Seeing a bullet hit

[petemi]

I got in a discussion with Graybeard a while ago about being able to shoot a .22-250 and see the bullet hit.  All kinds of people told me it couldn't be done.  I can't explain how I do it.  I don't know if it is the fact I grew up shooting with both eyes open, or there is something wierd with me.  I shot a little buck at 220 yards offhand with my Handi .45-70. on November 29.  I saw the bullet hit and the deer crumble.

I'm having a problem with "both eyes open" just now because my left eye is stronger than my right, shooting, eye.  The left seems to take over and all I see is the view outside the scope.  It still works, but I have to force it.

If any of you military guys have any experience with shooting with both eyes, jump on and give us some input.  Thanks,

Pete

[R.W.Dale]

I've always had the habit of shooting scoped rifles both eyes open as well but the only bullet trails I've witnessed have been through the scope.

I'm the opposite of you in that I'm extremely right eye dominant due to a large disparity in my vision between my good right eye and my bad left so I can leave my left eye open without any strain as just a little added prephial vision

[petemi]

For the sake of argument, lets say the right eye is on the scope.  The rifle fires, recoils and leaps upward as does your field of view with your right eye.  Target momentarily lost.  Doesn't happen with the left eye open.  There's no tube confining its field of view.  It instantly adjusts to recoil and never moves off target.


the way I "see" it,

Pete

[R.W.Dale]

For the sake of arguement, lets say the right eye is on the scope.  The rifle fires, recoils and leaps upward as does your field of view with your right eye.  Target momentarily lost.  Doesn't happen with the left eye open.  There's no tube confining its field of view.  It instantly adjusts to recoil and never moves off target.


the way I "see" it,

Pete

Or if the rifle is heavy enough, the scope mag high enough, recoil low enough and range far enough you can see the bullet in flight when the atmosphere is right.

Or if the velocity is slow enough AKA 45/70

[cwlongshot]

Yes, I also shoot with both eyes open and have seen a bunch of bullets hit game. But generally its with the smaller calibers. I can remember a couple deer where I could see the skin ripple with the impact of the bullet.
 One imperticular was a small buck shot at very close range with a 358win. I hit him in the base of the neck at about 20yards. His body "reverberated" with the bullets impact and he "sucked" his legs up under his body in mid air and dropped on his brisket. Then as if in slow motion, rested his head down straight out in front of him.

 I have also seen a couple videos where you can see the burning bullet race thru the air to impact the animal. Very cool!

 CW

[petemi]

That's why I love the .45-70, I can sip my coffee, puff my cigar, reload and then watch the bullet hit

[mechanic]

My Dad was a proponent of "instinct" shooting.  He would take the sights off our guns when we were young, and only give them to us when we became proficient to a degree without them.  This has served me well until my eyes went south.  Now without a scope I am handicapped unless with a shotgun.

I no longer see the bullet or impact, but have had no problem at yet with getting the job done.  I've tweaked all my scopes based on my eyeglasses, and most other people who try and shoot my guns now have trouble.

I do understand what you are saying however, and agree that it is possible to see impact, provided you still have reasonable vision.

Ben

[petemi]

Ben, it's just another advantage of the "Golden Years."  Have a great New Year.

Pete

[Siskiyou]

Petemi:  Are you seeing the actual bullet hit, or are you seeing the effects of the bullet impact?  I have not read earlier post on this subject.

I shot a buck this year at close range using a .270 with a scope on it.  I noticed the following effects on the deer:

At the point of impact there was a compression of the hide.

There was a rippling effect of the hide from the point of impact to the flank.

The right front shoulder and leg of the deer spasm.

The deer ran approximately 231 yards and dropped dead.

Entrance wound side>



The bullet exited the off shoulder.

I later measured the distance with my Nikon rangefinder and it measure 32.5 yards. 

It is abnormal for me to see that much detail from a bullet strike from my own rifle.  Did I see it thru the scope, which was set at 2x, or did I see it from the other eye, or did I view it thru the scope and the off eye?  Today I do not have a clue.

I have seen deer spin around from a bullet strike, I have seen hoofs in the air thru my scope as the result of a neck shoot, but I do not recall ever seeing the hide ripple, or a shoulder/leg spasm. 

The one thing I did not see was the actual bullet itself. 

I believe there are people who have extra ordinary vision who may be able to see things I cannot.  One of them was an Army Gunship pilot with 20/15 vision.  I have seen the extraordinary marksmen call a lot of shots.

I am right handed, left eye dominate.  I shoot right and left handed depending on the occasion.

[Graybeard]

My distance vision is 20-20. If you can see a prairie dog hit at 300 yards with your eye that is not in the scope you see one heck of a lot better than me. I do admit I am left eye dominiant and have always and still do close that left eye to shoot with rifle or handgun leaving it open only for wingshooting with shotgun.

