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Reticles

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Bazooka Joe71

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What is the difference between a "ballistic plex" reticle and a "mil-dot" reticle?

I mean I can look at the two and see what is different, but what are the advantages/disadvantages of each?

thanks
 
I can answer half this question. Mil-Dot scopes have dots for each mil radian. That allows you do use a basic math formula to determine the distance to your target. It looks like this:


Height in Yards X 1000
---------------------------- = Range to Target
# of mils

So if you have something 2 yards tall (6' man) that's big enough to fill 2 and 1/2 mil dots, your formula looks like this:

2 X 1000
-------------- = 800yds
2.5
 
The ballistic plex reticle has marks on the vertical crosshair to match the trajectory. You zero the rifle at 100 yards, and if the target is 200 yards away, you use the first shorter crosshair below the main crosshair, and so on. Usually, these scopes come in "standard" and "magnum" versions to allow for differences in trajectory.
 
The ballistic plex is quick and comparatively imprecise. Ideal for something like hunting, where you aren't likely to have a shot beyond a few hundred yards and you don't need pinpoint accuracy. Just pick the line or midpoint that roughly matches your range, and fire.

The mildot reticle is slower to use, but allows much greater precision (in both elevation and windage, whereas ballistic plex reticles are generally elevation-only). Great for much longer range and smaller targets. Find the exact range with a laser, calculate drop and wind, and then use the mil dots in lieu of click adjustments on the scope body to aim at exactly the right spot.
 
Never used a mil-dot...

But have a plex on my K31.

The mil-dot can be used to derive approximate range, assuming a target of known size.

The plex compensates for bullet trajectory, assuming a target at a known range.

Humans aren't very good at range estimation. We're a lot better at remembering that the average person (or deer, or pig) is X tall. The mil-dot uses this principle, and a little trig, to produce an estimated range figure.

Can the dots be used also for trajectory compensation, once you've used them to figure the range? I would assume so, (they're fixed reference points in the scope, after all,) but I've got no idea how you would go about it.

--Shannon
 
So if I want tight groups at long ranges, I want a mil-dot, and if I want to hunt with this scope, then i want the bal-plex?

Is one more expensive than the other?
 
No, you can shoot tight groups with either one. The ballistic plex is more suited to hunting, the mil dot to sniping - but that has nothing to do with their fundamental accuracy.
 
Can you define "sniping?"

I'm really sorry for beating these questions into the ground...I guess I'm just a slow learner.:)

I started this thread and after much deliberation, I think I want a BURRIS FULLFIELD II 4.5X14X42. They have some on ebay for good prices, but they don't have any with a mildot reticle.:mad:

No, you can shoot tight groups with either one. The ballistic plex is more suited to hunting, the mil dot to sniping - but that has nothing to do with their fundamental accuracy.
Click to expand...

I'm just not totally understanding this. . .If you can shoot tight groups at long ranges with either, and balplex is better for hunting(killing something with a somewhat precise shot) and it has nothing to do with its "fundamental accuracy" how is the plex not better? It seems like you get quicker target acquisition without losing accuracy.:confused:


So here is the bottom line, I will be shooting at targets at different ranges, ranging from 100-500 yards, I want somewhat quick target acquisition and I want to be able to shoot tight groups. . .Am I dreaming?

Thanks for all of the responses to my dumb questions, I really appreciate it.:)
 
Can you define "sniping?"
Click to expand...
A sniper is a soldier who is trained and equipped for precision shooting -- often under difficult conditions at extreme ranges.

I said:
No, you can shoot tight groups with either one. The ballistic plex is more suited to hunting, the mil dot to sniping - but that has nothing to do with their fundamental accuracy.
Click to expand...
You replied:
I'm just not totally understanding this. . .If you can shoot tight groups at long ranges with either, and balplex is better for hunting(killing something with a somewhat precise shot) and it has nothing to do with its "fundamental accuracy" how is the plex not better? It seems like you get quicker target acquisition without losing accuracy.
Click to expand...
The scope reticle has nothing to do with shooting tight groups. It may, however, have something to do with ensuring those tight groups are on target.


So here is the bottom line, I will be shooting at targets at different ranges, ranging from 100-500 yards, I want somewhat quick target acquisition and I want to be able to shoot tight groups. . .Am I dreaming?
Click to expand...

No -- and assuming you are hunting, or shooting on shooting ranges, the plex would probably be your best bet. If you were lying in a hide in Afghanistan or Iraq, and targets might appear at extreme long range, in all weather conditions -- and you had the extensive training a sniper has -- the mil-dot might be better.
 
