Vortex Optics VIPER 2-7X32 - DEAD-HOLD BDC User Manual

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.

reticle

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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