Bullet holes
- Thread starter malcarjeb
- Start date
Fred Bohl
Gold $$ Contributor
Robert is being overly pessimistic but nonetheless substantially correct. In very good seeing conditions,clear still air with no mirage and high contrast well illuminated target) it is possible to resolve small bullet holes with both rifle scopes and spotting scopes. For the minimum required scope specs here is a quick calculator: Click Here.
For alternative methods, you may also want to review the following thread and its referenced threads and articles:Spotting @ Long Range - Beating Bad Seeing
For alternative methods, you may also want to review the following thread and its referenced threads and articles:Spotting @ Long Range - Beating Bad Seeing
Fred Bohl
Gold $$ Contributor
Nice catch Robert. You are correct in that wrinkles and creases or even a somewhat curved target face will create serious problems for viewing and interpreting the target image,particularly at long range). It is also important that the target backer is removed by the bullet passing through so that a true non reflecting hole is produced to maximize contrast. It also helps if there are no wrinkles or creases in your mirage shield.
While we are abusing wrinkles, I have noted that as I have acquired more in my face,all hard earned) that also seems to be detrimental to my ability to resolve my 6mm bullet holes at long range.
Robert - did you ever select your new long range scope?
While we are abusing wrinkles, I have noted that as I have acquired more in my face,all hard earned) that also seems to be detrimental to my ability to resolve my 6mm bullet holes at long range.
Robert - did you ever select your new long range scope?
I haven't looked through one, but I'm sure you'll be happy with your Zeiss. I kind'a think once you get up in that price range, it really becomes a matter of preference. Some prefer the color rendition of the Swarovski, others prefer what I think is perceived clarity,Zeiss lenses seem a little brighter to me but not as color rich as Swarovski). For the range, I'd probably lean towards the Zeiss, just based on my experiences comparing Zeiss and Swaro binos and scopes.,The Kowa is also an excellent choice for range use, but only slightly cheaper than the others these days.)
If you haven't had a high-end spotting scope before, you're going to quickly learn just how much texture mirage has.
Fred, let's not talk about wrinkles any more. I'm right on the verge of gaining too many of them.
I haven't really picked out a scope yet. I need a Nightforce anyway, so I'll just start with that for now. Paying for some of my projects will probably keep me too broke to invest in a March this year. Maybe mid-Summer if I'm lucky--I have a lot of projects to pay for. Sigh.
Hmmm, backers. There's a thought. Make a backer out of a piece of Coroplast, but cut a hole in it for the center or your target. Cover the hole with some thin card stock, like business card thick, just enough so that the paper on the target won't tear. I think that's about the only way you're going to get a complete hole through the target. Although a fresh fabric backer with the target pasted to it was usually pretty good for holes--until the number of pasted over centers got pretty thick that is.
robert
If you haven't had a high-end spotting scope before, you're going to quickly learn just how much texture mirage has.
Fred, let's not talk about wrinkles any more. I'm right on the verge of gaining too many of them.
I haven't really picked out a scope yet. I need a Nightforce anyway, so I'll just start with that for now. Paying for some of my projects will probably keep me too broke to invest in a March this year. Maybe mid-Summer if I'm lucky--I have a lot of projects to pay for. Sigh.
Hmmm, backers. There's a thought. Make a backer out of a piece of Coroplast, but cut a hole in it for the center or your target. Cover the hole with some thin card stock, like business card thick, just enough so that the paper on the target won't tear. I think that's about the only way you're going to get a complete hole through the target. Although a fresh fabric backer with the target pasted to it was usually pretty good for holes--until the number of pasted over centers got pretty thick that is.
robert
something that really works for me is the bright colored
construction paper from dollar general, comes in four different
colors some off colored marker and you will really be supprised
how much better they stand out with the "litler" holes.
construction paper from dollar general, comes in four different
colors some off colored marker and you will really be supprised
how much better they stand out with the "litler" holes.
Fred Bohl
Gold $$ Contributor
malcarjeb
I also think you will be very pleased with with your Zeiss 20-60x85 spotter. Until the mirage and or air quality gets bad,usually after noon here in northeast Wisconsin), you should be fine in resolving those .204 holes. With that 85mm objective you should have adequate resolution out to 850 yards. You may eventually want to acquire a fixed power lens,44x max to stay under the diffraction limit) which will provide a slightly clearer and brighter image than the zoom, but don't rush.
Robert
Wrinkles aside, have you considered holding out until you have enough for the new March 10-60? The best backer I've found is a pressed paper board sold around here under the Homasote label. It is fairly dense, takes staples well and a bullet makes a nice clean hole through the dull gray material.
I also think you will be very pleased with with your Zeiss 20-60x85 spotter. Until the mirage and or air quality gets bad,usually after noon here in northeast Wisconsin), you should be fine in resolving those .204 holes. With that 85mm objective you should have adequate resolution out to 850 yards. You may eventually want to acquire a fixed power lens,44x max to stay under the diffraction limit) which will provide a slightly clearer and brighter image than the zoom, but don't rush.
Robert
Wrinkles aside, have you considered holding out until you have enough for the new March 10-60? The best backer I've found is a pressed paper board sold around here under the Homasote label. It is fairly dense, takes staples well and a bullet makes a nice clean hole through the dull gray material.
FredBohl said:
Nahh, the NF will likely perform dual duty this year--if my comp gun even gets finished. Later I'll get a March and relegate the NF to strictly varmint rifles.
At the clubs I shoot at, the backers are either shot up fiberboard or warped cardboard,on target frames). So, I just
use some glue stick to paste a bunch of targets on a sheet of
Coroplast and then staple the Coroplast to the backer. The
Coroplast will take a lot of bullets before it gets too shot
up to use and it gives me a nice flat target,no wrinkles
)that I can just peel off if I want to keep it.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.