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Ballistic Reticles vs Hunting Turrets

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Rifle Scopes
Forum Description: Centerfire long gun scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=26741
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 08:56
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Topic: Ballistic Reticles vs Hunting Turrets
Posted By: bcostabile20
Subject: Ballistic Reticles vs Hunting Turrets
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 11:23
I am in the market for a new scope (currently own Meopta Meostar 3-10x50) and need some help in choosing between a ballistic reticle or adjustable turrets.  I have always owned a scope that has the caps that have to be screwed off to adjust for elevation and windage.  Any advice would be appreciated.
  



Replies:
Posted By: workingmanGary
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 16:51
Personally I think all these ballistic reticles are a bit of a fad. How many shots do you take over 200 yards. If lts alot maybe you should just walk up closer. Dont worry you are far enough away that they wont spook.


Posted By: trigger29
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 16:59
Depending on where you live, you may take a lot of shots over 200 yards. Out on the plains there are places where the deer will stand in the wide open, because there are no trees for miles. It's not always so easy to just walk closer. I use a ballistic reticle on one rifle, and dial shots in on another. Which one you use is not as important as knowing the system inside and out. Put your time in shooting at any ranges you would shoot at game at. Don't just punch numbers into a ballistic calculator, and assume that's where a bullet will go. You need to find your limit where you have a high probability of making a clean shot on game. I limit myself to 500 yards, but practice pretty regularly past 700.

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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."


Posted By: tjtjwdad
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 17:42
Originally posted by trigger29 trigger29 wrote:

Depending on where you live, you may take a lot of shots over 200 yards. Out on the plains there are places where the deer will stand in the wide open, because there are no trees for miles. It's not always so easy to just walk closer. I use a ballistic reticle on one rifle, and dial shots in on another. Which one you use is not as important as knowing the system inside and out. Put your time in shooting at any ranges you would shoot at game at. Don't just punch numbers into a ballistic calculator, and assume that's where a bullet will go. You need to find your limit where you have a high probability of making a clean shot on game. I limit myself to 500 yards, but practice pretty regularly past 700.
Agreed, except for ground squirrels, for those I shoot out to the limits of my main caliber (a 204 Ruger).


Posted By: helo18
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 20:21
Originally posted by trigger29 trigger29 wrote:

Depending on where you live, you may take a lot of shots over 200 yards. Out on the plains there are places where the deer will stand in the wide open, because there are no trees for miles. It's not always so easy to just walk closer. I use a ballistic reticle on one rifle, and dial shots in on another. Which one you use is not as important as knowing the system inside and out. Put your time in shooting at any ranges you would shoot at game at. Don't just punch numbers into a ballistic calculator, and assume that's where a bullet will go. You need to find your limit where you have a high probability of making a clean shot on game. I limit myself to 500 yards, but practice pretty regularly past 700.

I agree with trigger.  I use both on multiple rifles.  Use depends on the situation, but nothing beats knowing your gun and where it shoots.  I too practice regularly out well past 700 yards in different conditions.  The practice will pay off more than just buying either a BDC or Turrets and hoping they are right on.  Practice, Practice, Practice!!!


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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

GEORGE WASHINGTON


Posted By: jonoMT
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 20:36
For most calibers, a max. point blank range zero would handle your shooting needs out to 300 yards except for angled shots over 30 degrees. A ballistic reticle will work well for a particular load shot in a narrow range of atmospheric conditions and at angles less than 30 degrees. Otherwise, if you really want to shoot out to long distances you need to know muzzle velocity, temperature, barometric pressure, accurate distance to the target and slope angle. In other words, you'll need target turrets and the ability (gear) to measure those variables and a ballistics calculator.

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Reaction time is a factor...


Posted By: Marine24
Date Posted: December/28/2010 at 13:46
I have Nikon's BDC reticle on a couple of my Monarch's.  They serve as valuable reference points for me after understanding how they apply to my load at the range, but I've only had the need to use that information once on a real hunt. 
 
Vast majority of my shots are within the MPBR of my load.


Posted By: FunShot
Date Posted: December/28/2010 at 16:38
Why not get both? For reasonable ranges and fast shots you can use the bdc aiming points, for those long distance hard shots, you could dial it in. Smile



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