Scopes Marked in Mil-Dots

A Mil-Dot scope is a rifle scope with a reticle marked with evenly spaced dots, known as mil dots, to help with range estimation, bullet drop compensation, and windage adjustments. These scopes are widely used by military, law enforcement, and long-range shooters for precision shooting.

1. What is a Mil-Dot?

• "Mil" stands for milliradian (mrad), a unit of angular measurement.
• One milliradian is 1/1000th of the distance to the target, meaning:
  • 1 mil = 3.6 inches at 100 yards
  • 1 mil = 10 cm at 100 metres
  • 1 mil = 36 inches at 1,000 yards
• The dots on the reticle are spaced exactly one mil apart, allowing shooters to measure targets and adjust shots accordingly.

2. How to Use a Mil-Dot Scope

A. Range Estimation

By knowing the target’s actual size, you can use the mil-dot reticle to calculate the range:

Formula:

$$\text{Distance to target (metres)} = \frac{\text{Target height (cm)} \times 10}{\text{Mil measurement in scope}}$$

or

$$\text{Distance (yards)} = \frac{\text{Target height (inches)} \times 27.78}{\text{Mil measurement}}$$

Example:

• A deer is 1 metre (100 cm) tall.
• It appears 2 mils tall in the scope.
• Using the formula:
  $$100 \times 10 / 2 = 500 \text{ metres}$$

• The deer is 500 metres away.

B. Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC)

• Most ballistic charts show bullet drop in mils, allowing shooters to adjust elevation using the reticle.
• Example: If at 600 metres your bullet drops 2 mils, aim 2 dots above the target.

C. Windage and Lead Correction

• Wind drift can also be adjusted using mil dots.
• Example: If a 10 mph crosswind moves the bullet 0.5 mils at 400 metres, aim half a dot into the wind.

3. First Focal Plane (FFP) vs. Second Focal Plane (SFP) Mil-Dot Scopes

• FFP Scopes: The mil-dot spacing remains accurate at all magnification levels.
• SFP Scopes: The mil-dot system is accurate only at a specific magnification (usually the highest).

Tip: If using an SFP scope, always check which magnification the mil-dots are calibrated for.

4. Advantages of Mil-Dot Scopes

✔ Accurate Range Estimation – No need for electronic rangefinders.
✔ Bullet Drop and Wind Compensation – Quick adjustments without dialing turrets.
✔ Universal System – