Dominant eye question. (When using a scope)?

Question

Ok i am right handed, right footed, and everything else that can be right Except my eye. My left eye is dominant but i shoot right handed with a rifle. Will this mess up my shots looking through a scope.

i do also shoot pistols and have no problem with aiming just because i can close my right eye. I also have a semi auto shot gun that i have no problem shooting and hitting what i am aiming at but i am not to sure about useing a scope.

Answer 1

It’s not the best way.
But my ex-wife was that way and I by covering her left eye for practice got her past that.
Work at it or switch to a left hand gun and shoot left handed.
Accuracy is achieved by using the exact same contact points also known as anchor points.
If you don’t do it the exact same with each shot it will cause problems.
If just target shooting you may get by with it.
In a hunting or a life and death situation where time is limited, why handicap your self.
But that too depends on how you define accuracy.
I define accuracy a achieving a one hole group.
Some people feel if they can hit a target the size of a dinner plate at 100 yards that’s good enough for them.

It all boils down to what are you trying to achieve.

Answer 2

Shooting a scope or peep sites can be done but it can be a lot of work too. My y youngest daughter is in the same boat and she can shoot well enough but it is work. When target shooting she has to either put a patch on her left eye or we put some type of blinder on the rear sight to block her left eye.

As you stated its not an issue with a pistol because you can simple tilt your head a little and line the pistol up a little bit differently. Shooting with a scope or even a shot gun will be a matter or trial and error. You can either learn to use your right eye or learn to shoot left handed. I'd try both. But in my experience an adult is normally better off learning to shoot with the right eye and dealing with the dominate factor. A younger shooter can learn to shoot left handed if he/she are not too entrenched into their "right handedness"

Good luck!

Answer 3

OK Sterling is SO WRONG it's not even funny! D58 has the right Ideal.
Yes it will affect your accuracy.
At the age of 8 I was taught to shoot Trap using both eyes.
I'm Right eye dominate, shoot right handed.
I also shoot my rifles competitively at long range 300m-800m
using iron sights and Optic's. I NEVER CLOSE THE LEFT EYE.
I also shoot my bow (simi-pro) with BOTH eyes open.
REASON; Close the left eye you lose half your target line.

Closing the left eye or opposite non-dominate eye, your dominate eye-lid closes some and can cause blurred vision. THIS IS A FACT!

My son (22)( US Army Cav. Scout) and daughter (15) both do everthing right handed and are left eye dominate. They never close the Right eye and trust me you want them on your side.

Son = Expert from BOTH side of the rifle qualfied with 40of40 @100m, 40of 40@175m, 39 of 40 @ 300m with a misfire. Iron sights. Drill Sgt. told me personally he has never in 20 years seen anything like it.

So both eye OPEN at all times. Optic's or no Optic's, practice just point focus on target and look throu scope.

Hint: If you are truly left eye dominate start shooting as a lefty, you will be more accurate and should be more comfortable.
Good Luck!
Tim
Darkwoods Outdoors & Real Huntin'

Answer 4

I have the same problem, but no issues. When shooting handguns, I leave both eyes open. It took some time on the range to get it right, but it works for me.

As far as with a scoped rifle...Since you are shooting right handed, close your left eye.

Answer 5

If you find yourself not improving after practising for a long time, using your weaker eye might be the problem.

I am right handed, but lack the ability to close my left eye and leave my right eye open. I have no dominant eye as far as I can tell. I learned to shoot left handed. Shooting guns made for right handed people is usually not a handicap for lefties, and in some cases it is easier for lefites.

Ruger blackhawk revolvers are easier to unload when held in the left hand. 1911 style pistol slide releases can be operated easier when shooting left handed. The ar-15 is almost as easy to operate left handed as right, you just need to take your finger out of the trigger guard to operate the safety. Bolt guns are usually slower to operate, and trying to push off the safety on something like a remington shotgun is harder for a lefty.

I also find that supporting the weight of a firearm with my stronger right arm/hand while squeezing the trigger with my left improves my shooting.

Answer 6

I don't think so. As long as you're closing your left eye before the shot, you should be just fine. Some people say you should keep both eyes open when using the scope but who does that? No one I know does that. The dominant eye thing only matter when shooting with both eyes open.

Answer 7

I'm right handed, and also right eye dominant, but I lost the vision in my right eye. I've learned to shoot using my left eye, and I still shoot right handed. You have to lean over a little farther, but it can be done.

Answer 8

i have a friend who has this problem to. i always tell him just to shut his left eye. he has a hard time with it. recently he thought his sights were out of adjustment, so i took a few shots standing up with his gun, and made a very tight group right in the center of the target. i think he was trying to use his left eye untill i told him to close his eye.

i usually keep both eyes open, it makes it much easier to find the target with my scope. i dont know how, but i can sorta select which eye im useing without closeing one.

you should try to close your left eye, and just use your right eye. you might be able to use your left eye, but it would be very difficult.

Answer 9

You point a shotgun for moving targets vs aiming a rifle. Both eyes should be open.

Answer 10

I'd think you could just close your left eye and do fine. It worked for a kid I tried it on once.