Rifle Scopes horus reticle vs gen 2 xr test

[onlyfineknives]

I had been pondering for some time on whether to have a Horus reticle put in one of my Premiers. After waffling back and forth multiple times, I decided to do a test.

I purchased a Horus Hawk, which is a 3-12 power optic with holdovers similar to the H25 down to 8 mils to use for a test. (Which by the way was a rude awakening in image quality after being used to my Premiers!)

I took 2 of my 308 bolt guns, both Surgeons in AI stocks, with different barrel lengths, and loaded down my 26" load to roughly match the velocity of my 20" load so the holdovers would be the same. I then set up steel targets out to approximately 700 yards, with the target size being 1-2 moa inside 300 and 1.5-2 moa from 300 to 700. I then proceeded to shoot at different ranges from 100 to 700 and in between with approximatley 75 rounds per gun, switching back and forth every so often. My holdovers were up to about 6 mils and wind holds were out to about 1.7 mils. I only used holdovers in both reticles and didn't dial in any adjustments. Both scopes were set to 12 power.

Obviously, this is not a conclusive test, but I needed to do something to help me make a decision on whether to make a commitment to try a Horus reticle long term.

Basically, my conclusion was that my hits were no different with either reticle in these conditions. I did feel like my preferences was the gen 2 xr because I tended not to "get lost" in the reticle as much and have to count back and reorient myself to where I should be holding in the reticle. I wasn't any less precise holding .2 or .3 mils in between the .5 mil hash marks of the gen 2 xr than I was using the Horus. Even with the Horus when you have a hold for example of 1.5 mils of wind and 5.5 mils of elevation, you are holding in the middle of nowhere with no immediate reticle information to hold on just like you have to with the gen2 xr.

I know that these results are in no way scientific particularly with my bias toward the gen 2 xr because of much more familiarity, however unless someone can bring up some points that I have missed in this test, I think I will be staying with the gen 2 xr.

Can you guys help me with anything thing that I've missed that I need to look at?

Thanks a bunch for your help!

 

[Graham]

Re: horus reticle vs gen 2 xr test

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: onlyfineknives</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wasn't any less precise holding .2 or .3 mils in between the .5 mil hash marks of the gen 2 xr than I was using the Horus.</div></div>Exactly: If you practice with your reticle you won't think you need a Horus anymore.

If you don't know how a reticle works, or if you are new to the task of using a Mil reticle, then a Horus can appear to be a godsend. Also, if your misses are always low-left and low-right then a Horus can appear to be the solution to marksmanship issues.

But if you are engaging multiple targets under time constraints my guess is that you will dial a zero that works for the task instead of trying to remember two sets of numbers - an estimated windage hold plus a precise elevation hold - for each shot.

Besides, have you ever lit-up a Horus? If the coating on the reticle isn't done perfectly, then Yikes!

 

[onlyfineknives]

Re: horus reticle vs gen 2 xr test

Another thing I ran into was engaging 3" round steel at 300. With the thicker lines of the horus and multiple lines in the way, as soon as a couple of hits grayed out the white paint on the steel, it made it very difficult to see where to hold. Versus the gen2 xr, I was able to see much better.

 

[Lindy]

Re: horus reticle vs gen 2 xr test

I don't think you missed anything.

Once you get used to the concept of holding both wind and elevation, you can do it with any reticle.

I used a scope with an H25 for three years - until one day it occurred to me that I didn't need a Horus to do that. I've gone back to a Gen II.

I shoot everything inside 700 yards using holdovers from a 100 yard zero.

And I don't have to contribute to the fortunes of the owner of HorusVision by paying the outrageous cost of the Horus reticle.

 

[onlyfineknives]

Re: horus reticle vs gen 2 xr test

Thanks Lindy

 

[onlyfineknives]

Re: horus reticle vs gen 2 xr test

Anyone else have any input that may help?

Thanks -

 

[Guns4570]

Re: horus reticle vs gen 2 xr test

Look at the EBR2 reticle in the Vortex Razor too. Same concept but a little less buzy than the Horus.

 

[steve123]

Re: horus reticle vs gen 2 xr test

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: onlyfineknives</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anyone else have any input that may help?

Thanks - </div></div>

I don't have any experience with the Gen2XR except for a few quick glances through some friends scopes.The thing I noticed right off about it though was the .5 mil hash marks draw my attention more than the full mil marks.Personally I find it odd and but to each his own.


If you ever holdover past the 10 mil mark the Horus would do a better job.

 

[onlyfineknives]

Re: horus reticle vs gen 2 xr test

steve123,

My thought was that if I had to go to 10mils I would be way beyond 1000 so I would probably dial then anyway.