I picked up a Nikon BM mil-dot and this is my first experience with a mil reticle. Anything I need to know about using one? How far are the mils spaced at 100 with this model? Does changing the power setting effect POI?? Thanks....

All of the Nikons (above 10x) use 12x as their mil-cald. power. The 4.5-14's measure 3.1 inch per hundred yards between dots and 0.61 IPHY dot diameter @ 14X. This is the power i would use for both rangefinding and downrange zeroing.

Thanks sscoyote.

What's the scoop when I'm on 4.5x??

According to the '08 catalog the subtensions at 4.5x are--

1) dot to dot= 9.65 IPHY
2) dot diameter= 1.9 IPHY

2nd focal plane reticle subtensions are inversely proportional, i.e. as power INCREASES reticle subtensions DECREASE. So since 4.5 is 32% of 14, .61 is 32% of 1.9. See how it works? It's not always perfect since power ring calibration is not always perfect, but it's usually very close, if not right on.

Just 3 days ago i used this very system with the Leupold Varmint Hunter reticle for rangefinding an antelope, and it worked fine. My point blank range with the load i was using was 275 yds. for the avg. doe antelope at 14" back to brisket. According to the calculations if i hunted with the power ring set to 7.3x and i encountered an avg. doe antelope and needed to get a quick shot off all i had to do was bracket her between the 1st and 2nd stadia lines, and if she was as big as the gap or bigger just aim dead center and shoot. This exact scenario happened and i shot the doe at 230 yds. using the system.

The best reference u can ever have for downrange zeroing and rangefinding reticle applications are the catalogs-- Leupold, Weaver, Burris, Sightron, Nikon, and Vortex publish all this info.

Nice job on that antelope and thanks again for the extra info. That was exactly what I was looking for....