Anybody use Ballistic Plex for Long Range?

[Longrifle2506]

Guys I'm having a hard time deciding on a ballistic plex reticle or a standard duplex. I think If I could hear some opinions, it might help me decide. Many people might think: "No brainer." But I've always loved a standard duplex reticle. But if a ballistic plex will help me make a 350-400 yard shot on a mule deer(future dream hunt), then I would probably choose it. It will be going on a 25-06; which I will use 85 grain bullets for coyotes; and I have two boxes of Nosler Custom Trophy Grade 100-grain partitions for any future mule deer hunt; but when my dream hunt happens; I may go for a heavier partition. I really like those 100-grain ones though; muzzle velocity of 3350! Anybody have any stories of how a ballistic plex helped you make a long shot? I really appreciate anybody that shares their knowledge and opinions here. Thanks

 

[jmr40]

So far only at the range, but I like the ballistic plex type scopes. You still have to actually shoot and take notes. If I'm zeroed at 100 yards, I'm about 1" high at 200 with the 200 yard dot and right on at 300 with the 300 yard dot. I've not pushed anything beyond 300 yards yet, but will as soon as the weather starts getting a little better.

I like them better than having to adjust turrets. That is probably fine on a target rifle, but more complex than I want on a hunting rifle where shots often must be made quickly.

Lots of guys still like to zero at 200, which leaves you about 2" high at 100 and simply not worry about drop all the way to 300. I don't see any advantage with modern rounds such as a 270, 30-06, or any of the flatter shooting rounds. Any of those rounds shoot flat enough to not have to worry about bullet drop at 300 yards whether they are zeroed at 100 or 200. Beyond 300 you need an accurate range finder, and some way to aim more precisely anyway. When you are as likely to get a shot at 75 yards as 300 yards I find it easier and more natural to aim slightly higher at 300 than to have to remember to aim slightly low at 75.

 

[Longrifle2506]

Thanks for the reply!; I agree with you on having to hold low at 75. I missed a coyote at about 150 yards one time; and it was because I had my 25-06 set for a 300 yard zero; that put me too high at 100. From now on I don't want to have my impact more than one inch high at 100. Man I wish I could decide; I want a Burris Signature Select 3-10x40 but I have to choose ballistic plex or standard plex. What's making it difficult is: I love standard duplex reticles; I just think it's about the best looking reticle their is; and it's all I've ever shot with. But I will choose Ballistic Plex in a heartbeat if it will help me even hit one coyote past 300 yards or make a long shot on a mule deer in the future.

 

[jmr40]

One thing I've done in the past is just use where the post tapers as an aiming point at long range with a standard duplex scope. It depends on the chambering, the load and the scope, but I've often zeroed at 100 yards using the center of the crosshairs. Then use the point where the crosshairs taper down as my long range aiming point. Usually leaves me somewhere between 1-4" high at 300. Much better than zeroing at longer range, where you are the least likely to shoot, and having to guess how much to hold low at the closer ranges where you will are most likely to shoot.

My 22's are right on at 100 yards when zeroed at 50 using this method as well. I first started doing this with my 22's and then experimented with my big game rifles. I figured if it worked this well with only 2 aiming points the scopes with multiple aiming points should be even better.

If you've got the skills to make really long range shots it will help. I think they are more useful on some of the less flat shooting rounds though. A 308 isn't as flat as a 25-06 or 270, but a scope with dots will somewhat equalize the trajectory difference. Many rounds that are not flat shooting at all will still be accurate at long range if the range is known, and proper sight adjustment is used.

 

[Longrifle2506]

Burris claims the ballistic plex is adequate for a 100-grain 25-06 bullet travelling a little over 3200 fps. I have 100-gr Nosler Paritions that go 3350 fps(muzzle); so that would be awesome if that reticle could help me score a hit an a mule deer at 400 yards. The Ballistic Plex will actually let you hit farther than that. I think it's bottom hash mark will get you out to 600 yards.

