Nikon BDC Predator 3x9

[Special T]

I wanted to start this thread because I could NOT find this info anywhere I purchased a Nikon Predator BDC 3x9 for a current build and took some time today to play with the scope. Some of the measurements I was able to obtain others i will need to find/work on. IF you know some for the values please fill us in so that others who use this scope can use it to its potential. I did some basic measurements at 100yards 3&9 power and @ 300 yards at 9 power. I will be adding to this in the near future.

[Special T]

3 power @ 100 yards
B=18"
C=6"
D=4"
E=2"
F=9"
H=15"
3 power @300 yards
C=24"
D=12"
9 power@ 300 yards

[Special T]

If you can fill in some of the blanks please let me know.  What measurement tips with this scope to help range coyotes in the field?
Does B=I

If you are a fan of this scope or use it please add any useful information.

[Dan-o]

Tagging.

QUESTION:  Wouldn't the drops/rises be unique to the cartridge/bullet you're using?

I've got the Nikon BDCs on two rifles, but I had ballistics table ran on the Nikon SPOTON software and I needed to input a certain bullet/weight in order to get the tables (a guy on this board actually volunteered to run the tables for my two guns because I was having a hard time getting it to run).

[Special T]

I'm not looking for bullet drop. Ive looked everywhere I tried to find a guideline on how to use this reticule to range your target, in this case a coyote. Since I could not find any real info I decided to do it myself and share with everyone. IF you all can help fill in some of the blanks that would be great.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I'm not looking for bullet drop. Ive looked everywhere I tried to find a guideline on how to use this reticule to range your target, in this case a coyote. Since I could not find any real info I decided to do it myself and share with everyone. IF you all can help fill in some of the blanks that would be great.

Sorry, no help here.  I've never seen a coyote stand in one place long enough to get "ranged".  I have a Coyote Special scope on my 22-250, and I've never even looked at anything but the center circle.  Guess I'm too old to fool with the ranging stuff...   

[Dan-o]

OK.  Sorry for the misread.

Still tagging for interest.

[McCRIZZLEY]

Only know how to use for drop. As heredoggydoggy stated, Ranging a coyote using this method may be tough, and I am not sure the scope is designed for it. That does not mean it can't be done though! 

I have this scope in the 4*12 and LOVE it!

[Heredoggydoggy]

Only know how to use for drop. As heredoggydoggy stated, Ranging a coyote using this method may be tough, and I am not sure the scope is designed for it. That does not mean it can't be done though! 

I have this scope in the 4*12 and LOVE it!

Mine's a 4x12 or 14, I can't remember which.  the circles are supposed to be good for running varmints, but not so good as a target scope because there are no crosshairs.  The only scope I actually used the BDC hash marks on was the 6-24 scope on my 6mmx6.8 SPC.  Zeroed at 100yds, then shot at a target at 300yds.  I figured the second hash mark would be about right, but it was about 8" high, so I went to the first hash mark which was just slightly below the crosshair.  Dead on!  I was amazed at how flat-shooting that round was! 

[WoodlandShooter]

3 power @ 100 yards
B=18"
C=6"
D=4"
E=2"
F=9"
H=15"
3 power @300 yards
C=24"
D=12"
9 power@ 300 yards

My experience when ranging is with mils, so it is "partially" applicable to what you are trying to do. But I do have a Nikon BDC scope on my 6.8SPC and 243WSSM

First off, your "C" and "D" range values are off. 

For example, If you have a "C" of 6 inches at 3 power and 100 yards, then it will 18 inches at 3 power and 300 yards.

IIRC, the turrets on a standard Nikon is IPHY, or Inch Per Hundred Yards, it is not Mil nor is it MOA. Knowing this may help in developing range data for the scope.

Since you have a 3-9 scope, it's all proportional with regards to determining ranges with different magnifications.

For example If you range it on 3 power as listed above, your "C" circle is 6 inches and it dopes to 100 yards, then if you did the same at 9 power and a 6" target fit inside the "C" circle, then the range dopes to 300 yards.

[WoodlandShooter]

using the data you provided I cam eup with this

[Special T]

Cool. I have not had the time to head out and do it "right" yet. Next time i will be bringing different sized circles x3 so that i can place them at differnt ranges. 1-2-300 yards then move back 200 more yards to get my "Dope".

My "C" measurement may have been off a bit because figuring this out was kind of an after thought.

Where is a good reference of how the MIL system works and how to use it to judge distance?

[WoodlandShooter]

http://www.mil-dot.com/user-guide

Please note, that using this system requires you to know what magnification (on your scope if using SFP, Second Focal Plane)  is accurate.

I use mils all the time. The optics on my working weapons are all FFP. Mil ranging works best when using a FFP, First Focal Plane scope.

We are getting into a much higher grade of optic when compared to even Nikons best Monarch X.

[BULLBLASTER]

Using mils wont help you to range a target unless you have a retical with mil subtemsions. A mil is roughly 3.6 inches at 100 yards (if incorrect please correct me) so a target that is 3.6 inches at 100 yards would be one mil in the retical. That same target at 200 yards would be half a mil. It is really similar to moa except that the unit of measure is different.
Mil is a miliradian which is a measure of angle. Same as minutes of angle is a measure of angle. Both being different scales of course. 1 mil is near the same as 3.6 moa.
All of this means nothing related to the subtensions and circles on that nikon scope because it is neither moa or mil.

[WoodlandShooter]

I made this little range card and slapped it on the side of my rifle.

Dissregard the "R" and "E" columns as they are specific to a set of loads that do not diverge much untill 700 yards in "my" rifle regardless of environmentals