Nikon BDC Reticle Question

[freedom-lover]

Looking at picking up a Nikon scope and was deciding between duplex and their BDC. Question - are the circles on the BDC reticle in MOA or MIL, or are they related to the ballistic computation software that I believe Nikon puts out?

[ratled]

They are related to the ballistic computation software that I believe Nikon puts out. You type in your specific ammo or specs, zero distance and power setting and it will tell you want circle is. Nikon Spot On will give you numbers for the top, middle and bottom of each circle. I find I really like the newer Nikon lines and will get more..... with the BDC

ratled

[ThemBastards]

Ive also been looking into the BDC system. Here is a pretty cool video about the BDC system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBrdee9SCik

[freedom-lover]

Good video. But, the magnification has to be at max. Why need just use a single power scope then? With a FFP scope, the reticle is going to adjust with the magnification, right - so, the moa or mil marks stay the same angle.

[negolien]

The above is not true the marks are based on the Trajectory of the ammunition it has nothing to do with the spot on software.

"the position of the circles are based upon an average trajectory for some of the more popular projectiles and cartridges on the market based upon the intended use of the scope itself."

http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/sportoptics/Nikon%20BDC_Reticle%20Guide.pdf

[ratled]

The above is not true the marks are based on the Trajectory of the ammunition it has nothing to do with the spot on software.

"the position of the circles are based upon an average trajectory for some of the more popular projectiles and cartridges on the market based upon the intended use of the scope itself."



http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/sportopt...le%20Guide.pdf

But without the Spot On software you you have no idea how average trajectory (bullet flight path) lines up with the hash marks on the scope without shooting copious amounts of rounds. Change the zero and the distance changes for each mark yet the drop will be a constant. Marrying the average trajectory with the scope is what the software does and does easily

ratled

ratled

[mjmagee67]

You can run the Spot On software for any magnification, I run it for minimum, maximum, and middle magnification and then print out a chart for each. Works great for hunting. No matter what the range I have a setting that will get me closer that I really need. Nikon BDC ain't perfect but it is still damn good. I wish they had some windage marks.

[freedom-lover]

You can run the Spot On software for any magnification, I run it for minimum, maximum, and middle magnification and then print out a chart for each. Works great for hunting. No matter what the range I have a setting that will get me closer that I really need. Nikon BDC ain't perfect but it is still damn good. I wish they had some windage marks.

What's the difference then between that and calculating the bullet drop vs distance and using your mil or moa lines to figure out how much to lift up the scope?

[mjmagee67]

What's the difference then between that and calculating the bullet drop vs distance and using your mil or moa lines to figure out how much to lift up the scope?

I find the BDC spacing a little more useful than Mil. You can run both on Spot On. If Nikon did 1/4 Mil that would be very useful.

[negolien]

But without the Spot On software you you have no idea how average trajectory (bullet flight path) lines up with the hash marks on the scope without shooting copious amounts of rounds. Change the zero and the distance changes for each mark yet the drop will be a constant. Marrying the average trajectory with the scope is what the software does and does easily

ratled

ratled

Not true either the spot on software allows you to factor in the cartridge brand, type and grain you are using. Do you actually look at this stuff before you guys post?

[freedom-lover]

Not true either the spot on software allows you to factor in the cartridge brand, type and grain you are using. Do you actually look at this stuff before you guys post?

OK, but doesn't any ballistic calculator take distance, round, etc and provide bullet drop in moa (mil)? Then the shooter lifts the scope up the correct number of moa (mil) on the reticle to compensate.

[YZINGERR]

Good video. But, the magnification has to be at max. Why need just use a single power scope then? With a FFP scope, the reticle is going to adjust with the magnification, right - so, the moa or mil marks stay the same angle.

Try the software before posting. It does not have to be at max magnification. I use a 3-9x and it has the BDC breakdown for all magnifications.

But without the Spot On software you you have no idea how average trajectory (bullet flight path) lines up with the hash marks on the scope without shooting copious amounts of rounds. Change the zero and the distance changes for each mark yet the drop will be a constant. Marrying the average trajectory with the scope is what the software does and does easily

May be slightly true (you dont have to shoot copious amounts of ammo though), but then what is the point of a BDC if you dont utilize its functions? i have it on a .308 and depending on the load, each circle is 100 yard increments at 9x...pretty simple. Why would you change the zero?

OK, but doesn't any ballistic calculator take distance, round, etc and provide bullet drop in moa (mil)? Then the shooter lifts the scope up the correct number of moa (mil) on the reticle to compensate.

yes, but spot on caters directly towards nikon BDC scopes.

I tried strelok and others. The numbers dont match up between the ballistic calcs and nikon spot on. I trust spot-on's numbers over a random ballistic calc for my Nikon scopes.

Not true either the spot on software allows you to factor in the cartridge brand, type and grain you are using. Do you actually look at this stuff before you guys post?

Wait, you actually have to know what you are talking about prior to posting?


I love the spot-on app on my phone and tablet...it works great with the scopes. On my scopes I have the 3x,6x, and 9x BDC references stickied to the top.

[YZINGERR]

Nikon SPOT-ON Application


Free to use, try it.

[ratled]

Not true either the spot on software allows you to factor in the cartridge brand, type and grain you are using. Do you actually look at this stuff before you guys post?

Yes , and I use it for my Nikon. BUT if that info wasn't in Spot On and you didn't use Spot on then the the little circles are just that.....little circles with no meaning. But then again I'm not the one who posted

"not true the marks are based on the Trajectory of the ammunition it has nothing to do with the spot on software"

ratled

[mjmagee67]

I do find it humors that people comment on the Nikon BDC and Spot On software with out ever trying it! It's not perfect but its good.

I like it I'm very comfortable with the system and it's limitations.