Why are scope reticles in black?

[Joe R]

Hi Guys,
I know this may be a stupid question but why are scope reticles in black? It seems to my like the worst color because it is the easiest to lose especially against black targets.

Joe

 

[ridgeway]

They make lighted ones...

 

[Road_Clam]

I've wondered the same thing....why not a sharply contrasting green or red reticle cross hairs?

 

[CJ6]

If you want colored you need a lit reticule (Red, Green, Blue), Black is (I think) do to the lack of back light on the wire or the way the glass is etched. Try this put a thin piece of colored wire in the middle of a 1" X 12"-16" tube and see what color you see.....

 

[Lapua40X]

The most common color vision defect is red/green; in varying degrees. Those colors would not be a good choice for reticles. Also, think how quickly you might lose a green reticle in a wooded setting while hunting.

 

[JRS]

Most are actually silver in color. They appear black, when backlit by the image passing through the scopes optics.

 

[mshelton]

Most are actually silver in color. They appear black, when backlit by the image passing through the scopes optics.

I learned this as a kid pulling a few apart, I also learned to not pull scopes apart.

 

[Joe R]

CJ6 said: Try this put a thin piece of colored wire in the middle of a 1" X 12"-16" tube and see what color you see.....

Got it, Thanks for responding.

Joe