Recently I purchased another .223 Remington. This will be my new prairie dog rifle. I like the idea of the sidefocus scopes and the 6-18 Nikon Buckmaster seems to fit the bill. My question is how well the BDC reticule functions on prairie dog size targets out to 500 yards. Will this scope work for this application, or are there better choices out there. Thanks for any info.--tr

How well the BDC works depends on how well the marks coincide with your ammo performance.

I have just started using mildots for distance shootig. I think they are the way to go for distance or just using a laser and dialing your elevation into the scope.

I like the BDC reticle for long range pd shooting. I found that I had to spend time learning the reticle but it has become one of my favourite.

I have the standard 6x18x40 Nikoplex, with using the range finder and my chronied load I find that I don't need the BDC or mildot reticles.

I wanted to praise the Nikon Buckmaster scope with the BDC reticule so figured I would bring this post back to life. I have two. The 6.5-18 and the 4.5-14. Right now the 6.5-18 is on my target AR15 and out to 300 yards it is right on for groundhogs. The 4.5-14 is on a .308 I just built and it is also dead nuts out to 300 yards. That is all I have been able to test them at so far. Today I actually put a gong that is a 6 1/2 inch circle out at 275 yards. With my .308 sighted in at 100 like the scope says the 300 yard reticule was a perfect fit on the gong on 14 power. Myself and three people who had never shot the rifle were able to get first shot hits with it. What more can a person want for hunting? I love it!

KT,

I would use the Nikon Spot On software to match your load and go PD shooting.

Bob

Link-Click Here

quote:

Originally posted by Bob in TX:
KT,

I would use the Nikon Spot On software to match your load and go PD shooting.

Bob

Link-Click Here

That is nice software. I have the Sierra software but this works great for the scopes.

quote:

I have the standard 6x18x40 Nikoplex, with using the range finder and my chronied load I find that I don't need the BDC or mildot reticles.

Thndr-Clucker,

+1

I'm with you 100% - I find the BDC's & Mildot recticles cluttered. They distract from a clear view of distant targets IMO.

IMO the perfect Distance recticle is a Fine X-Hair.

But like the moniker "Tactical" the BDC's & MilDots are all the rage today.

quote:

But like the moniker "Tactical" the BDC's & MilDots are all the rage today.

That is because the BDC reticules work. They are fast and hunting accurate.

Can anybody hit a prairie dog at 500 yards with a 223? That is well past my effective range.

I have a tough time hitting p-dogs consistantly past 325yrds with the 223 with any reticle and to 300 duplex seems to work well. I stuggle with the BDCs when the mirrage gets thick.

I love my 6-18 BM mil-dot on this 17 Fireball. I use it at 18x where the subtension between dots becomes 2.4 IPHY and it is a windage system for me using the 1/8th IPHY turrets for elevation. With this system and the lowly 25 Horn. HP i have made some 1st shot connections in <10mph winds at ~500 yds. Fun to get a good windage call and make the shot at long-range with that miniscule bullet.