Accuracy of Burris Ballistic Plex or Leupold Long Range Plex Reticles

[dmnelson15]

I currently have a Bushnell Fullfield II 3-9x40 Bal Plex on my .30-06, and I am wondering if anyone has a scope with this style reticle and any experience in using the holdover lines. Are they accurate enough to count on them, or would it be better to dial in the corrections and stay with a standard plex style reticle. I have a Leupold VXII 3-9x50 Wide Duplex scope on my other .30-06 and was considering sending it in to have their LR Duplex reticle put in, but not if the holdover lines can't be counted on anyways. Any help is greatly appreciated. Dave

[royinidaho]

The secret is your calibration. The reticle will be very consistent but the distance of each mark will be dependent upon your specific bullet BC and velocity.

Once you get it you get it figured it'll save a few critical moments when shot time is short.

[jimbires]

I've used them , and I like them . be sure to use the same power setting while you shoot . higher power will shorten your distance , lower will lengthen . I always use max to keep it simple . I've always been able to get a happy medium with the hold overs . my 7mm with 160 grain and the 4.5-14 Burris set at 14 power was something like 2" high @ 100 , on @ 200 , 2" low @ 300 , on @ 400 , 1"high @ 500 . close enough for big game hunting . Jim

[dmnelson15]

Roy and Jim: Thanks, that does make sense. After thinking about it a bit I will go to the range, find out how many inches each line is away from the one above it at 100yds and then do the math for their corresponding drop at the yardages they represent. Then apply that to my loads trajectory. Thanks for your input,
Dave

[jimbires]

Dave , I can help you a little to start with . then you must go to the range and test these . if you know your bullet velocity , and b.c. , you can run the numbers and get the approximate drops of your bullet at these distances to see what zero matches the closest . with a 30.06 I'm betting the 100 zero . here is a calculator that I use . hope this helps , and I didn't confuse you . Jim
Hornady

these are for the scope set at 14 power.

100yard 0
200 drop 3
300 drop 13
400 drop 29
500 drop 55


200 yard 0
300 drop 4.5
400 drop 18
500 drop 38
600 drop 66

[winelines]

I have the Burris 3-9 Bal plex on my muzzleloader, the Leu VXII 3-9 bal plex on my .270 wsm and the Leu VXII 4-14 on my .257 Wby and have hunted using all with great success. They are roughly equivalent optics from my experience and are great for hunting out to 500yd; muzzleloader to 230yd. I tried the turrets, but for inside 500yds the bal plex reticle allows a quicker shot. I just chrony the load and run a ballistic program. For example, on my .257 I set the crosshair to hit about 1.8"high and and then shoot at the computed distances for the respective dots and fine tune the distances. Dot 1 is on at 340, dot 2 at 460, and the top of the plex at 600. You just have to remember 3 numbers - the distance for each dot. But be sure and shoot at each distance/dot; the ballistic computations will only get you close.

[dmnelson15]

Thanks again, I'll use the Hornady calculator to get an idea of the trajectory, find the distance between the stadia lines in the reticle and go practice a bit.