Traditional Muzzleloading Association

The Center of Camp => The Campfire => Topic started by: Hank in WV on July 29, 2024, 10:21:15 AM

Title: Shooting weak side
Post by: Hank in WV on July 29, 2024, 10:21:15 AM
The last several years my eyes have been getting worse (cataracts). At first the targets got hard to see, then the front sight. This is one of the reasons I haven't been shooting as much anymore. I'm right-handed and of course that's my worst eye. Lately I've been trying to teach myself to shoot left-handed. Talk about awkward. I was wondering if anyone else has done this and what were your results? I sure don't want to give up shooting all together.
Title: Re: Shooting weak side
Post by: Bigsmoke on July 29, 2024, 11:21:38 AM
Hank, that really sucks.
From experiences at some of the rendezvous I have attended, some of them have a match where a person has to shoot from their weak side.  I agree, it is pretty uncomfortable.
At first it was a totally alien experience, but after the first two or three attempts, I found out that I could shoot just as poorly left handed as I do right handed.   :Doh!
The only "cure" I can think about is to have the cataracts corrected.
Or, go with it and get a left handed rifle.
John (Bigsmoke)
Title: Re: Shooting weak side
Post by: dmarsh on July 29, 2024, 11:39:19 AM
Hank, don't know if you are old enough to have Medicare but if you do have your eye doctor refer you for cataract surgery.  I had mine done and I can see the target and the sights.  Out of pocket cost was about $400.  Only surgery you will have that will make you happier than the proverbial pig in the poopy.  Well worth it.   :bigsmile: 
Title: Re: Shooting weak side
Post by: Winter Hawk on July 29, 2024, 01:23:02 PM
I'm in the same boat.  Cataracts make stuff blurry, but we have to wait until they're "ripe" before I can have surgery.  So I go for my annual eye exam but the cataracts aren't to the point they can be removed.   ;banghead;

Of course my steadiness has diminished also so that front sight makes little circles around the target, and it is anyone's guess where they are when I pull the trigger....    :o

~Kees~
Title: Re: Shooting weak side
Post by: Nessmuk on July 29, 2024, 02:28:13 PM
Ditto, exactly what Kees said!! We could be twins right down to our "Dutchiness" I'm also waiting for the eye doctors Green Light for surgery.
Title: Re: Shooting weak side
Post by: KDubs on July 29, 2024, 03:37:14 PM
Not sure this helps but yesterday was our club shoot.
 Top shooter was a gentleman who was having trouble seeing from his right dominant eye.
 So he shot lefty with a flint lock. He hit 21 out of 40.
 25-100 yds.
  That should give you hope at least.
Kevin
 
Title: Re: Shooting weak side
Post by: Hank in WV on July 29, 2024, 05:55:16 PM
I'm in the same "ripeness" situation. He's been saying not ready for four years. Shooting my right-hand flinter lefty has not been a problem for me. I hit 5 out of 18 targets yesterday, an improvement from 1 out of 18.
Title: Re: Shooting weak side
Post by: rollingb on July 30, 2024, 01:50:33 AM
The last several years my eyes have been getting worse (cataracts). At first the targets got hard to see, then the front sight. This is one of the reasons I haven't been shooting as much anymore. I'm right-handed and of course that's my worst eye. Lately I've been trying to teach myself to shoot left-handed. Talk about awkward. I was wondering if anyone else has done this and what were your results? I sure don't want to give up shooting all together.

I can't even pick my nose left-handed without poking myself in the eye. :sad