bladeracer wrote:jwai86 wrote:I visited a dealer the other day that has scopes on display that are attached to dummy stocks. I tried shouldering one of these left handed to see how that would work. I couldn't get my head properly positioned to line up my left eye with the scope reticle. I thought that was a bit strange because I have no such issue when shouldering right handed and putting my right eye to the scope.
I have similar issues myself, I think it's just because I don't have a natural left-handed position that fits a rifle's ergonomics. If you watch a right-hander the first time they try to shoulder a rifle they rarely just fall into the right position. These things take practice. I can shoot left-handed, but it is not natural, I have to concentrate on getting myself positioned. I can't just shoulder from a low carry and fire like I can right-handed. I think it's why a lot of left-handers can't make a "simple" transition to right-handed rifles and guns.
jwai86 wrote:I visited a dealer the other day that has scopes on display that are attached to dummy stocks. I tried shouldering one of these left handed to see how that would work. I couldn't get my head properly positioned to line up my left eye with the scope reticle. I thought that was a bit strange because I have no such issue when shouldering right handed and putting my right eye to the scope.
jwai86 wrote:I would have liked to try the experience of shooting a rifle using open sights, but the issue of cross eye dominance comes up. Being right handed but left eye dominant is easy to work around when using a handgun, but not so much with a longarm. I'm aware that there are workarounds such as shooting left-handed, but it may be easier to simply forgo the idea of trying out open sights and stick to using a scope.
Biscuits wrote:Could you walk me through how you shoot being right handed and left eye dominant?
My daughter is the same and I haven't really come up with a good solution yet. She has been shooting with a scoped 22 benchrest and right handed, but with the scope aligned with her left eye. This puts the buttstock out of the shoulder, which is ok for a 22LR, maybe not ok for something with more recoil.
jwai86 wrote:This week, I finally got to handle some rimfire rifles at a couple of gun shops in Sydney. As previously mentioned, the only way my eyesight properly lines up with a scope is if I use only my right eye. I tried looking through the open sights on a Ruger American Rimfire in the same way. The rear sight was easily in focus, but I could not get my right eye to do the same for the front post. That doesn't seem like a good sign.
Oldbloke wrote:Sheesh.
Your right handed, use your right eye, forget using your left.
Either:
1. Close your left eye all the time or as someone said just before you shoot.
Or.
2. As No1 said put a patch over your left eye.
I have the same issue. (seems plenty do) Even with the 12g I close my left eye. It's not a big deal and it soon becomes automatic.
You only lose about 20% of your field of view. Not 50% as you would expect. If your worried about field of view consider low powered scopes,,,say a 4x. Or red dots. Or even reflex sight.
Iron sights. It's a good idea to learn to use them. I always liked peep sights and have one on my ML. But I always use a scope on all other rifles now due to old eyes. And they are more precise.
If you buy a scope don't buy too cheap.
jwai86 wrote:This week, I finally got to handle some rimfire rifles at a couple of gun shops in Sydney. As previously mentioned, the only way my eyesight properly lines up with a scope is if I use only my right eye. I tried looking through the open sights on a Ruger American Rimfire in the same way. The rear sight was easily in focus, but I could not get my right eye to do the same for the front post. That doesn't seem like a good sign.
jwai86 wrote:I'll hold off on the optometrist for the time being. I could simply be getting things wrong with those particular open sights. If the situation can't be improved, forgoing open sights on a rifle is something I can live with.