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

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

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.

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.

MOA scales are the SUPREME BDC.

I'd be right back in 6x42/Ele Turret Mode......................

Here, here--i'm a reticle guy thru and thru!

Won't recommend a specific scope, but check these out.
http://www.kentonindustries.com/pics/ttctypes/

2010 coyote season long-range BDC reticle 1st shots--

1-650 and this dog @ 535(VH reticle)--



557--



470--

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.

I'll take crosshair/boolit intersection,over holding on air and away from hair..................