newbie and the issue of MIRAGE

[bowshooter]

hello all,
i am getting into the wonderful world of long range shooting and finding out that mirage is a headache.

i just wanted to hear your experiences on dealing with mirage and scopes with high,15x or more) magnification.

here's my deal....i live in south texas, 9 days out of 10 it is windy,10mph is a real nice calm day) and HOT,only mildly warm in winter).
i read somewhere that you get more mirage in humid and hot places--well, that's where i live.
it might be easier to shoot in cold weather, yes, but i bowhunt and guide other people, so no time for that.

the wind, i'm used to,i have no choice) and can adjust somewhat, but this mirage deal is not making me happy at all.
i have never used more than a 9x scope in my life, because i only deer hunted. now i want to shoot long range varmints and so far mirage is my headache.
when is the best time shoot 200+ yards? early morning when it's cooler? or it won't matter because the barrel heat causes it as well?

i have a custom .223 with a swift premier 6-24X50mm on it.
it seems i can't use much over 14x and without getting the mirage effect.
so, i am tempted to get rid of the high mag scope.

is it better to have real good glass with mid mag versus the high mag on a scope with decent glass for long range shooting? if so, what is a good choice under $400?
i want to be able to shoot ground squirrels and go up north to shoot p dogs at 200+ ranges.
i would need a fine reticle i would think, but i'm not sure.

so, i guess i am asking 2 questions here about mirage and what scope is best to avoid it and still be able to see small targets far away.
thanks

 

[sewwhat89]

Early AM is the best time. Try shooting in the first available light for the range you are shooting. That allows for some shooting time before the sun can heat things up and get the wind blowing.

 

[chuckw2]

Bowshooter,
Welcome to the forum. If I were going to buy a scope to shoot dogs with and casual target shooting, I think that I would buy a Weaver Grand Slam 6 x 20. I have several of these scopes that I have used for a couple of years and they have held up well. With the Grans Slams, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Mirage is a problem, but it can also be your friend because it tells you which way the wind is running.

There are barrel mirage shields that Velcro to the top of you barrel that help hold down the heat distortion from your barrel. Recently I bought 4 of there from JB1000 on this site and they work very well.

What type critters and where do you shoot?

Just my .02

Chuck

 

[dreever]

I shoot Ground Hog matches at ranges of 200/300/500 meters,547 yards) where wind flags are not allowed. Mirage can definitely be your friend in doping wind conditions. It can also be your bane when you can't see bullet holes on the target since if you can't see where they are you can't correct to find that ten ring.
If I'm working up loads or getting sight settings I find the best conditions in the early morning hours. For practice though I want to shoot in Match conditions, which means whatever Mother Nature wants to throw at me. The shooter that only practices in good conditions is in for a rude awakening come Match day when the wind is blowing from three different directions and the mirage is like shooting through a swimming pool!

As for magnification, I use a 12-42 Nightforce and usually use it at 42 power. I WANT to see that mirage. If you dial the scope down so it isn't apparent.........well, it's still there even if you can't see it, so don't be surprised if the bullet goes where the target isn't.

When you go to matches and most shooters are bemoaning the conditions watch the top guys, they aren't complaining because those same conditions are giving them an advantage because they know how to compensate for them.

Yes, Mirage can be your friend.

Danny

 

[StephenPerry]

Mirage
Mirage is there every single time you shoot whether indoors or outdoors. If shooting long range practice set flags out. The mirage will show the wind channels you are shooting through. Something can be completely different where you are shooting compared to the shooter 10 feet next to you. If you can get away with it set off a couple smoke bombs say say red and white on a low wind day and watch the smoke patterns move in and out and at angles.
I shoot Phoenix BR and have shot Midland. At Phoenix there have been times at 200 yds that I shoot nothing but mirage. Flags move too slow and when they do move they whip and pulsate. On the other had mirage is a true reading. When the go sign shows up shoot your group. When the mirage switch shows up take a break. I have shot several teen aggs and .21 aggs at 200 yds paying attention to Mother Nature at Phoenix.
Stephen Perry

 

[BoydAllen]

Bowshooter,
I presume that since you know about barrel mirage, that you also know of the cure, a 2" wide strip of plastic or paper, attached to your barrel in 2-4 places with Velcro, extending from under the scope objective to a small fraction short of the muzzle.

I see lots of varmint shooters at the range, and virtually none of them use a mirage shield. The other thing that I see is the same bunch testing loads without any sort of wind flag, not even a piece of surveyor's ribbon on a stick. In both cases, they are giving away accuracy that they could have saved for very little trouble or expense. On the other hand, as long as they are having fun.... IMHO if you are not satisfied with the results that you are getting, ask someone who is getting the results that you want, and make the changes that he suggests. So many times people want better results, but when it comes down to it, they don't want to change anything that they are doing or the things that they are willing to change won't get the job done.

As to the scope question, any of the good variables will allow you to choose the magnification that you are comfortable with under a given set of conditions. Although I usually don't use, or need the full power of some of my scopes in the field, I find those settings invaluable when working up loads, where field of view is not an issue, but precision in aiming is.

One of my favorite rigs for shooting California ground squirrels is a sporter weight .222 with 40gr. Vmax bullets that has a Leupold 4.5x14 scope with fine duplex cross hairs. It is light, handy, accurate, and I can see my hits every time.

 

[bowshooter]

thanks to all that have replied.
i have only read about barrel heat causing some mirage.

it did not come into play with me ever, being a deer hunter,,one shot, one kill)
but now that i shoot 40-80 times a day,nice thing about .223), i can now see where it will become an issue.
is there anything manufactored that can be bought to help with barrel mirage?
do somethings work better than others?
what about putting a black shirt over the barrel?
thanks

 

[jb1000br]

Bowshooter,

There are barrel mirage shields that Velcro to the top of you barrel that help hold down the heat distortion from your barrel. Recently I bought 4 of there from JB1000 on this site and they work very well.

 

[bowshooter]

jb1000br,
sent you a PM.

 

[jb1000br]

backatcha...

 

[bowshooter]

ok, got that taken care of.

now, what is the benifit of placing flags again?
also, at what yardage should i place them?
i want to practice 200 and 300 yard shooting with my .223.