If you've used a BDC reticle scope in Africa, could you please share your thoughts on its use, shot distances, areas hunted, species hunted, caliber used, etc.

Thanks,

Graybird,

I used the Leupold B&C reticle on my hunt in September. The longest shot on plains game that I had was about 200 yards. I did get ready to whack a waterbuck 265 yards away, but we decided he was at beat 25 inches, so I passed.

Nearly every scope has a "built in" drop compensation if it has a Duplex (that is a reg trademark of Leupold, BTW) reticle. For example, almost all Vari-X III and later scopes subtend 8 inches from the bottom post to the crosshair at 300 yards when turned to the highst power. Most reasonably flat shooting cartridges will drop around 8 inches when zeroed at 200. If you want to be perfect, zero the rifle and 300 yards using the top of the post. You will be very close to a 200 yard zero.

Knowledge of where my bullets hit with respect to the Duplex allowed Wendell to borrow my .416 and shoot a buffalo at 355 yards. He killed it with one shot. I used the same knowledge to kill one at 308. That was in Kigosi where the flood plains are wide open in places.

I used the same zero to shoot a wildebeeste at 305 yards in the Selous in 2001. That was the longest shot I have attempted shooting standing off the sticks (I shot the buff prone, ironically, the only animal I have ever shot prone in Africa).

I don't see a need for shooting much beyond 300 yards in Africa, but you never know. Boddington is fond of writing about a lechwe he shot at 400 yards some years ago. That was in the days before rangefinders, making the shot even more impressive.

I have only used one on one shot in Africa - a springbok at close to 300 yards with a .300 Winny. It worked well.

I have used one on both rifles and muzzleloaders successfully here in the US and Canada, though I admit I don't shoot at distances longer than 300 yards hardly at all. I have found at the range, it really does help me- the non-accomplished longrange shooter.

I have mine tuned in now for my Coue's deer hunt at the end of the month.