Having obtained feedback on the application (or comparative lack of?) of a mil-dot reticle in PD shooting, here is the next question:

I have read good things about the new Swarovski (and Kahles) TDS reticle for varmint (PD) shooting. It supposedly helps you with holdover as well as doping the wind. The system looks comparatively simple, I can almost imagine it could work well. (I'm a simple minded person, so I need simple, foolproof things in the field! )

Questions: have any of you used the TDS reticle for PD (type) shooting, and if yes, what was your experience?? Does it offer real advantage over a regular Plex type reticle, say?

Further, does anybody know if the TDS reticles suffer from the same issue that mil-dot reticles apparently do: they are only calibrated at one magnification. I.e. when one happens to be at another magnification, does the aid the reticle might offer you go down the drain??

- mike

There have been several scope makes and models that have been released with variations of mil-dot or hold-over patterns. Some are specific to a single caliber others come with the figures for several calibers. From my limited experience I believe that mil-dot reticles give you the widest range of usage and simplest solution. None of the scopes can be expected to deliver unless you have first field tested them across all the conditions you will be using it in. Because mil-dot scopes are standardized if a scope change is required and another brand is used you don't have to relearn a new system, you just need to verify zero. This also applies to multiple rifles as you are not locked in to only one brand of scope or forced to remember different rules.

If you go with Max. PBR (point blank range) any standard reticle will work. Once you want to exceed that PBR you will need a method to correct for it and in my opinion the mil-dot reticle is the quickest and easiest. Also, when you are talking about quick adjustments in the field I have also become quit fond of scopes with 1 MOA elevation and BDC (bullet drop compensating) knobs like those found on Leupold M3 version scopes. This combination allows the shooter to either used pre-determined aiming points on the reticle or simply dial the yardage desired and verified through practice.

Again I will qualify this as my opinion as a shooter and not a trained sniper.

[ 09-12-2003, 22:44: Message edited by: Byron ]

I really like the TDS reticle, but it does have it's limitations, as most such systems do. It is designed for big game hunting, and is supposed to be accurate on about an 8" circle. I have shot a few animals at long range with it: Coyotes at 383 and 448, and a Pronghorn at 453, but I am not sure how it would perform on Prairie dogs at really long range. It is simple and fast, but I have my reservations about it's use on smaller targets. You can read my review of the TDS in the March Texas Fish and Game Magazine by going to my web site at www.mbogo.net and clicking on the articles button.

Thanks for that Greg, that was useful.
- mike