Rifle Scopes How to use my new mil-dot scope?

[zimm17]

I did read all the FAQ's etc. They are way too detailed for what I'm doing.

I just mounted up a new Weaver grand slam tactical 3-10x40 mil-dot scope. I hope I didn't make a mistake buying this thing.

On my local range I can set my target anywhere 0-150 yards and then a 300 yard line- nothing in-between 150-300. So my idea of a 200 yard zero is not going to work.

I'm sighted in for 100 yards with .223. I'm going to try shooting to 300 yards for the first time next week.

I don't need range estimation, etc. I just want to shoot at 100 and 300. Do I use the dots for hold over? Or do I crank in the windage into my turrets? I'm lost on what I should do. I was thinking I would use the turrets, but then I have to calculate inches in bullet drop to mils. Maybe I should have just bought an MOA scope....

And then how do I use the mil-dots for wind correction? There are flags at the 300 yard line.

 

[Trailgomer]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

Get the Mil-Dot Master and study.

 

[excess]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

No offense, but you are making this harder than it needs to be.

IF you are only shooting at 100 and 300 yards, why would you want a 200 yard zero? Either zero it for 100 or 300 and adjust for the other. If you already have a solid 100 yard zero then stick with that.

I have no idea what ammo, barrel length etc you have so you should do some research on bullet drop. Get a guestimate of how much the bullet will drop at 300 yards based on a 100 yard zero. Then you will want to dial that drop into the elevation turret. 1.0 mil at 300 yards is about 10.8 inches. I could not find your exact scope with a quick search, but it appears each click is 0.1 mil, so 10 clicks for 1.0 mil (double check what the clicks are for your turrets!).

So dial in whatever it takes, and shoot say a 3 shot group. Use the reticle to measure how far off you are both in windage and elevation. You'll have to find a guide to your reticle so you know what the spacing is between the hash marks on your reticle (for example are they 0.1 mil apart, 0.2, etc). You can probably find such a guide on Weaver's website, or maybe it's in the instructions that came with your scope. Whatever the distance you are off in elevation, just dial that into the elevation knob. Same for windage. Fire another group to verify you did it right. Pretty easy.

The scope does not know nor care that you are working with inches, yards, etc.

 

[okiefired]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

www.jbmballistics.com

One of many good balistic calculators. If you know your bullet type and speed....just plug it in, it'll give you a close idea if drop at distance.

Okie

 

[JuniperEyes]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

An additional 1.2mil adjustment to a good 100yd zero will put you on paper at 300yd with a .223

 

[roggom]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

I agree with CNC, dont make it too hard on yourself. The GS 3-10x40 is a great scope to learn on. You will have to do some homework and print out your dope cards in mils. Keep your zero at 100Y and then dial in your dope to 300.

If later you want to hunt with a 200y zero (for max point blank), then just dial your turret for 200Y.

The biggest hurdle guys cant get past is the mil to moa, or mil to inch calcs. You really do not need to do that if you use the reticle as your ruler. With the power ring at max, you check your point of impact on the paper, then measure it on your reticle, and simply hold or dial the correction. Think in mils, if its 1 mil off to the right, then dial 1 mil to the left etc.


Here is a good resource for calculations
http://www.mil-dot.com/media/1027/the_derivation_of_the_range_estimation_equations.pdf

The NSSF has a great series on mils, moa, dope, zeros etc

start with this one

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[Chris@InterstateGuns]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zimm17</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Do I use the dots for hold over?</div></div>

<span style="color: #FF0000">Yes you can do that. All you need is to run a ballistic calculation in Mil that will give you a drop chart to be able to use holdover with your reticle. okiefired posted a link to jbm above. There are plenty of good applications for smart phone if you are looking for something that is portable.</span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zimm17</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Or do I crank in the windage into my turrets? </div></div>
<span style="color: #FF0000">Well yeah you could do that too. Take the same drop chart that I talked about above and there you have your click values as well. (assuming your turrets are in mil)For example if your drop chart say your 300 yard dope is 3.5 (just picked this number out of the air as an example) mil....then either count down on your reticle and use the half way point between 3 and 4 mil...or...physically dial it into your scope using your turret.</span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zimm17</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was thinking I would use the turrets, but then I have to calculate inches in bullet drop to mils. Maybe I should have just bought an MOA scope....</div></div>
<span style="color: #FF0000">Stop thinking in inches.....think in mils. Just use a good ballistic software. Run the drop chart in mils. Whammy! It's that easy. </span>

 

[zimm17]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

Thanks guys I'll try that out. It's a 1/10mil turret too. Need to print out a chart for 75gr match ammo.

 

[zimm17]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

Played with the calculator....
Zero 100
200 is 4 clicks
300 11
and up to 38 for 600 yards

Thinking about printing a little card and taping to the stock....

 

[Chris@InterstateGuns]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

That would be a great idea.

 

[ColoWyo]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

I would stop thinking in "clicks"

Assuming you've reset your knob to read 0 for your 100 zero.

With your 100 yard zero:

200 yards is .4 MILs up
300 yards is 1.1 MILs up
600 yards is 3.8 MILs up


It's way easier to just dial 3.8 MILs instead of counting 38 clicks to get to 600.

 

[slothlacrosse]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zimm17</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thinking about printing a little card and taping to the stock....</div></div>

Print it out and use it as a starting guide. Record your own dope and tape that to your stock.

Where are you at in Virginia?

 

[cwatson308]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

Shoot the rifle at all ranges. Then measure holdovers looking thru the scope. boom done

 

[Joebill]

Re: How to use my new mil-dot scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ColoWyo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would stop thinking in "clicks"

Assuming you've reset your knob to read 0 for your 100 zero.

With your 100 yard zero:

200 yards is .4 MILs up
300 yards is 1.1 MILs up
600 yards is 3.8 MILs up


It's way easier to just dial 3.8 MILs instead of counting 38 clicks to get to 600.
</div></div>

+1
I use moa but this is easier for me too. Counting clicks can get confusing. Have fun and burn some powder. You might want to start a log book not a real expensive investment but will help with your learning curve. Record as much info about each range trip as you can. It will pay off later. Have fun