Aperture Sights and Vision Correction...

[cbhausen]

I want to set up one of my 10/22s as a LTR but before I order Tech-Sights I decided to shoulder a few rifles with similar sights at one of my LGS.

I cannot seem to get a uniform sight picture (the rear aperture always appears distorted (not evenly blurred all-around). This only happens when looking out the corner of my eye (as when mounting the rifle). The rear sight is undistorted (blurred evenly all-around) when looking straight ahead through it.

This may be because I am astigmatic and have a fairly strong prescription (around -6 diopter, I think...).

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Do you think I could still shoot accurately using aperture sights? Or should I just use a scope? I'd really like to do this with iron sights if possible.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

Um - i thought that's how they were supposed to be ?

 

[cbhausen]

I also noticed Tech-Sights is offering different sized inserts made from urethane (they sell these along with an insert-ready rear post). The rear aperture is hooded within the insert so maybe this will help? Has anyone tried these?

 

[IndianaGTI]

I want to set up one of my 10/22s as a LTR but before I order Tech-Sights I decided to shoulder a few rifles with similar sights at one of my LGS.

I cannot seem to get a uniform sight picture (the rear aperture always appears distorted (not evenly blurred all-around). This only happens when looking out the corner of my eye (as when mounting the rifle). The rear sight is undistorted (blurred evenly all-around) when looking straight ahead through it.

This may be because I am astigmatic and have a fairly strong prescription (around -6 diopter, I think...).

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Do you think I could still shoot accurately using aperture sights? Or should I just use a scope? I'd really like to do this with iron sights if possible.

You should be looking straight ahead through your aperature rear sight when mounting your rifle. That is likely the problem. You should not be looking out of the corner of your eye. Sounds like you need to properly "turkey-neck". Last time I shot I noticed the same thing, but it was because I need a haircut and my hair was distorting my sight picture.
Your head should be farily level when looking through your sights.

 

[cbhausen]

You should be looking straight ahead through your aperature rear sight when mounting your rifle. That is likely the problem. You should not be looking out of the corner of your eye. Sounds like you need to properly "turkey-neck". Last time I shot I noticed the same thing, but it was because I need a haircut and my hair was distorting my sight picture.
Your head should be farily level when looking through your sights.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give that a try. I think I would need to raise the stock on my shoulder while turkey-necking. I have been placing the stock in the pocket and lowering my cheek to it, forcing me to look out the corner of my eye rather than straight ahead. I guess what seems comfortable and natural isn't always the best technique.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

Nobody has touched on the obvious. Anyone who can simultaneously focus on three different planes of sight has an amazing gift. With my aperture sighted rifles, the only thing in focus is the front sight. Second best focus is the target - third is the rear sight.

 

[cbhausen]

Nobody has touched on the obvious. Anyone who can simultaneously focus on three different planes of sight has an amazing gift. With my aperture sighted rifles, the only thing in focus is the front sight. Second best focus is the target - third is the rear sight.

Understood, and of course you're exactly right... I just noticed a difference in how the rear sight appears when focusing in the front post. With head turned, the rear aperture isn't round, it's kind of elongated and tilted at an angle. With head straight, the rear aperture is blurred and round when focusing on the front post. I think it would be difficult to get a proper sight picture with head turned.

 

[IndianaGTI]

Yeah, I was just saying to hold the rifle level with the stock in your shoulder pocket then turkey neck forward, dropping your chin forward and beside the stock. Your head will be mostly vertical . You will not be looking out of the corner of your eye. You will be looking a little out of the top of your eye depending on how far you have to lower your head.

Guess I am trying to say that your head remains vertical and not cockeyed.

 

[IndianaGTI]

Also, I understood the question of degree of bluriness not as a question of trying to focus on 3 planes. I thought that was the question.

 

[Claddagh]

The beauty of receiver sights is that your eye tends to "automatically" center the front bead or blade. As IndianaGTI said you're looking through it, so its being hazy and/or out of focus doesn't matter. Focus on the front sight and centering it in the rear aperture will take care of itself. Just keep your eye lined up so that you're looking straight through it instead of out of the corner.