I'm curious. Currently I use a Bushnell Elite 3200 (fixed 10x) for my long range shooting (300 yard - 500 yards). I've noticed that the mirage is noticeable (but manageable) at those ranges. Last time I was shooting I had the opportunity to use a variable power scope (5-16x not sure what scope exactly). When the scope was set to anything past 10x (target 300 yards away) the mirage got so bad it was hard to properly see and aim at the target. My question is what is the point of higher magnification scopes if the mirage is that bad? What are your experiences with mirage and scope magnification?
Mirage and scopes
- Thread starter BradlyJW
- Start date
Mirage, "as looking down the empty highway on a hot day" On the range mirage is there most of the time, early morning and evening has the least. You tried a higher power scope and met Mr MIRAGE. It's a condition the LR shooter has to learn to deal with and it takes PRACTICE to read the condition, lots of practice. Using high power scopes say a NF 12-40 in extreme conditions you may have to reduce the power setting to the 20-30 range. No one ever completely overcomes or comprehends MIRAGE.
enjoy
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Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Make mirage your friend..... cause it is. For LR shooting, mirage is a critical aid in figuring out your firing solution and adjusting for the changes that will happen.
If shooting on a range, flags are nice but aren't everywhere and may "lie". Mirage almost never does.
If you want to use high mag scopes, mirage is a part of life. Better scopes with better glass can help here alot. Sightron being the entry level of quality glass and solid tracking. From there you can go NF, S&B, March, etc.
Those that compete in F class out to 1000yds, will have their scopes set at 30X to 55X. The better scopes still pick up mirage... just the image is still useable. I shoot at 32 to 35X and let the changes and intensity of the mirage tell me what the air is doing...
Many times, when you loose info the mirage provides, you also loose the ability to make precise and subtle adjustments to the aim and that costs alot of misses.
At the AB provincials last summer, conditions were mild but there was a switching wind of about 1/2 to 3/4 min. The flags were dead and nothing really showed the changes except the mirage. I was able to see the mirage, shot a clean relay with high V count at 700m. A very good shooter on my relay just kept getting caught on the switches and dropped a bunch of points. Afterwards, we chatted and I asked if he saw all those switches... Nope, couldn't pick up the mirage.
Those points likely were what put me into the lead and the overall win.
Mirage IS MY FRIEND!!!
Jerry
If shooting on a range, flags are nice but aren't everywhere and may "lie". Mirage almost never does.
If you want to use high mag scopes, mirage is a part of life. Better scopes with better glass can help here alot. Sightron being the entry level of quality glass and solid tracking. From there you can go NF, S&B, March, etc.
Those that compete in F class out to 1000yds, will have their scopes set at 30X to 55X. The better scopes still pick up mirage... just the image is still useable. I shoot at 32 to 35X and let the changes and intensity of the mirage tell me what the air is doing...
Many times, when you loose info the mirage provides, you also loose the ability to make precise and subtle adjustments to the aim and that costs alot of misses.
At the AB provincials last summer, conditions were mild but there was a switching wind of about 1/2 to 3/4 min. The flags were dead and nothing really showed the changes except the mirage. I was able to see the mirage, shot a clean relay with high V count at 700m. A very good shooter on my relay just kept getting caught on the switches and dropped a bunch of points. Afterwards, we chatted and I asked if he saw all those switches... Nope, couldn't pick up the mirage.
Those points likely were what put me into the lead and the overall win.
Mirage IS MY FRIEND!!!
Jerry
I think you mean NF, March, S&B
Joking aside, you make an excellent point - mirage is data that can be observed and used. Ideally, a quality scope can pick up mirage and allow for a clear view of the target. In this regard the Sightron Siii is a very good choice; in particular the 8-32x56.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Not listed in order but if it were... SIII, March, S&B, SVSS(??), NF comp, SVSS (??)
Jerry
Jerry
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Jerry nailed it. Right in the vbull.
