Rifle Scopes Heat waves and scopes

[Gildoom]

I was curious, as I have no clue if it is my scopes (all my variables are leos) and dealing with heat wave distortion. I am talking just good ole mother earth is hotter than a queer on a troop train, not barrel heat. I was beating myself up today, trying to get more accurate, using 20x, and was doing awful, so had to back down to 12x max.

Also, I got in my SWFA 10x, and holy smokes, it did quite well, I didn't expect that at all. I hit the target (its about 2.5~3 feet in diameter) at 1000 yards a few times, very impressed. The only thing that is kind of weird, is the cross hairs appeared to be kind of not "dark" like other scopes I own. Worked fine but it was something I noticed.

Anyways, when it is really hot do you guys just not attempt high magnifications at long range or do your scopes not do this?

 

[generalzip]

Re: Heat waves and scopes

All scopes will suffer from mirage (heat waves). It occurs from a region of different indices of refraction due to the difference in temperature (hot ground vs. cooler air)

 

[jrpilot]

Re: Heat waves and scopes

When the mirage gets bad, you have to use a lower power setting. This happens when its hot out.

 

[Gildoom]

Re: Heat waves and scopes

Is there a max power you all find? Like 17x, 12x, 10x?

 

[ryanjay11]

Re: Heat waves and scopes

I experienced some pretty bad mirage Sunday. It was bad enough that you could see it easily with your eyes. Even on 12 power, the target was dancing all over the place.

 

[bodywerks]

Re: Heat waves and scopes

On my nf nxs 5.5x22, I have done almost all my shooting, up to 1,000 yards, at 11x this summer. And even still, mirage plays a part.