mildot or bullet drop compensation recticle?

[dancinzen]

hello hello,

i am in the market for a midrange scope for my 20 in 1x8 twist ar upper. i am hand loading for this upper in primarily 69gr and above material. and in the price i can afford right now i am between a nikon buckmaster 4.5x14 in either the bdc recticle, or the sf mildot... my question is, i know the bdc is easier to use, but they are primarily limited to certain bullets with different speeds because of factory loads, and since i am hand loading, i know the mildot scopes are all based of simple math formulas. and if thats the case cant i calculate distance with the mils then punch in my bullet weight and my fps and be able to be more accurate since i am calculating for exactly what i am shooting? or am i making this up? i went on a few sites today to try and research the mildot formula, but just was not in the mood to strap down on it...does anyone know how to do this with the mildot scopes and could steer me to a good site or teach me how its done? also i am gonna pay $250 for that scope and thought it is a pretty good deal for the quality and reputation, is their any other suggestions in that price range? thanks...

[chrisw]

I vote for the mildot reticle depending on what you're doing with it...

http://www.shooterready.com/lrs.html -This is a program that lets you practice range estimation using mildots. There is a demo version on their website.

also, http://www.mildot.com/

It's pretty simple to estimate range using mildots, but your results will depend on how accurately you estimate the size of your target etc...

basically, the size of you target in yards, multiplyed by 1000, divided by the number of mils the target measures in your scope = your range.

or, size of target in inches x 27.778/target size in mils=range.

[Teletiger7]

Yes they are calibrated to one specific load going at a certain velocity. Other loads may be close but you have to remember how the hold over or come up changes. If you plan on using just that one particular load then the bdc reticles are convenient but if you plan to shoot different bullet weights loads, or even move the scope between different rifles then get the mildot and then you can just learn the trajectory for each particular load and what it means in terms of mils/moa at a certain distance. Clear as mud?

Ballistics calculators can predict the trajectory when you plug in the velocity and bc. You then confirm the soft dope given to you by software by gathering hard dope(shooting and seeing the actual drop at certain distances). The mildots or hashmarks themselves are for hold overs or range estimation.

The mildot formula is good for gauging distance to target if 1. you know your targets size and 2. You don't have a range finder.

Look at Randall's "How do I use my scope" thread in the precision rifle section

[Bongos]

Seriously, what is your maximum range with the 223, I think 400 yards max, 500 will be a hard. I think MilDot are nice for 260 rem, 308, or higher, but for the 223, a BDC is good enough

[FMJBT]

Seriously, what is your maximum range with the 223, I think 400 yards max, 500 will be a hard. I think MilDot are nice for 260 rem, 308, or higher, but for the 223, a BDC is good enough

I think you are underestimating the .223/5.56 quite a bit. 400 yards is well within the range of even 55 grain bullets out of a .223. Once you step up to 69, 75, or 77 grain projectiles, the range opens up considerably. 800 yard shots are pretty common, and even 1000 yard capability is not unheard of.

To the OP, get the mil dot and don't look back. The mil dot reticle itself can be used as a BDC if you know where the holdover points are. Unlike the BDC reticle, it can also be used to determine range, so you know where to hold over or dial in for.

[dancinzen]

well the furthest i will attempt to hit something at is 500, about once every few months. but the point is that i dont know if for what i am loading the bdc will even work... mildots can be assigned for anything right...?

[FMJBT]

well the furthest i will attempt to hit something at is 500, about once every few months. but the point is that i dont know if for what i am loading the bdc will even work... mildots can be assigned for anything right...?

If you practice on the math and being able to do conversions in your head, the mil dot is an excellent tool for dialing in for precise shots at long range. Use the dots to determine range, dial in the adjustments on your scope to compensate for the trajectory, aim dead on and shoot.

You can also use them as holdover points similar to a BDC, although the actual dots themselves may not exactly match the required holdover points for any given range. I like to tape a holdover chart on the inside of the flip open lense cap on the eyepiece. Determine holdover points by shooting the rifle at a given range after zeroing at 100 yards. Make a note of how far below the point of aim the bullet actually struck. If you bullet hits 2 mils low at 400 yards, use the second mil dot below the crosshairs as your holdover point for that range. If it hits 2.5 mils low, use the sopt between your 2 and third mil dots down as a holdover point. Do this at various ranges until you have all the holdover points you'll need mapped out. Once you figure them out, mark their locations on the chart on the inside of the lens cap. Once you flip open the cap, all the data is right there. It's important though to be able to see where you bullets are hitting in relation to where you are aiming to accurately determine holdovers. Having a spotter assist in this process is a good idea.

[aplinker]

if you're trying to shoot for precision, mil-dot

[rksimple]

Get the mildot. I have that same scope on my SPRish AR. Hits out to 600 with 77 grainers are easy. Don't underestimate the 223.