I have never owned a Ballistic Plex reticle or similiar on any scope I have owned. How do you feel about these things or is it better to use a laser rangefinder? Thanks

The laser rangefinder will give very accurate ranges reguardless of the game you hunt.The rangefinding reticles are not nearly as precise especially when used on game animals that vary considerably in size.

The ballistic plex used by Burris, and other crosshairs such as Mil-Dot, or TDS are not designed to measure distance, and are of no use if you do not know the range at which you are shooting. All they are designed to do is give you a point at which to hold for a given range. The Ballistic plex, ussually is, or can be calibrated for a specific load and caliber. The TDS will give you a range holding point, as well as a reference on where to hold in a cross wind, and the Mil-Dot is simply a crosshair with a series of dots running along the vertical and horizontal cross wires.

These scopes are designed to use hand-in-hand with a laser rangfinder. I think this is starting to clutter up the sport of hunting. These tools are fabulous for targets and varmints, but people are using this on their big game rifles. Now they belive they will be able to kill that elk 50 miles out there, and get there before he makes it to the vet and a full recovery. If you wan't this on a hunting rifle, and your shots won't excede 300-350 yards or so, smply sight in at a 200-250 yard zero. Depending on the cartridge your shooting, this should give you a reasonably long point blank shot, and eliminate the need to reley upon more and more stuff to cluter up your daypack.. Besides, if you miss, do you really want to say you had all this on you? I prefer my normal excuse, "I miss judged the range" this way I can blame it on my stuipidity!

Sounds too complicated i guess I will stick with rangefinder and plain duplex reticle... Thanks Guys

I could have used one on a moose a few years ago. I didn't have a range finder or bullistic plex. They almost have to be used hand in hand. You need to use the rangefinder for the range to know which plex to aim at. I was way off moosehunting. I guessed 400 yards and it was actually 600yards. My guide was more off than me. Don't trust the guides on ranges.

I wouldn’t be to confident in using the ballistic plex for hunting but I’m very confident in my laser range finder.

I've been using a ranging scope from springfield armory now for a few seasons. I would not do it again. To much clutter in my field of view. Also it is set for a particular trajectory so every time I change bullet grain or brand I must adjust although very slightly my longer shots.
If you must, use a laser ranger and know how much to adjust your self from there. JMO

I'm a believer in the lasers for accurate measurement. I've had 2 Nikon 800's and they have performed outstanding. Use them for all my hunting from archery to rifle for deer, elk, varmints, everything. I've just found that the older I get, the harder it is for me to judge distance correctly. These units are lightwieght, strong, and fit in my jacket pocket. I can range an area when I sit down and put the unit away. Out west, range can be really deceiving. What you thought was 200-300 yards can turn out to be alot farther and that equals missed shots or worst yet, wounded game. Just my 2 cents.

I've used both mil dots and the burris plex rangefinding version. both of these systems require you to know the height of the target in order to get the range. Lasers are certainly the most accurate, but if the batteries go it's nice to have a backup. I prefer mil dots to the burris system, but if I didn't know how to use mils the burris is probably easier to learn.

don't want to start a flame or anything, but contrary to a previous post mil dots were designed specifically for estimating range, not for holding over a certain amount on the target. burris based the ballistic plex off the same principle; you know the size of your target and you do the math from there:

(object height in inches x 27.776)/mill dot measure

if you've got a laser, use it. with a little practice you can be accurate enough with mil dots or ballistic plex for hunting standards.

hope this helps,

ac

The only problem with mil dots is its made for estimating range of humans which I will dare to say you can predict the size of certain parts compared to the variable of a deer.