Does eye's distance from aperture sight affect elevation?

[MidwestMatthew]

With peep sights, I've heard that moving one's eyes closer to, or farther from, the aperture will cause changes in elevation. This seems suspect based on my knowledge of how peep sights work, but I haven't been able to find any detailed information about this online so thought I'd ask here.

I'd test for myself, but the only aperture sight I have is on my slug gun, and at $2.50 a pop, testing gets expensive fast.

 

[rcmodel]

No, all it changes is overall accuracy if eye distance is not optimum.

But that will result in larger groups, not an elevation change.

It is just as likely to change windage too.

rc

 

[MidwestMatthew]

That's exactly what I thought. Thanks for helping confirm that.

 

[Milkmaster]

These are examples of what you are describing. One picture shows the aperture distance correctly. The other shows being too close to the aperture and seeing the entire front of the gun sight instead of just the front sight. I thought it might help you understand better. I love my peep sights. Good luck with yours!

BTW...you can change the aperture size on most peeps to make the distance to your eye optimal for your gun fit to you.

 

[Delmar]

I recall my drill sergeant telling me to park my nose on the charging handle of my M16A1 in order to establish a consistent sight picture, but it put me too close to the peep. I backed my face up until I could just barely see the sight wings on either side of the front sight and presto, got the groups I was looking for....at least out of a well used A1 manufactured by the Hydramatic Division of General Motors

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Interesting, I thought I was supposed to get as close as possible, it always seemed cleaner and brighter.