 

[Old Dog Man]

25/06 long range shooting

I have found the Nozler Accu-bond bullet to be more accurate and does a better job on larger game. I killed a Canadian white-tail a couple of years ago and got a pass through shot (110gr. ) and he dropped in his tracks. Partitions never shot well in my (3) 25/06's, the Accu-bond less than1'. Al

 

[Pat4x4]

I look at it this way, Who cares how cool it looks? If it gives you a couple more marks to reference different distances why would you not want to.. Much easier to hold on a mark than none at all..

 

[taliv]

Too many marks become distracting for me especially when I'm tryin to see trace

 

[hardluk1]

I use a old standard plex for shots to 400 yards. I use a 300 yard zero shoot 100 , 200 and 400 yards and make notes where you hit, good to go. Buy a good range finder so you know that 400 yards is not really 475 and you miss.

 

[mshootnit]

with a 257 weatherby magnum I don't have to worry about dots or stadia lines out to 400. Anything past that I don't shoot.

 

[gamestalker]

I've been reloading for my hunting rifles for several decades and have tried various set ups as a result.

So my own personal recipe hunting set up is Leupold glass with a duplex reticle. I've made a number of shots out as far as 600+ with the duplex reticle. It's really just a matter of what works best for you. A budget Leupold 3x9x40, which is good quality glass, can have the reticle switched out by Leupold for a reasonable fee. They will also make any other up grades as per your desire.

I load a lot of .270 win and 7mm RM, and much like you I like high velocity bullets with reasonably good BC. The 25-06 is a very good cartridge in my opinion, and with the right bullet should make a decent 500 yd. hunting rifle for deer and antelope hutning.

Some critics think I use too light of bullets for the broad range of animals I hunt, but I've never had problems dropping elk with 130 gr. Speer Hot Core @ 3200 fps MV form the .270 win.. For the 7 mag. I go 140 gr. to 145 gr. standard bullets and a MV of around 3250 - 3300 fps.. This has produced some very good long distance performance, but, the Barns line of bullets which gets me down to a 120 gr. BT all copper, offers a little more. The 120 gr. is longer than a conventional jacketed bullet of the same weight, therefore BC is much improved as is MV which is right around 3500 fps.

So far as the ballistic plex, I have used those type of reticles over the years and granted, they do work, they are only as reliable as the testig time you put into determining where POI is at this or that range. But I started tracking my MOA adjustments at various ranges with various bullets at various velocities. This worked quite well and was a about 95% reliable. So a couple of years ago I bought a Leupold RX-IV B&C edition range finder. This sucker ranges out to 1500 yds. and delivers a spot on reliable MOA compensation needed at the turret. It has various TBR (True Ballistic Range) programs to use. So when I range my animal, it displays the precise or near precise MOA adjustment needed at the turret. You simply pick the program that corresponds to your exterior ballistics, velocity, BC, and whether it was zeroed at 100, 200, or 300 yds.. Actually it will indicate what the true zero is for that particular load. For instance, if I'm shooting a bullet with a MV of 3500 fps with a BC of .47 true zero may be 341 yds..

 

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got nikon, burris and leupold with there ballistic plex style reticles and for the most part i ignore them. Ive shot enough deer at long range that i dont find them needed.

 

[hardluk1]

To many new toys take with some scopes that take extra time to deside what to hold on. Check your yardage and shoot. Nothing that special about shooting out to 400 yards . Way more worry about keeping good rifle control, wind drift and nowing the yardage and being sure at that distance what your aiming at is really what for want to kill.

 

[Longrifle2506]

I want to thank everyone for your responses. I decided to go with a duplex reticle. I am getting one of the Burris Signature Select 3-10x40 from Natchez Shooter's Supply. They are on sale for $299. I had a Burris Euro Diamond a few years ago and it was a fine scope with excellent optical quality. Man I just love a duplex reticle. Best looking reticle there is! With a flat shooting cartridge, the duplex reticle has always served me just fine. Thanks again guys.

