Probably a really dumb question but maybe you guys can help me on this. When using my scope I have a difficult time sighting in on the target and am wondering if I should keep both eyes open when using the scope like I do with open sights. Maybe it's me as this is my first scope and have never had the opportunity to use one before. Mine is a Leupold Vari-X 3x9 compact and I'm really doing OK at 3 to 5 power but really having problems on 6 to 9 power. I get a small opening to see through and sometimes I can't even see the target unless I move my head around when changing power levels.

Anyone use their scope with both eyes open? Any problems doing it that way? Is there a "special way" to use the scope properly. Maybe I don't have it mounted close enough to my eye?

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Don't tread on me

Sounds like you do not have the telescope mounted with the proper eye relief (distance from eyeball to eyepiece lense).

Have somebody help you with mounting the scope so that when you shoulder the rifle with your eyes closed, and then open your eyes, you need make no head movements to find the scope lined up with your eye.

FWIW On anything above 2x I find my off eye closed. On moving targets and very low power I'm both eyes open.

That's my read too, though I'm a newbie. Try moving our eye closer to the scope and look through it.

Some scopes have two different point where you can see through them. Often there is a point further back from the correct spot (or range) that you can see a vignetted image (black fuzzy area around the edges). When you move your head from side to side a little bit the image disappears. If you move your eye close to the exit pupil at some point you should see a full (clear sharp edges) view.

Another option is the scope was dropped somewhere and took too hard of a hit and it out of alignment inside. I’ve had this happen with photographic lenses but not a scope but zoom optics are much pickier than prime (non-zoom) glass.

Hope this helps.

B2 (;->

Sounds like the scope is mounted too far forward in the rings. Loosen the rings and slide the scope back toward your eye while looking through the scope. Check the Leupold web site (Leupold || Home Page) to find your scope and the specifications for your scope. They will list the proper eye relief for the scope you have. Just don't mount the scope so far back that you end up with scope bite.

Class III

That scope should be mounted with about 3" of eye relief. In other words, when your head is on the stock in sighting position, the rear element of the scope lens is about 3" from your eye. Loosen the scope in the rings, and with your head in the sighting position, have someone slide it back & forth until you see the entire field of view. Also, are you trying to sight on a target closer than 50 yards? That scope is a centerfire rifle scope, and the parallax is set for about 75 to 100 yards. If you are trying to use this on a rimfire rifle you will have problems unless it has a adjustable objective (front lens) and you can focus at closer distances.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I second the recommendation to have the eye relief checked. The scope is most likely mounted too far forward on the weapon.

IMO shooting with both eyes open, regardless of scope power, is an asset. You can get on target faster, and your perception of the environment is much better.

No big deal if shooting a whitetail at 100 yards, but the perception of environment sure helps if it is something that will bite or trample you, and it is rapidly approaching at 40 yards, and you have to find it in the scope .

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Incoming fire has right of way

Thanks for the input - I'm trying to sight it in at 100 yards on my 30-30 - bought it for my mini 14 but my Ruger rings are not lining up correctly on that one - to far to the right when I bore sighted it in with a laser lite so I'm going to need to shim them I guess. My lever gun had a Tesco set up on it when I purchased it and so I moved the scope to it and was trying to sight it in. Things were going well when I had it set on 3 or 4 power - but at 9 I'm really having a tough time even finding the target.

Bought the scope new so didn't think damage due to drop would be an issue. I do think I'm to far from the scope the way I have it sitting in there so I will check to see what I have for eye relief.

Thanks for the help guys - I appreciate it - I'm just used to iron sites I probably should just stick with them I guess.

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Don't tread on me

The amount of eye relief becomes less forgiving as you increase the power of the scope, if that makes any sense. On low power, you'll find you can slide your head backward and forward quite a bit on the stock and still have a full field of view through the scope. As you move up in power, you'll find the amount you can move your eye and still have a full field of view decreases. Set the scope in the rings loose with it on 9x. Mount the gun naturally with your eyes closed, and open your eyes. If you don't have a full field of view without having to move your head, you need to move the scope one way or another. Repeat until you have it where it needs to be. You've bought a very nice scope. Oh yeah...I always shoot with both eyes open.

Here ya go!

How to Mount a Telescopic Sight onto Your Rifle

This one should actually help.

YouTube - Riflescope Mounting Tutorial - Part 1

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Still Running Against the Wind

This funny and really close to being right here in my back yard!

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Don't tread on me