Load development - getting lost

[perentie]

If you feeling mirage wind the scope down until no mirage....i can't understand why these so called experienced shooters didn't do that... apologies if they did.

Also why are you getting mirage in winter... unless the barrel is super hot.. which will explain the bad grouping

The mirage will still be there but you just cant see it then and allow for it.

[Maxjon]

Try shooting a fullbore rifle with aperture sights, and a spotting scope, you will learn all about mirage.......only true way to shoot targets for me.

[TassieTiger]

Try shooting a fullbore rifle with aperture sights, and a spotting scope, you will learn all about mirage.......only true way to shoot targets for me.

Forgive my ample ignorance / but why are aperture sights worse? Or is it the combination of full bore / aperture / heat ?

[Maxjon]

In my experience the fullbore rifle, and spotting scope combination highlighted the effects of wind and mirage so much more than a scoped rifle. Just my observations. Give me the fullbore rifle anyday for the bullseye!

[in2anity]

In my experience the fullbore rifle, and spotting scope combination highlighted the effects of wind and mirage so much more than a scoped rifle. Just my observations. Give me the fullbore rifle anyday for the bullseye!

Generally I agree with this. Use a spotting scope + flags to judge the conditions, then rely on the muscle memory and inherent consistency found with sling shooting to repeat the action... I do find myself to be more consistent shooting with a sling vs some form of front rest. Emphasis on consistent here (not accurate).

But to be fair, as a comparison have you done much competitive sling shooting with a scoped rifle? The reason I ask, scores are generally better for the Non-Service rifles in a Service rifle match... as you'd logically expect...

[Maxjon]

in2anity
I have not done much scoped target shooting off a sling, just seems unnatural to me. I've mostly shot Fullbore, and smallbore. Now shooting service rifles with battle sights, but it's getting hard on the eyes. I do however use a merit eyepiece iris on my glasses, couldnt shoot without it, it's a lifesaver!

[in2anity]

in2anity
I have not done much scoped target shooting off a sling, just seems unnatural to me. I've mostly shot Fullbore, and smallbore. Now shooting service rifles with battle sights, but it's getting hard on the eyes. I do however use a merit eyepiece iris on my glasses, couldnt shoot without it, it's a lifesaver!

Some scoped guns can sure feel odd when slung up, but some feel superb. I've shot smallbore + fullbore, and now I'm in love with service. Interesting you raised the point about battle sights - they are certainly a lot harder than the front tunnel backeting a black circle. It's just staggering what some fullbore shooters are capable of. I've shot alongside the Commonwealth palma team and FMD can they shoot (using their 155gr pills I might add)

Still though, what you can do with the fullbore sights you can do that (and more) with a scope. But i totally agree that estimating conditions is far better to do with a spotting scope, better still an experienced spotter sitting next to you

[Bill]

Seargant hartmann I agree

Stix I agree we all need a good laugh, even better if itsat our own expense

Tassie tiger here's a link that may help. Scroll down to dealing with a mirage for a quick solution.

https://www.targettamers.com/guides/tro ... fle-scope/

[Sergeant Hartman]

Well stix, mate i hardly if ever seen mirage in cold weather... maybe sunny SA is different. As most cold days are usually over cast here. Maybe it could be i have pretty decent scopes, as even with 35x/40x i hardly get mirage in winter... in summer after 11am sure i will wind down the scopes a little.

Thanks Bill for your link... not that anyone else will give you thanks

[SCJ429]

I do some target shooting over 300 metres at night and in winter time it is not uncommon to see the mirage. You use it to read the wind as you cannot see any flags obviously at night.

[perentie]

This is interesting. This guy gets 2 inch vertical at 1000 yds with a 6BR. I have a long way to go yet,
https://www.6mmbr.com/laddertest.html

[marksman]

your not alone there perentie
Jason Baney is a very knowledgeable bloke here is another one he did
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEdZ7k_6-cE

good change of scenery by the way

[TassieTiger]

I’ve never used ladder testing probably because I didn’t understand it that well.
I still wonder if you could over look a very accurate - but stand alone - load by concentrating on Ladder results.
Good vids tho, thanks for posting.

[bladeracer]

I’ve never used ladder testing probably because I didn’t understand it that well.
I still wonder if you could over look a very accurate - but stand alone - load by concentrating on Ladder results.
Good vids tho, thanks for posting.

It certainly can, but being in a wide node means less chance of your accurate load becoming less accurate with changes in the environment/firearm/ammo.
The ladder looks for a region where changes in powder charge have little to no effect on vertical dispersion of the ammo.

[marksman]

+1 to blades answer

[bladeracer]

This might be helpful.
https://youtu.be/v91mHRBtH1w

[TassieTiger]

Just a short follow up to this.
I sent the bush elite tac 6500 to NIOA to get parralex checked (especially after some responses here about mirage, and when having another look after posts on parr’a lax) and I received an email back advising that they are replacing the scope.
I don’t have it back as yet and I doubt it Will come with a report but glad to know that I wasn’t going mad...ok, get rooted to all of you who were about to say too late

[Sergeant Hartman]

That explains why you are so angry... you get no sleep.

Out partying all night makes TT very cranky in the morning



Hahahaha joking. But good result