Max magnification wobble question

[DrDWD]

Was hoping someone could help me understand a question about high magnification (say 20x or more) on optics and rifle wobble. Probably a dumb question, but I’m trying to understand the perspective from more experienced longer range shooters.
I understand mirage becomes an issue at high magnification. Also, as being a hunter, I understand the reduced field of view becomes an issue at rapidly acquiring a target.
What I don’t understand is that I have been told on many occasions, and have read a few places about the wobble being a problem at high magnification. My perspective is that my rifle wobble doesn’t change regardless of magnification, just at high magnification I can see my wobble.

Assume the situation that I am talking about is that mirage and target acquisition are a non-issue at a high magnification. Isn’t it better to see how much my rifle is wobbling so I can better stabilize my position before a take the shot? Am I not thinking about this correctly?

 

[seanh]

The problem with seeing wobble is that it induces wobble. The less you see the less you typically move. Kind of like off-hand shooting. Try just standing there with your rifle and not aiming at any particular Target dot-dot-dot trees, fence, wall excetera just in the distance... be aware of your movement but don't specifically pay attention... now try to aim at a specific leaf, knot hole in a fence etc... all kinds of movement.

Years ago I used to shoot the highest power I could... Probably the carryover from benchrest shooting. What I found is that at lower power while more difficult to actually see my target I actually shot much better

 

[acudaowner]

like the scope shakes ? is it loose ? if you shake the gun can you hear a rattling other wise i cant really say that I have ever seen a wobble in my view through my scope unless you mean mirage . though today we had a really visible mirage and at 40x's the dragon fly flying straight towards me did sort of resemble one of the flying Godzilla monsters lol .good luck figuring your wobble out . snow flakes in winter at 50xs mag really are neat to see falling while looking at a target , or a rain drop at high mags is also really cool if the light reflects off of it just right .

 

[littlepod]

If mirage, target acquisition, eye-relief (example trying to do offhand with 30x) are all non-issues, then it shouldn't matter at all. I would say the higher the better, just like a benchrest shooter running a 50x scope.

Mechanically the wobble is the same.
Mentally, if you're zoomed in a ton and see every miniscule movement, your brain might panic, stress, delay the shot because you feel unstable, etc.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

If mirage, target acquisition, eye-relief (example trying to do offhand with 30x) are all non-issues, then it shouldn't matter at all. I would say the higher the better, just like a benchrest shooter running a 50x scope.

Mechanically the wobble is the same.
Mentally, if you're zoomed in a ton and see every miniscule movement, your brain might panic, stress, delay the shot because you feel unstable, etc.

This is why I generally shoot at a lower magnification. Don't want to see it because I may just make it worse.

 

[DrDWD]

Thanks guys.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Typically speaking, unless you let it get into your head, your wobble is the same at 5x as it is at 27x.

Your perception of the wobble increases as the picture you see makes it easier to see the wobble at higher magnification.

So, if you like to shoot at high magnification you need to know what the acceptable wobble is. Otherwise you’ll waste time attempting to get more stable than you can actually get.

Plenty of high level shooters run at or close to max magnification.