Learn me mil dots (for the idiot)

[bigben]

So I'd like to have some better results with my shooting, one of things that holds me back (IMO) is that I always shoot on 10x even though my scope can go to 26.... why... because I get the mil dots at that magnification and range in my back yard, I can use an impact thats "off" and correct and I know that though i am zeroed at 55yards (back of my yard) how high or low to hold at alternate distances withon my yard.  I would like to be able to zoom in more and understand what that means to my mil dots, even if it is just to one other magnification.   Everything I find online is highly complex and I am not sure I have the inclination to do a ton of maths for every shot. 

So my question is this I guess, if I have a set understanding at 10x, is there a magnification (say 20x) that halves or doubles nice and simply?!?!  is 1 mil at 10x equal to 2 mil at 20x?  Is it that simple?  even if it is not 20x (cause that seems to easy from what I have read) to my dots half or double at some other magnification?  Any beginner insight would be helpful, intially 10x was fine for the size targets I was shooting but as my technique gets better and i am tuning speed and power and sighting in more and more precisely I think my skill would allow me to begin making use of smaller targets and thus more zoom and precision.

[GARY T]

Good question! Keep a notebook and practice a lot..........in the end its fun and you will become a better shooter.  Then you can school us.

[rsterne]

Yes, one MilDot at 10X is two at 20X on non-FFP (ie most) scopes....

Bob

[farmerjoe99]

Would this be the same for say a 4-16x50
16x would be twice as many mil-dots as 8x?
Joseph

[rsterne]

correct....

Bob

[woogie_man]

While this is correct....most scopes are not going to be correct on other mags.  You can do this on much higher end scopes, but you will pay for it.  If you are wanting to use your dots through your entire mag range, look at an ffp scope.

If you are set on using a scope like this make sure you get lots of practice behind the scope.  And make sure when you change the mag, that you get it exactly on the same mag spot.  Because a little bit off with throw your shot off.

[condor22]

While this is correct....most scopes are not going to be correct on other mags.  You can do this on much higher end scopes, but you will pay for it.  If you are wanting to use your dots through your entire mag range, look at an ffp scope.

If you are set on using a scope like this make sure you get lots of practice behind the scope.  And make sure when you change the mag, that you get it exactly on the same mag spot.  Because a little bit off with throw your shot off.

 +1    That's the reason you always use the SFP's highest magnification, it's the only magnification you can consistently repeat every time, because it's always against the stop. Hence repeated accuracy. The other magnification are not very consistant!     FFp's are available in most any budget, KiSS.   

[condor22]

Would this be the same for say a 4-16x50
16x would be twice as many mil-dots as 8x?
Joseph

 If you had a 10x, you could use 5x.  Do you have an 8x mil dot or 16x calibrated? Just curious! 

[farmerjoe99]

Would this be the same for say a 4-16x50
16x would be twice as many mil-dots as 8x?
Joseph

 If you had a 10x, you could use 5x.  Do you have an 8x mil dot or 16x calibrated? Just curious! 

I'm afraid I don't quite know what you mean?
here are two links of the same scope I have:
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/leapers-utg-4-16x50-ao-rifle-scope-illuminated-mil-dot-reticle-1-4-moa?a=4333
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leapers-utg-4-16x50mm-ao-zerolock-rifle-scope-w-rgb-mildot-reticle-scope-rings.html
It is the older model with the illumination wheel on the side...
(thought I was buying a side-wheel focus   )
I remember reading somewhere that 10x was supposed to be the most accurate for mil-dots
so I sighted in using 10x is there any truth to that?is there a certain power where the mil-dots are more accurate?
or is it just important to use the same power each time?(I'm guessing the range estimations are for a certain power
therefore making them accurate.?)
Joseph

[woogie_man]

Depends on how much you would like to spend.  My falcon 4-14x44 is a great scope, and was only $350.  Many are saying it is the same as the bsa, and a few others.  Not the most expensive, but along the price of some of the Hawke scopes.

[condor22]

 10x is the old standard, now the newer scopes may use 12x or 16x. This is the calibrated magnification used for reticle range finding as using the reticle to measure the distance to your target.

 Most use the maximum magnification as you can consistently return to it because of the ring hits the stop, no room for error as if you're not exactly on every time your aimpoints change accordingly.

