F T/R Competition ILLUMINATED RETICLE Please illuminate me.

[JIMMICHANGA]

Why do they illuminate Reticles and is this a good thing for F class shooting.
And my daughter is getting into F class shooting 600-1000 yds and we are so confused as to scope to get.
Right now its the Sightron 10 50x60 LRMOA because of cost.
Sure could use some advise.
Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[Denys]

Let me enlighten you about illuminated reticles. My Nightforce NXS sitting atop my F-TR rifle has an illuminate reticle and as is the wont for Nightforce, it is not very brilliant. However, it's just enough the help me place the black NP-2DD reticle on the black aiming point of the target on overcast days.

Is it something that is a must have? Not by any means, but it helps these aging eyes distinguish black on black or more like black on grey.

 

[Denys]

I looked at the Sightron 10-50X60 LRMOA, and I suggest to you that is NOT the reticle you want for F-Class. If they have something like a simple crosshair with target dot or something similar, that would be much better, in my opinion. I see the SIII has a small 1/8 MOA target dot with fine crosshair, that would be my choice.

 

[JIMMICHANGA]

If you only have a simple cross hair what do you use to make small adjustments without making a bias correction with accuracy?
It seems small hash marks would make good sense. Especially for a girl just getting into this.

 

[XTR]

I've never turned mine on except to see how they looked. I wouldn't notice it if someone stole the batteries, speaking of batteries, there is another place I can shave a few grams if I have too.

 

[TunTav0321]

Your daughter has one huge advantage, "No Preconceived Ideas". Since she is new to this I believe an objective choice is possible. She also will learn to shoot what she ends up with. Sometimes it is much better to write on an empty page, than one filled with all kinds of data already there.

I responded to this same question over on the Accurate site, but will add this. A dot just covers to much of the target bull even the smallest dot. With crosshairs depending on how wide they are this is possible as well. Fine crosshairs are your best bet. The hash marks you refere to "Can" read that "Can" not will, make the scope sight picture very busy, for a new shooter this could become confusing. Now with that said I still prefer the NighForce NP 2R. This reticle has marks at 5 MOA in the windage and 2 MOA in the Elevation plane, I never use the marks and don't really even notice they are there for the most part.

As to the illumanited reticle, I am like XTR I have only turned it on just to see if it was there and worked. Never once have I ever used them, but for some crazy reason I do like that, that feature is there. Needed? I think not...

Roland