[moose-hunter]

I know everyone wants to equip their rifles as best they can. With all the latest gizmos and doo-dads. Me included!! However, for a purpose built rifle, in this case my 18" 6.8 precision rig, are BUIS absolutely necessary?

The reason I ask is two fold... First, I don't see me ever removing the optics for any normal hunting or target shooing scenarios. And second, it weighs a TON and any weight reduction would be a step in the right direction...

What are your thoughts??

 

[angsniper]

If you're just out shooting at the range and you're optics fail...not such a biggy. If you're in a carbine class that cost you $600 and you're optics fail....BUIS could save the day. If you're on a hunt and you look thru your scope and it's all fogged up... now what, BUIS.
It depends on the situation. I have BUIS on the carbine I use for matches but for things such as hunts I usually have a second rifle available.

 

[paulosantos]

It all depends on the purpose of the AR. For serious work or Hunting, I'd say BUIS is necessary.

 

[marinesg1012]

I dont have BUIS on my hunting rigs... i have yet to have a scope fail me now on a carbien with a red dot absolutely...

 

[ArtFWTx]

I dont have BUIS on my hunting rigs... i have yet to have a scope fail me now on a carbien with a red dot absolutely...

Agreed. Millions of hunting rifles go into the field each year without back up iron sights. Many outfitters recommend bringing a second scope to difficult hunts not necessarily back up iron sights.

Now a realistic training carbine class or a self defense weapon, BUIS are a good idea.

 

[owenslee]

On a hunting rig...NO

Even on animals that might choose to do you harm you can still make instinctive shots for protection. I have had two occasions where bucks were so close a scope was useless. All I saw was hair at the lowest magnification. If you are familiar with your weapon you can instinctively shoot without sights of any kind and maintain effective accuracy to 25 yds or less.

After hunting for 52 years I have had one scope fail. A broken cross hair. Yet it was still functional.

However, for any situation where the target can shoot back. Yes...have them available.

Kerry

 

[joshuades]

My rig is for huting and target shooting, and so far I've seen no need for buis. Eventually I'll get some just in case, but I don't see a necessity for them in my application.

 

[Colohunter]

I don't plan on putting them on my upper any time soon. I will use a 1-4X scope or so to allow close up shots. As many have said, for a hunting rig I personally don't see them as required. I will most likely use my 6.8 for target shooting or maybe hunting.

Now for my duty rifle I would put BUIS on if I ever put an optic on it.

 

[HTR]

I also would opine that no, you do not need them on a hunting rifle.

I use battery powered optics now more than I do scopes, but that is because I have the versatility to choose 1X, 3X or NV compatible without having to re-zero anything. I always carry extra batteries on me.

Here is a good example of how even the BUIS isn't necessarily going to save the bacon in certain situations:

I was hunting hogs one night in a river bottom. I had an Eotech and my friend had an Aimpoint, but this was before we owned NV. We were spotlighting, and we shot at some pigs, and then went further down the river bottom. We got close to some more and when the light went on, he noticed that there was no dot in his aimpoint! Here they came, and he fumbled around for his BUIS, but by the time the pigs got to us, he couldn't shoot because they were already running between us.

He was panicking and he couldn't grab the sights fast enough, and when he got them up, he couldn't see the irons anyway. when the dust settled he realized that he had turned it off after the last group of hogs was shot at. Since he hadn't practiced flipping them up in the dark, he fumbled with the rifle and probably pointed it in an unsafe direction once or twice, too.

I definitely think they have their place and that I should have one rifle that has them...especially if it is a designated SHTF gun. But, for most of my needs, I make sure I know every single lever, switch, safety, and button on that gun, and that I can flip them all in the dark.

If someone is shooting back, I will have them.

 

[Raph]

Anybody have experience with this LaRue BUIS?

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactic ... .bok?no=29

 

[moose-hunter]

Thanks for all the replies!! Here's the gun in question...

The scope has just been mounted and is sitting a bit farther aft than usual to check clearance with the Troy BUIS. This is a new Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 with mil-dot reticle on a LaRue mount. GREAT call John!! Can't wait to give her a work out!!

As I mentioned, this gun is a bit weighty and could stand to lose a bit. Anything would be a blessing! Mainly a long range (300-500yd) paper puncher, she does have plans to follow me to the deer stand this fall for her chance at a "turdy point" buck. And for the tin foil hat wearers, this is as close to a sniper rifle as I own... :wink:

So seeing the rifle... What say yee? Yea or nay on the BUIS?

 

[paulosantos]

Honestly, the BUIS isn't going to make much difference in weight. What I would do is get a QD mount for the bippd so it can be quickly removed to save some weight up front when you don't need it.

 

[ArtFWTx]

Dan, Paulo has a good idea as usual. The QD bipod would knock weight off right away. Put a National Match sling on it, like from Turner Saddlery and learn how to use it. Then you can use the sling tension to replace the bipod while hunting and moving around. Prone with properly tensioned sling in support is very accurate. Look what the CMP competitors do at 600 prone in Service Rifle. Sitting, kneeling also work well with a support sling.

By the way, nice scope. I've been eyeing Trijicon 3x9 with Mildot as a perfect scope for a hunting rifle.

The whole build looks great.

 

[moose-hunter]

Thanks guys!! But I'm one step ahead of you on the QD bipod mount... It's real tough to see, but it's there. Another slick deal from LaRue. I seem to have hijacked my own thread spinning off towards weight reduction and away from the BUIS issue... :lol: My bad...

Conclusion... The Troy BUIS are going to stay. Removing them didn't make the rifle feel any lighter.

As soon as the weather warns up and I can get back to the range, I'll try and get you guys a nice write up on the new Accupoint. This is my first scope in 3-9 so if should prove to be quite interesting...

 

[TackDriver68]

I would say that everyone should keep a BUIS handy-but not necessarily mounted-for every rifle you own. Most rear sights of good quality can be mounted for sight-in and then removed for optics and be at least close when re-installed. I just feel it is good policy to be prepared for any 'OH SHIT' moments that might be down the road just around the corner.
I personally have a MaTech mounted on my 18" SPR because it folds nearly flat and fits under the 4-16x nicely. My 16" light rifle has a 1-4x scope that sits too low for any buis, but i do keep one in the case with it.

 

[Jamesb74]

Agree with Paulo the buis may be a few ounces where you could lose apound or two with the bipod. And besides you can always find a tree in the woods.

 

[dark1]

I have BUIS on all my guns probably not necessary but I like to be prepared in case the $hit hits the fan it is probly just a the army training wanting one but i would rather be prepared rather then sol if my optics go down you never know when MR Murphy will poke his head out and bite you

 

[Poor Knight]

I have a question about BUIS -- is it advantageous to have the flip-up kind under a scope, or just have the carry handle available to reattach if the scope fails? It seems to me if the scope fails you will need to remove it anyway prior to bringing up the folded rear sight. With a red dot, you can co-witness and use the iron sights if the red dot fails very quickly, but not with a magnified optic, so what's the advantage of a folding sight if I already have a zeroed removable carry handle? Either way, i'll need to unscreww the scope (ACOG) a

 

[marinesg1012]

If you like the look and feel of the carrying handle use that but the nice thing about BUIS is that they take up a lot less room and can be mounted with other optics.. they may be in the way with the acog but most redots are higher...