Rifle Scopes Mirage comparison 10x vs 20x with pics

[wade2big]

Here is a mirage comparison between 10x and 20x at 500 and 750 yards. The scope is a SWFa 5-20x50hd. It is 98 degrees outside on the Texas gulf coast. Only the upper half of the 2/3 silhouette at 750 is visible. I need to shred.

This is a 2/3 silhouette at 750 yards on 20x

750 on 10x

12” plate and full size reactive silhouette 500 yards

Same targets at 500 on 10x

 

[patriot07]

Goodness that's atrocious. Seen the same out here though (north texas).

 

[wade2big]

Goodness that's atrocious. Seen the same out here though (north texas).

Unfortunately this is typical all through the summer. I can’t shoot 750 target because i can’t see the damn thing. Early in the morning or on a cloudy overcast day it will be nice and clear. I just wanted to post some pics for the guys that don’t really understand how sucky the mirage can be even on 10x. Obviously you deal with it too. ?

 

[lancetkenyon]

Just got back from NM on an antelope hunt in 105*F. Amazing how an antelope can suddenly resolve from the mirage at 600 yards with a great pair of 15x binos where they were not discernable @ 620 yards....

 

[atepointer]

That's what I discovered this summer as well in FL. Anything beyond about 12x is worthless by the time the sun is peeking over the trees late morning. I have an XTR II, buddy I shoot with has a NF ATACR 5-25. We also have my SWFA 10 and his Bushnell Elite 4.5-30 in tow for comparison nothing fixes that kind of mirage. I'm not there yet, but I may just slap a 12x SWFA on it to save almost a full pound if I'm not going to use the mag range of the 5-25. 200 yards is one thing 500 plus whew yikes.

 

[slodsm]

Same here I’m east Texas. I was in Diana last Thursday shooting steel at 5,8, and 1k. By 11 it was pointless beyond 500. You just couldn’t see the target/make wind calls because everything was “moving”.

 

[atepointer]

Same here I’m east Texas. I was in Diana last Thursday shooting steel at 5,8, and 1k. By 11 it was pointless beyond 500. You just couldn’t see the target/make wind calls because everything was “moving”.

What mag are you ending up on? Interested to see if your sweet spot mirrors ours at all. 12x seems to be the sweet spot across all our adjustable mag ranges. My SWFA 10 leave me feeling like I could use a smidge more, but doable. At 300 yards I addressed the rifle on 15x where I had left it from prior session and started laughing it was blobzilla and worked backwards from there.

 

[slodsm]

What mag are you ending up on? Interested to see if your sweet spot mirrors ours at all. 12x seems to be the sweet spot across all our adjustable mag ranges. My SWFA 10 leave me feeling like I could use a smidge more, but doable. At 300 yards I addressed the rifle on 15x where I had left it from prior session and started laughing it was blobzilla and worked backwards from there.

For me it was 14x. It was the highest I could get that it still seemed usable. 24x was pitiful lol.

 

[atepointer]

For me it was 14x. It was the highest I could get that it still seemed usable. 24x was pitiful lol.

Ok pretty close to what I am experiencing. Sold my 10x the other day....probably going to grab a 12x in MIL/MIL when sample list has a pile of used come in. Dropping a pound on my rig will be nice when running from position to position.

 

[drew_235]

Lol. What target.

Agreed, I have no idea where that 2/3 silhouette is in the picture. Wow.

 

[Jonnyb0381]

Here is a mirage comparison between 10x and 20x at 500 and 750 yards. The scope is a SWFa 5-20x50hd. It is 98 degrees outside on the Texas gulf coast. Only the upper half of the 2/3 silhouette at 750 is visible. I need to shred.

This is a 2/3 silhouette at 750 yards on 20x
View attachment 7144181

750 on 10x
View attachment 7144183

12” plate and full size reactive silhouette 500 yards
View attachment 7144190

Same targets at 500 on 10x
View attachment 7144186

I would think that only the best glass would cut through mirage like that, like Schott glass.
TT, ZCO, Minox and probably a few others.
But Im no scope expert however,
Ive heard of such scopes cutting through bad mirage.

 

[wade2big]

I would think that only the best glass would cut through mirage like that, like Schott glass.
TT, ZCO, Minox and probably a few others.
But Im no scope expert however,
Ive heard of such scopes cutting through bad mirage.

RAZOR Gen 2 and AMG won’t. A Steiner m5xI wont. I don’t have experience with Khales, S&B, or the others you mentioned.

 

[wade2big]

Lol. What target.

Agreed, I have no idea where that 2/3 silhouette is in the picture. Wow.

Yeah I don’t shoot at it when it is hot out unless there is cloud cover. If you zoom in the picture you can see the metal framing and a can barely make out a little white. It is painted white like the others. ?

 

[7mmFanBoy]

My long range shooting starts after Summer ends Spring