Mirage question

[bellavite1]

I am trying to better myself at wind estimation.
So here's my question:
Target at 500 yds.
Let's say I have conflicting wind vectors a different distances (4 o'clock at 100, 1 o'clock at 300, 10 o'clock at 500.
What I need to adjust for is the compounded effect of all vectors.
So now I look at the mirage at 500.
Is that mirage going to show me the compounded effect and therefore I will adjust for it or does the 500 yds mirage only shows me wind at 500 yds?
I hope the question makes sense...

[Oscar77]

To answer your question directly: No if you focus your scope at 500yds, it will show the mirage at 500yds, not a "compound view" of all the wind.

Not sure if this helps............. I shoot alot of Service Rifle out to 600yds ........
I focus my scope at around 200yds from me....... so roughly 1/4-1/3 of the distance away from me ....... so that the mirage I'm looking at is the one closer (to me) as that wind will have the greatest effect.
(I don't focus my spotting scope on the target at all.......as what ever wind is there...........for all intents and purposes, doesn't matter).
I don't use these words but in trying to explain this ......... here we go............... I use that as my primary wind call and then adjust from there.
So if I realize that there are "conflicting winds" I simply add/subtract in my head to make a call.
Part of that decision making process is what is making me "see" the conflicting winds......... eg Flags, dust, previous shots....... etc. And how much I trust them.
What I don't do, and don't think anyone does (but could easily be wrong), is scan the mirage using my spotting scope --- as in adjust along the route of the bullet, as you seem to suggest.
(Because you'll end up lost, for lack of better terms).

The whole goal to either watching the mirage or some other wind indicator (say flags if it's too dark to see the mirage) is to find a "as-best-you-can" indicator of how the wind might effect the travel of the bullet.
Then once found, use that to then watch for pick ups/drop offs and direction changes.
If you are constantly shifting from one mirage or flag etc you are simply increasing the chances of "getting lost" and using indicators that AREN'T accurate.
Another way of putting it is, in a perfect world, you'll find a "prevailing condition" and then adjust as the wind shifts off that.

It's dated but still VERY good.............. find the book........ "Wind Reading" by Lisa? Cunningham. It's a collection of comments/strategies/tactics by numerous nationally ranked shooters she interviews.
Read it.

[Delfuego]

It's really easy to read wind.

Step #1 Practice
Step #2 Practice
Step #3 Practice

It takes lots of time on glass, and good glass. I have become decent at spotting for match shooting. It has been many years and many many hours on glass. It's kinda like cooking, you learn little things bit by bit, from different days, different people, different ranges and combine them together, and you can make a decent meal. Reading mirage is just one ingredient. Feel, grass, leaves, dust, splash, wind-flags, target paint missing, etc, etc, etc.

Remember also that 1 good match can equal 20-50 days on your own trying to figure it out. Lots of people happy to help and teach.

[Tim K]

Your question has been answered already, but I’ll amplify and augment.

Mirage, as well as all other wind indicators (bugs, dust, grass, wind flags, etc) will fool you. It’s a giant PITA. Let’s say you try to determine the wind at your firing position and also in 100 yard increments out to the target. If the wind is variable or switchy, it will most likely change by the time you’ve completed your analysis and are ready to break your shot. If the wind is indeed different at various ranges, it IS switchy and will be a real bastard to read.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen left to right wind at my position and at the target and have the bullet go the other way. It’s mystifying and frustrating, but it’s reality. The composite wind direction (the net of all the wind conditions) can only practically be determined by shooting.

That’s not meant to discourage you from taking delfuego’s good advice to practice, but rather to calibrate your criteria for success. It ain’t easy, and it isn’t even always possible. Still good to work at it, because we all get better with reps.

I’ve been known to send my first shot on a stage at a match at the base of the target stand. It’s a guaranteed miss, but if I can get a read on the composite wind, I greatly increase my chances of hitting the rest of the targets. The whole “first round hit” thing at meaningful distances is as much luck as anything else in difficult wind conditions.

[Delfuego]

The best is when the wind beats you with a left-2-right, the the dust/splash goes the opposite direction! WTF!

Gotta love shooting out west

[Madusa]

My take is mirage can’t be calculated. I’ve dealt with mirage at the firing line and at the target. Yes it compound’s. It’s better to compensate for wind.

[Oscar77]

My take is mirage can’t be calculated. I’ve dealt with mirage at the firing line and at the target. Yes it compound’s. It’s better to compensate for wind.

TBH.......... I'm not entirely sure what you are trying to say here nor your point.
Can you explain in better detail?

[Madusa]

If there is mirage at the firing line and not at he target it bends light rays that are not calculable. The same happens if there is mirage at the target and not on the firing line. So with wind you have no mirage and you can calculate wind. Tubb has a book that touches this when he shoots high power quickly to lessen the change in environment. With mirage at the firing line and target your guessing.

[Oscar77]

If there is mirage at the firing line and not at he target it bends light rays that are not calculable. The same happens if there is mirage at the target and not on the firing line. So with wind you have no mirage and you can calculate wind. Tubb has a book that touches this when he shoots high power quickly to lessen the change in environment. With mirage at the firing line and target your guessing.

Ok.........I'm sorry, I'm not understanding what you are saying.
I'll just read what Mr Tubb says: Which Book? and page number?