Mil Dot question

lanole

lanole

Member
When using the reticle to estimate distances, what power should the scope be set on when sizing a target using the mil-dots? This is using the formula (TS x 1000)/AM=D. Are there any other formulas that may be simpler to use? I was told center of dot to center of dot equals 3.6" at 100 yards. Is this correct and at what magnification? I'm trying to learn to use these scopes and could use a little more direction. I've read all kinds of literature online, but none of the sites tell you what power to use when bracketing a target of a known size to get the approximate mils to help calculate distance. Am I way off base here and miss the point completely?
 
most military scopes are set to range at 10x with the mildot, others are set for the highest power, if the reticle is in the first focal plane then is doesn't matter(FFP reticles get larger as the power is increased)
RR
 
I have three different brands of mildot scopes and all have a differt magnification point to use the reticle. 20X on my Leupy 6.5 x 20, 12X on Nikon 4.5x14, and 9X on 3 x 9 sightron. Best to check with manufacturer on mag. setting.
The 3.6" at 100 yds. is correct when ranging on the rigt magnification. What brand scope do you have?
 
Most all quality optics have the Mil's set on 10X as a std. They can be set to different power levels by custom makers. 3.6 is correct. It is much easier to use a laser range finder and click up. Mil's are slow compared to this.
 
Mil-dot master is very nice. I agree, if your going to go with mil-dots you should spend the money and have one. I also agree that you would be better off ranging with a laser. Mil-dots work better with 1 or 2 meter{yards if you prefer} sized targets. Unless the "predator' you are after is a bear.......kinda harder to use on prarie dogs.
You need to check with who made the scope to see what power the mil-dots should be used at. If the reticle is a magnifying one or european style, {that is to say it gets bigger when you zoom up} then it doesn't matter, you can use them at any power setting. Typically they are set to be used on the highest power if it is a variable that doesn't have a magnifying reticle. So to say 10x is the right setting may be wrong if you have say a 4.5-14x scope. 10x is of course the correct setting for military sniper scopes because they are all 10x fixed power, M-3 or AN-PVS10 Army or Unertl 10x Marines. I dont know of any variables since the ART I or II {some fixed 16x on the .50 calibers.} The military got away from variables because they could shift zero when zoomed repeatedly and the tube starts to wear. I am sure some genius will jump in here and qoute some "off the wall" model a guy in his unit used. Bottom line on the power setting is double check with the manufacturer but it is usually the highest magnification.
 
another vote for the mil dot master. i use mine exclusively when groundhog hunting and it works awesome when you know what numbers to plug in. my next step is a NICE mildot, fixed power scope by burris....then i move beyond the 500 yard mark. best so far is 485 on a groundhog. mil-dots are the best way to range and figure holdover...dont even need a rangefinder anymore...the only way to learn it is to shoot a lot and learn the drop on your rifle at different ranges...once you know that ..the rest falls in place.
 
Maybe I am misunderstanding the question but if you are looking through a mil dot scope that is set at the mil setting its 36" from center of dot to center of dot. If your target is 3 feet then it would cover one mil at 100 yrds when looking through the scope.

To figure out what setting your scope needs to be at for the "mil setting" you could get a 36" target and put it at 100 yrds then look through your scope and zoom it until it covers exactly 1 mil.
 
it will be in the owners manual or you can call cust svc.

I prefer to use MOA scopes,....much faster than mil-dots for me,..so much that I abandoned any learning of mildots and have purchased all MOA reticles instead. But I also use a Leica 1200LRF, so the marks are more for holdover than ranging.
 
what is mildot master?? also how feasible is using a mildot setup for ranging coyotes 7-800 yds out, I agree a LRF would be best, but getting consistant ranges on a yote at these distances is pretty tuff with a LRF
 
Quote:
Maybe I am misunderstanding the question but if you are looking through a mil dot scope that is set at the mil setting its 36" from center of dot to center of dot. If your target is 3 feet then it would cover one mil at 100 yrds when looking through the scope.

To figure out what setting your scope needs to be at for the "mil setting" you could get a 36" target and put it at 100 yrds then look through your scope and zoom it until it covers exactly 1 mil.




With the scope set to it's milling setting, (mine is a 6x24 tasco, and the mil setting on it is 8 power)one mil at 100 yards is 3.6 inches if I remember right. Total of 10 mils in the reticle itself, so from the edge of the bar to the edge of the other bar would be 10 mils or 36 inches.

It is very simple once you get the mil dot master and read the manual. Once you know approximate size of your target, you estimate mil's and feed that information into the mil dot master and it will give you a range to target, knowing your range(you should know the drop at most given ranges) then it will tell you how many mils to hold over your target. Very simple stuff here, you can also compensate for windage with this system. Once you start using it, it is an awesome deal, I really enjoy mine, and the only reason I use my rangefinder anymore is to verify confirmed shot distances...the mil dot is the way to go in my opinion.
 
Duh sorry guys for the confusion, your right and I don't know what I was thinking. 100 yrds verses a 1000 yrds whats the difference?
 


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