Advanced Marksmanship Correcting for mirage

[TimK]

In zero wind with the mirage going straight up, I need to compensate by aiming low, correct?

If the mirage is moving left to right due to wind, I correct by aiming more left than necessary for just wind with no mirage. Do I have it right?

 

[TresMon]

Re: Correcting for mirage



Mirage is really only a usable wind indicator for light winds up to 7mph or so with my ability. And the wind will blow the bullet the SAME way it does the mirage. So yes for a mirage shimmering right, you'd hold left...

 

[Guest]

Re: Correcting for mirage

I have seen the Mirage direction fool alot of people, me included. Where your seeing the Mirage has alot to do with it, because if your looking past the target or far closer to you than the target you can get a incorrect reading.
Until this was proved to me I never believe it. I'm a believer now and so are a few others I know.

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: Correcting for mirage

I have never heard of holding for a vertical mirage just horizontal (wind). I'm interested to see what the more experienced shooters have to say.

 

[Lindy]

Re: Correcting for mirage

Believe it.

Sit out on a range sometime observing the target with a lot of mirage. Then shoot it. You will believe.

 

[JCummings]

Re: Correcting for mirage

On method people use is to try to aim at the bottom/stable image.
With mirage the image moves around with the wind. There should still be a set point zero that it the base image. IF you can figure out which it is you have a stable real aim point based on the true image. That is want to aim for.

It can be hard to find! But, if you have time to observe long enough you should be able to determine where is is.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Correcting for mirage

The optical process that produces mirage is a lot like gazing through the surface of rippling water. With practice, one can interpret such an image and 'see through' the mirage. Yes, it's a guess, but with practice, it becomes an educated guess, just like bowfishing.

The difference between rippling water and mirage is that the water has only one optical interface, at the surface.

The combination of heat and wind creates myriad small and large varying air density 'lensing events' within the air column between eye and target.

Because of this, an optical device that is progressively focused back and forth within that column will reveal different mirage 'tells'.

They are all important. Their strength and distance reveals the winds at those various stages along the trajectory.

The mirage does not lie, but the mirage at one point along the trajectory is only one fact in a sequence of equally important facts.

Greg

 

[fargo007]

Re: Correcting for mirage

Just mentioning that reducing magnification helps quite a bit if you are shooting with heavy mirage.

--Fargo007

 

[Pat M]

Re: Correcting for mirage

Semi auto, multiple bracketing shots

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Correcting for mirage

My shooting disciplines allow sighters, and once I have corrected zero, I'll take some uncompensated sighters during obviously varying mirage conditions, to determine what deflections they produce.

Greg

 

[jwoolf]

Re: Correcting for mirage

light's up, sights up. ( with irons )

 

[dar1246]

Re: Correcting for mirage

That is correct. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jwoolf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">light's up, sights up. ( with irons ) </div></div>

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Re: Correcting for mirage

i have experienced as much as 2moa vertical change in poi @900 w with a boil mirage. it does stange shit. for me it pushed the target low. you just have to field fire in various mirages and record your data. that is how you truly get dope.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: Correcting for mirage

I read mirage at mid range. I look for changes in direction or speed. I will attempt to get a good pinwheel X zero for the prevailing wind, and, from there, should I fail to account for a change in velocity and/or direction, I may still scratch a good hit for having held elevation correctly. If time permits, I will hold fire for the prevailing wind.

In EIC competition, where sighters are not permitted, I trust my score book's record of what the mirage velocity and direction will require for good hits. I have no record of a boil requiring any correction; also, while "lights up sights up" is fact for me, it's only fact when I'm using a 6 o'clock or line of white hold. I speculate the target bullseye in bright light appears bigger and, with such appearance, I'm holding lower requiring of course an elevation adjustment.

 

[jpretle]

Re: Correcting for mirage

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In zero wind with the mirage going straight up, I need to compensate by aiming low, correct?

If the mirage is moving left to right due to wind, I correct by aiming more left than necessary for just wind with no mirage. Do I have it right?

</div></div>
Tim, I try never to shoot in a boil. If you have a boil condition, it means there most likely is a switch coming. I always wait the boil out, if possible.

 

[WesP]

Re: Correcting for mirage

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jwoolf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">light's up, sights up. ( with irons ) </div></div>

Had to look that up... interesting.

 

[shoot1760]

Re: Correcting for mirage

I agree 100%.....If it's boiling,,,just wait a bit,,something else is comming. Watch it close, it just may change slightly to 2 oclock or ten oclock, just enough to dope a right or left wind.

kz