Shooters who are accustomed to using peep sights -- and have their rifles properly sighted-in -- can accurately hit their targets at distances of up to 100 yards. Experts can often be accurate at twice that distance. Understanding the optics -- and how the human eye works with a peep sight -- is a vital first step to mastering a rifle. A shooter familiar and comfortable with a peep sight can often hold his own with shooters using telescopic sights.
Items you will need
Small jeweler's screwdriver
Steps
Bring your eye to the peep sight, allowing the edges of the aperture to blur. The target will also be somewhat out of focus. Concentrate on the front bead of the peep-sight system, bringing it into focus and centering it on your target. The human eye will automatically center itself in the middle of the peep sight. Fire several shots on the target range to get comfortable and relaxed. The goal is to establish a repeatable shooting position.
Adjust the elevation screw -- or knob -- on the peep sight to establish the proper relationship between the front bead and your target. Shooters often adjust the elevation setting so that shots hit at the top of the peep-sight's front bead. When peep-sight elevation is adjusted to place shots on the center of the bead, the bead itself often covers too much of the target. Raise the elevation of the rear peep-sight if your shots are going too low. Lower the rear peep-sight if your shots are going too high.
Adjust the windage screw -- or knob -- on the peep sight to correct for right or left misalignment. Use the adjustment to move the aperture in the same direction you want your shots to move. If you are missing to the left, use the windage adjustment to move your peep sight to the right. If you are missing to the right, adjust the peep sight to the left.
Warnings
- Always follow the rules of fundamental gun safety when shooting and adjusting sights.
Tips
- Clean and blacken your sights. Black sights stand out more clearly and make sighting and aiming your rifle easier.
- Target discs are sometimes used to decrease the diameter of the peep sight's aperture. They increase depth of field and decrease the amount of light that reaches your eye.
- Keep both eyes open when sighting in your gun with a peep sight.
References
- "Complete Book of Rifle and Shotguns With a Seven-Lesson Rifle Shooting Course"; Jack O'Connor; 1965
- Chuckhawks.com: Choosing the Right Sight
- Snipercountry.com: Basic Marksmanship
- Gunsamerica.com: Peep Sights - The Key to Better Shooting
Tips
- Clean and blacken your sights. Black sights stand out more clearly and make sighting and aiming your rifle easier.
- Target discs are sometimes used to decrease the diameter of the peep sight's aperture. They increase depth of field and decrease the amount of light that reaches your eye.
- Keep both eyes open when sighting in your gun with a peep sight.
Warnings
- Always follow the rules of fundamental gun safety when shooting and adjusting sights.
Writer Bio
Raymond Manley started writing for newspapers in 1975, including the "San Jose Sun" and the "Cupertino Courier." He also has extensive experience copywriting for catalogs and the internet. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from San Jose State University where he won statewide and national awards in feature and news writing. He plays jazz professionally and is an avid fly fisherman.
