Seems each manufacturer has a ballistic calculator or other method for calculating yardage at each ballistic mark.

I would like to hear how others go about setting up their scopes so that their particular favorite load and corresponding ballistic table matches to the different points.

Gary--i don't worry if my reticles don't match up intuitively. The main reason is that i don't sacrifice point blank range for a reticle (most call for a 100 or 200-yd. zero). I usually crank my scope to the highest power and set up the reticle system (subtension vs. trajectory) from there. I then test them to ensure that the subtension matches the ballistics profile for the load. If the trajectory doesn't match i note the MOA error at each stadia points range and then recalculate the ballistics program by varying muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient or drag function (G1-G7 depending on bullet) TO GET THE MOST ACCURATE TRAJECTORY FIT. Sometimes it works great (to~600 yds. for most of my rigs)--sometimes not. I then create a range sticker calcd. for 50-yd. intervals (including windage) and attach it to the inside of a Butler Creek scope cap cover for the most efficient system of reference possible, and go hunting.

This system allowed me to apply the 3-9x 22 Long Rifle Rapid Reticle (one of my favorite long-range reticles)to my AR-15 coyote load, and it worked wonderfully. A shooter should always attempt to make the system work by adjusting the magnification (and consequently subtension) to get an intuitive hundred-yd. interval system as that is truly the most efficient system possible, IMO.

Here's a Sav. 243 WSSM shooting the 117 DTAC bullet at 2570 fps mv. I have the Leupold Varmint Hunter's reticle on it and here's the dope for that load--



...obviously range, vertical compensation and windage (10 mph). The red dots mean the end of the reticle. beginning of added turret compensation to reticle. With this rig i killed a coyote once at 535 yds. in a measured 10 mph wind. Actually a shot i shouldn't have taken considering that it was too much wind to shoot at game, but it worked for that unlucky fellow. Here's where i held at 3.8 units elevation and .5 windage in a full value wind from 3:00--

Thanks Steve...It may take me a couple of re-reads to digess all your info. Thanks for taking the time to explain....

I may PM you for more info if that is ok...

Gary

Sure man, any time.

if you take the Swarovsi BT you could "programm" it yourself - thats by far the best system out there...

Klaus

Klaus--is the Swaro BR reticle based on 3 MOA vertically for the lines? ...and is the windage the same subtension? I've seen articles on it, but can't remember.

Hi Steve,

I did not mean the BR reticle - I meant the Ballistic turrent, which is a great device to compensate the bullet drop easily,

here on a scope:
http://www.titanium-gunworks.c...6i-3-18x50-p.htmland

here the manual:
http://www.titanium-gunworks.c...allistic-turrent.pdf

if it should be a ballistic reticle, I would also suggest to use Swarovski´s online calculator, which is very close to the real world and containing lot´s of fabric amo:

http://www.swarovskioptik.com/en/ballistic-programs

or if You are a reloader, the reloading programme Quickload (which is super for load development) cotains a ballistic programme as well:

http://www.titanium-gunworks.c...ckload-software.html

Klaus

Thanks sir--appreciate the links/info.