03-25-2011, 09:08 PM
A non-military casual shooter opinion:
Decide what rifle is used for, go from there. On my Grendel, that I decided is a 600 yard rifle, I put a Bushnell Elite 6500. 2.5x16 mildot, I usually shoot at 10 power where the dots are calibrated for. Clear(enough for 600), has tracked well, and serves me good. I tend to like mil dots or plex crosshairs. For a non "professional" the other reticules get too complicated.
Varmint/Target more magnification and crosshairs you like, on my P-dog rifle. Most shootin is 80-300 yards. I have a Sightron SII on it. Hey, its a 204 Ruger, not a 1k target gun. It has an HHR cross hairs, almost usless since it has target nobs. And most shooting 98% or more is 300 yards or less.
My hunting rifle, a Monarch 3-12SF with BDC. I highly doubt I will shoot over 400 yards at game. A 7mm SAUM, I purchased this rifle used last summer and worked up a quick load that was mag length and shot under 1 MOA, barely. The BDC will work with practice, but at one magnification for 400 yards. The Problem, I usually hunt at lower power, but calibrate the BDC at 10 power. Have to keep that in mind when hunting and have targets over 300 yards, I'm basically point blank on deer(or larger) game to 300 yards.
I find it easier at range to shoot at 400-600 yards than hunt at 300-400. I think simplicity in the field and know your limits, I have about 4-5 people I hunt with, most others I've tried to hunt with don't the second rule. Plus, my life doesn't depend on hitting my target. I hope it always stays that way. Almost forgot, my coyote rifle is a 16" AR with Aimpoint, great sight for 0-200 yards. Ranting over, I'm no expert. But the above seems to work for me. Hope to try my luck at 1k soon.
Decide what rifle is used for, go from there. On my Grendel, that I decided is a 600 yard rifle, I put a Bushnell Elite 6500. 2.5x16 mildot, I usually shoot at 10 power where the dots are calibrated for. Clear(enough for 600), has tracked well, and serves me good. I tend to like mil dots or plex crosshairs. For a non "professional" the other reticules get too complicated.
Varmint/Target more magnification and crosshairs you like, on my P-dog rifle. Most shootin is 80-300 yards. I have a Sightron SII on it. Hey, its a 204 Ruger, not a 1k target gun. It has an HHR cross hairs, almost usless since it has target nobs. And most shooting 98% or more is 300 yards or less.
My hunting rifle, a Monarch 3-12SF with BDC. I highly doubt I will shoot over 400 yards at game. A 7mm SAUM, I purchased this rifle used last summer and worked up a quick load that was mag length and shot under 1 MOA, barely. The BDC will work with practice, but at one magnification for 400 yards. The Problem, I usually hunt at lower power, but calibrate the BDC at 10 power. Have to keep that in mind when hunting and have targets over 300 yards, I'm basically point blank on deer(or larger) game to 300 yards.
I find it easier at range to shoot at 400-600 yards than hunt at 300-400. I think simplicity in the field and know your limits, I have about 4-5 people I hunt with, most others I've tried to hunt with don't the second rule. Plus, my life doesn't depend on hitting my target. I hope it always stays that way. Almost forgot, my coyote rifle is a 16" AR with Aimpoint, great sight for 0-200 yards. Ranting over, I'm no expert. But the above seems to work for me. Hope to try my luck at 1k soon.