Mildot rifle scopes for TAC or other fast crossbow apps.

[BillyTell]

This may come as a stupid question, but...... has anyone played around with mil-dot or ballistic reitcle rifle scopes on their long range crossbows? I'm wondering if a multi-reticle rifle scope caliberated for say 5.56 or .308, for instance, at distances of 100, 200, 300, etc. yards would be anywhere close to working with a crossbow like a TAC-15i for say 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 yards. I know the range calculations using a mil-dot won't translate of course. But I'm wondering more about how close the drop compensation would be between the two at their relative distances. Just playing with ideas here as I have a pile of rifle scopes in my collection. I'll enjoy playing but hate to waste time on something someone else may have already proved a fruitless pursuit.

Thanks, Steve C.

 

[Len Backus]

I don't know the answer but there is another option. HHA Optimizer Speed Dial Crossbow Sighting System.

This device mounts on top of the rail. Then you mount the scope on top of this item. There is a yardage dial on the side that you customize for your bow. When shooting you simply turn the dial to your yardage.

This is a great option for you who owns a bunch of scopes. Also for those who want to maintain power zooming ability.

I will be offering these soon in the PSE TAC 15 portion of the LRH Gear Shop.

 

[BillyTell]

I don't know the answer but there is another option. HHA Optimizer Speed Dial Crossbow Sighting System.

This device mounts on top of the rail. Then you mount the scope on top of this item. There is a yardage dial on the side that you customize for your bow. When shooting you simply turn the dial to your yardage.

This is a great option for you who owns a bunch of scopes. Also for those who want to maintain power zooming ability.

I will be offering these soon in the PSE TAC 15 portion of the LRH Gear Shop.

Thanks for the reply Len. I have seen this devise and have to admit it sure looks like a great product. I am going to play around with several scopes with ballistic reticles and see if anything pans out as weather and time permits. I'll be sure to post my findings if I find anything worth while.

 

[khan1960]

I had the same dilemma, since you can't find any recommendations on the PSE website. I ended up trying the TRUGLO TRU-BRITE 5X32 ILLUMINATED CROSSBOW SCOPE. Although it is advertised at settings for 400+fps, the highest setting on the scope is 375. It still maintains a group of less than an inch (.75) at the 30, 40, and 50 yard range, after setting the initial 20 yard reticle. I am waiting for my wife to recover from the initial shock of what I paid for the TAC15i to purchase the ultimate scope for it. That would be the BURRIS ELIMINATOR 4-12X42 Scope Laser Rangefinder. It ranges and moves the POI (Point of Impact) for you. It can be programmmed, via computer, for any projectile speed, with the free softwarew provided on their website. It is pricey, at around $800 on Ebay; thus, the need for the wife's recovery time LOL

 

[BillyTell]

I had the same dilemma, since you can't find any recommendations on the PSE website. I ended up trying the TRUGLO TRU-BRITE 5X32 ILLUMINATED CROSSBOW SCOPE. Although it is advertised at settings for 400+fps, the highest setting on the scope is 375. It still maintains a group of less than an inch (.75) at the 30, 40, and 50 yard range, after setting the initial 20 yard reticle. I am waiting for my wife to recover from the initial shock of what I paid for the TAC15i to purchase the ultimate scope for it. That would be the BURRIS ELIMINATOR 4-12X42 Scope Laser Rangefinder. It ranges and moves the POI (Point of Impact) for you. It can be programmmed, via computer, for any projectile speed, with the free softwarew provided on their website. It is pricey, at around $800 on Ebay; thus, the need for the wife's recovery time LOL

I love that scope! THAT IS the dream scope for a crossbow! I have used a few Burris scopes on rifles in the past and always found them to be nice quality, especially for the price.

 

[Len Backus]

khan, that scope sounds great. Please check with them on the details of whether the low velocity arrow will work. I was surprised when a couple of my ballistics programs actually could not handle the TAC"s low velocity and low bc.

 

[WildWillie]

I just got the Tac 15i for X-mas (Package deal here with the Accudot Mil-Dot scope)

I found that using the mil-dots are OK, but would be difficult in a hunting situation. I like a simple setup and if you change a power setting your mil-dots would be off. So if you are playing with the power while viewing a deer but do not set it back to the power you sighted at then the mil-dots will not be correct. The only consistant mark is the crosshairs during the whole power range.

With that I mean the mil-dots are only at one power setting. So if you sight in at 12 power then switch to 4 power your dots are way off.

I am thinking about switching to the HHA speed-dial or the Burris scope mentioned.

WildWillie

 

[Len Backus]

Ballistics Tables Made Simple

All you need to know is the drop in inches at 500 yards when your cartridge is sighted in for 100 yards. Burris provides this 'drop number' for more than 600 commercial cartridges. With your drop number established, you decide if you prefer a sight-in at either 100 or 200 yards (or meters)

This is from Burris website. I wonder if it will work for such a non-flat trajectory at such close ranges.

 

[Kobra]

I just got the Tac 15i for X-mas (Package deal here with the Accudot Mil-Dot scope)

I found that using the mil-dots are OK, but would be difficult in a hunting situation. I like a simple setup and if you change a power setting your mil-dots would be off. So if you are playing with the power while viewing a deer but do not set it back to the power you sighted at then the mil-dots will not be correct. The only consistant mark is the crosshairs during the whole power range.

With that I mean the mil-dots are only at one power setting. So if you sight in at 12 power then switch to 4 power your dots are way off.

I am thinking about switching to the HHA speed-dial or the Burris scope mentioned.

WildWillie

Not if it is a front focal plane scope. I have a cheap Simmons Aetec scope that might be good for this application. Not mil-dot but hash marks.

 

[WildWillie]

Kobra -

You are correct, unfortunatly this scope is not. I have a Swarovski(?) with the TDS recticle that does have it in the front focal plane. With it as you adjust the zoom the recticle size changes.

I had to replace the 1st scope I got as the illumination died on the 1st scope. PSE sent me another scope that I got the illumination working, but the batter placement is very finicky with the scope(Probably why the 1st one failed). Anyhow I purchased the HHA crossbow dial for this setup and will see how it goes when spring arrives.

 

[Super 91]

Another option is the Hawke XB30. It only is rated to 360 but if you start out with the first crosshair at 30 yards instead of 20, you can make it work. Another option is to go to a camera shop and get a 2x lens for the front end of the scope and it changes the speed settings on the scope. You would have to shoot different distances to get the yardages figured out, but it would work for faster than 360 fps bows such as the TAC.

 

[Nalgi]

Excaliber makes one

that is pretty cool. You sight it in at 20 yds and it has the mil's for 30, 40, 50 yds.

 

[Super 91]

Actually crosshairs. Lighted in either green or red, whichever you prefer.