The mil-xt is a near perfect reticle, IMHO, except for the hold unders. Personally, I would like to have as much of that real estate for scouting as possible. Just curious if I'm missing some widely utilized feature of that.
Rifle Scopes has anyone used 5 mils of hold under?
- Thread starter Winny94
- Start date
In a rifle class. Shooting a course with timed pop-up type larue steel targets at various distances from 200 yds out to 800.
Due to wind, I wanted the reticles horizontal scale available for the longer distance shots. I opted to dial elevation for the slower timed longer-distance targets and held under for the fast timed closer targets.
For example, dialed 6 mils for an 800 yard target. As soon as the 800 went down, the 200 came up for 4 seconds. So hold-under 5.5 mils.
The stage was set up to teach holding under as a quick way to transition back to nearer targets.
Due to wind, I wanted the reticles horizontal scale available for the longer distance shots. I opted to dial elevation for the slower timed longer-distance targets and held under for the fast timed closer targets.
For example, dialed 6 mils for an 800 yard target. As soon as the 800 went down, the 200 came up for 4 seconds. So hold-under 5.5 mils.
The stage was set up to teach holding under as a quick way to transition back to nearer targets.
So you weren't using an x-mas tree reticle? I understand that use case for non x-mas tree reticles, but for something like the mil-xt, still don't understand the point.
we've shot stages in PRS where one might choose to hold under that much. highly dependent on the design of the specific stage, and it doesn't happen often.
so for the competitive shooter - there could be an occasional use for it.
so for the competitive shooter - there could be an occasional use for it.
At the time (2007 ish), no, I was using a TMR. Now I have a JVCR tree reticle, so lots more options.
I probably should have looked up the mil-xt before replying, I'm not familiar with it. I didn't realize you were talking about a tree reticle.
So, you want a reticle without the vertical stadia above the horizontal? Otherwise, the reticle is going to have that stadia, might as well have some useful graduations on it. Even if they are not often used.
The point is exactly as stated. Your most precise aiming point is the center of the cross hair. He dialed for 800, because that is where he needed precision. Then for the close targets, he held under. Yes, using a Christmas tree reticle he could have held over for 800. But, you are almost always between graduations, and holding in empty space for both elevation and wind. At least with dialing for a known long distance target, you get that variable (mostly) out of the equation and your hold point isn’t a blank piece of glass- even if you are holding for wind.
Follow-up question: who is using 3 mils of windage at a 1 mil holdover.....and why were you shooting in a 90mph wind storm 
Follow-up question: who is using 3 mils of windage at a 1 mil holdover.....and why were you shooting in a 90mph wind storm
3 mil is an ~18 mph wind at 900 y for a “6mph gun....” Stiff but not unmanageable. Dial for ~800 and hold for 900?
I was hunting Wyoming last year, and a freak storm rolled in. 55+ mph winds. For fun, I ran the calcs. Still wouldn't have used those holds....maybe hurricane shooting??Follow-up question: who is using 3 mils of windage at a 1 mil holdover.....and why were you shooting in a 90mph wind storm
Horus has no issue only running 2 mil hold unders.
As to your second point, if wind is that much if a concern, we wouldn't be using the center aim point even if dialed for 800 (unless of course you're dialing for wind too, but really, who does that). And why would you hold over blank space? If it happens your desires poi doesn't have an aiming point, some point of that target or surroundings will, so hold that for reference.
Plenty of people dial for wind.
You’re in the extreme minority that a single stadia gets in the way of whatever it is you think you want to do with the area above the center crosshair. Almost no one else has this issue.
Buy Horus. No drama.
Even holding for wind, you would still have the horizontal stadia as a precise hold. Here is a graphical representation of what I am saying...
(I chose 18 mph to be consistent with an earlier post. The magnitude of the wind is immaterial- this is just an example.) Note that dialing for elevation but holding for wind still gives you a precise waterline, even if you are between graduations for wind. But, holding for wind and elevation takes away your reference points for both wind and elevation- reducing your precision. (My 6.5 creedmoor is 5.6 mil to 800 from a 100 yard zero.)
You mean, hold "edge of plate?"
"Well so long as the deer stands just so, I can put this part of the reticle, just so, on that there house and be right on his boiler room with my point of aim. Aw shoot, he moved."
At the end of the day, if you polled 100 shooters about the ideal reticle and the use thereof, you would get 115 opinions. Other than a "German post" I've never seen reticle that did not have a vertical stadia above the horizontal. At least, not in a rifle scope. And, I've never had an issue with the reticle being in the way of what I am trying to look at. And and, if I am just looking, I am using a spotting scope or binoculars. By the time the rifle comes up, I'm almost certainly past the "just looking" stage. Unless I forgot the binoculars in the cabin- It's happened a few times. I should make a check list...
That example includes shooting long distance targets and "snap shots" on closer targets (that is why the hold under instead of just dialing for each range). My reptilian brain can't account for dialing wind at one range then holding off the other direction for a different distance- especially with a time constraint. Easier for me to hold off for wind under most scenarios. The one scenario where I don't hold for wind is a "movers" stage where the target is traversing both directions. Dial wind then hold out in front for the desired lead.
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