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mirage and the fixed power scope |
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rdsii64
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/29/2008 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Posted: January/27/2009 at 22:00 |
Those of us who use variable powered scopes have the ability to dial down the magnificaion when mirage is becoming a problem. What can you do when mirage is a problem and you are using a fixed power scope?
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.308 Howa 1500. 24" heavy varmint barrel
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rifle looney
Optics Master Joined: November/21/2008 Status: Offline Points: 2553 |
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Try a sun shade?
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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I don't think a sun shade will help. You should see the mirage regardless. At least I still see it with sun shades on.
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wolfee
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/21/2004 Status: Offline Points: 76 |
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8shots
Optics Jedi Knight Lord Of The Flies Joined: March/14/2007 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 6253 |
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I do not have a fixed scope to give advice. I do not however think that anything can be done other then learn to shoot through it.
The only advice I have seen on mirage is to dial down the power, which leads me to believe that nothing can be done about it. Turning down the power simply lessens your ability to see it.
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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It all depends on what power fixed scope you chose. If you are using a lower magnification fixed power like, say, 4X, there's nothing that needs to be done. If you're using a fixed 10X and above, you'll obviously have to deal with more of a mirage problem, but I don't think it becomes a huge issue until you get beyond about 12X, or at least that's my experience.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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two kinds of mirages, barrel heat mirage and rapid ambient atmospheric differential, first can be solved with a strap similiar to the one sako uses on the trgs, or pd hunters use, extended 12 and 18 inch sunshades that screw into the scope. the second is more difficult and only partially solved by stopping down the scope, in other words, use a scope end cover that has a much smaller hole cut in the end.
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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Nothing can be done about mirage, if it is there, it is there regardless of what power your scope is set on. However, as you "tone down" the mirage, you also lose the ability to "read" it... One of the reasons, originally for choosing 10x for military scopes was that the mirage was still visible at a high degree, but, in general, did not completely distort the target, still allowing long range shots. Mirage is a moderate factor at 500-700yd, much more pronounced beyond 800. As range increases, mirage becomes a bigger factor. Of course, there are conditions where that can occur at 10x as well. Military chooses "lesser of evils" most of the time. Reading mirage is a "key" to long range shooting, as it can significantly improve the ability to call the wind. One of the numerous aids/impediments to long range shooting. Don't fear it, learn to use it.
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Very true, but it all depends on the size of and distance to your target as to whether or not mirage is your friend. At some distance, depending on conditions, you simply cannot see anything clearly beyond the "swimming pool." If you're shooting at really small targets in heavy mirage, you may not be able to see your target at all. I've had times shooting pd's where the mirage was so bad, you couldn't see the little critters at all beyond 500.
Edited by RifleDude - January/28/2009 at 10:44 |
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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another help -- is to get the shooting platform as high as possible off the ground or same plane as the target. -- even using the top of the pick-up cab helps sometimes.
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