Scope clarity and mirage

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

I hear guys say they shoot anhigh power scope (25X+) and can see the scoring rings no problem at 600 yards.
For the life of me, I never seem to be able to get a clear picture. I am always shooting at a blur. I play with the side focus to no avail. Theo my thing that works is lowering the power to say 15X.
So how are guys shooting higher power and able to see the target and not soupy mirage? What am I missing?

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

ED glass, CA and mirage

Since I can't shoot rifles at long range during the Wuhan virus pandemic, I can at least think about it. So, while reflecting on the atmospheric vagaries than engender issue looking at a target on 1000 yards, I dedicate a few neurons to try to explain why I believe that ED glass helps tame the...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[Jeff Porter]

What scope are you using? Glass matters and you will get what you pay for. My first high magnification scope was a BSA 5-25x and it was horrible over 10x, image was dim and almost grainy at 20 and above. Thought I could get by with a lower priced product that had the same magnification range .. I was wrong.
That said, I have a March 4.5x that is clear enough to see scoring rings at 600 on my service rifle. It isn’t all about magnification.

 

[Liven The Dream]

On most days I see the 1000 yard Rings on a F/Class Target face.
I am running Sightron Siii 10X50X60 . I shoot at the Given Spot marked on the Ring 24/25 Power.
It works 98% of the Time .

I know of shooters running 50 and see everything .
I wish I had the $$$ to go ED Glass??

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

And that would be me. I run my March with Super ED glass at 50X all the time, regardless of mirage. Mind you, the IQ can get wonky in bad mirage, but I can always see the rings. The incoming Majesta does an even better job in mirage conditions.

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

What scope are you using? Glass matters and you will get what you pay for. My first high magnification scope was a BSA 5-25x and it was horrible over 10x, image was dim and almost grainy at 20 and above. Thought I could get by with a lower priced product that had the same magnification range .. I was wrong.
That said, I have a March 4.5x that is clear enough to see scoring rings at 600 on my service rifle. It isn’t all about magnification.

Jeff, I have the Sightron SIII 8-32.
I too can see 600 scoring rings with the 4.5X WOA scope. I am specifically asking about clarity at higher power.

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

ED glass, CA and mirage

Since I can't shoot rifles at long range during the Wuhan virus pandemic, I can at least think about it. So, while reflecting on the atmospheric vagaries than engender issue looking at a target on 1000 yards, I dedicate a few neurons to try to explain why I believe that ED glass helps tame the...

forum.accurateshooter.com

The zoom assemblies, whether in the eyepiece or erector tube only magnify the image presented at the first focal plane in front of the erector tube in my riflescope or at the prism in my Kowa.

We have seen in this thread that people turn down the magnification when the mirage gets bad. Camera buffs like me know not to use long lenses when shooting through mirage. The longer the focal length to the first focal plane (or camera sensor), the more the image will be distorted by the mirage because it’s compressing more distortion in the atmosphere. In a riflescope, after the first focal plane, the image will not be catching any more mirage, there are no atmospheric conditions in the scope further distorting the light rays. What is happening however, is that zooming in on the first focal plane is bringing out the distortion the image may have from the mirage. So it is important to get as clear and crisp an image in the first focal plane as possible so as not to detect the distortion.

Found this in the thread you linked. Explained what I am dealing with.

 

[JFrank]

I’ve used the Sightron 8-32 for 1000 yard Br without issues, I’ve seen 30 cal bullet holes at 600 yards using that same scope at 32x
The scope is capable.. imo

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

I’ve used the Sightron 8-32 for 1000 yard Br without issues, I’ve seen 30 cal bullet holes at 600 yards using that same scope at 32x
The scope is capable.. imo

So I am wondering if it something I am doing? 600 yds was a complete blur this weekend. I was using blurry white up and down of the numbers to aim. Were you shooting in heavy mirage? The mirage this weekend was easily visible with the naked eye.

 

[Fred Bohl]

With all due respect to quality of TT's March scopes or SPJ's Sightron scopes, the optical path scope to target is vastly greater than the path within the scope. The atmospheric soup along that path will be there in any case. As with all the skills required for precision shooting, they must be learned and practiced. Remember, seeing is less about what we look at but more about how our brain interprets what we’re looking at.

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

what?

 

[JFrank]

So I am wondering if it something I am doing? 600 yds was a complete blur this weekend. I was using blurry white up and down of the numbers to aim. Were you shooting in heavy mirage? The mirage this weekend was easily visible with the naked eye.

Mirage is a problem for everyone, barrel heat adds a layer of complexity as well, I use a mirage shield and now a fan for Br.
In all fairness there are days I just have to turn a scope down a tad bit.

 

[6MMsteve]

I hear guys say they shoot anhigh power scope (25X+) and can see the scoring rings no problem at 600 yards.
For the life of me, I never seem to be able to get a clear picture. I am always shooting at a blur. I play with the side focus to no avail. Theo my thing that works is lowering the power to say 15X.
So how are guys shooting higher power and able to see the target and not soupy mirage? What am I missing?

look through a Kahles 10x50 Moak, it really fit my eye but I sold it

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Mirage is a problem for everyone, barrel heat adds a layer of complexity as well, I use a mirage shield and now a fan for Br.
In all fairness there are days I just have to turn a scope down a tad bit.

Mirage is indeed a problem for everyone, just not to the same degree.

 

[JFrank]

I’ve been through two Sightrons, a Golden Eagle and now a Nightforce comp, the latter is the best I’ve looked through hands down.

Just my opinion of course.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

With all due respect to quality of TT's March scopes or SPJ's Sightron scopes, the optical path scope to target is vastly greater than the path within the scope. The atmospheric soup along that path will be there in any case. As with all the skills required for precision shooting, they must be learned and practiced. Remember, seeing is less about what we look at but more about how our brain interprets what we’re looking at.

Of course the mirage does its thing between the target and the objective lens. But here's my way to look at it: the soup that comes into the riflescope is thickened by CA.