 Just remember to return to the magnification you used to zero at as the other magnifications will change your holdovers to be different from zero!

 I'll try to find out which magnification you mil-dot reticle is calibrated to?

[Scotchmo]

It does not matter if it is true milliradians.  People get way too hung up on having true milliradians. A milliradian is an angular measurement. The angles drop out of the formula and it reduces to a simple ratio. I could care less about the degrees, MOA, or milliradians at that point.

If you want repeatable and precise measurements, use the maximum scope power. That gives you a positive stop so that your SFP reticle will measure the same every time.

Measure the dot constant at maximum power and use that value to calculate distances.

Dot constant (DC): the distance in yards where each dot lines up on an even inch on a yardstick or ruler. Move a ruler down range until you see each dot in the scope lined up on an inch. Do it precisely.

You need three values to determine distance:
DC – Dot Constant
SIZE – Size of target or ranging feature in inches
DOTS – number of dot spaces spanning the target or feature

Distance (yards) = SIZE x DC/DOTS

You can turn your scope to other magnifications and use those ratios but you should remember that it will be only an approximation. If you want an accurate measurement, calibrate the DC at an exact setting and stick to it.

[condor22]

 That's exactly what I said, use the same magnification always that you zeroed at. 

[condor22]

Would this be the same for say a 4-16x50
16x would be twice as many mil-dots as 8x?
Joseph

 If you had a 10x, you could use 5x.  Do you have an 8x mil dot or 16x calibrated? Just curious! 

I'm afraid I don't quite know what you mean?
here are two links of the same scope I have:
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/leapers-utg-4-16x50-ao-rifle-scope-illuminated-mil-dot-reticle-1-4-moa?a=4333
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leapers-utg-4-16x50mm-ao-zerolock-rifle-scope-w-rgb-mildot-reticle-scope-rings.html
It is the older model with the illumination wheel on the side...
(thought I was buying a side-wheel focus   )
I remember reading somewhere that 10x was supposed to be the most accurate for mil-dots
so I sighted in using 10x is there any truth to that?is there a certain power where the mil-dots are more accurate?
or is it just important to use the same power each time?(I'm guessing the range estimations are for a certain power
therefore making them accurate.?)
Joseph

 If you're using the dots only for holdover/under, then only thing that really matters is always return to the magnification you Zeroed.

 A simple way to find out what magnification your mildots are calibrated for reticle range finding is:

 One mil equals one centimeter at ten meters. Buy or borrow a meter stick.  Place a ruler graduated in centimeters out to ten meters. Set the magnification to Maximum available.  Focus.
 Now look at the reticle to see if the dots will line up with the centimeter lines on the ruler. Turn the magnification ring until the dots line up with the centimeter lines. The centimeter line should go through the center of each dot.  When the dots and lines align, stop, look at the magnification ring, this is the reticle calibrated magnification.  An easy way to measure 10 meters is to wrap a string around a meter stick five times. Unwind the string and it should be close to ten meters long, use the string to measure ten meters. KiSS 

[farmerjoe99]

Thanks for the tips much appreciated
Joseph

[condor22]

Would this be the same for say a 4-16x50
16x would be twice as many mil-dots as 8x?
Joseph

 If you had a 10x, you could use 5x.  Do you have an 8x mil dot or 16x calibrated? Just curious! 

I'm afraid I don't quite know what you mean?
here are two links of the same scope I have:
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/leapers-utg-4-16x50-ao-rifle-scope-illuminated-mil-dot-reticle-1-4-moa?a=4333
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leapers-utg-4-16x50mm-ao-zerolock-rifle-scope-w-rgb-mildot-reticle-scope-rings.html
It is the older model with the illumination wheel on the side...
(thought I was buying a side-wheel focus   )
I remember reading somewhere that 10x was supposed to be the most accurate for mil-dots
so I sighted in using 10x is there any truth to that?is there a certain power where the mil-dots are more accurate?
or is it just important to use the same power each time?(I'm guessing the range estimations are for a certain power
therefore making them accurate.?)
Joseph

 This is all I could find: Problem is the owners manual says mil-dots accurate for range estimating at 16X magnification but the range chart card says @ 10x.

  http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/SCP-100: read first review.

 So I'd trust the owner's manual for 16x calibrated mil-dots, you may want to consult your own owner's manul.