Nikon BDC reticle BDC Reticle Manual for customers in North America
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Fr
Guide to using the BDC Reticle/
Mode d’emploi pour les réticules BDC
Manufacturer:
3-25, Futaba 1-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-0043, Japan
Original Text Written by:Nikon Inc.
Edited by NIKON VISION CO., LTD.
Printed in the Philippines (780C)2E/1404
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Thank you for choosing the Nikon BDC reticle riflescope / crossbow scope. The BDC reticle is designed to compensate for the trajectory of your firearm or crossbow. Regardless of the particular style
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of BDC reticle you have, the position of the circles are based upon an average trajectory for some of the more popular projectiles and cartridges on the market based upon the intended use of the scope
itself.
Please note that the reticle is based upon ballistic information and may or may not meet the same results for you as there are many variables that come into play such as:
• Actual Velocity (Ammunition manufactures’ information in regards to muzzle velocity may or may not match the velocity your firearm or crossbow produces. The best way to determine the actual
muzzle velocity for your firearm or crossbow is to use a chronograph).
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Altitude
• Barometric Pressure
• Condition and inherent accuracy of the firearm
• The mounting system and how true it positions the scope to the centerline of the bore
Note: This manual is not applicable to some reticles that are available in your region.
As you read further into this manual, you will see the suggested parameters in which the reticle was based. These parameters will help you get started in optimizing your setup. While these parameters
are a great guideline, we highly recommend you visit the following website to truly ballistically match your scope to the cartridge or crossbow bolt you are shooting.
www.nikonhunting.com/SpotOn
The Spot On website* has been designed to provide accurate information that matches the ballistics of whatever projectile you are shooting directly to the reticle.
* The Spot On service is available only in the United States and Canada.
Please note that you should verify that your set up matches the information provided in this manual or the Spot On program before venturing into the field. The only way to truly verify the information
is by actual shooting. Again, the variables listed above may or may not affect the results.
Note: It is imperative that the reticle be level in relation to the firearm. If the reticle is canted, even just a few degrees, it can cause the shot to drift off the centerline of the point of aim. There are many
commercial leveling devices on the market, but the one that we find to be the most accurate in leveling the reticle is a plum bob. Use a bubble level to make sure the firearm or crossbow is level, then
look through the scope at an appropriately placed plumb bob and align the reticle accordingly.
Please also note that all Nikon BDC reticles were originally designed to be used on the highest magnification. Since changing the magnification changes the position of the circles in relation to
the target, the distances listed along with each of the illustrations are at the highest magnification. The center crosshair does not change with magnification as it is placed in the optical center of the
scope. The benefit of the Spot On program is that it calculates the distance that each circle represents at every magnification. You can even print a chart that shows the distance for each circle at each
magnification that is present on the scopes magnification ring.
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Standard BDC
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The standard BDC reticle is designed for use with either of the following cartridge categories. Please note that we highly recommend polymer tipped bullets for long range shooting as they are more
aero-dynamic and tend to provide a flatter trajectory.
Standard Velocity – Cartridges with a muzzle velocity of approximately 2800 fps (feet per second).
We recommend that you zero the firearm at 100 yards with standard velocity cartridges, this would provide bullet drop compensation for 200, 300, 400 and 500 yards using the respective ballistic
circles as shown in the image on the next page.
Magnum Velocity – Cartridges with a muzzle velocity of approximately 3000 fps.
We recommend that you zero the firearm at 200 yards with magnum velocity cartridges, this would provide bullet drop compensation for 300, 400, 500 and 600 yards using the respective ballistic circles as shown right.
Please note that your firearm may or may not match the information listed for bullet drop based upon the variables listed in the
beginning of the manual.
What if the cartridge you are shooting does not fall into either one of the above categories? NO PROBLEM, just go to the Nikon
Spot On website (www.nikonhunting.com/SpotOn) and you can match your exact cartridge to the reticle. In fact, even if your
cartridge does fall into one of the above categories, we highly recommend that you check out the Spot On website as it will
provide exact yardages that each circle represents, providing unparalleled ballistic data for long range shooting.
