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One Eye or Two?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 10:54 pm
by markiver54
This has probably been discussed in part before but would like to know.
I just got through watching, again, " American Sniper ", for those who may not know, an Eastwood film.
Anyway, in the movie, Chris Kyle shoots with both eyes open and took out the insurgent sniper with over a one mile shot! :shock:
The insurgent, medal winning sniper, who was also supposed to be one of the best, shot with left eye closed. :?:
What is the advantage, if there is one, of shooting one way or the other?
How do you shoot and why? I never really thought about this very much. just find myself, naturally closing my left eye. I am a right hand shooter.

Re: One Eye or Two?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:02 pm
by Vaquero
Mark I can shoot a little with both open, but most times I close one eye.
I mostly shoot right handed, but I can do pretty good left.
A few years ago I had a cataract in the right eye, and had to shoot lefthanded for a while.

RP

Re: One Eye or Two?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:08 pm
by markiver54
Vaquero wrote:
Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:02 pm
Mark I can shoot a little with both open, but most times I close one eye.
I mostly shoot right handed, but I can do pretty good left.
A few years ago I had a cataract in the right eye, and had to shoot lefthanded for a while.

RP
Thanks Randy, was just wondering if one way is technically better than the other. Hopefully, more responses, if they come will shed some light on this issue.
BTW kudos to you for being able to switch to left handed for a time. Hard for me to even imagine that!

Re: One Eye or Two?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:34 pm
by JEBar
shooting trap, I keep both eyes open .... since my rifles and revolver have scope or red dots, left eye closed, right eye open

Re: One Eye or Two?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:39 pm
by Vaquero
Hey I had to learn or not hunt.
And since the corrective surgery while hunting from a tree stand,
it came in handy once.
A deer came up on my right and couldn't get turned around without fear of spooking it.
So I just shot it lefthanded.
I have probably shot better than a half a dozen left handed in my time.

RP

Re: One Eye or Two?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:41 pm
by BrokenolMarine
I shoot with my left eye closed. Was the way I was trained as a kid, reinforced in the Corps.

Re: One Eye or Two?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:56 pm
by markiver54
I just thought it strange that both snipers, shot differently for long range. Guess it might simply be personal preference.
When I bought my last scope, (Weaver 1-3 x 20), some on the reviews said, " and I can shoot with both eyes open "...I dunno, guess I just need to try it.

Re: One Eye or Two?

Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 2:42 am
by TMB
I was taught that keeping both eyes open helped you move to the next target easily. I've never been able to shoot well with both eyes open.

Re: One Eye or Two?

Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 8:01 am
by CT_Shooter
I'm right-handed, but left eye dominant, so if I want to hit the target, I have to (and do) shoot with my left eye closed.

Re: One Eye or Two?

Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 8:33 am
by Greyhawk
markiver54 wrote:
Fri Nov 01, 2019 10:54 pm
This has probably been discussed in part before but would like to know.
I just got through watching, again, " American Sniper ", for those who may not know, an Eastwood film.
Anyway, in the movie, Chris Kyle shoots with both eyes open and took out the insurgent sniper with over a one mile shot! :shock:
The insurgent, medal winning sniper, who was also supposed to be one of the best, shot with left eye closed. :?:
What is the advantage, if there is one, of shooting one way or the other?
How do you shoot and why? I never really thought about this very much. just find myself, naturally closing my left eye. I am a right hand shooter.
I shoot my compound bow much better with both eyes open, (in fact substantially better) I close one eye, aim, and then before the shot I open the other eye.
I have tried both ways with rifle, and I'm not sure that there is an improvement for me one way over the other. But, bow hunting, definitely.