Long Range Rifle and BDC Reticle

cjwink · 01-23-2008, 10:39 AM

Ok, so do the Bullet Drop Comp scopes work.. Thinking about getting one to put on one of my rifles for long range shots at deer..I know my ballistics and don't see how one scope could fit so many calibers.. So what's the scoop are they worth it.. 300 yards is about where I draw the line with my current setups. Thesescopes have rings for up to 500 yards.. .And the bigger debate would be what gun to put them on?? What would you put the scope on????

Ruger MK77 in 22-250
Weatherby VGL in.243
Remington Model 7 in .243
Remington 600 in 6mm
Ruger Compact in 7mm-08
TC Encor in 308
H&R in 444 Marlin

I know the 22-250 and 444 are not really long range deer rifles.. But thought I would throw them in there for fun..

npaden · 01-23-2008, 12:56 PM

They do work, but you really need to practice with one on your rifle using the bullets you intend on using to get them dialed in correctly. Also where you have your gun sighted in will affect it also. I have my gun sighted in at a 200 yard zero and the first and second circles are pretty accurate for my 7mm Rem Mag at 300 and 400 yards. I personally haven't ever practiced beyond that so I'm not sure on the other circles.

I would think the 308 would be the most appropriate gun you listed for using one on. It will drop a bit quicker but that's where the BDC shines if you have it dialed in.

johnnybravoo77 · 01-23-2008, 01:35 PM

Depends on the accuracy of your guns. Which one shoots the tightest groups?

cjwink · 01-23-2008, 01:37 PM

The model 7 is really sweet.. But If I concentrate the 7mm-08 will put 3 touching each other at 100 yds..

Ridge Runner · 01-23-2008, 02:14 PM

well its like this, if you can exactly match the reticle to your load you could do ok, or you can get a target scope, work your load and get reliable data for your rifle and have kenton industries make you a BDC knob for your scope, then your good in about all conditions to 700 yards max. Now get you a good repeatable scope, work your load and get a ballistic program and match its capabilities to your load and your only limited by how far your bullet stays supersonic.
I'm by no means an expert at the long range game but I do do it some, my farthest kill to date on a deer is 822 yards.
RR

pats102862 · 01-23-2008, 03:17 PM

I have one on my .338 win mag. I didn't like the idea of guessing how high to hold over thier backs. I followed leupolds instructions. for my caliber. I zeroed it at 200, put the 300 pin on at the 300 yard target. I was 1.5" low. Close enough for me. I didn't kill a elk with it yet, but it should definitly help on those 5 to 6 hundred yard shots.

cjwink · 01-23-2008, 03:19 PM

So does it come with a caliber guide????

Ridge Runner · 01-23-2008, 04:15 PM

contact the maker if it doesn't tell ya, but there should be a guide to tell you the MOA below the crosshair for each mark in the scope, and if its thorough it'll tell you the moa for each power so you can adjust the power ring to match your drops, then shoot it alot
RR

HEAD0001 · 01-23-2008, 06:47 PM

I have shot this type of reticle in the Burris, Nikon, and Leupold scopes. IMO the Leupold is the best of the three. The reticles work if you do your homework. The way to match your crosshairs to the reticle is by using the power selector ring. If you shoot your rifle enough you will find a match.

I do not like the Nikon because it does not have anything for windage, and I also do not like the circles. I prefer a crosshair. I also believe that 500 yards is the limitwith these scopes. Anything past 500 yards and the bullet drops are just too great, and different.

I have a Leupold 6.5X20 with the VH Reticle on my Rock River AR in 223Wylde chamber. Mine works great at 16X out to 400 yards. Each crosshair is within 2 inches of zero at 200, 300,and 400 yards. I have not shot it at 500 yards. I use thisrifle for ground hog's and I think 400 yards is too far for the 223(anything past 250 yards I deliver a double tap). Tom.

pats102862 · 01-23-2008, 07:54 PM

Yes there is a caliber guide. By which caliber you have determines if you use the large or small triangle on your scope and if you zero 2 or 3 hundred yds. The leupold web site I think has this information under b&c reticle. I don't think its accurate enough that if you zero at 200 your going to drill the bullseye at 450 but it should get you to within an inch or to. Which is fine for me on a elk sized creature. Heck my trigger squeeze would throw me offmore than that at 500. Like I said I didn' kill one with it yet, But it has to be better than , holding the cross hair level with the top of the horns and pulling the trigger.