Standard
100 yds
200 yds
300 yds
400 yds
500 yds
Magnum
200 yds
300 yds
400 yds
500 yds
600 yds
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Standard BDC
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BDC 300
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The BDC 300 reticle was designed to match the trajectory of today’s modern inline muzzleloaders. With advancements in projectiles and black powder, the modern inline is capable of accuracy as well
as knock down power out to, and beyond 300 yards.
The BDC 300 reticle is designed to be zeroed at 100 yards using a 250 grain aero-dynamic, polymer tipped bullet along with a 150 grain powder charge. The reticle would then provide bullet drop
compensation for 150, 200, 250 and 300 yards using the respective ballistic circles as shown on the next page.
Please note that your firearm may or may not match the information listed for bullet drop based upon the variables listed in the beginning of the manual.
What if you prefer to shoot a 200 grain bullet and 100 grain of powder, or any other combination or bullet weight and
powder? NO PROBLEM, just go to the Nikon Spot On website (www.nikonhunting.com/SpotOn) and you can match your exact
cartridge to the reticle. In fact, we highly recommend that you check out the Spot On website as it will provide exact yardages
that each circle represents, providing unparalleled ballistic data for long range shooting.
100 yds
150 yds
200 yds
250 yds
300 yds
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BDC 300
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BDC 200
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The BDC 200 reticle was designed for use with modern, high velocity sabot style slugs when used in fully rifled slug guns. We recommend using slugs that have an aero-dynamic polymer tip design
as these have a higher ballistic co-efficient and provide flatter trajectory over longer ranges.
The BDC 200 reticle is designed to be zeroed at 50 yards with a polymer tipped slug with an approximate muzzle velocity of 1900 fps. The reticle would then provide bullet drop compensation for 100,
150, 175 and 200 yards using the respective ballistic circles as shown on the next page.
Please note that your firearm may or may not match the information listed for bullet drop based upon the variables listed in the
beginning of the manual.
Note: We highly recommend that you try various brands of ammunition to see what round is the most
accurate in your respective slug gun.
What if you prefer to shoot a full bore diameter Foster type slug, or prefer to zero your firearm at 100 yards? NO PROBLEM,
just go to the Nikon Spot On website (www.nikonhunting.com/SpotOn) and you can match your exact cartridge to the reticle. In
fact, we highly recommend that you check out the Spot On website as it will provide exact yardages that each circle represents,
providing unparalleled ballistic data for long range shooting.
50 yds
100 yds
150 yds
175 yds
200 yds
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BDC 200
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BDC Active Target Reticle
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The BDC Active Target reticle was designed specifically for hunting coyote, fox and other predator, especially when calling those animals. The open circle design allows you to bracket the animal for fast
target acquisition as predators are constantly on the move.
The reticle is designed around 2 of the most popular varmint cartridges, the .223 Remington and the .22-250 Remington using 55 grain polymer tipped bullets.
When using the .22-250 Remington, we recommend that you zero the firearm at 200 yards, using the center circle.
The reticle would then provide bullet drop compensation for 300 (bottom of the center circle), 350 yards (center of second
circle) and 450 yards (center of third circle) using the respective ballistic circles as shown right.
Please note that your firearm may or may not match the information listed for bullet drop based upon the variables listed in the
beginning of the manual.
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Note: When initially zeroing the BDC Active Target reticle we highly recommend using a round or circular bulls-eye type target versus a diamond style. Your eye will naturally center the circle type target making it easier to zero the firearm.
When using the .223 Remington, we recommend that you zero the firearm at 100 yards, using the center circle.
The reticle would then provide bullet drop compensation for 200 (bottom of the center circle), 300 yards (center of second circle) and 400 yards (center of third circle) using the respective ballistic
circles as shown on the next page.
