Mil-dot? Something else?

[beartrack]

I realize that nothing works like a laser, but of the range estimation devices or those that give you some basis for "kentucky windage" is the mil-dot the way to go? Who has actually used them and what is the consensus? Is there something else out there that is better?

 

[jb1000br]

What is your use?

 

[heatseekins]

There is nothing better than a laser. Ranging steel targets of known size works, but you do have to be very proficient with it to do well. if you are shooting at furry animals range them with a laser. If you are at a comp and they allow lasers use them. If they dont allow lasers and its un-known distance then use the reticle in your scope.

The standard mill dot is not the best for ranging. to range accurately you need to brake it down into .1 mill increments or smaller. look at US optics website and you will see a bunch of different mill dot based reticles to choose from.

Lots of guys also use the reticle to hold off on difrent situations.

 

[beartrack]

Use will be some paper punching, but mostly furry things, but sometimes especially on coyote, laser ranging isn't always practical. Sometimes even when you have the time, you don't get a good read because neither the target, nor the surroundings are very reflective. Yet, it is not the distance ranging I'm that concerned about, but windage. The desert where I live is ALWAYS windy and you might be shooting across it one direction one minute, turn and be shooting across the opposite way the next.

 

[jb1000br]

mil'ing furry critters is rough...might be better off guessing the range...especially with time constraints...also, attempting to mil a moving target will be a waste of time...

If i were you i'd save up to get a better laser RF...,Swaro)

JB

 

[beartrack]

Maybe Leupys varmit or BC reticle. I see both of those have windage guestimation holds. At leat then I would have a consistent point of reference to hold from. That is really all I was really hoping for w/ the mil-dot, too.

 

[sscoyote]

My favorite ballistic/ranging reticle these days is the Rapid Reticle right here-- www.rapidreticle.com It has fine enuf subtensions to provide for one of the more accurate systems of reticle-rangefinding,tho admittedly still crude relative to a laser). My system of rangefinding is based on a modification of the mil-ranging formila right here--

www.ottllc.com/specialtypistols/sp20.pdf Item C) Reticle Rangefinding

The reticle also provides for a nice direct system of windage reference. When i ordered mine i asked for a reticle schematic to get all the stadia subtensions which u will need to apply the reticle for rangefinding,as well as accurate downrange zeroing really as well).

Leupold's VH and B&C reticles Beartrack mentioned above are also pretty good direct windage ballistic reticles that would have decent rangefinding qualities as well.

 

[Cheechako]

JMHO, but if you have to mil or laze, you're too far away. With today's high intensity cartridges you can develop a load that will allow for a maximum PBR zero a lot farther than the average shooters ability to make a clean hit.

Again, JMHO

Ray

 

[jb1000br]

Ray, this really isn't the place to poo-poo on long range hunting...united we stand eh?

JB

 

[Cheechako]

JB

I sure didn't mean it that way. I just got home from the NBRSA 600 yard Nationals where the country's finest, with the best equipment available, at a measured distance, sitting down with a rest, had a hard time keeping them in the bulls-eye consistently. I'm always amazed at how much the conditions can push that bullet between the time you shoot a sighter and the time it takes to reload and shoot another one. Take away most of the above advantages and . . .

Ray

 

[jb1000br]

Ray, just wanted to make sure we are on the same page. Certain things lost in TEXT sometimes...

I just don't like seeing aspects of our sport poo-poo'd on because they are different/"unethical",of course that is a personal view) etc., that's all.

I have basically shot both extremes of long range shooting...500-1K BR know distance...to Unknown distance steel plates for a Sniper Match...it can sometimes be amazing what one can pull off from a bipod...or even a sling for that matter.

Respectfully,
JB