F-Class - Using Spotting Scope to Read Mirage Advice

[Tcon260]

All,

I have shot F-class for a while, but have not used a spotting scope to read mirage...only the rifle scope and flags to read wind...not that I read wind very well..

I purchased a spotting scope and stand to use for reading the mirage and am looking for advice from experienced long range shooters who use a spotting scope to read mirage. A few questions, but feel free to weigh in on any advice...not looking to turn this into the pros and cons of a spotting scope as this is the direction I am headed for now.

1. tips for setting up the scope
2. tips/advice on where to focus the scope
3. do you find that for a given distance at a given range you typically focus the scope at the same distance?
   1. if so, do you mark the focus knob for certain distances to easily return to that distance setting?
4. Since I will not need to see the value marker through the spotting scope (F-class so I can see the value marker through the rifle scope), where would I point the scope...at the number board...at the target...somewhere else?

Please share your experiences

 

[Fulvio]

All,

I have shot F-class for a while, but have not used a spotting scope to read mirage...only the rifle scope and flags to read wind...not that I read wind very well..

I purchased a spotting scope and stand to use for reading the mirage and am looking for advice from experienced long range shooters who use a spotting scope to read mirage. A few questions, but feel free to weigh in on any advice...not looking to turn this into the pros and cons of a spotting scope as this is the direction I am headed for now.

1. tips for setting up the scope
2. tips/advice on where to focus the scope
3. do you find that for a given distance at a given range you typically focus the scope at the same distance?
   1. if so, do you mark the focus knob for certain distances to easily return to that distance setting?
4. Since I will not need to see the value marker through the spotting scope (F-class so I can see the value marker through the rifle scope), where would I point the scope...at the number board...at the target...somewhere else?

Please share your experiences

Here is my experience.
Ideally, the spotting scope should be positioned so that you need to have a minimum (or no) movement with your head when switching from the rifle scope to the spotting scope. My spotting scope is 25X, so it offers a wide field of view. I like to focus it in front of the target, let's say 800-900 yard on a 1000 yard range. You should see the target slightly blurred. Where to point the scope depends on the conditions. When I can clearly see the mirage through the rifle scope, then I might point the spotting scope on a particular flag that I want to monitor with particular interest. If the mirage is not fully visible through the rifle scope, I will point the spotting scope to a particular structure with high contrast that gives me a better reading of the mirage. I do not always use the spotting scope. Sometimes I prefer to shoot with both eyes open to enable the left eye to keep a panoramic view of the flags while I monitor the mirage with the right eye through the rifle scope. Give it a try and see what works best for you.

 

[prwhite]

1. Position scope so just a light turn of the head/neck will allow you see.
2. I focus about mid-range of whatever distance I'm shooting.
3. I do not record focus settings vs. ranges and distances.
4. I have my target in the horizontal center and slightly high of center of the view. Although slightly out of focus at the target, I can still see target spotters to the left and right of me. Lots of good info on others targets.
Also using a 25x with long eye relief...less sensitive to exact eye position.
Others may have their own tips to share.

 

[Tcon260]

Thanks guys..hope others chime in too

 

[memilanuk]

WA/LER are key... set it up like others mentioned, so you don't have to move any more than necessary to look thru it. Some people can manage to have it where they can just close one eye and look thru the other scope, I've never had much luck with that.

What to aim it at... depends on the range and or day. If it's a range with fairly honest wind, point it straight at the target, maybe slightly upwind in the dominant direction, and focus it around 2/3 of the way to the target as that's where the bullet is the highest above the line of sight (and usually the ground). If you have some unique terrain features like a break in a tree line for a service road, or a ravine, etc. you may want to focus closer to that, as it'll likely be a major player in the wind across the range. If it's a windy range where the mirage is flattened out you may want to find a flag that is lying less than the rest and focus on that. Other times you may be on a range with lots of mirage, and you may find mirage at the target going one way, and mirage elsewhere going another. Which one do you believe ?

 

[Cody Richardson]

A lot depends on the range for me on set up. I usually focus on the 200 yard line and watch the tops of the number board if possible. If the wind is a head/tail wind I’ll line up on a line of flags, like the 800,600,300 and focus in on the 200 yard line. This lets me see mirage as well as little changes in direction.

 

[SDDasher]

Collect as much information as you can before your relay if possible. If scoring, pay attention to your shooter first (is he/she a local, higher/lower classification than you, older/younger eyes, using spotting scope, watching a particular flag, etc.) and when he/she fires what are the flags doing and the shooters consequent result. See if you can determine a pattern when your shooter hits the X& 10 ring. Ask about particular influences for that range as Monte pointed out like breaks in side berms/ tree lines or ditches unseen from the firing point down range again prior to taking your firing position.
When you have all this data collected and are ready to shoot, stick your index finger in your mouth wetting it so as to feel the wind; point it skyward to gauge direction/velocity and let’er rip!

 

[Trevor60]

Evening

I use the spotting scope for mirage to confirm flag changes. I will focus the scope to the yardage my "true" flag is showing for direction changes, typically 2/3 down from the shooter's position (but not always).
I position the scope centre of target to cover ground mirage and potential target number mirage... range dependent
Like Milanuk i will have one target more in the scope on the up wind side. left to right wind; 3 targets left my target 2 targets right, i want to know what is coming BUT don't want to be caught by a switch. head wind or switching 11 to 1 winds the scope is centered equally on both sides.
My rifle scope is usually set at a higher magnification then my spotting so mirage is present at the target.
Scope position is like others close enough to require only neck movement. stand legs are out of the way and do not interfere with the bipod or touch the board/plate/etc.
The spotting scope eyepiece is slightly ahead of my scope eyepiece when viewed from the side.

As an aside scores have improved when my head is out of the scope and watching the flags with periodic glances through the spotter to confirm wind changes on other targets.
- a rough plot to bookend min and max wind really helps eliminate the guessing on each shot. take advantage of your sighters.

good luck
Trevor

 

[Tcon260]

Thanks for the good advice guys...feel free to share more