Reading mirage

hoosierdaddy

hoosierdaddy

New member
I'm wondering if some you you top dog shooters who have the gift of communication could give us a brief explanation on how to read mirage. I understand how it works but not well enough to explain it to anyone.

In particular I think it would be beneficial to understand how to use mirage to one's advntage by reading wind and the process involved learning how to keep a log book and understand how specific conditions will affect shot placement. I hear several shooters that simply don't know how to use mirage to their bennefit. Also, knowing how to keep from seeing mirage off the barrel.

Thanks.

Rick
 
I was looking at a sniper site on the internet a couple days ago and they had a pretty good article on reading mirage. Sorry can't recall the site but you should be able to find it with a little internet research.

Short version as I recall is that mirage with no wind goes straight up. With wind it will run the way the wind is blowing. 10mph+ the mirage will show as horizontal running in the way the wind is blowing.

They also gave some good information on how to estimate wind velocity without a wind gauge, just reading how the wind is effecting the environment around you.
 
As a sometimes highpower shooter I have had to read mirage. Not saying I do it well nor will I attempt to tell you how since I am still developing my ability.

I know there are sections in books that deal with shooting the highpower game that discuss mirage. If there is highpower competition in your area you could get in touch with some of the master or high master shooters who could pass along their wisdom. I know that highpower shooters are some of the most willing people who will lend you anything to help you during a match so they would be most willing to pass along this information on mirage.

edited to add:

First off, I back off my spotting scope till the target (thinking of the 600 yard target here) is fuzzy. This is so I may read the mirage from 300 to 500 yards to see what effects will be on the next shot.

If the mirage is "boiling" straight up then you will need to aim lower as the target is "floating" or the image is being raised from where it really is.

If the mirage is drifting left or right depending on how much horizontal drift is will tell you how much wind is involved and how much windage you will need to dial in along with the compensation for the "boil" if there is much.

That is just a short course on the basics. Hope it helps. But if I were you I'd buy or borrow a book about highpower shooting and read what people like David Tubb, Lones Wingger and others national champions have had to say.

Books to look into could include:
" Complete Guide to AR-15 Accuracy " by Derrik Martin

" Highpower Rifle " By David Tubb

There are many others too numerous to mention here. But you can find them at Sinclair International .
 
Remember too that mirage comes off a hot barrel just like it comes off a hot ground. If you're not shielding the barrel in any way from the mirage, you'll be looking at the heat right in front of the scope--instead of what's going on well downrange.

Reading with a spotting scope--if available--is best.

The farther out the wind is, the less effect it will have on final point of impact. While the bullet is slower and more affected by the wind at a distance, it has less time to travel, so it blows off course less. At closer ranges, a 10mph gust will blow the bullet off track, and it will continue to travel in that angular direction, reaching the target area far wide of the intended point of impact. Punch some numbers into a ballistics program to see this effect; the wind closest to you has more potential to cause a miss than the wind which is at the target.

ElkSlayer's technique of reading the mirage about half way to the 600 yard target is a good idea.

Dan
 
I'm not a great shooter but here's a little tip out of the Accurate rifle I think, with mirage your bullseye will bounce all over but if you study long enough it will always bounce back to the same spot, this is your aiming point, now you just have to dope the wind. This tip has helped me, hope it helps you.
 
Tom,

That's a good point. That information was in Glenn Newick's book "The Ultimate in Rifle Accuracy."

A good book, and well worth the read... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dan
 


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