Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Both eyes open

Thanks for saying that, JBLEDSOE. I'm in the same boat but thought people here would think me crazy so I didn't post about it.

Anyone shoot with both eyes closed?

I find it mitigates recoil quite a bit.

We don't have to get too far into beat the experts to death on this one. IF you want the best visual performance, you leave both eyes open. Close one, and the other one is sympathetic to an extent as they are used to being a pair and working as such. Then the single open eye the pupil dilates which leads to less clarity. At least tahts how its explained to me and when you research it, it makes sense.

The issue though is how much is good enough for most of us? Shooting the average target, lets say 150 pound whitetail, at 75 yards and probably wiht a 9x scope.... you just ain't gonna see a difference with one eye closed or both open because your target is so huge.

Turn that around and demand a tiny group at a long distance and you need every plus you can get on your side.

Mostly for whats done by the average joe, it really doesn't matter as long as don't use the wrong eye and sight back and forth.

Leaving both eyes open reduces eye strain. But I'm pretty sure I have seen shooters who have dark lenses on their shooting glasses for the non-dominate eye.

Another non-dominant eye guy here. If anything it leads more strongly to the left--never the right (I'm right handed).

So handgun, rifle (irons or scope), shotgun, etc have to be one-eyed. Makes that pirate patch I bought for Halloween a real bargain, though.

Right handed and close the left eye lid partially. Just happens automatically.

Much over 6x from the bench and two images often appear. Some days it is more prevalent than others.

TFF!

I usually shoot better with both eyes closed....

I don't have a dominant eye either, and it's impossible for me to 1) shoot with both eyes open and, 2) explain to someone with a dominant eye why this is true.

Predictably, there are experts telling all of us that we'll shoot better if we keep both eyes open.

Shooting with both eyes open really helps in shotgunning, and some kinds of iron sight shooting, especially where the front sight is large enough that it helps to see the target with both eyes.

But for most scope shooting about the only advantage is the off-eye relaxation that Jeff mentioned. In fact, even when using a spotting scope for long periods I've found it helpful to place a strip of tape over the left lens of my eyeglasses, so I can leave that eye open. But obviously it really doesn't help in seeing the target, as it does in shotgunning and iron-sight shooting.

Well this is a refreshing thread, here all this time I've thought I was the only one with this problem. I'm ready to come clean now:

"Hello, my name is Jim and I'm a non-dominant..."

Welcome, Jim and thank you for sharing.

Mule Deer,

Do you use transparent/translucent tape or opaque tape on your glass lens that isn't looking through the spotting scope? I would guess you use the clear "Scotch" tape like some people use to just "blur" the view a little when shotgun shooting, but I'm curious.

I use opaque tape, usualy duct tape or electrical tape, then leave the tape stuck to my scope afterward.

I really can't do both eyes open. When I try it there's this alternate, not quite parallel universe cluttering up my sight picture.

mathman,

You've taken the first step on your journey of enlightenment. The next step is to forgive those who think they know what's best for you, but really don't have a clue.

I see 2 positive aspects to keeping both eyes open. 1st. I'm aware of everything, especially movement, within my entire field of view. I.e. if a second unseen elk shows up in the background, I'll see it. With the off eye closed, all I will see is the target.

2nd. and it's rather unique, was/is the exercise of shooting edgewise playing cards with 22LR's and iron sights. One can not actually see the card, but with light from one side or the other, he can pick out the shadow. One then goes after one side or the other of the shadow depending on light direction. When aligning front and rear sights with my dominant right eye, the subtleties of the card's shadow essentially become invisible. With my left eye open, the shadow becomes visible, and the brain is able to mesh the left and right eye images into a proper sight picture.

Exact same situation here. But if I wait too long for the shot my closed eye grows twitchy.

Frosted tape is correct really. But we are picking nits unless its competition shooting.

I have blinders for my off eye. I have both an opaque one thats like a milk jug, and and adjustable polarized one for variable light conditions.

Ideally for the least strain you darken or blur just enough that the eye can't focus. Anything more is gettin closer to closing the eye. BUT not closing the eye even with black electricians tape on it, is much better than closing the eye.

I can't comment on shotgun, as it takes me boxes of shells to shoot a limit of doves, Id' be better off throwing the gun at em mostly. I have a benefit sporting clays shoot Sat Am. If I were in rare form I MIGHT scare 50% of them...

But as noted in rifle i know it can make a difference, but like we've said, it depends on what your accuracy needs are. But I do know others that roll with elect. tape ready to flip on their off lense for hunting because it helps. Me, I don't worry to much about hunting shots, put it where it'll hit the brain somewhere or the lungs somewhere and let the gun go off. Long as the wobble area is small enough I"m not striving for perfection on those shots.

John,

You should know by now, that here at the Fire, if the tape is not blue, it is no good at all.

Can't believe you missed that.

Blue tape forever!!

Steve


But on the other hand, I do us black electrical tape on my rifles.