Suppressor mirage

[El Paisano]

Question first. Will reducing scope magnification down to 9X eliminate suppressor mirage?
Last week went to the range to work up a load on a rifle (w/suppressor). Shot 2 boxes or more. Was shooting 100 yard groups and had scope probably was set around 18X. Started having mirage issues after about 3 rounds and got worse.
Was at the range about 3 1/2 hours. I am questioning the validity of some of the groups due to the mirage.
Ordered a suppressor cover but won't be in until Monday and had planned on shooting again Sunday, since it will be my best opportunity.
Does anyone know if reducing the magnification down to about 9X or so would reduce the mirage enough to shoot 3-shot groups for accuracy, and be able to rely on the results?

[trophy8]

It’ll help. Won’t eliminate it.

[bowaddict40]

It’ll help. Won’t eliminate it.

^^^^This. Neither will a suppressor cover. The heat will just come out the end and you will still have the mirage.

[kcnatural]

I have shot mine with and without a cover, it helps a lot.

[Artos]

Lower magnification reduces the effects but doesn't mean it's not there still distorting the bullseye...one of first things I learned shooting short range benchrest. Imagine 45x power.

It was mostly atmospheric on cooler mornings that was a booger...some would tape strips of target paper (I used about a 2" wide piece of velcro) along the length of the bbl to divert the heat going directly 12:00.

One of the rules we had was to hold your aim point to where the bull bounces back to repeatedly.

[trophy8]

^^^^This. Neither will a suppressor cover. The heat will just come out the end and you will still have the mirage.

A good suppressor cover helps tremendously. I can hammer 10-20 round strings of fire and still see fine. Cover off and it’s soup lol

[imyomama]

best and easiest way to fix that problem is taller rings , and a cheek rest .. if your scope is mounted as low as possible , the heat waves coming off your can will be brutal.
the more distance between the can and the line of sight with your scope the less noticeable it will be ... aside from that you can carry a wet rag , but it will make it even worse at first till the can cools down. don't do that on a TI can ! the very best way is a shield that doesn't touch the can (air space) .. in a pinch a piece of cardboard works. a suppressor cover works but not for long as they heat up too , but they definitely help some on shorter sessions.

[ORIONTHEHUNTER]

A quality cover will make a huge difference.

[El Paisano]

Already have it as high as I am comfortable with and had to add an adjustable cheek rest.
The can is about an inch and 3/4 diameter, which doesn't help. Last week I noticed that the groups shot right after cooling were a lot tighter than the others. I was shooting through the mirage, so don't know if any of the groups last week are really valid. May have to load and shoot them again.
May not try to shoot as much, take longer between shots, and do it with 9X this week. Next opportunity after this weekend the temp is forecasted to be around 4F...not going out in that weather.

[Goathead]

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[westtexducks]

Slow strings down and a can condom will do wonders for your groups. And y'all are crazy if y'all dont think it will make a dramatic difference. I would compromise my groups going down to 9x either. I would take your time even getting a dish rag and doubling it up several times and taping it on the suppressor will be better than nothing. Just give it several minutes between strings to cool off.

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

[El Paisano]

That's an idea for the immediate. A little evaporative cooling to speed it up.

[stxhunter]

A quality suppressor cover will help. I had a cheap one to begin with that wasn’t worth it. Upgraded to one of the rifles only HAD covers that made a big difference. If I get to rapid firing mirage still creeps in as expected, but much better than before. If I slow down to 1 shot every 2-3 minutes it’s not really an issue.

[bearintex]

A good suppressor cover helps tremendously. I can hammer 10-20 round strings of fire and still see fine. Cover off and it’s soup lol

This is 100% correct. Would never be able to shoot any PRS with the can otherwise.

[El Paisano]

As it turned out, my suppressor cover actually came in the mail Saturday afternoon (Armageddon), so I had it to shoot Sunday. Worked very good. I shot around 60 rounds for groups at 100 yards, taking 2-3 minutes between shots. I turned the scope down to 12X.
No problems with mirage. Got good, reliable groups. Arrived at some very good loads for the 140 ELDM w/H4350, the 142 SMK w/ H4350, and the Hornady 140 BTHP w/ IMR4451.
I have been impressed with the IMR4451. My best groups with it were around 39.7 grains, and then again at 41 grains, which is right close to max by Hornady book.
The ELDM bullets grouped only slightly better than the (much cheaper) 140 BTHPs.
Groups like .212, .223, .245 are pretty impressive for a Ruger Predator that only cost about $400.