Ballistic Reticles or Simple Cross hairs?

K

knightcc

Member
Rating - 100%
30   0   0
Location
SW Ontario
Hi Folks

I am looking at a new high end scope for a Remington 300 Win Mag Custom Shop rifle that I just picked up. I have always shot Leupold scopes with simple duplex crosshairs and they have been fine and simple. The only problem is, the moose we hunt in northern Ontario are nearly black not brown like the are in other areas. When aiming at a young bull last year, there wasn't enough contrast between the crosshairs and his shoulder. I did kill him but it started to make me think about illuminated reticles like the ones Leupold, Swarovski and Zeiss make. Does anyone have any experience with these illuminated reticles? Also what is your opinion on ballistic reticles such as Leupold's boone and crocket or Zeiss's Z system. This 300 Win Mag is strictly a hunting rifle and I will shoot it a bunch. Shots could be longer because of the type of cuts I hunt (300-400 yards) Any real world experience you could offer would be great.
 
I shoot 300 Win Mag as well. Out here in Alberta you run into long distances that make a ballistic reticle make sense. That being said, I don't have one. Driving a 180 grain bullet at 3100 makes for a lot of smack with a flat trajectory, those are handloads, but Hornady can get you there too. I'm not sure what your average kill range is but it is likely 400 yards or less. I sight in for 300 yards, setting my max point blank (3 inches up, 3 inches down) something like 340 yards or so. With a flat shooter like that, place x-hair on moose hair that's covering the boiler-room and you have dragging to do. The point where adding elevation and windage occurs at 385 or so, and by then a laser is your friend and let's you work your drop without a really "busy" reticle. Speed becomes much less of a factor, as animals that far off are usually less nervous. As for ilum sights, I do not own any, but the last Trijicon that I looked through was damn tempting.
 
Quality illuminated retictals on a straight up hunting rifle are very nice to have especially as you get older. That's what I've found anyway. I'm not a Moose hunter but do a lot of deer hunting and an illuminated retical Bushell on my deer gun. It's the only way to go if your hunting in low light or thick bush. AS for the BDC recital I don't own one. I do have mil-dot on my coyote gun and have learn to use it for hold overs and leads. There are two guys that hunt with our coyote groups that have "varmint BDC" style reticals on there .22-250's that are supposed to be good out to 600yrds or so. Another guy has one with BDC turrets. neither option seems to be everything they are though or claimed to be. You still have to learn to use them and if you've been shooting standard crosshairs and know where your gun shoots I suggest dont change.

Good Huntin'
Tim
 
With a standard Leupold duplex, the distance between the center of the crosshairs and the thick post is 3MOA at the highest power setting. If you sight in 3" high at 100, the crosshairs will get you to 300 without trouble, and at 400 useing the bottom post will give you the 12" correction you need.

That works on so many cartridges that it isn't even funny. A lot of cartridges are more suited for a 200 yard zero. 9" at 300 will keep you in the game there too. If I didn't know better, I'd swear they did it on purpose.;)

I've played with duplexes for years, but I seldom buy anything that doesn't have a B&C reticle any more. It doesn't cost much, doesn't weigh anything and does give some more reference points for longer ranges.It is also a lot easier to hit small targets with a tighter midrange trajectory.

I have only one illuminated reticle, a B&C that I picked up for legal night hunting. While I've never actually shot anything with the reticle lit, it is pretty oblivious that they are easier to see in the dark and near dark.
 
I like the B&C reticle.

One thing to seriously keep in mind with the B&C reticle is it only works at the highest magnification. The bullet will go whizzing over the animals back if you shoot 450yds with your 4.5x14 turned to 6 power. :eek: :(

Leupold's reticle light switch on the side of the ocular is somewhat delicate.
I have LRs in 1.5X5 and a 4.5x14 and both have both been back to Korth for fixing.
Perhaps I am somewhat ham handed! :p
 
I had my reticles with reference dots custom made before they started showing up as a standard feature. The dots were made to line up with the bc of the bullet and velocity etc. It varies a bit of course depending on altitude,temp, air density etc -- but it is quite amazing when you get used to it.

On my 300 Weatherby or 30-378, I would not want to have it any other way. Shots can get long where I hunt - it has proven itself over and over. Practice is still very very important.

I agree with Dogleg - for the cost, it gives you a valuable reference point to use - just in case.

Now - do you want it First Focal Plane or not?
 
