I am a righty, yet left eye dominant- pls help me with target shooting?

Question

I've gradually become more left eye dominant and it really affects my ability to aim a rifle. Any ideas out there?

Answer 1

learn to shoot lefty thats what my bro had to learn to do when he went through basic training.

Answer 2

ignore hand dominance, eye dominance is of ultimate importance

try putting a dime sized sticker directly in front of your 'weak' eye on your shooting glasses

Answer 3

You can try eye exercises to regain your right-eye dominance. Personally, I take advantage of it. Firing off-handed is a huge advantage once you are comfortable with it. When unsupported (standing, etc) that right arm is stronger and steadier to support the rifle barrel.

I am coordinated the same way as you are becoming. Fortunately, my father identified it when I was a child, (he is this way as well) and I learned to shoot lefty from the beginning.I highly recommend that you do the same. Spend some time at the range shooting left handed. Have a friend watch you do this, because it will feel unnatural at first and your steady position will suffer in ways that you cannot observe yourself.

I teach marksmanship in the Army, and have for several years now. It is standard procedure that new firers will shoot with their dominant eye, regardless of handedness. And it works. The cuss and scream about it because it's uncomfortable, and swear that if we'd just leave them alone they could qualify. But when allowed to try it their way, they always get lower scores. Use your dominant eye.

This will affect three of the fundamentals of marksmanship:

1) Steady position - will suffer at first, but with very little practice you become accustomed to the feel.

2) Sight picture - will improve, naturally, because you are using the better eye.

3) Trigger squeeze - may suffer at first, because your left hand is not used to the finer movement of squeezing. Be very deliberate.

If you are using a bolt action rifle designed for right-handed use, this may be helpful: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Good luck.

Answer 4

use the john smith pocahontas trick

keep both eyes open

Answer 5

You need to close your left eye or use an eyepatch.  You only need one eye to aim a rifle anyway.  Once your left eye is closed it won't be a problem.

You could also learn to shoot left-handed.

I have a problem where my eyes switch back and forth.  It has never been a problem for rifle shooting, but I have to close my left eye to shoot a pistol.

Answer 6

learn to shoot left handed.  this will work best in the long run.  it can be done, i do it...

Answer 7

If you wear shooting glasses I have seen guys put a "dot" of chapstick or anything else that will slightly blurr your vision of your left eye. You can shoot both eyes open this way or learn to shut your left eye. I am the same way and shoot with my left eye shut. It really makes a big difference shooting my bow. I shoot with one eye with shotgun also.

Answer 8

Dont think this was mentioned......

Try blocking one lens your shooting glasses at a time & shoot w/ both eyes open.

Can also be used to train the right eye.

Have also seen a " flap" attached to the peep sight which blocked vision of one eye while leaving both eyes open.

Have seen competitive shooters do this , but never thought to ask about eye dominance or if that was why it was being done.

Tried it & found it a little weird & did not help me, but that was a long time ago.

Might have been a fad but I think the theory was that  putting a slightly fuzzy "apple on a stick" consistently was better than a well defined "apple" that might be somewhat off.

Have had eye surgery since then & now left eye dominant , but still use  the right eye out of habit.

Have adopted using both eyes open when shooting pistol w/ a 2 hand grip.

Comes down to what gives you the best  consistent sight picture.

Best regards

Answer 9

use a eye patch over the left eye remember even though your wearing the patch keep both eyes open do this for a couple weeks  of  3x's a week shooting and when you take it off you will find your going for your right eye as a reaction or use a scope for a bit your left eye wont be able to focus on a distance target leavubg your right eye as the main  ....:)

Answer 10

Shooting left handed is easier to do then I ever thought possible with the same problem.  If you are wearing shooting glasses put a nice smudge print on the center of the left eye.  This will force you to use the right eye for shooting right handed.  The left eye will not be able to focus on anything through the smudge and you will naturally switch to the right eye.