 

[Old Dog Man]

Ballistic-Plex

Sorry I got off the subject (old timers diease) I've been using the Burris Fullfield II BP reticals for several years and really like them (3) on 2 22-250's a 25/06 an have had no complaints. They are on sale now from Natchez. Been shooting long range PD and like the small lines, they don't cover up small targets at long renges. Al

 

[Longrifle2506]

I went back and read your first post Old Dog Man; It sounds like you love the 25-06 cartridge just as I do. I have two 25-06's: a Sako 75 Finnlight and a SigArms Lightning Hunter(also named Mauser Model 96 Premium). The Lightning Hunter is a rare version of the Mauser 96 Straight-Pull bolt rifles. Only it is better; with nice bluing and a detachable mag. The standard Mauser 96's have matte finish and blind box mags. Both my rifles are very accurate and hopefully my 100-grain partitions will group tight. I have read some awesome testimonials of the 110-grain Accubond. I live in the East, and cannot use the 25-06 on whitetails in my state(Indiana). I would love to pick up some Accubond ammo. I got a $100 Basspro gift card for x-mas and I got two boxes of Nosler Custom Trophy Grade 100-grain partition which has a muzzle velocity of 3350. They were $48 a box. I just thought it would be nice to have a couple boxes of real premium ammo and I couldn't think of nothing else to buy. I got them because I want to try a DIY Mule Deer Hunt in the future. I really liked the sound of 100-grain bullet; i thought it may have lesser recoil than a 115 or 120-grain; plus it should be a really flat shooter at 3350 fps. I did some research on 100 grain and it's ability to kill Mule Deer. Some people say its fine; while others would rather have a little heavier. I do know the partition is a proven bullet design and has been around for a long time. But if I get me some Accubonds, I could always save that high-velocity 100-grain stuff for something else. I was really hoping It could be my Mule Deer Ammo though. It's the first partitions I've ever tried so hopefully I'll have some luck at the range with it.

 

[magnatecman]

100 grains is more than a lot of .243 loads and out west here they seem to knock down the muleys just fine, and with something like the accubond you should have no problem.

I'm too late, but I would have suggested the Leupold VX2 with CDS ($349) for your scope. That way you have the reticle you like, you can dial in for 100 yards ( where most shots are ), and then you can dial up to 5 or 6 hundred yards if you need to.

I love mine for these reasons.

I had a Burris with ballistic plex once and I hated it, the reticle was distracting to me so I ended up selling it.

 

[H2oPumper]

I have a couple, but haven't put my faith in them. I guess I'm too worried about having some cant in the scope. I'm mainly sighting in for deer, so what I'm going to try for this year is to sight in 2.5-3 inches high at 150. I should be good without having to deal with hold-over at 300 yards.......I'm hoping. Once the weather gets nice, I'll verify.

If you're going to be reaching out past 350 yards, and counting on the ballistic plex for hold-over, I'd make sure the scope is perfectly leveled to the reciever with the lowest possible mounts. Then learn to hold the rifle level and account for windage. A 350+ yard shot would sure be fun to make, and most standard calibers on up will make it. The scope however is only as good as the person behind the trigger.

 

[mshootnit]

You can't use 25-06 on white tailed deer in your state? WOW I am incredulous. What do they want you to use: a Sherman tank? (sorry for being off topic) Edit: Oh I think I get it: shotgun only?

 

[Longrifle2506]

It was shotgun only until a few years ago; now they allow 44mag, 45 Long Colt, and a few other cowboy cartridge rifles. Since then, the Ruger 77 in 44 mag is selling big around here. I had one 10 years ago and my local gun store wouldn't even take it on trade; claimed it wouldn't sell. Now he 3 of them for sale. I stay with my Remington 1100 12ga; and Browning BPS 20 ga; both with fully rifled barrels and cantilever scope mounts. A good slug gun is awesome; thanks to all the accurate sabot slugs on the market these days. Right across the river in Kentucky; they are allowed to use "any centerfire rifle."