Very early scopes on the Martini and Enfield rifles

[Bindi2]

The open sights went out to what range? For lobbing fire why not the scopes?

[Daan Kemp]

The long distance was for volley fire, as in the age of massed formations and muzzleloading, and you expect the enemy to advance in columns and masses. Telescopes weren't in good supply and fitted for participation in volleys. They could be used, but you need large numbers of bullets falling at the same time for volley to be effective.

I doubt lots of volley fire would be good for telescope mountings at that time.