Leupold Varmint Hunter reticle subtensions at full power?

[RGRobinett]

Presuming second focal plane reticle: a doubling of magnification halves the subtension & vice-versa: halving magnification doubles reticle subtension . . . therefore, for reticle size/spacing, multiply the 15X subtension by 0.6666666. Good shootin'! RG

P.S. Typically, the DATA/instruction sheet accompanying the scope, will indicate the reticle subtension - almost invariably, it is relative to the highest power/magnification. I prefer SFP & MOA type hashes - a typical 20X will be 1MOA at 20X; 1.5MOA @ 15X; 2MOA @ 10X; etc . . . power selection can be used to "refine" windage holds.

 

[gzig5]

I usually don't use 20X in the prairie dog towns.
222 is a poor choice for dog shooting at distance over 300 yards.

Just got back yesterday from a two day shoot in SW Nebraska. Not quite the rate of shooting I'm used to from shooting ground squirrels in Northern CA for years, but it was enough to keep us busy. My concern about the VH reticle turned out to be a moot point. Once I started shooting I made a very slight adjustment to holdover when using 20x and rocked and rolled with the 222rem. My 22BR has a 10-50 Sightron with MOA-2 reticle. Left that on 24x most of the time because it was enough magnification and correlated to 2.0 MOA per hash, making for simple holdover.

Agree that 20x probably wasn't needed for PDs, but it doesn't hurt. When shooting small ground squirrels in the alfalfa, 12-16x isn't enough for me. A loaned 204 Ruger that I used did fine on PDs out to 335yd with a 4-14 Leupold but wind and elevation holds were significantly more difficult with a standard duplex at that low of magnification.
Yes there may be a better choice for PDs over 300 yds but I would argue strongly against the .222 rem being a bad choice. We had very few shots under 200 yds and most in the 250-350 range. My 222 with 50gr Zmax @3250fps did just fine in that range and I had several kills between 400-450yds, in the wind. Did have some misses too but mainly from inaccurate ranging or wind gusts.

 

[Hotshot]

Fast and flat is your best friend in a prairie dog town. I know how much hold over for a 223 at 450 yards. Hard shot with light winds. Almost impossible in a strong wind.
I don’t mean you can’t have fun with the 222, but if success includes hitting the target I choose one of the many cartridges that are more effective at over 300 yards.

 

[gzig5]

Fast and flat is your best friend in a prairie dog town. I know how much hold over for a 223 at 450 yards. Hard shot with light winds. Almost impossible in a strong wind.
I don’t mean you can’t have fun with the 222, but if success includes hitting the target I choose one of the many cartridges that are more effective at over 300 yards.

Like everything else in life, Fast and Flat has a cost. You make your choice, and take your chances.

IMO, with known distance (ie. good laser range finder) and a good reticle, flat is not as big a concern as it was when you were guessing if it was 250yds or 325. I lean towards the long for caliber bullets when I can, to help with the wind drift. My second rifle was a 22BR with 75 Amax at 2900 fps. A mild load, but it shot sub 1/2" groups at 200yds. Did not have to hold into the wind near as much and connected on several past 450 with the longest hit being 535yds on the first attempt. Probably a bit lucky, but the rifle will shoot if the nut behind the buttpad is torqued correctly.