Why is this forum titled "optics" instead of "sighting systems"?
I post this up for consideration because I continually see confusion here about scopesights and the great call by so many for scopesights to exceed Zeiss/Leitz/Nikon in terms of optics quality image rendition, but miss the whole point of shooting which is sight alignment and trigger press. That is a long sentence, but it is IT in a nutshell. Optics or precisely "image rendition", has NOTHING to do with firing a precise shot. Not in any shooting venue beyond benchrest or other rest supported competitive game.
Is there anything more to executing the precision shot that sight alignment and trigger press?
I had this topic on my mind after responding to Cobb 50 who posted a topic about David Tubb using micrometer sights.
Actually, rangefinders, spotting scopes, binoculars, (which are rarely discussed in this forum in terms of volume of posts), are the only "optics" a longrange shooting enthusiast might deal with. A scope is properly defined as a telescopic sight which is an aiming instrument or a sighting system.
The real question here is, aside from forum title, why the preoccupation with image rendition over sighting? Get that? Here is a different way of looking at it: Why is image quality the most critical aspect of a scopesight for longrange shooting? Why is a 4lb 32x maximum magnification scope with "better" image quality more desirable than one weighing 1/3 or half as much, all other aspects being equal?
Is a scopesight actually even superior to national match quality irons?
I am amazed by the devolution of precision shooting. Instead of evolving into the most practical, precise, and flexible shooting systems; the tactical, F-class, and longrange weapon systems have grown into 17 - 20lb boat anchor systems that are so specialized as to be impractical. Rather like the US Navy having dropped the ship-watching spies on South Sea Islands during WW-II with telescopes and shortwave radio.
Our rifles with 6lb barrels and 4lb scopesight w/mount system may do a wonderful job at 1000yds from a concrete bench or tripod-fixed firing position, but try making a snap-shot at a target of opportunity at 200yds...
I vote with my money, and my money is on lighter and more compact optics plus rifles that are more general purpose yet still precision shooting instruments. A lightweight scopesight which approaches the quality very closely of those heavier in ounces and much heavier in price-tag is what I have come to prefer. I need to be able to see my target adequately for it to be a target obviously, but I don't need to be able to thread-count the twill or poplin weave in the clothes it is wearing. I am concerned with sight alignment and trigger press, ultimately, not studying the target.
I think the day of the static, lying in wait, firing from a constructed hide sort of sniper is long gone. If a sniper needs a Polaris 6x6 pulling a trailer to haul in all his gear or have it slung from a helicopter his/her needs for gear are too specialized. (I am being facetious but remember a thread on sleeping bags. What sniper carries a sleeping bag?)
There is much to be said for the reliability, simplicity, precision, and ruggedness of iron sight. I have 2 AR-10(T) barreled A2 uppers which are as capable of delivering fire at distance as any scoped bolt rifle. Can't say I can see a 50 cent piece size bullseye at 1000yds with one though, but then again I am not threading needles at that range either.
So, what about sighting systems?
I post this up for consideration because I continually see confusion here about scopesights and the great call by so many for scopesights to exceed Zeiss/Leitz/Nikon in terms of optics quality image rendition, but miss the whole point of shooting which is sight alignment and trigger press. That is a long sentence, but it is IT in a nutshell. Optics or precisely "image rendition", has NOTHING to do with firing a precise shot. Not in any shooting venue beyond benchrest or other rest supported competitive game.
Is there anything more to executing the precision shot that sight alignment and trigger press?
I had this topic on my mind after responding to Cobb 50 who posted a topic about David Tubb using micrometer sights.
Actually, rangefinders, spotting scopes, binoculars, (which are rarely discussed in this forum in terms of volume of posts), are the only "optics" a longrange shooting enthusiast might deal with. A scope is properly defined as a telescopic sight which is an aiming instrument or a sighting system.
The real question here is, aside from forum title, why the preoccupation with image rendition over sighting? Get that? Here is a different way of looking at it: Why is image quality the most critical aspect of a scopesight for longrange shooting? Why is a 4lb 32x maximum magnification scope with "better" image quality more desirable than one weighing 1/3 or half as much, all other aspects being equal?
Is a scopesight actually even superior to national match quality irons?
I am amazed by the devolution of precision shooting. Instead of evolving into the most practical, precise, and flexible shooting systems; the tactical, F-class, and longrange weapon systems have grown into 17 - 20lb boat anchor systems that are so specialized as to be impractical. Rather like the US Navy having dropped the ship-watching spies on South Sea Islands during WW-II with telescopes and shortwave radio.
Our rifles with 6lb barrels and 4lb scopesight w/mount system may do a wonderful job at 1000yds from a concrete bench or tripod-fixed firing position, but try making a snap-shot at a target of opportunity at 200yds...
I vote with my money, and my money is on lighter and more compact optics plus rifles that are more general purpose yet still precision shooting instruments. A lightweight scopesight which approaches the quality very closely of those heavier in ounces and much heavier in price-tag is what I have come to prefer. I need to be able to see my target adequately for it to be a target obviously, but I don't need to be able to thread-count the twill or poplin weave in the clothes it is wearing. I am concerned with sight alignment and trigger press, ultimately, not studying the target.
I think the day of the static, lying in wait, firing from a constructed hide sort of sniper is long gone. If a sniper needs a Polaris 6x6 pulling a trailer to haul in all his gear or have it slung from a helicopter his/her needs for gear are too specialized. (I am being facetious but remember a thread on sleeping bags. What sniper carries a sleeping bag?)
There is much to be said for the reliability, simplicity, precision, and ruggedness of iron sight. I have 2 AR-10(T) barreled A2 uppers which are as capable of delivering fire at distance as any scoped bolt rifle. Can't say I can see a 50 cent piece size bullseye at 1000yds with one though, but then again I am not threading needles at that range either.
So, what about sighting systems?