Diopter Sights and Astigmatism?

[Mtl_Biker]

I'm not shooting very well with my 10-meter rifle... about 50 points (in a match) LESS than I shoot with my pistol.  And I really don't think it's the gun's adjustment to me, my hold, trigger control or follow-through.  (Although it could be I guess.)  When I shoot any of my scoped rifles, free-hand, I get much better results, even at 10 meters, than I get with my dedicated 10-meter rifle.

I think it's my vision.

I'm left-eye dominant and right-handed, and that's not going to change.  I shoot pistol in my right hand but aim with my left dominant eye, using shooting glasses with a blinder over the right eye and a custom prescription lens (aimed at the front sight) on the left, plus an adjustable iris.  I do quite well.  But with rifle, I use my regular "progressive" prescription eyeglasses and aim with my right eye.

I'm thinking about getting a better rear sight system.  I looked at the Gehmann #530 iris with adjustable diopter, but after talking with my optician I believe it won't work for me because I also have astigmatism and that iris doesn't correct for that.  Gehmann also makes a #579 "Cylindrical lens system" which DOES correct for astigmatism.  Coupled with a 6-color iris #570, also with variable diopter adjustment, just MIGHT do the job for me.

Do any of you have experience with such a thing?

I could, I guess, get another pair of shooting glasses and have my optician get me a proper lens, but as my eyesight changes (they say it changes even day to day because of many factors) I'd have to get a new lens.  This #530 supposedly takes care of that.

Thanks for any information.

[ac12]

Couple options:

There is a "periscope" attachment to the rear sight that allows you to use your LEFT eye to aim with.
http://www.gehmann.com/english/products.php?id=194&kategorie=23
Pretty neat stuff, but also rather expensive.

The problem with shooting a rifle with a progressive glasses, is that the RX of a  progressive lens changes all over the lens.  You need the RX to be correct to focus on the front sight and also see the target well enough to aim at it.  And you need that RX at the spot that you aim out of on your glasses.  IMHO that is why progressives don't work for rifle shooters, where you look out of the top left quarter of your lens, and have little ability to move your head.

What you could do is to change your setup.
I shoot with my head UPRIGHT, I do not lean my head forward and over the stock.
Instead I cant the rifle to the left to bring the sight to my eye.
This allows me to aim out of the center area of my lens.

Finally, get an INexpensive shooting glasses.
- A low cost standard frame.  NOT the expensive frames the eye doc sells.
- Bifocal lens (poly carbonate)
- - Aiming RX so you can FOCUS on the front sight and still see the target.
- - Non aiming RX, distance or mid vision, so you can walk about.
- - Bifocal, reading so you can read stuff on the bench and inspect the pellets.
Costco or similar discount house can make the glasses for you much cheaper than from the eye doc.  In my case, Costco is less than half the cost of the eye doc.

[Mtl_Biker]

That periscope thing is weird looking but cool at the same time.  I wonder how well it actually works.  The Canadian source for Gehmann doesn't stock this and would have to order it from Germany which takes a long time and would be even more expensive, as they have a larger order already on its way.

In any case, I've taken the plunge and ordered the 570-579 combo which I think and hope will solve the problem for me.  I should have it in about a week (the 570 is in their current shipment which is expected very soon).

Good suggestion about the glasses though.  Thank you.

[ac12]

Good luck.
I know how it is to have to deal with a physical issue.

My bad back makes it tricky to shoot an 11 pound target rifle.  I had to adjust my stance (to not rotate my back), and I have to wear a back belt (which is not competition legal). 
My rifle of choice is a lighter Junior rifle.  But I still have to do the above 2 things.
This is one reason I primarily shoot AP, as it is much easier on my back.

All this was not helped when I had to go to tri-focal progressive lens.
It was very difficult to focus on the front sight with the progressive lens glasses.
That was when I decided I NEEDED a special shooting glasses, so that I could focus on the front sight. 

[ejhc11]

I think you need this type of Gehmann iris 530-579, the item # 579 is for astigmatism.

Problem is I have not seen it for sale.

http://www.gehmann.com/english/products.php?id=1704&kategorie=20