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Joined: May 2007
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OP
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At what point would a BDC be useful for hunting? I know military snipers use them for 800-1000 yard shots, but is there a hunting use for BDCs when the longest shot would be 4-500 yards? If so, what scopes with BDCs would you recommend? Thx, ~ Hunter308
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 631
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 631 |
Actually the military has "used" them. As weapons systems get updated, they are moving away from BDC's towards straight MIL based turrets coupled with their common Mil based reticles.
The problem with Bullet Drop Compensators's (BDC's) are:
1) They don't compensate anything. They are just numbers on a dial, the scope cams themselves still count in 1/4", 1/2", 1", or 0.1 MIL increments or clicks.
2) BDC's are only correctly marked for one bullet, at standard velocity, and a given ASL. Change bullet, velocity, or altitude, and your BDC is no longer correct.
Of course military snipers, keep records, and shoot plenty, so they know how, when and how much to compensate for these changes. Most hunters do not.....
3) It's not hard to memorize just 6 numbers, and be able to precisely hit targets out to 700 yds. If you can remember them, then you don't need a BDC.
For example; I use a scopes with MIL based turrets. I shoot a 7mm-08 162 Gr Hornady @ 2725 FPS (chrono'ed). From sea level up to 1000' ASL here are my drops in Mils:
200 yds -0.5 300 yds -1.2 400 yds -2.0 500 yds -2.9 600 yds -3.9 700 yds -5.0
If I laze a target, and it reads 373 yds, it's not much of a mental challenge to compute 1.8 mils, dial and send it.
Once you learn to create your own dope chart, and what to adjust when you change velocity or altitude, it does not matter if your scope dials in Mils, MOA, IPHY or CM @ 100 yds/meters. Just memorize your six numbers, or write them on the side of your stock, back of your BC cover, tattoo them on the back of your hand or whatever.
In short you don't need a BDC, if you take the time to learn how to use a real dial system and run your own dope.
A BDC is not a substitute for letting the unskilled shoot at ranges longer than they should.
Bob
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,461
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Campfire Regular
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Hunter308 Speaking for the Army all of our newer scopes have a BDC and MOA calibrated elevation knob with a Mil reticle. BDC's are quick to use, but they sacrifice accuracy for speed. In a gunfight you don't care whether or not he's dead or wounded as long as he quits shooting. As Shadow said learn to run a ballistic program validate the results with live fire and practice. I can recommend JBM Ballistics and it's on line. Read up on Density Altitude cards. Good luck.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 2,461 |
Hunter308 While not a BDC in the strictest sense I have used the Burris Ballistic Plex to kill prairie dogs out past 500 yds. Some people on this site cuss ballistic reticles and some people love them. Whichever route you take will require rounds down range.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
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At what point would a BDC be useful for hunting? I know military snipers use them for 800-1000 yard shots, but is there a hunting use for BDCs when the longest shot would be 4-500 yards? If so, what scopes with BDCs would you recommend? Thx, ~ Hunter308 MOA scales are the SUPREME BDC. I'd be right back in 6x42/Ele Turret Mode......................
Brad says: "Can't fault Rick for his pity letting you back on the fire... but pity it was and remains. Nothing more, nothing less. A sad little man in a sad little dream."
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,716
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Hunter308 While not a BDC in the strictest sense I have used the Burris Ballistic Plex to kill prairie dogs out past 500 yds. Some people on this site cuss ballistic reticles and some people love them. Whichever route you take will require rounds down range. Here, here--i'm a reticle guy thru and thru!
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,461
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,461 |
At what point would a BDC be useful for hunting? I know military snipers use them for 800-1000 yard shots, but is there a hunting use for BDCs when the longest shot would be 4-500 yards? If so, what scopes with BDCs would you recommend? Thx, ~ Hunter308 Won't recommend a specific scope, but check these out. http://www.kentonindustries.com/pics/ttctypes/
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,716
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Campfire Regular
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2010 coyote season long-range BDC reticle 1st shots-- 1-650 and this dog @ 535(VH reticle)-- 557-- 470--
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
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Hunter308 -
I zero my rifles for MPBR for a 6" diameter target. Zero range therefore varies depending on the load. My BDC scopes are mostly Burris with the Ballistic Plex reticle, but I have dots, too.
Out to 300 yards I don't use the BDC's at all. At 400 I do or don't, depending on target size and load. 500 and beyond I mostly do.
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
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I'll take crosshair/boolit intersection,over holding on air and away from hair..................
Brad says: "Can't fault Rick for his pity letting you back on the fire... but pity it was and remains. Nothing more, nothing less. A sad little man in a sad little dream."
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