Reticle Options

[zstephens13]

I've decided to get Cabela's 3-12x Alaskan Guide rifle scope for my hunting and long range shooting applications. My question is, which reticle would you recommend? Is the EXT caliber sensitive? What I mean is, will those hash marks work at 200, 300, etc. for .308, .243, .338 win mag?

So anyway, what reticle do you recommend?
Here's the link: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t.../en/common/search/search-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0

(WOW! That's a big link!)

 

[Red State]

That EXT reticle is very similiar to the other ballistic reticles out there (like the ones from Burris, Sightron, Leupold, & Weaver).

They are probably going to be fairly close, but not exactly aligned at the given distances. The trouble is that even if the reticle is designed for a specific caliber, changing loads and changing barrel lengths will mess everything up.

For example: a .243 from a 26" barel might impact high at 200 yards when using the first holdover mark. And a .308 from a 20" barrel might impact low at 200 yards when using the first holdover mark.

The ballistic reticles are useful, but whatever caliber you choose, you will need to do lots of experimenting to determine what range corresponds to each holdover point.

 

[Red State]

PS.

The experimenting is the fun part!

 

[ArmedBear]

I had a bad experience with a reticle with drop ticks.

If you want a rifle specifically for making long-range shots, they have their merits. However, if you want a general-purpose hunting rifle where you might have to make fast point-and-shoot shots on game at random distances, I think that these reticles are distracting. Some are VERY distracting. A regular duplex draws your eye to the center and lets you make a good, quick shot if you need to.

But those tick marks do work, if you want accurate shots at known distances, with plenty of time. And they are remarkably close to right-on for many calibers, though some will favor a 100-yard sight-in, and some a 200-yard sight-in (or 200/300, which is what Leupold does, and is IMO much better).

 

[sscoyote]

The EXT reticle looks good from the diagram. U have 2 windage stadia subtensions (measurements) there that should be handy enuf to use, once calcd. and practiced. DO NOT GET THE RANGEFINDING RETICLE! It's way too cluttered, and u can do the same thing with the EXT reticle anyway, once u learn the math.