Mil-Dot best for long range shooting?

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newman

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I was going to stick with a Burris Ballistic Plex but I want to try shooting upto 800yards. Would a Mil-Dot scope be the way to go? Any suggestions on scopes? ...under $500?
 
I believe most long range shooters like mil-dot reticles, but the use of laser-rangefinders may be changing that?

I really like my Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14 40mm side-focus mil-dot for $270. IMHO it has got to be one of the best scopes for $270 on the market. A lot of people like Super Snipers (~$500 I think), but I think they are all fixed power?

Seriously, just check out the Nikon's optics before you spend a lot more on something else. I also like the fixed eye relief point on Nikons (Leupold's eye relief distance changes with the magnification).
 
I would go with mil-dots. They are not in the way and don't clutter the crosshair veiw. However, they are there for quick ranging or holdover use. The only downside might be for low-light conditions where they would be harder to see unless the reticle was illuminated. Another consideration is resale; lack of mil-dots could hurt the value or reduce the pool of people interested.
 
mil-dots r OK, but i like the new TMR reticle that Leupold's putting out. It provides for repeating .5 mil stadia intervals, and would be just super for long-range when the wind's not blowing hard. Some of the MOA-based reticles r nice for this application also. My new 8.5-25X Leupold TMR reticle provides for an excellent .5 mil windage reference along the horizontal axis, and turret for comeups (besides that it provides excellent rangefinding @ .02 mil interpolative accuracy).

I also have the Varmint Hunter reticle that's another great reticle for long-range shooting in that it provides for an excellent direct windage system as far out as u'd want to go. I use the lower post tip as a zero for additional turret comeups beyond the lower post's actual zero while applying the 3rd windage stadia (10 and 20 mph stadia) for each additional 25 yd. turret comeup interval. This reticle is on a Savage Striker 243 WSSM.

Here's my favorite "tree" reticle tho--www.rapidreticle.com -- sort of a mini Horus Vision system.
 
If you are going to dial elevation and windage corrections, and not use reticle-based ranging, the reticle style is not very important, besides that it provides a precise sight picture.
 
You have to be pretty "math-nerdy" to be able to use a mil-dot scope well for ranging, and you have to have your trajectrys and windage down to actually apply the info.

Most people seem to have mil-dots for the tact-i-cool factor, or for guessing at hold-over after they miss.
 
Only really necessary on a tactical rifle where you intend to "hold off" for windage. On the other hand, they have a high CDI factor, and most guys end up getting them.

Don
 
ahhh... yea I'm married with children so thats not my motivation.

So does anyone know of any scopes that have bullet drop compensator knobs for around $500?

The closest thing I can find is three of the Leupold Mark 4 scopes for around $1k and add a couple hundred more for the TMR reticles.

I want to do it right and I read that you should spend the money on a quality scope. I dont want to be looking for another scope down the road. Should I just wait and save up some more cash?
 
What are you doing with it?

The Burris Ballistic Plex scopes are IMHO a great hunting scope for a great price. The tick marks get you within an inch or two of dead-on at any reasonable range, with no fiddling around. That's just what you want for hunting.

For 800 yard target shooting, I'm assuming you have a somewhat expensive rifle.

I doubt it matters worth a hill of dogpoop what reticle you have if you're target shooting, apart from your personal preference and contrast with the target you're using. A high-magnification, adjustable objective, top-quality scope with target knobs, with whatever reticle floats your boat, is something to consider. Cheap, it ain't. But the convenience of the BPlex is really there for hunting; for target shooting, you have time to consult your notebook and turn the knobs for your desired range. In return, you get more precision than the BPlex provides.

God, the idea of sighting in every 100 yards and charting the clicks sounds like a collosal bore! I guess that's why I have 3 12 Gauges and only 1 .30-'06!:D

But hitting targets at a very long range, now that IS fun, I will admit, and I've never even tried 800 yards, except at Pepsi bottles with someone else's Weatherby Lasermark with a hunting scene laser-carved into the stock as an expensive form of checkering.
 
I have a Ballitic Plex on my Browning Abolt and I agree that its a good scope for hunting.

I've heard mixed reports on Nikon so I am not sure about it even though the price is appealing.

I just bought a Remington 700P LTR for long range target practice and I'll probably take it hunting too. I am looking for a scope that will help in aiming at upto 800 yard targets(furthest markings on a Ballistic Plex is 600 yards, I think). I was thinking either a Mil-Dot scope or one that has a bullet drop compensator, or both.

Its been a personal goal of mine to learn to shoot at long range for quite some time. Now that I'm finally building the rifle I want to do it right.
 
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