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Rifle Scopes Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

barrett50

Private
Minuteman
Dec 11, 2010
12
0
44
Atlanta
At the complete and utter risk of sounding like a complete newb (which I am) I am going to go ahead and ask this. If I'm wrong I need correction and if not I need confirmation.

My scope is an MOA/MOA scope and my reticle has hash marks on the reticle that designate 2 MOA between hashes.

I'm looking through my scope at a target at 300 yards with my crosshair directly on the target. I take the shot and it lands below the target and shows up right on the first hash mark right below the crosshair.

That means I am 2 MOA off correct? In which I then either dial in 7 clicks to adjust (.25 turret) or hold over 2 MOA using the bottom hash mark to intersect the target.

Again, I tend to try and over complicate things so sorry for the, obviously, newb question.

Thanks.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

Dial 2 MOA or hold 2,

You see 2 MOA on the reticle you dial 2 MOA on the turrets, range doesnt matter.

Remember unless the scope is FFP it must be on the proper power to be valid.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

Well, it is that easy. But stop thinking in clicks. If the shot is 2 MOA below the target, dial up 2 MOA. (Which, by the way, is not 7 clicks if the clicks are 0.25 MOA.)
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

It depends if the scope is FFP or SFP. If it is second focal plane, it would depend on the power setting of the scope for the reticle to be correct.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

Yes it is this easy, that's why every scope should have its reticle and adjustment in the same units.

Try not to think in "clicks" but rather in MOA all the way, your reticle isn't graduated in clicks either.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

As other more knowledgable people have said above, stop thinking in "clicks." Just dial or hold 2 moa. Which is 8 "clicks" by the way but who cares. Turn your knob until is says 2.

41
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

Yes, I should have specified FFP. And yes, I just realized my math is off above.

Don't I have to adjust for distance???

If my target is @ 400 yards and my shot shows 2 MOA below in my reticle, wouldn't I just come up .25MOA, 1 click (sorry) on my turret? That would be .25MOA at 100 yards and 2MOA at 400.

I wouldn't go a full 2MOA, 8 clicks (sorry) up on my turret would I?

Thanks.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

No. 2 moa is 2 moa. 1 inch or 1 mile, doesn't matter. Again, 2 moa is 8 "clicks" always.

41
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

One MOA is one MOA is one MOA, no matter the distance, time of day, temperature or color of the socks you are wearing today.

If your reticle shows that your shot is off by 2 MOA, dial or hold 2 MOA and you'll be dead on. It <span style="font-weight: bold">is</span> that easy.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

Your distance does not matter. 2 MOA is 2 MOA. If your scope is 1/4 moa clicks, at 400 yrds , 1 click will equal 1 inch(roughly). Therefore, 1 MOA at 400 yrds equals roughly 4 inches. Distance doesn't matter.

So at 300 yrds, 2 MOA is equal to roughly 6 inches. You would then need to dial up 8 click on your scope to get the 2 MOA to your target.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

Barrett yu are confusing the linear(inches/CM) measurments with the angular(MOA/Mil). If you are 2 MOA low at 400 yards then you either hold or dial up 2 MOA. That's it. Nothing else to figure. Doesn't matter how many inches it is or hoew far the target is.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

What they said. See? This shooting thing is pretty easy huh!?

Well, the 'shooting' is easy, the 'hitting' gets harder....
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

Thanks Everyone. Wow, so this is even easier than I thought then.

I just think I finally figured this out. I was still thinking of inches relative to MOA and distance and that's not what to do. If I'm off by 5moa looking through my scope then I need to adjust 5moa - any distance.

So when and where does all the math come in?
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

The math comes in when people try to think in inches and have to convert to moa / mils etc. Also comes in when doping for wind that isnt directly 90 degrees to your target. comes in again when shooting at extreme up or down angles.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

I wouldn't worry about the math just yet. Why don't you learn your system first. The fancy stuff will come later and you'll have a much easier time digesting it if you have the basics down.

IMHO, 41
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

The math comes in when you don't know how far away the target is, but you know how large it is. It allows you to determine the range.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

The math comes in when you start using that same reticle for range estimation based on the size of the target that you are aiming at (that needs to be a known size). Then you figure how many mils or moa's the target covers and this is where the math comes in.

At this point, the FAQ's section or Lindy's website may be of service. Hang on, I'll find a link.

http://www.arcanamavens.com/
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

Holy Crap - This has got to be the most active and helpful forum I've been on. Thanks guys. The light in my head literally just got flipped on to understanding this.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

That's got to feel good for a change. I like those "epiphany" moments.
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?


Barrett50,

Send me your e-mail in PM and I will send you a little article I wrote on scope "clicking."

It's part of the 40 page Long Range student manual I have written for my Long Range Seminar students I teach at various locations. On that note, I see your in/near Atlanta. I have contacted several places trying to book a classroom in the N. Georgia area at which to hold my class. You should come out. It's affordable and will get you up to speed in 1 day.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2298837#Post2298837
 
Re: Aiming using the Reticle ... Is it this easy?

PM Sent TresMon. I would love to attend one of your courses. If you ever make it to the Atlanta area I'm in!