vortex viper 6.5 -20 -44

[Jon]

What would anyone feel the best reticle would be for strictly bench work. I don't know how long the sale will be on so any input would be appreciated asap

[Al]

strickley for bench work, I'd pick the dot

[Jon]

Al. thank you for the input I have one scope that has the dot. And sometimes it looks like the dot at range covers enough of the target that I wonder if it could effect accuracy? I'm rather new at this so I'm looking for any input from people. There are people on this board that shoot long range and will have opinions I'm trying to avoid buying scope after scope till I find what I like. Thus the question I realize in a lot of cases it is personal preference I'm still going to make up my own mind But people that have a lot more experience than my self could help me narrow down the field. thanks again to all for any input. It will all be appreciated both positive and negative.
Jon

[Richard]

Jon.............I am going to contradict Al "IF" we are speaking of the muzzle loader at muzzle loader long ranges! For my long range bench rifles, I do like the 1/8" dot suspended by fine cross hairs. On the other hand, for my ML out to the distances I have available at my range (300 yards) I like either a straight crosshair with a dot and either a series of dots (mil or otherwise) or smaller stadia lines below it. Here is the reason:
I just hate making scope adjustments when I am shooting a variety of different bullets that change point of impact (POI). With my PN, ( I am shooting a 6.5 x 20 Leupold varmint scope with the varmint hunter reticule --- crosshair with four stadia lines beneath it) I generally sight in for about 2 to 3" + at 100 yards with a 200 gr. .40 cal. saboted bullet in and around 2900 fps. With any other loads (saboted or sabot less) I just use my lower lines to gain elevation. So............I practically never touch my vertical adjustments. A single "dot" or "crosshair" will not allow that............You are constantly wanting to adjust it. In doing so, you invariably waste shots.
Here is an example: Lets say now.........I switch to the 230 gr. sabot less bullet traveling some 300 fps slower than my above sight in load. I start firing a group using the crosshairs and see it is printing six inches low? I know I am going to shoot another group with that bullet so now, I look at the group thru my scope; I then gauge (based on the distance of the stadia lines) which line I need to bring the POI up to the "bullseye. Then the next group, I just use the right stadia line to shoot my group. This will hold true when I stretch it out to 200 or 300 yards.
In benchrest, where you are always shooting at a fixed yardage, the single crosshair or dot is perfect...........Not so for ME, with the ML. I think the scope I am now using (listed above) if about perfect for what I am doing.
Richard

[rossman40]

Thats the thing, a real fine crosshair is fine for long ranges and targets but easily lost. You also have to watch the dot size. With the Vortex they are talking a .04 MOA crosshair and a .19 dot at full magnification. At 100yds your talking a crosshair less then a 1/16th of a inch and while the dot is not quite the 1/8" it is about like 3/16". With fine crosshairs shooting bullseyes on a 4'X8' board isn't too bad but try shooting a 8 or 12" black target on a dark green backgrond in the shadows, it takes time just to find your crosshairs.

Vortex's wide V-plex is a bit better with the finer parts twice as thick, their mildot isn't too bad but what I do not like is the big dots, 1/4 mil at 1000yds hides a head. Now their BDC reticle isn't too bad ether and I like it over the mildot but I think that isn't on sale.

[Jon]

Thanks to everyone I knew I could count on you. I now have something to work with.
Jon

[Dave W]

I have two 6.5-20's, one is a dot, the other a duplex with fine crosshairs. I like both, but if I had to choose one it would be fine crosshairs, especially when I use bullet holes as an aiming point.

[Harley]

I can think of nothing better than my Leupold 6.5-20X40 with the Varmint Hunter reticle. I regularly switch this scope among all my rifles, including the .45 MLII, when I want to test loads or do really precision work.

I've been pleased with it from dawn to dusk and from 25 yds (.22 long rifle) to 500 yards (.45 P/N) and 600 yards (300 Win Mag).

Harley

[boarhog]

My first Vortex Crossfire was a mil-dot. Honestly, the dots seemed a bit large to me, but I didn't shoot with it enough before it broke to make a definite opinion. The replacement Viper I just got, has their BDC, Varmit style reticle. I think I'm going to like it very well.