RETICLE
reticle
Vortex® DeaD-HolDTM BDC retiCle
You have purchased a Vortex riflescope equipped with the Dead-HoldTM
BDC reticle. This exclusive reticle has been designed to minimize the
need for guessing bullet hold-over at long distances. By selecting the
appropriate reticle hashmark, a shooter will have a reliable bullet-drop
reference for all reasonable distances. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle can
be used effectively with a variety of firearms, including high powered
rifles, rimfire rifles, black powder rifles and slug shotguns. This reticle also
provides reference marks which can be used to compensate for bullet drift
in windy conditions or to range distances.
Dead-Hold BDC Reticle with
Drop Hashmarks
This model of Vortex riflescope uses the second focal plane design—the
listed BDC yardages will only be valid with the riflescope set at the
highest magnification.
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riflesCope aDjustments
Using the Reticle for Bullet Drop Compensation
stanDarD teCHnique
Rifle/ammo combinations are put into ballistic classes where bullet
drops will be predictable within 2–4 inches (there will still be a slight
variation between individual rifle and load ballistics and the Dead-
Hold reticle).
Begin by choosing one of the listed Firearm/Range classes. If your
firearm/range doesn’t fall exactly into one of these classes, select the
class which is most similar. Visit www.vortexoptics.com for an on-line
Long Range Ballistic Calculator (LRBC) to compare your bullet drop
numbers to the ones listed for each class.
After selecting a class, sight in the main crosshair to the
recommended zero range for that class. (Consult the main riflescope
owner’s manual for information on sighting in the main crosshair.)
Once the rifle has been sighted in, the lower hashmarks can then be
used as aiming points at the corresponding distances listed. For most
popular rifles and loads, the hashmarks will provide accuracy within
0–4 inches of your aiming point (depending on the range). If you
require greater accuracy from the Dead-Hold BDC reticle, use the
Precision Technique detailed in next section.
Each of these classes will use a different corresponding range to each
crosshair hashmark depending on ballistic performance. Remember
that the listed ranges will only apply with the scope set at the highest
magnification. The main crosshair and its corresponding zero
distance can always be used at ANY magnification.
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Class A)
High Power Big Game Rifle | Moderate Ranges
(100–400 yards) Use 100 yard zero on main crosshair.
Bullet Drop
1st Hashmark - 200 yards - 3-inch drop
2nd Hashmark - 300 yards - 13.5-inch drop
3rd Hashmark - 400 yards - 30-inch drop
Top of Bottom Post - 500 yards - 55-inch drop
Class B)
High Power Big Game and Magnum Rifle | Extended Ranges
(100–600 yards) Use 200 yard zero on main crosshair.
Bullet Drop
1st Hashmark - 300 yards - 4.5-inch drop
2nd Hashmark - 400 yards - 18-inch drop
3rd Hashmark - 500 yards - 37.5-inch drop
Top of Bottom Post - 600 yards - 66-inch drop
Class C)
High Velocity, Small Caliber Varmint Rifle | Extended Ranges
(100–600 yards) Use 200 yard zero on main crosshair.
Bullet Drop
1st Hashmark - 300 yards - 4.5-inch drop
2nd Hashmark - 450 yards - 18-inch drop
3rd Hashmark - 550 yards - 37.5-inch drop
Top of Bottom Post - 650 yards - 66-inch drop
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Class D)
Modern Black Powder Rifle | See note below
(50–200 yards) Use 100 yard zero on main crosshair.
Bullet Drop
1st Hashmark - 125 yards - 2-inch drop
2nd Hashmark - 200 yards - 9-inch drop
3rd Hashmark - 225 yards - 17-inch drop
Class E)
.22 LR Rimfire Rifle | Extended Ranges
(25–140 yards) Use 50 yard zero on main crosshair.
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preCision teCHnique
If you wish to get the very best accuracy from the Dead-Hold BDC
reticle, you can custom match yardages to the drop hashmarks of the
reticle based on the exact ballistics of the load you are shooting. To do
this, use the online Long Range Ballistic Calculator (LRBC) located at
www.vortexoptics.com.
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Bullet Drop
1st Hashmark - 60 yards - 1-inch drop
2nd Hashmark - 90 yards - 4-inch drop
3rd Hashmark - 120 yards - 9-inch drop
Top of Bottom Post - 140 yards - 16-inch drop
Class F)
Slug Shotgun and Traditional Black Powder Rifle | See note below
(25–150 yards) Use 50 yard zero on main crosshair.
Bullet Drop
1st Hashmark - 75 yards - 1-inch drop
2nd Hashmark - 100 yards - 4.5-inch drop
3rd Hashmark - 125 yards - 9.4-inch drop
Note: Due to the tremendous differences in currently available black
powder and shotgun slug loads, these numbers should be viewed as
only a representative sample. It is very important to learn the ballistics
of the particular loads that you use and match up the correct drop
MOAs and yardages.
