A rifle scope’s reticle, also known as the crosshairs, serves an important function beyond just aiming your firearm. The configuration of lines, dots, posts and other markings can make a big difference in your hunting effectiveness and success. That’s why it’s critical to select a scope with the appropriate reticle for your needs and shooting scenarios.
Link to optec
In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of common scope reticle types and their purposes. We’ll cover simple and advanced reticles and how to match them to both your prey and environment. With knowledge of reticle options, you can choose optics that help you acquire targets quickly, range distance, dial-in long shots, and ultimately have more productive hunts.
(Reading Time: 5-7 Minutes.)
While some modern reticles have complex features and markings, simple reticle designs remain excellent choices, especially for shorter range big game hunting:
Simple Crosshair Reticle
The basic crossed lines without dots or posts make for an intuitive and fast aiming reference at close to medium ranges. Uncluttered while still enhancing accuracy over rifle iron sights.
BDC Reticle
BDC stands for “bullet drop compensation” and incorporates a line or dots below the center crosshair calibrated for estimating holdover positions at given yardages to compensate for bullet drop.
Mil-Dot Reticle
The mil-dot reticle provides small dots spaced for convenient ranging through the mil relation formula and holdover reference points when dialing elevation for long distance shots.
These straightforward but sophisticated reticles have stood the test of time and remain ideal for all-around hunting. They balance speed, visibility, and enhanced aiming capability.
Scope manufacturers have also developed more technologically advanced reticles to provide greater precision, visibility, and features tailored for particular shooting situations:
Illuminated Reticle
Increased visibility in low light conditions with a battery powered illuminated center crosshair or dot in red or green. Intensity is adjustable. Makes reticle really stand out at dawn/dusk.
First Focal Plane Reticle
On variable magnification scopes, FFP reticles stay the same size relative to your target as you increase or decrease magnification. Simplifies holdover points compared to scaling second focal plane reticles.
To know the more about FFP & SFP, click here.
Specialized Reticles
Unique and custom reticles designed with exact features to match a manufacturer’s ballistics for certain calibers and bullet weights. Often incorporates holdover points out to extreme distances. Examples are Leupold’s Boone & Crockett and Vortex’s EBR-2C.
The innovation around reticles provides options to enhance performance through illumination, focal plane advancements, and highly specialized ballistic architectures.
One of the biggest factors in picking an appropriate scope reticle is the type of game you plan to pursue. Smaller animals call for different reticles than large dangerous game. A few examples:
Large Game – For elk, moose, bear and other big animals, simple crosshair or post style designs allow fast target acquisition. The thicker posts and crosshairs quickly bracket the vitals area without obscuring the target. You likely won’t need holdover markings at typical large game distances.
Are you interested in learning more about Custom Reticles? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Small Game – More finely centered dots and crosshairs facilitate pinpoint accuracy on small varmints and predators without covering them up. Illumination is also helpful.
Long Range Shots – Mil/MOA spaced dots, hashmarks and Christmas tree style posts serve as precise holdover reference points and ranging is important for distant small targets.
Dangerous Game – Full top-to-bottom vertical wire or heavy German post excel for fast action on bears, hogs, cape buffalo. Allows quick shoulder shot placement in crucial situations.
Analyze your usual hunting scenarios and types of game when selecting reticles. Choosing the right configuration enhances your capabilities and success.
Beyond the actual design, several factors impact how visible a scope’s reticle is:
Maximizing reticle visibility through bold design, illumination, and contrast allows you to acquire targets quicker and range or aim with precision even in marginal conditions.
Rifle scope technology has rapidly advanced in recent years, bringing excellent optics into affordable price ranges. With so many options now available, selecting the ideal scope for your hunting needs deserves careful evaluation. An element that must not be overlooked is choosing the right reticle.
As we’ve covered, reticles tailored for your quarry, terrain, and shooting scenarios can provide vital advantages. From quick target acquisition, to holdover reference points, to ranging assistance, to precision sight pictures, the proper reticle enhances your accuracy and success. Take the time to research and understand the different types of simple crosshair, mil-dot, BDC, illuminated and other modern reticles.
With knowledge of available options, you can determine the perfect reticle to enable ethical shots, faster follow up accuracy, and confident hunting in varied conditions. Don’t settle for a basic generic reticle just because it comes on a scope. Instead, choose the right advanced reticle matched to your purposes and make every hunt more rewarding.
Take even a small step down the hunting reticle rabbit hole online and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of options. The good news is that with a basic understanding of where and how you hunt, finding the right riflescope reticle is simple.
In this article, we delve into five compelling reasons why every hunter should equip themselves with a binocular harness. From heightened safety and comfort to increased efficiency and a sharper focus on targets, this essential accessory can so transform your hunting experience that you’ll wonder how you ever managed to get along without one.
At the most basic level, a reticle acts as your point of aim. But reticles can also do a lot more. Here are three reticles you can find in our optics, arranged from the most basic to the most complex. They’ll give you an idea of what a reticle can do.
A simple “point-and-shoot” choice, reticles like the V-Plex are frequently a hunter’s first. And, depending on where and how you hunt, they could easily be all you’ll ever need.
While still a visually simple option, BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) reticles allow you to make adjustments for drop and windage quickly with relatively simple calculations. For more on using reticles like the Dead-Hold® BDC, check out this video.
For more experienced hunters, and those shooting at extreme long ranges, “Christmas tree” style reticles offer an incredible amount of power at the cost of a more “cluttered” view. Want to learn more about Christmas tree reticles and their applications? Check out this podcast.
In first focal plane riflescopes, the reticle subtension remains consistent across the entire magnification range. This means it increases or decreases in size as you adjust your magnification. With a second focal plane optic—which is what most people have experience with—the reticle will remain the same size whether you’re at maximum or minimum zoom.
Quick tip: Most hunters will be better served by a second focal plane reticle. First focal plane optics are amazing for competitive shooters using technical reticles while shooting against a clock, where dialing adjustments is simply not an option. For hunters, about the only time an FFP reticle outperforms an SFP reticle is when you encounter game suddenly, at distance, and don’t have time to dial your turrets.If you want to dive deeper on first focal plane vs. second focal plane, check out this video.
Now that we know what a reticle does and we’ve got an idea about focal plane, let’s dive into your specific application.
Where you hunt can have a huge impact on what reticle you should use.
It goes without saying that you should use a reticle in which you have total confidence, which can mean putting in some time at the range. (Darn, huh? You might have to sling some extra lead …) That means not shooting game past distances where you have total confidence. That said, matching your reticle to your hunt is one of the easiest ways to ensure you place ethical shots that drop game fast.
It’s our hope you can learn and laugh along with the expert voices we feature on this blog. We want to be clear that the opinions you see featured here are just that: opinions. The content belongs to the authors and is not necessarily the opinion of Vortex Optics.
To learn more about what you’ve read, please like, follow, and otherwise support our authors.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website macro vs micro lens.