Rifle Scopes How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

[spotswood]

I am getting ready to order a new S&B 5x25 and I am deciding about the reticle options.
I am from the old school of using MOA and then Mil conversions and then dialing in the hold on the turret. I would like to change as I feel that is too slow with all the calculations even with using a mil-dot card.
I would like to use a range finder to determine yardage and then either use a hold over method using the hash marks or dial in the elevation on the scope.
I am looking for the fastest way with minimal calculations. I do like the P4F reticle but do not know how to use the hash marks on it. Are you using the hash marks for measuring yardage as a mil dot or just for hold over? I don't think you are using the hash marks as a ballistic reticle.
If I choose to dial in the elevation on the scope could I premake a ballistic table showing yardage to mil clicks and then click in the appropriate amount after ranging with the range finder? If I choose this method of shooting would I specify mil turrets?
I want to use this for out to 1200 yds for very accurate groups in a 223 for now and later for a 308.
Gary

 

[jasonk]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

Honestly, fill out your profile, find some local to take you out before you drop $3k on a scope. You're on the right track, I'll post some links, but hands on makes it much easier. If that's not an option I'm sure someone here would chat with you on the phone and help out. pm me if needed.

You want mil/mil.
The reticle can/will be used for ranging and holdovers.
P4F is a great choice.

Sorry for short answer, typing 1 handed w/ kid in arm.

J

 

[jasonk]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=378812#Post378812

http://www.snipershide.com/node/1

 

[buffybuster]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spotswood</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I want to use this for out to <span style="font-weight: bold">1200 yds</span> for very accurate groups in a 223 for now and later for a 308.
Gary </div></div>

What kind of .223 loads are you using?

 

[Starvin]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

Here's how the hashes at the bottom break out (in meters).

 

[Buckoman]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

Have you considered the Schmidt GenII XR?

 

[Grump]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

Having cut my teeth on smallbore rifle using 1/4-MOA clicks, I actually went with an MOA/MOA scope.

Having run a few exercises with Mils, I could also do a Mil/Mil scope.

Being overly analytical, I've even calculated how I can use various SFP zoom Mil/MOA scopes as if they were MOA/MOA.

Once you are "thinking" in either Mils or MOA, with your reticle matching your clicks, the choice of holdover/hold wind vs. dialing it in comes down to how YOU think and see.

Just keep your clicks and your reticle the same. I mentally "size" things in inches, and range either with target size in inches divided by inches MOA on the reticle x 100 = my yards, or target size in true MOA (about [inches - 5%], which I just do as shift the decimal to get 10% and then cut that in half to get 5%) divided by my true MOA of the ranged target on the reticle x 100 = my range. Being a SFP scope, I know my three powers where mils or true MOA or inches MOA range correctly.

I can also range using the zoom based on my smallest hashmarks being 9 inches at 200 yards at lowest power, and that same size target filling the hashmark at the highest power 3.5 times as far away.

Regardless, my crutch is my range card, once I have a reasonable range estimate.

 

[spotswood]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

Thanks guys.
From what I have been reading I have been leaning towards mil-mil.
I am not familiar yet with what the S&B gen II XR is. I have just made the intellectual leap from MOA-Mil SFP to Mil-Mil and now understand FFP.
I do know I want FFP in my scope. If I am underatanding you all correctly, I need to specify the P4F reticle in Mil to match the Mil turrets.

For my 5.56, I shoot a 77 grain for longer ranges.

I really only shoot with one other person and we do not know any other rifle shooters. I shoot a suppressed Ar carbine with a 4x32 ACOG and will soon be using my new 24" RR Predator with the suppressor. That is what I plan to use the S&B on with 77 grain ammo.
My friend is setting the same gun up with a Zeiss Conquest Z800. We threw it on his carbine but I felt the reticle was way too thick for me for long range accuracy.
We see no other rifle shooters and I never see any high end scopes around me unfortunately. My experience and ownership has been limited to Leupolds and Swarovski and ACOG.

Thanks
Gary

 

[Falar]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

Are you shooting those 5.56 loads at 1200? They should be going subsonic WELL before that range.

 

[spotswood]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks

No. I only go out to about 800 with the 5.56. I kind of figure beyond 600 the 5.56 has lost too much energy and is useless.
I plan to use the S&B 5x25x56 for the 5,56 now and possibly switch the scope to a new gun next year being either a 7.62 or a 338 Lapua and use that for the same ranges and maybe farther unless I like ti so much that I leave it on the gun. I figure the ballistics will be much better for accurate plinking and sometimes varmint shooting with a 308 or 338.
I like the ballistics of the 338 but I hate recoil and am worried that it might be too much for me.
Any shooting beyond that now I am doing with a barrett 50 cal with a leupold and bohrs sight.
I want something in between these for weekend plinking from 500 to 800 and occasional varminting.
Gary

 

[Buckoman]

Re: How to use S&B P4F reticle and hash marks


Below is a link to the XR reticle available in the Schmidt. I believe it was designed by premier reticles and leased to Schmidt. I've seen it on my buddy's rifle and it is nice.

Gen II XR reticle