Is a BDC reticle on a 3-9 power scope THAT practical?

The bullet drop reticle on my Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44 and the time I spent on the range with it, got me my 10x pt whitetail this season!

The rifle (.308) stays zeroed at 100m, but I practiced holdover shots at 200m more than anything this fall to build confidence.
As luck would have it, this year my deer presented himself at the utmost back corner of the field, my hunting partners ranged him at 260m, and in the end I took him at 275m, kneeling & supported on fence rails.

Having the confidence to take the shot using the holdover mark, and walking up to see the perfect shot placement, is something I will never forget and was nothing short of exhilarating.

Have fun, and good luck!
 
Yes it is. With a 9 or 10x max, you're almost sure to be on max zoom for shots over 200 so the drop will be spot on when you want to use it. The magnification setting problem would crop up if you have something like an elite 6500 4-30x and you're making a 350 yd shot set at 16x.(for example). So a 3-9x kind of solves that on its own.

My 7-08 drops 8 in from 200 to 300 another 14" to 400 and a further 24" to 500. The advantage of my Burris BDC vs using the heavy duplex transition is in the 250 to 350 yd area where there is a significant amount of drop that's all guesswork with a duplex reticle(can be done accurately with a lot of practice). I've used my BDC to bag a muley at 290yds and another at 375yds. I'd be hesitant to try a 500yd shot unless I get a lot more practice in.

Don't forget to buy a laser range finder! It is super important to shooting further in the field. Practice with it as well, don't just trust the charts or stickers that come with your scope. I learned a lot shooting old phone books at 400yds: how much wind drift, where to hold, and how much my bullet penetrates(not the best test but fun and informative).

A simple BDC like the Burris won't be any draw back when you're not using it. I've snap shot a doe we jumped out of her bed at 20yds and hit her(unnecessarily) a second time while she was running left to right at 30 yards. 2 quick shots in a few seconds and the bdc doesn't hinder it at all.

Good luck and have fun,

Willy
 
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