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To mil dot or not

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03mossy View Drop Down
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    Posted: March/08/2010 at 08:01
I am new to long range shooting. up until this last year I mainly used muzzleloaders, but have become somewhat bored at only reacting out to 200 yards. I bought a 22-250 and am looking at what seems like thousands of scopes for it. I like the idea of a mil dot scope for holdover at extended distances, but would it be the best way to go for someone new to the long range game?
 
Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 08:08
I suggest that first accept that there is no right or wrong answer. Various systems all have their pros and cons.
The mildot is good for ranging etc and for that reason is best if used on a first focal plane scope.
One of the drawbacks are that the dots become a bit big on the higher magnification.
The BDC or bullet drop compensator scopes work ok. Something such as leupold's varmint reticule or Zeis RapidZ.
What sort of budget are you contemplating?
 
 
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03mossy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 03mossy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 08:19
Under $400 with the cheaper the better but i also don't want junk! This one has me interested
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 08:56
long range shooting starts at 600 yds. 22-250, swifts etc, start to fall off at 500 to 600 yds. mainly because the bc of the bullets are so low that wind drift affects the bullets  proportionally more than other calibers. a 22-250 set zero at 200   or 300 yds is still pretty flat to 500 yards however. Of course this depends on the size of the target.
any reticle can be used for rangefinding, all that is needed is two reference points. the standard mil dot works for hold over but isn't as good as some of the hash mark type reticles. If distance is needed because size of target check into laser rangefinders.
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8shots View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 09:03
I suggest you take a look at the Vortex range of scopes.

Edited by 8shots - March/08/2010 at 09:07
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03mossy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 03mossy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 09:03
ok maybe i need to clarify a few things... I didn't know that it does not count as long range till after 600yardsWink. long range to me... meaning 2-400 yards and eventually stretching farther as i get better. And also i do have a range finder, i not looking for a retical for rangeing help, just aiming points
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 09:04
The 3200 series from Bushnell are very robust and dependable scopes. But if you are buying a mil-dot for ranging, that particular scope, the reticle is only correct on the highest mag. And while that is not necessarily a bad thing, 3200's are not known for great glass. This coupled with a exit pupil of 2.7mm, would have me leaning towards another scope. One of these two is what I would recommend. 
SWFA SS 10x42 Tactical RiflescopeMil-DotSWFA SS 10x42 Tactical Riflescope
Stock # - SS10X42
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • Rear Focus
  • OK for .50 cal
  • 1/4 MOA
$299.95

SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical Riflescope
If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 09:14
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote austin243600yd. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 12:55
vortex is over priced on alot of there scopes the swfa is a great scope bushnell 10x42 3200 is also a great scope both are in ur price range me i just bought a new one for $95 out of a gunshow in littlerock Arkansas things worth over $400 i shoot 500 too 800 meters with my 243 and the one i just bought may not be the clearest but i can still identify targets at 1200 meters and shoot accuratly out to 1000 meters u dont my point is u dont half to buy an $800 dollar vertex to get the job done if ur only shootin 400yards the bushnell will do great but once u start gettin to 600yard line u may wanna consider gettin a larger caliber rifle
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 13:14

I have the Elite 3200 10x as well as a SS 10x SF.  Side by side, the SS has a cleaner/clearer picture, and brighter image.  Is it that noticable? Not great but it is a difference.  The internal adjustment on the 3200 is stated at 80MOA, mine has 76 if I remember right, my SS loads more.  Between the two, I would pick the SS 9 times out of 10 over the 3200 but that one time I would choice the 3200 is when it would be a wet environment and I want the rainguard. (Granted i never intend to shoot either one of these in the rain cause I dont' use them on hunting rigs and I don't target shoot in the rain.)

"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 03mossy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 13:20
one more note it is going to have to be a variable as this will be used on yotes as well
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 13:41
Super Sniper variable...
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 14:08
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

Super Sniper variable...
 
Thunbs Up  For a variable this would be the one
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 03mossy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 15:40
Originally posted by SVT_Tactical SVT_Tactical wrote:

Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

Super Sniper variable...
 
Thunbs Up  For a variable this would be the one
Looks like a great scope but $200 to much. I'm already stretching as far as i can at $400
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jim Bolivar diGriz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 16:40
Test
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 03mossy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 16:49
Originally posted by Jim Bolivar diGriz Jim Bolivar diGriz wrote:

Test
huh?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jim Bolivar diGriz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 17:16
My $.02... I am not clear why you need to shoot long-distance: is it hunting or paper punching? Mil-dot is a) primarily for ranging the target, not holdover points, and b) works only at certain power on variable power scopes (this actually is true for all ballistic reticles in the 2nd plane). If you're convinced you need the mil-dot reticle, I would consider fixed-power scopes.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 03mossy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 17:26
Originally posted by Jim Bolivar diGriz Jim Bolivar diGriz wrote:

My $.02... I am not clear why you need to shoot long-distance: is it hunting or paper punching? Mil-dot is a) primarily for ranging the target, not holdover points, and b) works only at certain power on variable power scopes (this actually is true for all ballistic reticles in the 2nd plane). If you're convinced you need the mil-dot reticle, I would consider fixed-power scopes.
You asked why i want to shoot long distance... well basically for fun. really don't know what you are looking for with that question.
 
And the rest of the post that is exactly what i ment when i asked the question to start the thread. i do not know enough about long range shooting let alone mil dot reticles so thank you
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 17:27
Super Sniper is FFP...
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2010 at 17:46
I have limited experience with mil-dot, both SFP and FFP. I would be a bit concerned with low light performance on coyote with a SFP mil-dot.
The FFP mil-dot on the 3-9 SS is a very good in marginal light. It gets more usable the higher the power is set. It compares pretty good with some of my best low light scopes. I don't know about using it for ranging. I'm sure if you know your load and do the math it's not much of a problem. It is out of your price range, though.
I think you could get by fine with a plex reticle on many scopes available in your price range. I'll list a few because my experience with them has been great. I haven't had quite the same models, but a Nikon Monarch or Bushnell 4200 will do a solid job on a 22-250.
http://swfa.com/Bushnell-25-10x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P245.aspx
I think the above is plenty on a 22-250 for general shooting.
I use a 3-12 on a sporter weight 22-250 I have. This Monarch would be a great choice.
http://swfa.com/Nikon-Monarch-Riflescopes-C1455.aspx
That same scope is available in the BDC reticle. Several members here like it a lot.
http://swfa.com/Nikon-25-10x42-Monarch-Riflescope-P42338.aspx
It is a true hold over reticle. It may not be what you want for low light coyote hunting, though. I have found the Monarch plex to be easier to see under those conditions.

Doug







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