Custom Reticle Tuned to Cartridge

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bmars

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I am considering ordering a Leupold VX-III 4.5x14x50 for my 700 in .30-06. For about $40, they will install a custom reticle tuned for the cartridge of my choice. They take the known variables like cartridge, bullet type, bullet weight, ballistic coefficient, muzzle velocity, average altitude, and average temperature, and then craft a reticle that, at least theoretically, would have accurate aim points at 200, 300 yds, etc.

Has anyone had any experience with these? Is it a gimmick, or do they work?

I'm not a reloader, so if I ordered one of these reticles, I'd likely pick a good over-the-counter deer/elk/target load by a company that has been around (in hopes of getting a round that won't be discontinued).
 
Yes,

Hey there;
There is another way of doing that too.
A company (I think) called Lee Dot co. I will find out later.
Will install a "dot " at what ever point you want. These can be very accurate.
The difference will be , You tell them where you want the dots.

The thing to remember is it will be caliber and load specific. All things matter.
Bullet, Velocity, etc. And what "Your " gun will do. At $40.00 that is very low cost.
If they can tune the scope to match "Your" rifle you will love it. Changing ammo will yield different results. Last I knew the Lee Dots ran about $65.00 each. If you trust them in building a scope and trying to match it up to your gun , Go for it. But I would ask , What if it's off ?

The correct placement of any sight up dots or cross wires can make an extremely long range shooter that will be very accurate.
The off the shelf scopes that are so called drop compensating, are at best a guessing game.
The last thing you need is a ball park scope that will maybe loose you a trophy.
I have and do use a scope that was made for range finding and correct bullet palcement out to 1000 yards. They no longer make that scope. (Springfield Gov. model) But the bullet must be 168 gr, at 2600 fps. Or it is worthless.

At $40.00 it may be worth the gamble. I would still ask what if it does not work.
 
Found it.

Hey again;
I found their Company info.

T.K. LEE Company
1282 Branchwater Lane.
Birmingham , Al. 35216 Phone #205-913-5222

Just incase you want to see what they offer also.
They do have a web site but I have lost it.
 
Sounds good to me.

What I would do, is hold center on a target at 200 and 300 yards with your 100 yard zero and ammo you will be using, and then measure the actual amount of bullet drop. That way you can provide a real point of impact, and they can set it appropriately. I'm sure their predictions will be close enough, but it wouldn't hurt to do.
 
30/06

Hornady 150gr. Interbond (deer load)
100yds. 4.1" high
200yds. 4.9" high
300 yds. ZERO
400yds. 11.7" low

Hornady 165gr. Interbond (Elk load)
100 yds. 4.4" high (instead of 4.1" - diff. = 0.3")
200yds. 5.2" high (instead of 4.4" - diff. = 0.8")
300 yds. ZERO
400yds. 12.3" low (instead of 11.7" - diff. = 1.4")

Deer load - hold on the same spot (halfway down from the topline) out to about 350yds, and then hold on the deer's topline.

Elk load - same scope setting and hold method as the deer load.

Use either load for either quarry.


Why spend money for a "tuned" reticle? :confused:


:cool:
 
Why spend money for a "tuned" reticle?
Click to expand...

There is the "mil-dot" effect of that reticle he will be using. It may help him to judge range if he is not using a rangefinder. Keep that in mind.
 
Burris Fullfied ll 4.5-14x42mm with the BALLISTIC PLEX RETICLE. The Ballistic Plex Reticle does exactly what Leupold`s custom reticle does. The Buriss reticle works. Comes standard and you don`t have to send it back with $40.00 for a custom installation as with Leupold. Lifetime warranty. Bright and clear as that Leupold and Burris FFll doesn`t cost as much as that Leupold. You can get a free Burris spotter scope or GPS included with it.
 
I agree.

Hey There:
I agree that Luepold will stand behind any of their stuff.
Some makers do not.
Ya , they all say they do. But that is not what we have found.

No matter, If it is exact bullet placement you are after. NOTE ! (IF)
The scope must be tuned to your bullet and velocity out of Your barrel.
Or you have a decent ball park hitter. If that Lueopld scope has any kind of duplex type cross wires you can figure out shot placement just the way it comes out of the box. If You ar elooking at 300 yards max. Like you said.
That is a no brianer. Shoot it and see where it hits, use your scope to tell the rest of the story. The cross wires are at a given distance at each power level. Use that to your advantage. No other wires would be needed. At 300 yards.
 
Burris Fullfied ll 4.5-14x42mm with the BALLISTIC PLEX RETICLE. The Ballistic Plex Reticle does exactly what Leupold`s custom reticle does.
Click to expand...

I must strongly disagree with that. The Burris is a "generic" reticle, that gets you *close* for a typical average bottlenecked centerfire cartridge. It does not account for the specific MV & BC of the load you're using. So I definitely see value in the Leupold service, and it seems as though it would definitely be worth the $40 and much more, if it really matches the MV & BC of your chosen load.
 
PremiumSauces, I guess that is sort of my hesitation. How many times have I read an article testing or comparing loads, only to learn that the actual tested velocity and performance of the load is either over or underrepresented by the manufacturer? And to be perfectly honest, I have no way of testing the muzzle velocity of my rifle. Given Leupold's reputation, I'm inclined to trust that if they say they can match the reticle to a known load, then they can. I'm sort of surprised that more people here haven't tried it, especially given the price. Maybe it's just because it limits your load for the life of the scope? Not having the need to load up for elephant anytime soon, that's not such a concern for me. A 165 grain will pretty well suit all my needs.
 
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