following the vapor trail

[gary55]

Seeking advice.
I have looked through cheap $120 units that suck and I have seen through $3k Swaros and NightForce. I still can't see a vapor trail. Because I'm not rich, and the range I use has these and they are good, I bought a Hawke ENDURANCE ED 25-75x85. In short, it's the operator, not the spotter. What do I need to do to increase my odds of following following shooter's shots? I recently heard to adjust it slightly out of focus but I have my doubts.
Thank you

 

[_Windrider_]

Seeking advice.
I have looked through cheap $120 units that suck and I have seen through $3k Swaros and NightForce. I still can't see a vapor trail. Because I'm not rich, and the range I use has these and they are good, I bought a Hawke ENDURANCE ED 25-75x85. In short, it's the operator, not the spotter. What do I need to do to increase my odds of following following shooter's shots? I recently heard to adjust it slightly out of focus but I have my doubts.
Thank you

A lot of it depends on atmospheric conditions. dont beat yourself up about not being able to see it.

 

[Supersubes]

Conditions matter, but its shouldn't be an issue even with a crap scope. Pulling the focus back from the target some does help. Set your line of sight directly over the bore of the rifle, so the round emerges into your FOV from 6 oclock.

 

[b6graham]

you cant always see it based on environmentals

you need to look above the shot whatever the correction is

focusing half way or 2/3 of the way will help

being off to the sides of the shooter makes it much much harder

 

[GONE BAD]

Be behind the shooter a short distance and inline with the shooter and use lower magnification

 

[Gohring65]

Turn your magnification back to the minimum that you can possibly use for your task.

 

[GONE BAD]

Oh, I forgot to add, when the lighting is right a lot of the time you will be able to see the bullet not just the trace.

 

[502Chevelle]

It’s not really a vapor trail either. If you are looking for that, you won’t see it. I describe it more like a wake from a boat.

 

[GONE BAD]

Sorry I misunderstood?
Vapor trail is totally different from trace.
I have seen vapor trails and I agree a lot depends on environment

 

[gary55]

It’s not really a vapor trail either.

Misuse of terminology on my part, my apologies.

What I'm hearing is:
1. turn down magnification
2. slightly out of focus
3. if conditions aren't right, it is what it is

Anything I'm missing?

 

[Gohring65]

Misuse of terminology on my part, my apologies.

What I'm hearing is:
1. turn down magnification
2. slightly out of focus
3. if conditions aren't right, it is what it is

Anything I'm missing?

Yes, in a nut shell.

 

[Supersubes]

Misuse of terminology on my part, my apologies.

What I'm hearing is:
1. turn down magnification
2. slightly out of focus
3. if conditions aren't right, it is what it is

Anything I'm missing?

Not just out of focus, at a point nearer to you. In other words, where the trace will be most visible.

 

[GONE BAD]

For what it's worth, vapor trails are better seen with the necked eye and resemble a white streak only where there are changes it temperature and humidity. Think of vapor trails behind a jet.

 

[OREGUN]

Misuse of terminology on my part, my apologies.

What I'm hearing is:
1. turn down magnification
2. slightly out of focus
3. if conditions aren't right, it is what it is

Anything I'm missing?

You are missing “be right behind the shooter”. From right behind the shooter, the trace comes up into your field of view and is visible all the way out with very little relative motion. If you are off to the side, youre effectively watching for a line across the FOV with ALOT of relative motion. This is more critical in my opinion than the focus thing.

Having the light behind you, low, maybe at 5 or 7 seems to help in my opinion too.

Also, get some distance to the target. 1000 yards gives you more time than 300.

 

[gary55]

Sorry I didn't list the "right behind shooter", I have that already in my melon.
Thanks for the input everyone. I'll be trying again in about 45 hours. My 14 year old daughter is the shooter and I want her to stay interested so calling shots is important to me.

 

[Supersubes]

Sorry I didn't list the "right behind shooter", I have that already in my melon.
Thanks for the input everyone. I'll be trying again in about 45 hours. My 14 year old daughter is the shooter and I want her to stay interested so calling shots is important to me.

What cartridge are you shooting?

 

[gary55]

708AI, daughter shoots a 6.5 Grendel.

 

[Supersubes]

Those should be flat enough. If youre shooting a fudd caliber like .308, the trace may leave the field of view early on, and then re-emerge from the top of the field. Depends on range and field of view.