For a high powered flat shooting cartridge like the 300WM I don't think there is a need for a ballistic reticle. If you sight in for about 3.5" high at 100, you can hold dead on for a long way out. In a .22LR or black powder gun they make some sense though.
 
IMHO only...

K.I.S.S. applies. The last thing Joe Average Hunter needs in the moment of truth is a complicated sight picture through his scope, and yet one more decision to make.

Ballistic reticles are...again, IMHO...just the latest fad cranked up by marketing execs.

If one is into actually taking shots (because they are actually qualified) out beyond 350 to 400 yards, then there arguably is justification for them.

Which is not to say that ballistic reticles in and of themselves somehow immediately qualify anyone for taking Hale Marys...contrary to what I'm inclined to think is an increasing popular misconception. "I have a ballistic reticle, therefore I are a genuine sniper from hell!"

...and another gut shot critter wanders off to suffer a miserable death.

Whatever.

I'll take the duplex reticle every time.
 
I've got a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40 with a ballistic reticle on my 300 win mag and it really takes the guess work out of shooting out to 500 yards. Now that I've tried one, I'll definitely be leaning towards them in the future.
 
Try using the ballistic reticle in dim light and see how well it shows up - I'm sticking to the duplex - Its nice and clear under most lighting conditions.
 
Pretty easy to have a point blank range of slightly over 300 yards and then a standard duplex is just fine but if you start pushing beyond the point blank range then a ballistic reticle or adjustable turrets are a must. If your point of aim and point of impact aren't relatively the same, you shouldn't be taking the shot. Lots of macho talk about hold over and such but lots of missed shots and wounded animals too. If you are willing to confine shots to your point blank range then buy a duplex but if you aren't, buy a ballistic reticle and become proficient with it.
 
GRSmeister said:
Illuminated B&C on big game rifles.

Illuminated Mildot on everything else.
Click to expand...


Personally I have used and will continue use B&C reticles on most of my big game calibres, certainly any of the ones that are competent to 400 yrds and beyond.

On varmint rifles I like Target turrets.

Either way, if you are not going to learn and use the reticle, it is wasted.
 
sealhunter said:
Personally I have used and will continue use B&C reticles on most of my big game calibres, certainly any of the ones that are competent to 400 yrds and beyond.

On varmint rifles I like Target turrets.

Either way, if you are not going to learn and use the reticle, it is wasted.
Click to expand...

I agree with sealhunter except I don't like target turrets period. I don't like screwing with my scope or taking the time to do it. I like boone and crocket, mildot and the leupold TMR. I've had the TMR custom installed in a few scopes and I like it. The last point is crucial, if you're not going to practice with it DON'T try it on game, learn how it works.
 
I shoot a 300 Weatherby Lazermark with B&C recticles on a Leupold 4.5X14 - 50mm long range with AO using a Near Alpha rail system scope mount. Shooting 190 grain Burgers and RE22 at max recommend load, I found that the aim points are accurate to 400 meters. Have not shot further than that. I also shoot a Browning 300WSM with heavy 28 Inch bull barrel,A bolt, on that rifle I have a Leupold 6.5X20MM in second focal plain - 50 MM tactical with tactical milling recticles mounted on a pictaney rail with tactical night force heavy rings. I have also found that using the hold points shooting 175 grain Burgers that they also work to 400 meters. If you got good glass you should be able to see dark game against a dark background even at the magic hour. When it comes to putting glass on a fine rifle, the glass should cost the same or more than the weapon, you get what you pay for you can't cheap out and expect performance. All of my rifles are out of the box as is shooters and they all shoot with bullets touching at 100 yard 5 shot groups using a gun vice. As for battery operated illuminated tactical recticles, go for it. Anything that helps you become a better shooter should be used if it is in your budget. As others have posted here you gots to put in your trigger time in at the range. That can be expensive if you do not reload and even more expensive if you do, as the long range shooting thing becomes addictive, you groups are never ever tight enough.
Cheers & Tighter Groups: Eaglesnester
 
Last edited:
If you become a proficient hunter, instead of a long range shooter, a duplex crosshair is more then sufficient. Also, a ballistic reticle doesn''t take the place of practice.
I haven't used the illuminated reiticles, but i have never had a problem seeing my crosshairs against any animal.
 
The good ole Leupold 6 X 42 with a duplex reticle works extremely well. Gathers lots of light and fulfills the KISS requirement.

Not likely that many young bucks would ever pay heed to this bit of wisdom but what the hell do they really know about hunting or rifles or scopes anyways?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom