Benchrest- overcast vs bright light conditions?

[chkunz]

I shoot benchrest for load development but have never shot benchrest competition.

I do well in overcast conditions but have difficulty on bright clear days seeing my aim point. I have learned to pick my days for load development that have favorable light conditions but I am woundering what you guys do at a match? You do not get to pick you days and must take what the day gives you so you must have learned how to deal with the light am maigre that some of the days bring.

How do you deal with those conditions?

 

[JMayo]

I got lucky this year at VFS & UBR. Most matches i shot the targets were clear enough.
Last year i remember many targets looked like a 2nd grader drew them & a lsd trip was happening !

 

[JEFFPPC]

I don't know what you where shooting before but if was iron sights I experience the same thing I shoot much better with irons on cloudy days. Now in benchrest we get the advantage of great scopes. For the past several years I have argued with my eye Dr that my glasses were inorrect. It was so bad I was shooting without them. I could see without them. I went to another eye Dr. Much different exam, new glasses,, now I can see with my glasses on.

 

[fultonbig9]

I used to pray for cloud cover. Lol

 

[David Christian]

I will add an extra scope shade and diopter to reduce the light entering the scope.

 

[mr45man]

I don't know what you where shooting before but if was iron sights I experience the same thing I shoot much better with irons on cloudy days. Now in benchrest we get the advantage of great scopes. For the past several years I have argued with my eye Dr that my glasses were inorrect. It was so bad I was shooting without them. I could see without them. I went to another eye Dr. Much different exam, new glasses,, now I can see with my glasses on.

Yes, I had a really good Optometrist once in FL.
He would test me and then have me wait till he could fit me on for a second test .
Told me to not wear my glasses while waiting. Averaged out the results, gave me a script, amazing how much better I could see.
All Optometrists are not equally qualified.

 

[6MMsteve]

I wear a pair of older glasses with single Rx lenses when I shoot, I wear bifocals or progressive lenses all the time except when I shoot. I use the single rx lenses and the scope is clear no matter what day unless my sugar has been high for a few days then it doesn't matter what I wear or how good the glass is. the shooting glasses or rx I use is 25 yrs old and works perfect.

 

[6MMsteve]

When going to see a Doctor you must stand your ground don't let them control every little thing, they can make mistakes and some don't give a shit

 

[Fuj]

I favor cloudy conditions, but sunshine is not a problem if it's at
your back. The range that I shoot with JEFFPPC has a nasty sun
in your face early on. Some have clamp on bench umbrellas, and
some like myself hang a towel from the beam above. Let me tell
you about the time I shot under the lights at night there. It was
a treat. I think the whole point is to have a relaxed sight, and no
squinting where your forced to move in and out of the eye box.

 

[JFrank]

There was a phrase , sun up gun up, sun down gun down but I can never remember if you aim up when the suns out or the target appears to be higher etc.
So most of my targets end up here..

Crappy target thread

I'll go first" what went wrong ? :( and who will be next to share?

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[KMart]

He would test me and then have me wait till he could fit me on for a second test .
Told me to not wear my glasses while waiting. Averaged out the results, gave me a script, amazing how much better I could see.
All Optometrists are not equally qualified.

So, that is why doctors call their business a Practice.

 

[chkunz]

I don't know what you where shooting before but if was iron sights I experience the same thing I shoot much better with irons on cloudy days. Now in benchrest we get the advantage of great scopes. For the past several years I have argued with my eye Dr that my glasses were inorrect. It was so bad I was shooting without them. I could see without them. I went to another eye Dr. Much different exam, new glasses,, now I can see with my glasses on.

I am shooting a Nighforce scope 12-42x56 scope. With overcast sky all is well but with bright sun and mirage I can not get a suitable sight picture. Equipment is as follows:
Front Rest – Sinclair “Heavy Varmint Shooting” model with windage adjustment

Rear Bag – Edgewood MiniGator

Optic – Nighforce Benchrest Scope, 12-42 x 56 / 0.125 MOA dot NP-2DD reticle

AR Specific Equipment – Bob Sled single loading block

Rings and Mounts – A.R.M.S. Throw Lever

AR Specific Equipment – Sinclair 3x6 inch front bag rider

AR Specific Equipment – WOA rear bag rider

 

[chkunz]

I used to pray for cloud cover. Lol

If you get bright sun and mirage what do you do?

 

[chkunz]

I will add an extra scope shade and diopter to reduce the light entering the scope.

This sound like it might help me, can you explain how you add an extra scope shade and diopter?

 

[chkunz]

Yes, I had a really good Optometrist once in FL.
He would test me and then have me wait till he could fit me on for a second test .
Told me to not wear my glasses while waiting. Averaged out the results, gave me a script, amazing how much better I could see.
All Optometrists are not equally qualified.

Are you saying that wearing reading glasses helps with bright sun and mirage?

 

[chkunz]

I wear a pair of older glasses with single Rx lenses when I shoot, I wear bifocals or progressive lenses all the time except when I shoot. I use the single rx lenses and the scope is clear no matter what day unless my sugar has been high for a few days then it doesn't matter what I wear or how good the glass is. the shooting glasses or rx I use is 25 yrs old and works perfect.

Does this help with bright sun and mirage?

 

[JFrank]

If you get bright sun and mirage what do you do?

I turn the power down to a level the target becomes clearer. ( manageable )

 

[jpx2rk]

If you get bright sun and mirage what do you do?

Pray harder and louder.

 

[chkunz]

I favor cloudy conditions, but sunshine is not a problem if it's at
your back. The range that I shoot with JEFFPPC has a nasty sun
in your face early on. Some have clamp on bench umbrellas, and
some like myself hang a towel from the beam above. Let me tell
you about the time I shot under the lights at night there. It was
a treat. I think the whole point is to have a relaxed sight, and no
squinting where your forced to move in and out of the eye box.

With my problem the sun is at my back, bright and with mirage.

 

[chkunz]

I turn the power down to a level the target becomes clearer.

I tried that and did not think it helped but maybe I did not give it enough consideration. I will work on this more.