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TDS reticle

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rocker4 View Drop Down
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    Posted: August/08/2007 at 18:41
New to the forum. Sorry if this has been discussed in detail previously.

I am having a custom rifle built and have been looking into the Swarovski TDS system reticles. Has anyone used these and if so, what do you think of them?
I am thinking of either the AV 3-10x42 or AV 4-12x50 both with the TDS.

I currently own a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44, but would like to upgrade and would like some feedback from anyone who has used the TDS.

Thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2007 at 19:00
I've used it and like it o.k.  It's very simple as ballistic reticles go, but if you plan on ranging targets and not just holdover, I believe a mildot based reticle works better.
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rocker4 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rocker4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2007 at 08:12
I don't want to use it for ranging, only for holdover. It seems simple to me, but I wanted some feedback from anyone who has actually used it.
Thanks for the response.
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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2007 at 10:44
tds doesn't work as good as leo varmiter, or any of the nightforces, or the mp 8, (could go on) but does work better than regular reticles. evenly spaced so the calibration for subtension is generally at some fixed power, where it is used at that power for holdover as opposed to say a leo which is progressive and rather hard to recalibrate at different magnifications. It makes up for the swaros lack of AO, and cheezy turret system as most euros either have someone set the poi, or they set it once and forget it. Having run the Z6 thru several standard 3 gun type courses of fire, it is an still an outstanding piece, as quick on target as eotech or aimpoint, has zeiss divavari really beat, and the vx7 as far as the glass (not in construction however).
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rocker4 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rocker4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2007 at 11:19
Strictly looking for a hunting scope with holdover accuracy to 400-500 yards. I definitely don't want any type of turret system for range or wind adjustment. I am looking for the most practical hunting scope with high quality glass with a holdover type system.
I would love any feedback regarding accuracy of the TDS system out between 300-500 yards, if anyone has experience in this?
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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2007 at 11:45

used holdover to 400 with m4 223 works good, but not as well as the ones mentioned above. how well it will work depends on what you will be using as your zero, and the caliber/gun used. not sure what you mean by accuracy, but it will be as good as you can shoot. personally can't imagine a better hunting scope.

 

edit to add: talking about the Z6 here not the other swaros.



Edited by Dale Clifford
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rocker4 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rocker4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2007 at 11:57
I appreciate the input Dale.
I am having a 280 Ackley Improved built from a Rem. 700 action. It will be a tack driver at 100 yards.
With that caliber and the loads I am considering you would zero the 1st bar down from the main horizontal @ 200 yards (TDS scope). That would leave your remaining 3 bars @ 300, 400 and 450 yards.
Like you said, it will be as accurate at 400 yards as I can shoot. When I mentioned accuracy, I mean 1-shot kills on deer, elk, bear from 50-450 yards.
I would imagine the swaro with the TDS is more than capable of this?
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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2007 at 16:02
pretty much, the calibration is the trick--swaro at their web site allows access to a ballistic program that will tell you the correlation between your gun loads (knowing bc. velocity etc.) and their "markers" . Just off hand I estimated 2 moa between markers on the one I demoed and calculated accordingly with a 223, came out pretty close knowing the drop "profile" of the load being used of course without going to their web. Personally thez6s with tds are in another "class" if the turrets don't bother you.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sscoyote Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/12/2007 at 02:26
Getting out to 450 yds. should really be no problem. In fact when it comes to ballistic reticles for those kind of ranges the simple plex itself would probably work just as well, once the subtension vs. trajectory system is understood well. IMO, the simple plex is the easiest ballistic/rangefinding reticle ever designed.
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hairbol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/13/2007 at 06:03
With the Ackley I would expect the x hair to be 100 & 200 with the lower portions of the reticle for farther out.  I have used TDS 1st on a Swaro PH 6-24 for my 6mm BR varmint/bench gun and love it.  Took a groundhog at a ranged 687yds.  Now have a Z6 1.7-10 for a 375 Ackley, and half a dozen Kahles 3.5-10's all with TDS.  Used TDS in SA this spring to take a Rowland Ward Mt Reedbuck @ 409 ranged yards.  I like them a lot!  Forgot to mention the 2 PH 3-12's in TDS sitting on my 2 custom mausers.  One in 35 Whelen Improved and the other on a 6.5x06.  The calculator on the Swaro website is a nice tool.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rocker4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/13/2007 at 08:14
Thanks hairbol. Always nice to hear some feedback from guys who have used it in hunting applications in the field.
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