Does your rifle have a sightline for perfect aiming? Sometimes the guns have a small circular-shaped structure on top for aiming purposes? If you dot know how to use or the accurate way to use then here we bring the best guide for you. We have everything you need to know about how to use mil-dot reticle on your rifle.
When using the mil-dot reticle align the bottom of the target with the hash mark in the center of the crosshair. Then use the formula (target size inches x 27.77) / Mil size = Distance to target in YARDS. Then do slightly some adjustments according to the bullet drop and environment.
What’s a Mil-dot Reticle?
We think that everyone should face the condition when having no scope on the gun and use the iron sight in the gun. The scope is an easy device to sight the target, but you also need to care about the wing and other things. Some people also say that scope can also be used to see where the bullet is hitting.
In the ancient time or you can say in World War I French artillery experts began experimenting with a new unit of measure for the artillery sights. This unit was called a “millimes” and later it would be used in small arm optics under the name “milliradian”.
Simply mil-dot reticle has a horizontal and vertical line to understand the range of the bullet and also define how much milliradian you need to displace the gun position for the accurate target. They are also used in conjunction with a spotter to put “Mil holds” on targets to achieve the furthest possible shot.
How’s it Work?
Radian is the unit that is used to measure the distance around the circle. A milliradian is 1/1000th of a radian. There are 6.28 radians on a circle equating to 6280 milliradians. You need to little about eh radian measurement for the circle. A little physics is enough for that.
When to Use it?
This is especially for ranging but you can do this with a rangefinder and other scopes. Some knowledge of physics is important but you don’t worry about it. Just a simple maths and calculation can help to adjust your mil-dot.
Related Article- You can also read our “How to adjust the rifle scope vertically?“. If you want to know more.
Size of Target in Inches
Imagine you are hitting the target in the long-range then you can use either 2 option. Choose range finder or if using mil-dot then you need a few seconds do adjust it. Also if you are a beginner then believe me you cant hit the rabbit. At least you need to know about the height of a rabbit.
Finding the Distance in Yards
First of all, you need to find a range of targets. For easy working, you can use range finder too. If not then you need to do some simple calculations for finding the target range.
Perform the following calculation of (target size inches/mil size) x 27.77 = distance yards. This gives us the equation of (24 / 3) x 27.77 = distance. Which works out to be ~220 yards away. Only for example purposes will it actually look like that through your scope.
Related: How To Use Peep Sights on Your Rifle.
Could You Hit it?
Once you find the range and aim to the target. Now it is on you that you want to fire or not. Some other factors like bullet and wind can affect your target. If your rifle is adjusted to 200 yards the mil-dot helps to do it.
Adjusting in With a Mil-dot Reticle
First of all the red dor is not for a shorter range. More than 200 yards is good for it for shorter you can use a red dot or any other scopes.
Most Mil-dot riflescopes come with adjustment turrets on the scope. Using the same general idea of sighting in you will also need to be aware of the ammunition bullet drop at the desired range. So, if you’re shooting around with 36″ of bullet drop at a target 200 yards away you will need to use this equation.
Now it’s time for the calculation.
Related Guide- Do you know how long your rifle can shoot effectively?
The Verdict
This is especially used for the longer range and also to collect some military information in long rifle range like .22 Rifles. I think now you are aware o its use and also the function of it and I am confident about it. Thank you for reading to the last and if any query you can ask or read our other reference article.
Happy Hunting!!!