Burris FF-II Ballistic Plex and .243

[mouthcaller]

I posted this on the Small Game/Predator forum but haven't received any replies. I probably should have posted it here first.

I've beencalling and huntingcoyotes for 2 years now andI've gottentired of shooting my expensive 30.06 and .270 deer bulletsat them (leaves a big bloody mess in my truck too). I bought a Browning A-bolt in .243 from a friend and recently mounted a Burris 3X9X40 ballistic plex scope on Talley one-piece mounts.

I would like to hear from someone who is using a Burris scope with the Ballistic Plex Reticle. I am interested in learning what loads you shoot and how you are using the ballistic plex reticle with shots at 200, 250, 300, etc. How were you able to figure the distance each of those marks represented for a given load?

I understand the basic principles of this- the tick marks on the verticle crosshair correspond to the POI formost commonly used loads from popular calibers at 100, 200, 300 and so forth (+/- an inch or two as shown in the charts on the Burris website). I plan on using the "cheap" Federal power shock 100gr bullets to sight in and hunt coyotes this fall. The gun may be used on deer by my son (maybe me too for late season doe management) so I'm sticking with the 100 grainers for now. Next season I may switch to a smaller bullet (for instance the 80 gr speer at 3300 fps in the Federal line) for better long range ballistics.

Most of my shots on coyotes have been inside 200yards,but I have the potential to shoot much further than that on land that I hunt. As I learn more about this gun, loads, and scope I look forward to having that opportunity.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences and expertise.

Mouthcaller
Jackson, TN

[700xcr]

I have the Burris Euro-Diamond 2.5x10x44mm with Ballistic Plex on my Remington 700xcr 270wsm. I bought my scope brand new and came with chart with caliber,bullet weight and volesity that has a sticky back to put on your stock. The chart for 243win. 100gr. traveling 2960fps. sighted in at 100yds. with center cross hair. Next slash on vertical cross hair is 200yds. is dead on. Next slash on vertical cross hair is 300yds. is 2" high. next slash would be 400yds. and 2" high. Then wher vertical hair starts to wide is 500yds. and 2" high. The only way I know is chronograph the 100gr. factory load to see if your close to the 2960fps. with their 100gr. bullet. Then shoot at the distances and compare. I am going to sight mine dead on at 200yds. then compare at the different ranges. There is always alot of variables when shooting distance. Temp. and elevation changes everything too. The only way I see is go out and shoot and make your own chart. hope this helps.

[mouthcaller]

700xcr

Thanks for the reply and information. I downloaded the ballistic charts from the Burris website. Problem is those are averages numbers. I would suspectthe stated 2960 fps for a 100 gr roundis from a 24" test barrel, and my gun is an A-bolt sporter with a 20 inch barrel. Ultimately I will need to verify the numbers with a cronograph and then practice shooting at those ranges.

Thanks again for the response

Mouthcaller

[sscoyote]

When i set a ballistic reticle up for long-range shooting, the 1st thing i do is chronograph the load. Then run a ballistics program for your load. The Burris website will have the subtensions (measurements) of each stadia mark below the center x-hair in inch per hundred yds. This measurement is very close to minute of angle (MOA=1.05 inch per hundered yds.). Now look at the ballistics program and find out where each of those stadia are zeroed in MOA. Those zeros should then be checked at the range to verify them, and then the interpolative (in-between stadia) can then be calculated in 25 or 50 yd. intervals. I also do the same for windage using the horizontal plex post tip subtensions and 10 mph windage.

U might take a look at the Tech Notes on the Burris website. It goes into some detail on how to manipulate ballistic reticles that's quite helpful.

[tempehunter]

I have one mounted on my 257wby mag. I e-mailed burris and they sent me the exact bullet drop for not only the caliber i was shooting but also for the bullet I am useing!!!!!!!! give it a try I bet theycome through

[homers brother]

I have two FF-IIs, a 6.5-20 mounted on a CZ550 Varmint in .22-250, and a 4.5-14 mounted on a SA M1A (ARMS base) in .308.

The secret to success here is practice, the reticle itself isn't going to make you a long-range shooter. In my youth, I often hit prairie dogs at 400 yards with an old Weaver 3-9 on my 18" barrelled M600 Remington .243 with nothing appliedbut "Kentucky Windage".

I've gotten to the point that I can hit a 12x12-inch steel plate at 600 meters (military Known-Distance range) with the .22-250, but at that range it does little but take the paint off the plate. I'm not to that point yet with the M1A, it'll probably take a couple hundred more rounds.