"Hold Over" ??

[AfisBoy]

Help a noob. What is meant by "hold over"? I've read the term in other posts and I'd love to break the code.

[brando]

Normally you use the center "cross hair" of the reticle as the point of aim. A hold over is using a different part of the reticle instead of making adjustments to the scope. For example, I have one of my .308s dialed in so that at 200 yards I use the center of the reticle to hit where I aim but at 500 I hold two notches below the center.

Check out horusvision.com for an extreme example of holdovers.

[Fjold]

Hold over is putting the crosshairs/front sight post above the target at longer ranges at an estimated distance, instead of adjusting the elevation adjustment of the scope or sight.

On my 6.5x284 with a 100 yard zero, if I hold 1 foot above the target at 300 yards I will hit it dead center.

If you have to shoot fast and you know the holdovers at distances it is faster than adjusting your sights but it is very dependent upon your ability to judge what the hold over amount at long distance looks like.

[fcr]

Speaking of Horus Vision, what is your opinion of it? It seems very straight forward to a "noob" like myself. Also reticles that are similar seem to be out there. How does one choose a reticle? Does it all depend on use? For target, and I hate the term"tactical" are they the same type of use? Don't mean to Hijack but this seems to fit this subject.

[Fjold]

If you are going to shoot a lot of longe range at unmarked distances then get a range estimating reticle that you can use quickly. Mildots seem to work easily once you get the hang of it. The various varminter reticles with fixed hashmarks at 1, 2, or 3 MOA are easy to figure with also.

Anything so complex that you have to carry a cheatsheet to use, is too complicated.

[AfisBoy]

Cool. Thanks for the info. I get it.

[brando]

Speaking of Horus Vision, what is your opinion of it? It seems very straight forward to a "noob" like myself. Also reticles that are similar seem to be out there. How does one choose a reticle? Does it all depend on use? For target, and I hate the term"tactical" are they the same type of use? Don't mean to Hijack but this seems to fit this subject.

Horus reticles are impressive, but I think they're best employed when engaging multiple targets at varying short to medium distances. I would run one on semi-auto .223 or .308, for example, but not a .300WM bolt gun.

[fcr]

Thanks for the info brando. I am trying to just educate myself. Makes sense to me.

[ar15barrels]

Anyone in so-cal could come out to one of the CaPRC shoots and learn about holdovers.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/forumdisplay.php?f=123