Can you define "sniping?"

A sniper is a soldier who is trained and equipped for precision shooting -- often under difficult conditions at extreme ranges.
Click to expand...

Yeah, well I knew that much. . .And I won't be doing too much of that from my armchair.:p

No -- and assuming you are hunting, or shooting on shooting ranges, the plex would probably be your best bet. If you were lying in a hide in Afghanistan or Iraq, and targets might appear at extreme long range, in all weather conditions -- and you had the extensive training a sniper has -- the mil-dot might be better.
Click to expand...

Thanks Vern, I think you made my decision.:)

I am going with the plex, and if for some reason I don't like it on my LR-308, I can always just have a nice hunting scope.:)
 
On the other hand, an ordinary old dual-X (double thickness) crosshair works just as well.

First, determine the span between the horizontal wire and the beginning of the thicker part of the crosshair -- on most scopes, it's around 4 minutes of angle (depending on magnification, if you use a variable.) That means from the top of the thick post to the horizontal wire represents 4" at 100 yards, 8" at 200 yards, 12" at 300 yards, and so on.

Then zero your rifle. Check where it hits at 200 yards, 300 yards, and so on.

Finally, know your quarry. A whitetail deer in most places is about 15" from back to belly. So if he fits between the horizontal crosshair and the top of the thick portion, he's around 400 yards away or so.
 
Ok, let me step right into this "mil-dots" are for sniping argument. BS. Mil dots are useful for range and windage estimation. Count the dots, do a little math, get a range estimate. Consult your drop chart, dial in the clicks, be on target with the first shot.

At no point did I mention "shooting at people from a concealed position." Mil dot ranging has applications in hunting, target shooting, and any other unknown-distance shooting. It's no more for "sniping" than a Remington BDL is. Sniping is the application of the tools. The tools have many uses besides that one potential, extremely rare use.

I'm sorry if this comes off as caustic. I just get really really annoyed with the terms "sniper" "tactical" and "operator." Especially when applied to equipment I own and use. They're firearms. I shoot them. I am not a sniper.
 
Siglite,

I don't think anyone was implying anything about you...If thats what you are trying to say.

One more thing...What is a reasonable price to pay for a BURRIS FULLFIELD II 4.5X14X42 PLEX RETICLE?
 
I don't think anyone was implying anything about you...If thats what you are trying to say.
Click to expand...

No, no, I don't think anyone was either. I think they were making a false implication about a tool. I think of a mil-dot scope as a range-finder that uses math instead of batteries. Not a "sniper scope."

And those three terms just tend to raise my hackles because of the antis.
 
I would say the mil-dot might be the way to go on a hunting rifle if you are planning on making longer shots, especially in places where wind may be an issue -- if, and only if, you are interested in becoming proficient with the procedures for using the mil-dots. They're not especially hard to use, but can be time consuming, either working the numbers before shooting or sorting out your come ups with the scope at different ranges ahead of time.

If you're planning on shooting at closer ranges where your cartridge just isn't dropping much (say .308 inside 300 meters), the mil-dot is probably more scope than you really need.
 
But you don't deny the mil-dot reticles were developed by snipers, for snipers?
Click to expand...

And the bolt action rifle was developed for combat infantry, right? So what's your point? Do you call your bolt action .22 a sniper rifle? No, it's just a rifle. And mil dots are just a ranging tool.
 
If you're planning on shooting at closer ranges where your cartridge just isn't dropping much (say .308 inside 300 meters), the mil-dot is probably more scope than you really need.
Click to expand...

I agree completely.
 
Sorry to repeat my question, but just in case you guys missed it:

What is a reasonable price to pay for a BURRIS FULLFIELD II 4.5X14X42 PLEX RETICLE?
Click to expand...

Has anyone purchased one of these recently?

I guess I should also ask if this would be a good scope to buy...George Hill mentioned it on his top 10 "best bang for you buck" list, but he mentioned the one with the mildot ret.
 
Personally, I prefer a MOA reticle.

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The biggest problem with mildot is that the elevation adjustments with most of these scopes is 1/4 or 1/2 MOA, so you have to do a conversion if you're a knob-twister like me

one Mil subtends to one cm at 100 meters, in the same way that 1 MOA subtends to 1.047 inches at 100 yards.

Here's some info on MilDot:

http://www.boomershoot.org/general/TruthMilDots.htm
http://www.eabco.com/Reports/MildotRep01.htm
http://www.shooterready.com/mildot.swf

Keep in mind that not all mildot reticles are the same. The USMC and Army use different Mildot Reticles. There are actually several variations of the mildot reticle.
 
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