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Visit www.vortexoptics.com for the Long Range Ballistic Calculator.
Input your load and environmental conditions data
and then open the “Reticles” tab. Selecting the “Dead Hold” reticle
will then allow you to graphically display custom yardage numbers
matching your load and conditions. This graphic can also be printed
as a field reference, if desired. Small, sticky-backed decals for noting
applicable yards (supplied with the riflescope) may also be affixed to
the scope or rifle.
Follow this up with a day at the rifle range to confirm the accuracy of
the yardage numbers you have obtained through the LRBC. You will
then be confident in having the most accurate possible Dead-Hold
BDC reticle.
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Using the Reticle for Wind Drift Compensation and Ranging
The Dead-Hold BDC reticle incorporates methods for wind drift correction
and range estimation using the hashmarks on the horizontal crosshair.
As in using the holdover hashmarks, the scope must be set at it’s highest
magnification.
Correcting for wind drift is done with the
hashmarks on the horizontal crosshair.
These hashmarks are spaced at 2 MOA,
with the inside ends of the heavy
horizontal crosshairs at 8 MOA from
center. Shooters familiar with the wind
drift numbers of particular ammunition
can use the hashmark spacing to help
estimate proper windage hold-off once the correct range and wind are
known or estimated. Use the online Long Range Ballistic Calculator
(LRBC) to learn wind drift numbers for your loads.
Ranging distances is done using the following simple formula:
target’s Known wiDtH or HeigHt in inCHes x 100
arget’s wiDtH or HeigHt in moas measureD on retiCle
t
=
range in
YarDs
Example: Ranging a Coyote
In your home area, you know that a coyote runs about three feet (36 inches)
in length. While out hunting, you observe a coyote
and range him with your scope set at highest power.
You see that the coyote’s body covers about the
distance from the center crosshair to the edge of
the heavy part of the horizontal crosshair (8 MOA).
Using the simple formula, you can estimate the
coyotes distance at 450 yards.
36 inCHes x 100
8 moa m
easureD on retiCle
3600
=
8
450 YarDs
=
Example: Ranging a Deer
When spotting a distant buck while deer hunting, you turn your scope to
it’s highest power and range him. While looking
through the scope, you see that the distance from
the top of his back to the bottom of his chest (usually
about an 18-inch depth on a mature buck) spans
from the center crosshair to the 2nd hashmark down
(4.5 MOA) on the reticle. Using the formula, you
can then estimate the deer’s distance at 400 yards.
A shooter can compare a target object of known dimension (at shooting
distance) to either the vertical or horizontal hashmark spacing and roughly
estimate the range. Remember, hashmarks on the vertical crosshair are
spaced at 1.5 MOA, 4.5 MOA and 7.5 MOA. The top of the bottom
vertical heavy crosshair is 11 MOA from center. Horizontal hashmarks are
spaced at 2 MOAs.
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18 inCHes x 100
4.5 moa m
easureD on retiCle
1800
=
4.5
400 YarDs
=
This formula has been simplified slightly to allow faster calculations, and
yields distance estimates which are 5 percent greater than actual distance.
If you desire more precise estimates, use the following formula:
target’s Known wiDtH or HeigHt in inCHes x 95.5
arget’s wiDtH or HeigHt in moas measureD on retiCle
t
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range in YarDs
=
tHe Vip warrantY
We build optics based on our commitment to your absolute satisfaction.
That’s why Vortex products are unconditionally guaranteed and we make
this Very Important Promise to you—a Very Important Person.
Rest assured that in the event your riflescope becomes damaged or
defective, Vortex Optics will repair or replace
the riflescope at no charge to you. Call
Vortex Optics at 800-426-0048 for prompt,
professional, and friendly service.
Vortex Optics
2120 West Greenview Drive
Middleton, WI 53562
service@vortexoptics.com
Visit www.vortexoptics.com for more information. Canadian customers
may visit www.vortexcanada.net for customer service information.
Note: The VIP warranty does not cover theft, loss, or deliberate damage
to the product.
Vortex Optics believes strongly in responsible, ethical hunting and a
word should be said about long range shooting at game. Although reticles
like the Vortex Dead-Hold BDC can make long distance shots much
easier, there are still many other variables, such as wind, affecting every
shot. It is important for hunters shooting at long distances to learn their
personal effective range, particularly in windy conditions, and to not
shoot beyond those distances at game. Please be responsible—the keys
are knowing your rifle, ammunition and your own abilities!
Unlimited
Unconditional
Lifetime Warranty
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RETICLE
#BDC-SFP-12A
© Vortex Optics USA
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