Mill - Dot Scopes

[rabbit]

Hello,

     All of you folks that have  " Mill - Dot " scopes, I need some information. I have never used one before and know nothing about them. I am thinking about useing one for all - around shooting and small game hunting plus some long range crow hunting. Would a " Mill - Dot " fill all these requirements as good or better than a " Duplex " scope ?  Thanks for the help...

                                                           Rabbit      

I have used both and personally, I prefer the duplex type over the mil-dot. Mil-dots are harder to see in the low light often found during the best hunting hours (early AM and dusk) and typically are not graduated in increments that fit airgun trajectories as well as we would like. I feel that a hunter who is prepared can be more effective with a duplex if they have taken the time to know how many clicks to use at different ranges. The duplex also offers 5 vertical aim-points should you need to use hold-over.

Anyhow, this is only my opinion and I am sure others will differ based on their own experiences. If I were you and had the means to do so, I would try each and see which suits you best.

Russ S.

rabbit - 8/5/2006  7:38 PM

Hello,

     All of you folks that have  " Mill - Dot " scopes, I need some information. I have never used one before and know nothing about them. I am thinking about useing one for all - around shooting and small game hunting plus some long range crow hunting. Would a " Mill - Dot " fill all these requirements as good or better than a " Duplex " scope ?  Thanks for the help...

                                                           Rabbit      

nt

Russ S.

I like mildots.I dont trust clicking on most of my (inexpensive) scopes,and don't like to take the time.More aiming points than a duplex,so I can hit without clicking from 10 to 70 yards,and hold upwind consistently as well.There is some variation in size/shape of the dots,depending on make and model.The point about losing the dots in  low light is a good one....

is that some may hunt beyond 40-50 yards. All of my shots are kept within this distance due to the limitations of my hunting grounds.
One thing I would like to clarify is that I am not adjusting my scope in the field but doing so before I arrive. I know the maximum range I will typically encounter for each of my hunting spots so I adjust the scope accordingly before going there. Now if a spot has a maximum range of 100 yards, adjusting your scope to that distance simply won't work since you may encounter your prey at a shorter distance.

Once again it seems that it all comes down to personal preference and how well one knows their equipment. There are some limitations with each design but advantages as well. Just a matter of which suits one best.

Russ S.

clasicalgas - 8/6/2006  2:37 AM

I like mildots.I dont trust clicking on most of my (inexpensive) scopes,and don't like to take the time.More aiming points than a duplex,so I can hit without clicking from 10 to 70 yards,and hold upwind consistently as well.There is some variation in size/shape of the dots,depending on make and model.The point about losing the dots in  low light is a good one....

[rabbit]

Hello,

     Thank you all for the valuable information.

                        Rabbit    

Rabbit:

I prefer duplex reticles.  I tried mil-dot (Bushnell) and didn't like it.  The reticle was awfully "busy" looking when trying to pick a quail out of the shadows of chaparral in the gray light of the pre-dawn hours.  Either that, or the dots and hash marks tended to blend in with the shrubbery anyhow.

I sight in my rifles for max PBR anyhow, so the amount of hold over / hold under required isn't all that great that I can't deal with it in the field with the duplex reticles on the Bushnell scopes that I use.

For example, on my .177 R-9, the maximum PBR is close to 50 yards, and the difference between the max PBR distance of 48 and 50 yards, and the drop that occurs therein, isn't enough to stress out over.  I just aim a touch above center of the KZ and squeeze.

With my wife's Shadow, it shoots flat enough so that the PBR extends to 50 yards, which is as far as I care to try to kill anything with an air rifle.

In short, I tried mil-dot, but it didn't seem to be anything more than a distraction to me.

Your results, of course, may vary......

-JP
http://www.uplandhunter.net

Lot's of good points in this thread...most of my "hunting" is just pest  control on my fruit and nut trees.I have one favorite hide that puts 3 cherry trees,a mullberry,3 elderberries,a plum,  a fig,and 3 starling lookout trees within 75 yards,with angles from 15 to 70 degrees from horizontal.I have each tree ranged,and 4 mildots(plus crosshair) cover all those target areas.Lighting is good,so the admitedly busy reticle isn't much of a problem(I do sometimes use the wrong dot lol)  I'm sure I could lose the dots against a dark spot of shade, I can see a duplex  working better in that situation.

[longislandhunter]

I have 3 Leapers mildot scopes that have the illuminated reticle and they are great for low light conditions and also for making the crossshairs/mildots visible.  On these scope you have a choice of standard black (unlit) or lighted red or green, with 5 different brightness  intensity levels.  I find these features a great aid to my shooting.  Just my opinion.