Weird Experince Using Optics

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Snakewood

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Hi all,

I'm a newbie and started shooting about five months ago. I have a Tikka T3X CTR in .223 Rem and an Arken SH-4 4-16X50 GEN2 FFP. At this time I only have access to an indoor 50 yards range. I spent sometime adjusting the diopter and parallax on the scope so the reticle is sharp and in focus and when I move my head from side to side the point of aim does not move. This happens every time I go to the range: when I start both the reticle and the target are sharp, but after 40-50 minutes of shooting the target is blurry and I can hardly see it. I know Arken is a cheap scope but not that great, but I don't understand how this can happen. Is this eye fatigue?
 
It's eye fatigue probably because of a poorly set diopter. I don't know your age but younger eyes tend to adjust quickly. It's not easy to set your diopter. You could try playing with the diopter once your eyes are tired at the range.
 
Set the diopter by looking off into the sky, having your eyes focus on infinity, and then quickly glance into the scope. You want to set the diopter so that there is no period of adjustment for your eyes between looking off into the distance and the sharp reticle. Get that set up first, looking into the sky. Parallax you set afterwards, depending on the distance. If you don't get the diopter right, you will experience eye fatigue.
 
Set the magnification to its highest (16) in your case. Turn the parallax adjustment to infinity. Find a white or light coloured wall and with an unloaded open chamber, close your eyes and mount the gun. Open your eyes and the reticle should be clear and sharp instantly.If not then adjust it till its bright ,clear and sharp. This should happen instantly. Go back to your range and dont pay attention to the distance markings, adjust till everything at your target is sharp and clear. If you still get the same problems its eye fatigue and poor glass quality. If your eyes have to fight to keep everything in focus fatigue will surely happen. Its why guides and birders who spend countless hours behind their optics spend on the best available.
 
Snakewood said:
Hi all,

...when I start both the reticle and the target are sharp, but after 40-50 minutes of shooting the target is blurry and I can hardly see it.
Click to expand...

It is caused by heat mirage from your barrel. Happens to all rifles. You cope with this by using a "mirage band" on top of the barrel.

A mirage bad sits on top of your barrel and deflects the heat waves. I made a mirage band by using stick-on velcro pieces (loops) on the end of the barrel and just under the scope bell, and then using velcro pieces (hooks) on the underside of 3 inch wide black elastic I bought from the fabric store. Some folks make them from old venetian blind slats. Some folks make them with carbon fiber or stiff pieces of plastic. There are commercial mirage bands for sale, some fasten with velcro, some have metal hooks that hook onto a small screw on top of a muzzle brake, and onto a small screw on the end of a picatinny rail under the scope.

Mirage band needs to be light weight so that it does not adversely affect your barrel harmonics.
You can find stick on velcro cut to size rolls at hardware stores.

Another way I use to deal with barrel mirage instead of a mirage band, is to use a USB battery powered fan on the bench, aimed at the barrel. It blows the heat waves away from the barrel top, and cools it at the same time. I found the fan in the auto section of Can Tire. It runs off any USB battery pack and cord. Recharge the battery separately.
 
Thanks everyone for your great comments. I will adjust diopter and parallax again and will look into mirage bands.
 
Biologist said:
It is caused by heat mirage from your barrel. Happens to all rifles. You cope with this by using a "mirage band" on top of the barrel.

A mirage bad sits on top of your barrel and deflects the heat waves. I made a mirage band by using stick-on velcro pieces (loops) on the end of the barrel and just under the scope bell, and then using velcro pieces (hooks) on the underside of 3 inch wide black elastic I bought from the fabric store. Some folks make them from old venetian blind slats. Some folks make them with carbon fiber or stiff pieces of plastic. There are commercial mirage bands for sale, some fasten with velcro, some have metal hooks that hook onto a small screw on top of a muzzle brake, and onto a small screw on the end of a picatinny rail under the scope.

Mirage band needs to be light weight so that it does not adversely affect your barrel harmonics.
You can find stick on velcro cut to size rolls at hardware stores.

Another way I use to deal with barrel mirage instead of a mirage band, is to use a USB battery powered fan on the bench, aimed at the barrel. It blows the heat waves away from the barrel top, and cools it at the same time. I found the fan in the auto section of Can Tire. It runs off any USB battery pack and cord. Recharge the battery separately.
Click to expand...
Good info, I like the little fan idea! Thanks!
 
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