Vortex Dead Hold BDC Moa Reticle User Manual
- June 5, 2024
- VORTEX
Table of Contents
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Vortex Dead Hold BDC Moa Reticle[
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DEAD-HOLD® BDC MOA RETICLE
This exclusive reticle has been designed to minimize the need for guessing bullet holdover at long distances. By selecting the appropriate hashmark, the shooter will have a reliable bullet-drop reference for all reasonable distances.
The Dead-Hold® BDC reticle is designed around an average ballistic curve, allowing for use with a variety of different firearms. From high-powered rifles to rimfires, windy conditions to calm, the Dead-Hold® BDC reticle will help the shooter put rounds on target quickly and effectively.
Note: The Dead-Hold® BDC reticle is used in second focal plane riflescopes. Most commonly, the MOA subtensions are valid at the highest magnification. Please check the Product Manual to confirm the subtended magnification for your scope.
MOA Subtensions
The Dead-Hold® BDC reticle is based on Minute of Angle (MOA) subtensions. MOA
is an angular unit of measurement used to account for bullet drop, wind
corrections, and range estimation. 1 MOA will correspond to 1.047” for each
100 yards.
Note: Although 1 MOA is very commonly corresponded to 1” at 100 yards, this is
not correct. 1 MOA at 100 yards equals 1.047”. Calling 1 MOA, 1” per hundred
yards may be acceptable for short distances, but will result in a five percent
error in ranging and holdovers. This could result
in missed shots.
Second Focal Plane Reticles
In second focal plane riflescopes, the listed MOA subtensions are calibrated
to a specific magnification, typically the highest. The shooter can use the
center crosshair on any magnification, but when using the hashmarks for
longer-range shots or windage corrections, the shooter must be on the
calibrated magnification. If the shooter is not on the calibrated
magnification, additional calculations must be done to determine the value of
the hashmark.
Using the Reticle for Bullet-Drop Compensation
Rifle/ammo combinations are put into ballistic classes where bullet-drops will
be predictable.
Begin by choosing one of the listed Firearm Classes.
If your firearm does not fall exactly into one of these classes, select the
class which is most similar, or use the Precision Technique detailed in the
next section. The Vortex® Long Range Ballistic Calculator is a handy tool to
compare your bullet-drop numbers
to the ones listed for each class. You can find it at vortexoptics.com.
After selecting a class, sight-in the crosshair at the recommend zero range
for that class. (Consult the Product Manual for proper sight-in procedure).
Once the rifle has been sighted-in, the lower hashmarks can be used as aiming
points at the corresponding distances listed.
Note: Use the classes as a starting point, the values can be refined at
the range or using a ballistic calculator. If you require greater accuracy or
have a round that does not fall within one of the classes, use the Precision
Technique detailed in the next section.
Remember the listed ranges will only apply with the scope set to the
calibrated magnification. The center crosshair and its corresponding zero
distance can always be used at any magnification.
CLASS B
High Power/Magnum: 300 Win-Mag, 7mm Rem Mag
(Crosshair zeroed at 200 yds.)
AIMING REFERENCE | DISTANCE | SUBTENSION |
---|---|---|
Crosshair | 200 yds. | – |
1st Hashmark | 300 yds. | 1.5 MOA |
2nd Hashmark | 400 yds. | 4.5 MOA |
3rd Hashmark
| 500 yds.| 7.5 MOA
Top of Bottom Post| 600 yds.| 11 MOA
CLASS E
Straight Wall: .450 Bushmaster, 350 Legend, 45-70
(Crosshair Dot zeroed at 100 yds.)
AIMING REFERENCE | DISTANCE | SUBTENSION |
---|---|---|
Crosshair | 100 yds. | – |
1st Hashmark | 150 yds. | 1.5 MOA |
2nd Hashmark | 200 yds. | 4.5 MOA |
3rd Hashmark | 250 yds. | 7.5 MOA |
Top of Bottom Post | 300 yds. | 11 MOA |
Note: Due to the tremendous differences in loads, these numbers should be viewed only as a representative sample. It is very important to validate these numbers with your setup before hunting, at the range, or using a ballistic calculator.
PRECISION TECHNIQUE
If you wish to get the best accuracy or have a caliber that is not listed, you
can get more detailed ballistic data using the Vortex Long Range
Ballistic Calculator (LRBC®) located at
vortexoptics.com.
- Input your max shooting distance and the yardage increments you would like displayed. We recommend selecting a shooting distance farther than what you plan on shooting and the smallest increments allowed (10 yds.).
- Input your ammunition data. You can find this information on the ammo box or on the manufacturer’s website. For more accurate information, chronograph your rifle to obtain your true muzzle velocity.
- Input your zero range and firearm information.
- Input your environmental data.
- Select “Calculate.”
- Select “MOA.”
- Cross-reference the bullet drop with the hash marks values (1.5, 4.5, 7.5, 11 MOA) and the corresponding yardage. If the drop does not match up exactly, round to the closest number.
EXAMPLE DROP CHART
325gr 45-70
(Crosshair zeroed at 100 yds.)
YARDS | VELOCITY (FT/S) | ELEVATION (MOA) |
---|---|---|
100 | 1728 | 0 |
110 | 1698 | 0.3 |
120 | 1668 | 0.7 |
130 | 1639 | 1.1 |
140 | 1611 | 1.6 |
150 | 1582 | 2 |
160 | 1554 | 2.5 |
170 | 1527 | 3 |
180 | 1500 | 3.6 |
190 | 1474 | 4.1 |
200 | 1448 | 4.7 |
210 | 1423 | 5.3 |
220 | 1398 | 5.9 |
230 | 1374 | 6.6 |
240 | 1350 | 7.2 |
250 | 1327 | 7.9 |
260 | 1305 | 8.6 |
270 | 1283 | 9.3 |
280 | 1262 | 10.1 |
290 | 1242 | 10.8 |
300 | 1222 | 11.6 |
Windage Correction Holdovers
The Dead-Hold® BDC reticle can also be used to account for wind drift. Just
like using the elevation hashmarks, the scope must be set to the subtended
magnification when holding for wind.
Correct for wind drift using the line width changes on the horizontal stadia
as reference points.
2 MOA correction for a 5 mph wind at 200 yards.
Long-Range Hunting
Vortex® believes strongly in responsible, ethical hunting and a word should be said about long-range shooting at game. Although reticles like the Dead-Hold® BDC can make long-distance shots much easier, there are still many variables 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 at game beyond those distances. Please be responsible – the keys are knowing your rifle, ammunition, and your own abilities.
VIP WARRANTY
OUR UNCONDITIONAL PROMISE TO YOU.
We promise to repair or replace
the product. Absolutely free.
- Unlimited.
- Unconditional.
- Lifetime Warranty.
You do not have to register, save the box, or a receipt for the Warranty to be
honored.
Learn more at VortexOptics.com
service@VortexOptics.com • 1-800-4VORTEX
Note : The VIP Warranty does not cover loss, theft, deliberate damage, or
cosmetic damage not affecting product performance.
For additional and latest manuals, visit
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References
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