Been doing some reading on effects of polarization in optical systems, which requires some inference for applicability to our purposes, as most everything I find is relating to digital photography/machine vision or in astrophotography. Digital camera sensors require circular polarizers for auto focus lenses to work properly.
General consensus is polarizers reduce light by 1-2 stops, increase detail and reduce reflections. Another interesting effect is the reduction of halation. This may be counterproductive to our purposes for seeing mirage due to perceived "sharpness" being improved which
could reduce visibility of mirage. Need to do some testing on that.
However, in application for competition rifle shooting, our optical requirements are generally during daylight hours, bright FOV from a shaded firing point. Hunting and field use, light transmission and clarity (IQ) are paramount and reduced transmission can be detrimental.
In competition settings, the use of multiple telescopic viewing systems is not only common, but the norm. Trying to have a single optical device do everything required of a serious shooter is to be considered a folly. Spotting scopes with large objective lenses, long eye relief and lower magnification that can be focused closer than the target with contrasting OOF backdrops improves ability to see mirage while our primary aiming device mounted on the rifle is focused at the target, often lacking the OOF backdrop required to see mirage. But that doesn't mean CA isn't present either. High contrast situations can really show CA abundantly. I have seen this most when shooting steel or silhouettes. Ability to see the splash or accurately define the true edge of plate can be difficult with low quality glass. Sun shades can help by reducing flair within the optical train as light enters at a more narrow angle near the edges of the lens.
Anyway, this is an enlightening thread. I am going to continue using my polarized, tinted, mirror coated, prescription shooting glasses as its what I'm used to in competition, but will definitely do some testing in the future to see how it affect my IQ.