[bilmac]

I have been shooting a 22 rf at prairie dogs the last few years and for the first time am learning to call my own shots, I can see my bullets impact. I saw one hit a PD last summer, I saw a red spot appear on the dog. This is happening for me because I am using a 10-22 with a heavy barrel and only 6 or 4 power magnification. This is very useful because I can adjust my aim and walk the shots in.

[bilmac]

Didn't see Greybeards post, I agree with him the images I am getting are through the scope not the other eye.

[JonnyC]

If conditions are just right, I can see what appears to be a vapor trail toward the target.

[Rustyinfla]

 Years ago when I was a LEO we would practice at our dept. range. In the evening when the sun was setting behind us it was quite easy to see the .38 special bullets going downrange from the 50 yard line. I don't know how fast a bullet would have to be going to loose that ability, these were going around 850-900 FPS.

[Sourdough]

petemi:  Finally someone that sees the same thing I do.  I have been telling people for years I can see the bullet strike my target with my left eye after I shoot.  They tell me I am crazy, just because they can't.  Most close their left eye to look through their scope, or to better concentrate on their target with open sights.  They have trouble focusing on the target without closing their left eye.

Like you said I see the target (animal) with both eyes.  I bring the rifle up and suddenly see two targets, one small and one big.  I concentrate on the big one and shoot.  As the gun recoils and I lose sight with my right eye of the big target, I still see the small one with my left eye.  And under certain conditions I can follow the bullet flight to the target, and actually see the impact.  Other times I see the animal flinch, fall, or stumble with my left eye.  While the right one is unable to see through the scope.

[petemi]

I was taught to shoot well at age 11 by an Army Airborne Ranger Sargent.  He taught the Junior Rifle Club members to shoot with both eyes open because the target you're shooting at may NOT be the one that's going to kill you in a second or two.  With both eyes open you have a better field of view which could save your life later in combat.  It also enhances the ability to correct your own fire by seeing bullet strikes; dirt flying, brush cut off, etc.

Sourdough, that is exactly what I do.  As I said, I'm having trouble with it in my old age because my left eye has better vision and keeps wanting to take over.  I have to fight to maintain focus in both eyes, but I can still do it.

Pete

[NoBull60]

Pete,

Just got a new pair of glasses last month and the doc told me due my age , I may need to get reading glasses someday. I'll fight this tooth and nail. However, I was also tested to get get contacts. You may consider looking at getting a contact for the right eye only. "Old Man Eyes ", What the *#** is that? Both eyes wide open sees a lot more than one shut. If nothing else, you can see that second buck sneeking in before you pull the trigger on the first. I shot a coyote last weekend and saw the impact with both eyes. It only folded the hair in where the bullet hit, but I saw it with both eyes. Sometimes I have to squint the left eye due the cold wind causing tearing and it seems make the right take over more.
Good luck with the eyes Pete. Keep them healthy.

Rob

[Gohon]

Many years ago, and I do mean many years ago, I was shooting at a target set out about 40 yards or so with a 22LR.  On one shot I noticed a small black dot just before impact on the target.  I thought naw...it can't be. So I lined up and concentrated this time and fired and there it was again.  I shot two boxes of long rifles at that target just to see the bullet going down range.  Eventually the lighting shifted just enough that I could no longer see it.  This was through the scope with one eye closed.  I've never experienced that again since.  Don't know if one should shoot with both eyes open or not.  A lot of people claim you should.  Personally I just never got the hang of it and still close my left eye.

[cbourbeau32]

I know it is not necessarily the same thing but once while watching the outdoor channel a guy was shooting a big bore rifle at some deer down in a field (he was way above them shooting down) and when he shot you could easily watch the bullet travel to the deer and watch the bullet impact the deer and a big chunk of hair fly off. I don't remember the caliber but was interesting to watch. Charlie

[petemi]

Do you think they may have slowed it down for the effect?  I've seen bullets go down range, but they were more like .38 specials.

[billy_56081]

I know it is not necessarily the same thing but once while watching the outdoor channel a guy was shooting a big bore rifle at some deer down in a field (he was way above them shooting down) and when he shot you could easily watch the bullet travel to the deer and watch the bullet impact the deer and a big chunk of hair fly off. I don't remember the caliber but was interesting to watch. Charlie

Vapor trail, it is a very cool visual effect. you focus on the target then turn your spotting scope slightley out of focus and you can see the vapor from the bullet condensing the air. I'm sure someone here knows how much you offset your focus. I saw that one done on Christianson arms outsdoors many times and once with someone firing a 405 win.

[cbourbeau32]

Do you think they may have slowed it down for the effect?  I've seen bullets go down range, but they were more like .38 specials.

I don't think it was slowed down. But it was cool to watch. It may have been the vapor trail as another poster mentioned. Charlie

[gendoc]

what ever y'all call it, thats very COOL!!!!!!!!
been shoot'n for over 40 years and never experianced nothing like that.
but i must admit, i can't see no good these days!!!!!!!.  hell, really never been able to.......
under 100yrds is my game. if i used both eyes, where's that broad side of a barn?