Mil-Dot scopes

[tlhorne]

Can anyone explain (simple "old man" terms) to me how to use an army mil-dot scope?

[Toddstang]

Welcome to the site!
What type of mil dot are you using/ looking at?

[325MOUTguru]

Mil-dots are generally used for measurement or holdover.

[son of liberty]

http://mil-dot.com/

Reaf this

[ChopperDoc]

http://mil-dot.com/

Reaf this

Read it too.

[tlhorne]

Toddstang thanks for the reply. Here is the info I think you are asking for:
1. Bushnell "Elite" 3200 Series
2. 5-15X40
3. Mil-Dot Tact Model 32-5154t

I hope I answered you correctly. If not I will try harder!

[Jff24Gordn]

A mil is 1/1000th the distance.
at 1000 yds, a 1 mil distance on your crosshairs is 1 yd.
At 100 yds, a mil is 0.1 yd or 3.6"

If you are looking at a semi through your scope and the wheel (24") is 1 mil, the distance is 667 yards.
24" = 2/3 yard
2/3 yard x 1000 = 667 yards

[tlhorne]

Cool, that did it for me, thanks!

[tlhorne]

I really think I purchased the wrong scope for hunting. I hate salesmen that talk a line just to make a sale. They were out of BDC's and he talked me into this scope. Now the return by time and it has been mounted and the salesman does not wrk there any more! My luck !

[Dead-OnSniperService]

I really think I purchased the wrong scope for hunting. I hate salesmen that talk a line just to make a sale. They were out of BDC's and he talked me into this scope. Now the return by time and it has been mounted and the salesman does not wrk there any more! My luck !

Just post it up here

[son of liberty]

You can use the mildot scope as a BDC scope if you desire. Its actually better as you can range with it and either adjust the scope as a precision shooter would or use the dots as a point of aim. You will need to know the flight path of your bullet, you can find one on line or build your own. Then you find out what point in the bullets flight dose it drop one mill and that is the range for your dot just below the cross hair, continue with mapping the drop and you will have the range for each dot. On the inside of your flip up scope cap on some masking tape you record the range of each dot. Really you should learn how to use the mildot scope as its really the best scope for field condition shooting.

[Whootsinator]

You can use the mildot scope as a BDC scope if you desire. Its actually better as you can range with it and either adjust the scope as a precision shooter would or use the dots as a point of aim. You will need to know the flight path of your bullet, you can find one on line or build your own. Then you find out what point in the bullets flight dose it drop one mill and that is the range for your dot just below the cross hair, continue with mapping the drop and you will have the range for each dot. On the inside of your flip up scope cap on some masking tape you record the range of each dot. Really you should learn how to use the mildot scope as its really the best scope for field condition shooting.

I was going to just say 'Or you could actually learn to use the mildots and be better off', but SoL did it much better. +1

[tlhorne]

Thanks guys, I will continue to try to learn the system. It sounds good in theory but how realistic is this actually in a deer hunting situation? How much time does it take to figure out a "shooting solution"?

[ChopperDoc]

Thanks guys, I will continue to try to learn the system. It sounds good in theory but how realistic is this actually in a deer hunting situation? How much time does it take to figure out a "shooting solution"?

really depends on you and how familiar you make yourself with the equipment. That said, what distances are you shooting typically? Though I hunt infrequently anymore, I have never had a place around here where I could take a shot longer than about 150 yards.

[tlhorne]

I actually plan on some elk and bear hunts on my bucket list so probably anywhere between 200 and 400 yds!

[ChopperDoc]

I actually plan on some elk and bear hunts on my bucket list so probably anywhere between 200 and 400 yds!

Probably more if heading out west. Good deal.

Yeah, I would stick to this scope. You will actually prefer it once you get good with it I think.

If not, like someone mentioned already, here is a good place to sell it.

[tlhorne]

Ok, thanks folks for all the input and advice!

[son of liberty]

The major problem with BDC is they are based on a generic trajectory for your given round, things like bullet weight, barrel length, powder charge, bullet type , will all change the flight path or rate of drop on a given round. This may not be an issue when trying to place a round on a paper plate out to about 300 yards, but get beyond that and the slight changes in different rounds of the same caliber can send you as much as 36 inchs off target. Because the BDC places a value on each aiming point they dont allow as much flexability to adapt the scope to your given round. I can assure you that with a few rounds to map your load I could have the value for each dot in one range trip and could use them in the field as fast as the given range allows. By that I mean that the need to take a reflex shot at 250-1000 yards is much less and figureing out just how far the target is will take 4 times as long as figureing out what dot to use or the come ups for the rage estimation.

If you tell me what caliber you are going to be shooting and the bullet weight I can make a chart right now that would be every bit as accurate as a BDC and give you the value for each dot.

[son of liberty]

I suspect that you will be useing pre loaded hunting ammo, tell what type and ill do the math for ya.

[tlhorne]

How about some 1 on 1 lessons? I live in Owenton. It's only a stone throw away?

[son of liberty]

Could possibly do that, Have you ever heard of the Apple Seed program?

[justang1997]

A mil is 1/1000th the distance.
at 1000 yds, a 1 mil distance on your crosshairs is 1 yd.
At 100 yds, a mil is 0.1 yd or 3.6"

If you are looking at a semi through your scope and the wheel (24") is 1 mil, the distance is 667 yards.
24" = 2/3 yard
2/3 yard x 1000 = 667 yards

I think 1 mil is actually 1 meter at 1000 meters.

[Whootsinator]

A mil is 1/1000th the distance.
at 1000 yds, a 1 mil distance on your crosshairs is 1 yd.
At 100 yds, a mil is 0.1 yd or 3.6"

If you are looking at a semi through your scope and the wheel (24") is 1 mil, the distance is 667 yards.
24" = 2/3 yard
2/3 yard x 1000 = 667 yards

I think 1 mil is actually 1 meter at 1000 meters.

Nope.

ref:
http://www.mil-dot.com/articles/the-mildot-reticle

[justang1997]

Also important to remember that most scopes mil dots are only accurate at a particular zoom. It should say in the manual which zoom that is but its usually 10x. Depends on which focal plane the mil dots are on.
You can tell by looking through the scope. If a tree in the distance is 2 mils tall and you zoom in on it and its still 2 mils tall you are good to go. If the mil measurement changes according to zoom you will have to do all measuring and shooting using the mils at a set zoom.
Back in my sniping days I had a fixed 10x and didn't have to worry about that.

[justang1997]

A mil is 1/1000th the distance.
at 1000 yds, a 1 mil distance on your crosshairs is 1 yd.
At 100 yds, a mil is 0.1 yd or 3.6"

If you are looking at a semi through your scope and the wheel (24") is 1 mil, the distance is 667 yards.
24" = 2/3 yard
2/3 yard x 1000 = 667 yards

I think 1 mil is actually 1 meter at 1000 meters.

Nope.

ref:
http://www.mil-dot.com/articles/the-mildot-reticle

Yep.
Just checked my mildot master.