Mr Rizzini Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I personally shoot with both eyes opened and never look down the gun as I focus on the pigeon and pull away then shoot but my friend swears by closing one eye and aligning his bead with the birds feet then when everything is aligned he pulls lead and shoots. what do you guys do ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Pigeon shooting generally doesn't lend itself to having any one particular style IMHO... It can be so fast moving that it needs to rely more on instinctive shooting than any style can predict. But i'm with your style of shooting. Closing one eye just upsets the peripheral vision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rizzini Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 cheers hump I have went from shooting quite good to hitting basically nothing for the last week, how can a persons form go so bad out of the blue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdeor Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 cheers hump I have went from shooting quite good to hitting basically nothing for the last week, how can a persons form go so bad out of the blue? When you turn it into a sceince...............OB1 just use the force Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rizzini Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 When you turn it into a sceince...............OB1 just use the force Im losted on this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 When you turn it into a sceince...............OB1 just use the force Exactly... Clays are a bit of a different story as the speed, angle, etc are more or less consistent, and you choose when a target arrives. Seeing a pigeon at the last second, mounting the gun and bringing it down at 60mph+ can certainly be a challenge. Im losted on this one Think he means you can start missing if you overthink things... Use your instincts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rizzini Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 last week I was out 3 days and shot 10 pigeons with 15 cartridges on all 3 days, this week I can't hit a bird :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodyPopper Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 A couple of years ago I treated myself to a lesson at the West London Shooting School. The instructor said to me "Some people need to close one eye - but you don't - so stop it". Later he said "And after you leave here, never read another book or article on how to shoot." Obviously, everyone's different but, for me, that was great advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actionpigeons Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 (edited) I don't even think about the gun, just look at the bird. Oh and both eyes open Edited November 26, 2012 by Actionpigeons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bi9johnny Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 I don't even think about the gun, just look at the bird. Oh and both eyes open me too it's just second nature now but i still miss my fair share Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 I think pigeon shooting is an excellent way of learning instinctive shooting techniques. If the gun comes up well and you can get a nice consistent mount then it's all about the bird, both eyes open. In my experience the gun is almost invisible (at a conscious level anyway). Also, interestingly, the gun I shoot 'instinctively' best with is my SxS, however the gun I shoot best with when I'm pre-mounted and 'thinking' about the shot is my Beretta sporter. Shot a 100-pigeon day with that in the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 cheers hump I have went from shooting quite good to hitting basically nothing for the last week, how can a persons form go so bad out of the blue? You've shut both eyes I can miss just as many with both eyes shut as I can with them open (clays Im talking about) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rizzini Posted November 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 You've shut both eyes I can miss just as many with both eyes shut as I can with them open (clays Im talking about) +1 are you not meant to close both eyes before the big bang? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cumbrian top shot Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 Its all in the mind and the minute you start over thinking and putting pressure on yourself you'll start missing, find a style that suits yourself and stick with that, if you have to get along to a good coach find out what you suits you and stay with it, personally I have always had one eye closed when shooting and suits me fine, some people need to close one eye as others don't. Also being able to read a target and judging distances helps alot especially when shooting live game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 I'm not a shotgun owner, but here's the welcome page of of the local shooting schools. http://www.pennsport.co.uk/ They don't say WHY they say keep both eyes open, I guess that's what the lesson's for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filzee Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 i sometimes shut one eye and sometimes have them both open and i shoot consistently either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 I know of one good sporting shot who shoots with one eye, and he doesn't have an option as he only has one. The other several hundred use two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100milesaway Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 Maybe your pal who closes one of his eyes has the opposite dominate eye to his shooting shoulder, in which case it makes sense. from Auntie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rizzini Posted November 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 perhaps your right but he reckons he is right eye dom but just feel more comfy shooting with his left eye closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100milesaway Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 If thats the case he will be losing loads of left sided perifery vision and the depth of field.He will be handy capping himself but each to his own. As Ed says, our yorkshire chum doesn't miss much. from Auntie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Do whot you find best for you, I miss both ways but find one eye closed works best for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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