Before I go down the wrong path

[308sako]

As some of you have seen from my occasional post I am attempting to learn how to shoot at distance. So far, 500 meters has been the greatest known distance which I have fired on for record and load development.

It seems to me that other than wind and mirage (which I find helpful) there is possibly another condition which while related to mirage I am simply calling "light." I am thinking that there is some sort of refraction going on do to air density or some other factor (humidity?) which is causing a known load to be less than absolutely consistent.

I am hoping that someone else has observed such a condition, or experience and just kick my butt back in line and on the right path.

Comments appreciated.

 

[John Kielly]

Have a close look at the topography of the range.

All those raised shooting points, bumps & dips will influence the uniform flow of wind or mirage - more than likely in a random pattern. Similarly, trees, buildings & other such on the sides of the range can distrupt clean air flow. Think of the atmosphere between you & the target as a sea or lake - the same level on average but moving all the time & messing your results.

The good thing about it is, it gets far worse as the distance increases.

On the other hand, if you figure that the issue is simple diffraction, try a polarised filter or lens. That will substantially cut out all the light rays bent by atmospheric contamination such as dust particles.