Mil Dots??? Useable at any power?

[hsiddall]

So IM glassing the exact same target with two different scopes(one varible at 10x and one fixed at 20 x both mildot) and playing with MIldot Master slide rule to estimate ranges. My problem is that the 20x(supersniper from Riflescopes.com) reads 6 mils where the 10x(Millett TRS1) reads 3. Are Mil dots only useable at 10X? If so Can I simply take the measurement with the 20x and divide mils by two before using Mildot Master...If this post needs to be moved well then my appligies in advance

 

[highorder]

I was under the impression that MIL-dot reticles in variable power scopes were only be used at maximum magnification for the MIL-dots to be accurate.

I have also seen scopes with "mildot" reticles that weren't calibrated in any way, as if the dots were just for show.

what brand and model scopes are you using?

 

[Onmilo]

Standard Leupold Military sniper scope is 10X and the mil-dots are calibrated with a 5 mil dot diameter.

Different variable power scopes use different diameters of mil-dots that are supposed to be calibrated to the magnification range of the individual scope.


You need to read the included instructions with your scopes to determine how the dots are calibrated.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Depends on whether it's a first focal plane reticle or 2nd forcal plane reticle. I believe this article by Zak Smith should clear up that issue and a lot of other potential questions about long range scopes.

 

[highorder]

Standard Leupold Military sniper scope is 10X and the mil-dots are calibrated with a 5 mil dot diameter.

I believe that is incorrect. Leupold scopes use 3/4 mil dots; the important thing is that the dots are 1 mil center to center

 

[Sniper X]

Only scopes that zoom both the mil dots and the focal range are accurate for mil dot ranging at any zoom ratio. Haako does this as do the scopes that Springfiled sells because Haako makes them. All fixed focus mil dot scopes as li=ong as they are a true mil dot scope like your SS, are supposed to be calibrated at that fiocal length. But, cheap zooms that don't zoom the mildots are only supposedly accurate at either minimum or maximum zoom depending on manufacturer. There is an easy test, zoom to different ratios until the dots are the right range apart at 100M then you mark the zoom wheel with a mark, and use that zoom ratio for ranging.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I'm with horsesoilder and sniper x. It depends on the focal plan of your scope. I have the kind that has to be on max of 10x to range properly, but my buddy has 1 that you can range at any magnification.

 

[glockman19]

Most scopes will have a standard magnification where mil dots are accurately calibrated. As an example my Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x40 is calibrated @ 12x. so I either multiply or divide depending on whether I'm at 6x or 24x.

It's clear you understand the mil difference betwen 10x & 20x.

 

[Owen]

it depends whether the reticle is in the first or second focal plane...

 

[hsiddall]

Its clear you understand 10x vs 20x mildots

Not sure that I do. I thought the mil dot was to be a standard. Anyhow I found the manual for the millet and the scope is to be set at 10x which it was. cant find the litereature for the ss but it is obviously fixed power. So is the millett just not calibrated??? Anybody else notice this with trs1?

 

[rero360]

for an example, after reading this thread I did an experiment with my Leupold 6.5-20X50.

I used a door from a building I can see from my apartment, using the measurement of my apartment door (should be close) At 6.5 power I got a distance of 462 yards, where as at 20 power I got 222 yards. so my scope is calibrated for 20X

My LRF gave me 214 yards, given that I was trying to do it off hand I'm not suprised I was off by 8 yards, with practice and more presise measurments I'll get better.

I also came up with the same answer with my SS 10X as the Leupold at 20X

 

[Der Verge]

On my high powered scope, the directions say that the mildots are calibrated to be 3.2 MOA @ 10X. Using a 1"X1" grid pattern target @ 100 yards varified this. Your scope's calibration may vary......

 

[TexasShooter59]

The instructions that came with my Leupold 4-14x say to use mildots at 10x, I believe.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

Most variable scopes have the mil-dots calibrated to be "on" at a single magnification, ie. first focal plane type. Usually the manufacturer will include that information in the product literature you get with the scope.

I've had no trouble using mil-dot scopes when varmint shooting. The particular type of varmint shooting I do almost guarantees multiple targets at various ranges & angles to the wind, constantly. It's entirely possible to burn several hundred rounds in a day's shooting. I love mil-dots!

900F

 

[Zak Smith]

Most variable scopes have the mil-dots calibrated to be "on" at a single magnification, ie. first focal plane type.

ITYM "second focal plane type"

 

[strambo]

My 2nd focal plane 6.5-20 Leupy is oddly calibrated for 12X...I had to find this out the hard way with a marked stake set at 100m, zooming in until the dots lined up perfectly with my marks. My instructions talked all about the dots, but never said what power. It wasn't a model scope that comes a mil reticle as standard though.

 

[USSR]

Back in the days when life was just beginning to evolve from a single-cell organism and all scope reticles were in the second focal plane, Premier Reticles had a thriving business "collimating" the Leupold mildot scopes. With the Leupie 6.5-20x50 mildot scope, the correct amount of magnification to have the mildots be the correct size was said to be 10X. The only problem was, the magnification knob setting of scopes almost never translates into the actual amount of magnification. So, for about $30 they would determine the actual knob setting and place a mark on the knob and scope body so you could range properly. My 6.5-20x50 (like many others) is correct at about 12X on the magnification knob. The only way you can determine what power your scope is correct is by using the barber pole technique (a pole set at 100 yards or 100 meters with measured stripes on them).

Don

 

[taliv]

i think you mean 2nd focal plane, USSR

 

[USSR]

Yep, second focal plane. Thanks taliv.

Don

 

[hsiddall]

OK, Didnt make it to the club today but I played around at home and found that the millett Reticle is dead nutz equal with the supe sniper if set at 14x not ten as the destructions say. So thanx for pointing out that the power adjustment may not be right at(or even near) where the setting is printed. Well see tommorrwo hoping to get out and shoot.