Effective Spotting

[justinhw]

I've been searching both calguns and the net without much luck so far.

I just started shooting .223 out to 600 yds, and am looking for info on how to be a more effective spotter. Things like, how to set up, how to communicate, how to read bullet trace and estimate compensations. Can anyone recommend a youtube vid or knowledgebase somewhere?

There seems to be a lot of stuff out there on reading wind already, but not more "basic" stuff for a newbie like me.

[highpower790]

If your located near Sacramento the next match at 3,5,6,&800yds will Dec 12th.All prone 20shots from each yd line.Early in the morning when things are calm its easy to see the trace as well as a very brief glint of copper heading downrange.

[ditchdigger]

The trace is easier to pick up before the mirage picks up.

Keep your scope low so that heavy wind does not make it vibrate.

Set up right next to or behind the shooter.

1 moa is 1" at 100 yards, 6" at 600 yards. Do the math and fill in the blanks.

Reading the wind is a combination of watching the mirage through your scope and range flags if there are any, or grasses, trees, etc.

Build ups in the wind are usually slow and let ups are usually fast.

[Joshua Tree]

Although I am not a long range shooter, I was once invited to shoot a match by a great old man. This was a pistol and rifle steel silhouette match.

The non-verbal communication was great. As soon as I fired and looked toward the older fella as my spotter, he had a clip-board sized cork board with the target on it.

After each shot, he would place the visual push-pin into the cork board target area where I could see it at a glance. This is faster and more communicative than mentioning a clock position, without the added mumbo-jumbo words and description as to how far off from center a strike or a miss was.

[Steve_In_29]

Although I am not a long range shooter, I was once invited to shoot a match by a great old man. This was a pistol and rifle steel silhouette match.

The non-verbal communication was great. As soon as I fired and looked toward the older fella as my spotter, he had a clip-board sized cork board with the target on it.

After each shot, he would place the visual push-pin into the cork board target area where I could see it at a glance. This is faster and more communicative than mentioning a clock position, with the added mumbo-jumbo words and description as to how far off from center a strike or a miss was.

That's a GREAT method.

OP: Spend the money on a GOOD spotting scope.

[justinhw]

Thanks for the advice! I've been using a basic barska 20-60x60mm from amazon and while I'm able to see bullet trace, I have a hard time placing the shot in respect to the target on misses. I can see the splash when it hits dirt, but judging how much compensation is needed is difficult for me.

I found a good deal on a vintage Leupold GR 20x50 fixed spotter, so will experiment with that next.

[highpower790]

Too big a lens or low quality will cause you to see distortion.Lets say you have a ggod quality scope ...dont try for perfect clarity.What is need is to be slightly out of focus to judge mirage,and you will still be able to see the trace.