are good because I'm guessing a scope can cover up technique issues.

To get used to the gun, I have started at 25 yds with various targets.

+ The main targets I am using is the Birchwood Casey 8" Sight In Target which has four 1.25" diamond bullseyes with a larger diamond in middle. The red bullsye on this target is about 1/4" and I can barely see this with the iron sights at 25 yds
+ The other target is their 6 x 10" target which has an 1.5" x 2" oval bullseye...I can see the bullseye at 25 yds but struggling at 50yds to see this

So my questions -
- Should I be able to see a 1/4" bullseye at 25 yrds? Or is this more of a pistol target or for a rifle with scope?
- Is there a rule of thumb for the distance most people start using a scope?

Thanks!Mike

My eyes are decent (only 25 years old) and I don't think I would be able to see a 1/4" bullseye clearly at 25 yards. I use 3" targets at 50yds and 6" at 100yds, and just aim for the center. Use the larger circles for cues to the location of the bullseye, and that should get you decent groups.

I think you did the right thing to start with irons. Keep using them until you are pretty comfortable with them, then grab a scope, red dot, whatever tickles your fancy. I wouldn't say there is a minimum distance to use a scope, it will be personal preference. Some might feel a 24x scope at 25yds is overkill, some might not. Your gun, your call.

Happy shooting

You can get a feel for what is challenging, but reasonable, with a .22 by shooting at the .22 metallic silhouettes, which I shoot with an iron-sighted model 617.
The 100 yard ram is about four inches high by six inches wide in the body.

If you want to see what can be done with iron sights at long range on a high power rifle, go to a Palma match.

__________________
Science plus Art

For sighting in the rifle, I use bullseyes that are about 1'' 1/2 across. Easy to see and get on target to start out.

Are you lookin at the target when you aim ? Don't do that !!! Here are the rules....
The clear tip of the front site post is centered up and down and left to right in the fuzzy rear site aperture.

That means your target should not be clear. You concentrate on keeping the tip of the front site post in proper alignment. Move this site picture over your target. Keep the alignment and let out 1/2 breath. Slowly squeeze your trigger while maintaing your alignment.

This is marine corps training and we shoot irons out to 500 yds with a 5.56 mm.

Thanks for input everyone...I do try to focus on the front sight - I try to put this over the center of bullseye (if I can see it).

After talking to another shooter this weekend, I think I am too focused on the orange bullseye especially on a small target when the bull is only .25". He basically said the same thing that ragingyeti said - for the smaller targets just aim for center. On larger targets where you can make out the bull, aim for that....

Yes, you got it. Consistent groups is first no matter were they are. Then you can move that site picture to center mass. Blacken the front site post before you shoot. Natural point of aim is important also. Insulate your body from the weapon. Blood flow through the hand and the cheek can cause the sites to bounce. Also in the prone position a tight position is key. Your trigger hand should be free to adjust your sites, spotting scope, plot shots in data book and load. The support hand should be locked into the rifle like it was a bipod.

I was lucky enough to meet and get some training from the marine corps rifle and pistol team. My gunny was friends with some of the shooters. I always set up next to him to get any tips ( and get yelled at ) to make me a better shot. While they were BS' ing they would use me as a practice dummy. I would ask appropriate questions and get instant answers. I went from shooting 220-230's to shooting in the 240's with the rifle and in the 380-390's with the 9mm. Documented in my srb.