High scope and canting - the end of an ancient myth

Written by
András Fekete-Móró
Architect, born in 1971, now living and shooting in the UK
FT Hungarian Champion 2008-2009, World's 6th in 2010 / 9th in 2012


SUMMARY

In spite of the ancient myth, the height of the rifle scope doesn't mean more sensitivity for canting errors. In most instances it's totally indifferent while with a particular aiming method it can be worse of even better than the low mounted scope. Detailed theoretical explanations and shooting test results.


INTRODUCTION

I've heard many times from old shooters that 'The high scope isn't good because it's much more sensitive to canting...' – does it sound familiar? It seems to be logical at first glance – but not anymore when one investigates it a bit more thoroughly.

I started to deal with this topic back in 2007 when I was shooting with a 6 ft-lb rifle and used a rather high scope (we used to shoot up to 50 metres even with the low-powered rifles). I was told then that 'Oh boy, you're gonna suck with this high mount and miss even with the slightest cant, because high scopes are more sensitive to canting errors, all riflemen advise to set the scope as low as you can.'

Lock-time test results

Written by
András Fekete-Móró
Architect, born in 1971, now living and shooting in the UK
FT Hungarian Champion 2008-2009, World's 6th in 2010 / 9th in 2012


SUMMARY

Measured with a simple test how much time the pellet spends in the rifle from releasing the trigger until leaving the muzzle, and measured the human reaction time in different ways. Found that lock-time is negligible, compared to our own reaction time.


INTRODUCTION

As you may know, I've been testing the lock times of different rifle & pellet combinations in the last few days. My goal was to see what is the difference is between the most used rifles and a further goal to see whether this is important at all.

Let's make it clear that this is not the same lock-time as in the firearms, where lock-time means the time from the trigger release to the strike of the firing pin. Our lock-time is the total time what the pellet spends in the rifle before it leaves the muzzle. We don't give a damn when and what those small parts do inside, how piston, air, valves and pellet move – we're chasing only the total time while our movements can still affect the pellet after the shot release.

BFTA Technical Skills and Scope Manual updated

Written by
András Fekete-Móró
Architect, born in 1971, now living and shooting in the UK
FT Hungarian Champion 2008-2009, World's 6th in 2010 / 9th in 2012

I'm happy to announce my work to the shooter colleagues:

I've just finished with the updated version with additions of the
BFTA Technical Skills Manual - UPDATED
Update and additions: Fekete-Móró András, 2011-12
Consultants: dr. Gombos László and Pető László
Animations made from the photos of Simon Evans.
Original release by the BFTA and NSRA.

Also my earlier work has been updated with a few new figures in scope rotating and canted shots:
BFTA Telescopight Sight Manual - UPDATED
Update and additions: Fekete-Móró András, 2009-11
Consultants: Szokol Antal and Tóth Attila László
Original release written by: Wayne K. Hudson

Make good use of it, any comments are welcome.