Who actually uses a BDC scope?

Try a ballistic program like Strelok. Punch in your load and your reticle and it spits out stuff like this:

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You can change the elevation turret up top and see how many clicks you need for a dead-on shot too.
 
Thanks for that Propliner. Defintely the best one I've used so far.

I'm kind of new to this stuff so bare with me. I've put in all my data and come to the conclusion that if I do a 230 yard zero (1.25" high at 100yards) I should be able to use the reticle like this. (Not sure how you got the nice coyote in yours though)
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Here was load data I put in
50g
Bc G1 .181
3609 f/s
Scope height 2.3"

Figured this would be an easier set up to remember. Of course testing is going to be needed for using these #s but it would be nice If I could use this for a good starting point.
 
I have several bushnell bdc scopes. Once is the AR 5.56 bdc that U use on a .22lr.

What I do is chrony my bullets, build my range card, and then check the manufactures MOA drops for the various distances in the BDC and then cross reference my dope. I then shoot to confirm.

For my AR, I know that 100 is 100, 200 is actually 185, 300 is 260, etc etc.

For the 22lr, with a 50m zero, the 200m is 90, the 300 is 155, etc.
 
Depends how far you are shooting and what cartridge. BDC will probably work fine for flat fast cartridges with a limited range before wind becomes a factor...400 yards maybe? You still need to do homework, BC/Velocity/Strelok/and verify on a range where it's hitting.
I use this scope reticle, and played with both doping and dialing between 600-1000 on a fairly windy day. Strelok was pretty much bang on every time, and there is a lot of windage and elevation change between 600-1000.
MOA-2.jpg
 
I used a simple Leupold BDC on a 2-7x lightweight to make a clean lung shot on a large Whitetail at 304 yards using the diminutive 7.62x39 cartridge. I held one dot high.
 
I was very impressed with the Burris Veracity Ballistic Plex E1 reticle, so much in fact I purchased two more. My point of use was for Coyote and Varmint shooting.

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It's critical to note what magnification level the marks are intended to work at. You can possibly adjust the magnification level to compensate for a variation in trajectory of your particular load. That is what Nikon has you do. They have a web site with an online calculator, that supposedly computes the correct magnification for your load. If it turns out not to be correct, you can use more or less magnification.

Sounds like a goat rope of an exercise.

Then you are limited to one magnification to shoot at. If the magnification ring slips, or you change it and don't know it, then you are off. Very limiting and sounds like an error trap waiting to happen.
 
I personally don't see the purpose in BDC reticle scopes. It's a good thought, but in practice it's imprecise and limiting.

A BDC is designed for a set load (specific bullet at a specified and contrived velocity). I can't imagine it's very often that a factory load shot through your specific rifle matches up perfectly with the BDC reticle. Changes in environmentals, such as density altitude, will change the ballistics of your load and then you are off from the BDC (if you were ever "on" to begin with). If you decide to change bullets, powders, different factory ammo, etc. who knows how well that will line up with your BDC reticle (even though it probably didn't line up correctly above anyways due to the above mentioned factors). Then you have to account for SFP if your scope is that - your magnification will completely change how the BDC reticle works. If it's in SFP, you have to shoot at one specific magnification or else it's pointless. That in itself is very limiting.

It's a fast but pretty imprecise system. If you are shooting big targets at short ranges (say ~400 yards and in), I'm sure you can get away with it, some people are perfectly happy with them. I myself much prefer a mil reticle of some sort (current ones are SKMR3, AMR and MSR reticles), with hard data/ballistics calculator. A BDC reticle has much more limitations then a mil reticle with good ballistics.
 
Once you know the ballistic coefficient and speed of your bullet, the minute of an angle of the hash marks. Or gap in the duplex, 10 mins with a calculator you should be all good to go. Has worked for me for the last 30+ years.
 
I use an H59 milling reticle, zero at 100, and have my dope for my cartridge memorized out to 1000. I can hold, or I can dial.

That's a real reticle! LOL ...to me scopes with proprietary BDC crap are a waste of glass. MOA or MRAD are the way to go for precision, they are a 'standardized ruler'.
 
That's a real reticle! LOL ...to me scopes with proprietary BDC crap are a waste of glass. MOA or MRAD are the way to go for precision, they are a 'standardized ruler'.

FOr people inclined towards precise measurement, yes a proper pattern with complete graduations is superior. But for people who are aiming for "minute of close enough", and prefer speed over math, a BDC works well for them. To each their own.
 
FOr people inclined towards precise measurement, yes a proper pattern with complete graduations is superior. But for people who are aiming for "minute of close enough", and prefer speed over math, a BDC works well for them. To each their own.

If you memorize 4 numbers, you can have speed without math out 800 yards, and still have a proper reticle.
 
I’ve taken several hundred big game animals with the B&C. It works fine out to 500 or so with some decidedly ordinary cartridges, and 6-650 with a real one.

It also lines up pretty close to a 22-250 with 52s.
 
I bought one with a doa 600 because I got a great deal but one trip to the range and I sold it. Very busy reticle that does not necessarily relate to anything. A mildot scope can be used with any gun ammo combination, used for hold off on wind and even range estimation.
 
Hi,

I have a Redfield with Accu-range. Here’s how I worked it:

Went to 300 yds and sighed on the 300 line. Then tried 200 and 100. The compensation at shorter ranges are minimal. And 400 as well. If you sight at shorter and hope to get on at longer, you will miss. So far, I’m happy with the method.

Not 100% accurate, but works well. And would be ok for me on medium game up to 400.
 
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