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What if your choice of predator round is the .204 Ruger or the .220 Swift? NO PROBLEM, just go to the Nikon Spot On website
(www.nikonhunting.com/SpotOn) and you can match your exact cartridge to the reticle. In fact, we highly recommend that you
check out the Spot On website as it will provide exact yardages that each circle represents, providing unparalleled ballistic data
for long range shooting.
100 yds
200 yds
300 yds
400 yds 450 yds
223 Rem.
55 grain
100 yds, zero
200 yds
300 yds
350 yds
.22-250 Rem.
55 grain
200 yds, zero
BDC Active Target Reticle
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BDC 600 / Illuminated BDC 600 with Dot
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The BDC 600 reticle was designed specifically for the AR platform rifle in .223 Remington using a 55 grain polymer tipped bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3240 fps. The reticle was designed for a 100
yard zero, with circles representing 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 yards, with hash marks in between the circles for hold points of 250, 350, 450 and 550 yards as shown on the next page.
Please note that your firearm may or may not match the information listed for bullet drop based upon the variables listed in the beginning of the manual.
What if your choice of round in your AR rifle is the .308 Winchester? NO PROBLEM, just go to the Nikon Spot On website
(www.nikonhunting.com/SpotOn) and you can match your exact cartridge to the reticle. In fact, we highly recommend that you
check out the Spot On website as it will provide exact yardages that each circle represents, providing unparalleled ballistic data
for long range shooting.
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200 yds
300 yds
400 yds
500 yds
600 yds
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BDC 600
100 yds
250 yds
350 yds
450 yds
550 yds
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BDC 800
100 yds
250 yds
350 yds
450 yds
550 yds
650 yds
750 yds
800 yds
200 yds
300 yds
400 yds
500 yds
600 yds
700 yds
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The BDC 800 reticle was designed specifically for long range, heavy barrel AR platform rifles using .308 Winchester with 168 grain hollow point boat tail match grade ammunition with an approximate
muzzle velocity of 2680 fps. The reticle is designed for a 100 yard zero, with alternating circles, hash marks and dots that provide multiple bullet drop compensation aiming points out to 800 yards using the ammunition specified above. The circles represent even number yardages (200, 400, 600 and 800 yards) while the dots represent odd number yardages (300, 500 and 700 yards) with the hash
marks representing 50 yard increments between the circles and dots (250, 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750)
Please note the hash mark below the bottom circle as well as the pointed bottom vertical post can also be used for additional points of bullet drop compensation.
Please note that your firearm may or may not match the information listed for bullet drop based upon the variables listed in the beginning of the manual.
What if your choice of round in your AR rifle is a .308 Winchester 150 grain bullet at 2800 fps or a caliber other than the .308
Winchester? NO PROBLEM, just go to the Nikon Spot On website (www.nikonhunting.com/SpotOn) and you can match your
exact cartridge to the reticle. In fact, we highly recommend that you check out the Spot On website as it will provide exact yardages that each hash mark represents, providing unparalleled ballistic data for long range shooting.
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BDC 800
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BDC Carbine
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The BDC Carbine reticle was designed specifically for compact AR platform rifles in .223 Remington using a variety of ammunition and muzzle velocities. We recommend using 50 grain to 62 grain
polymer tipped bullets at muzzle velocities of 3000 fps +. The reticle is designed for a 200 yard zero, with hash marks representing 400 and 600 yards, allowing you to quickly bracket targets at 300
and 500 yards respectively.
Please note that your firearm may or may not match the information listed for bullet drop based upon the variables listed in the beginning of the manual.
What if your choice of round in your AR rifle is a 40 grain bullet at 3600 fps? NO PROBLEM, just go to the Nikon Spot On
website (www.nikonhunting.com/SpotOn) and you can match your exact cartridge to the reticle. In fact, we highly recommend
that you check out the Spot On website as it will provide exact yardages that each hash mark represents, providing unparalleled
ballistic data for long range shooting
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200 yds
400 yds
600 yds
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BDC Carbine
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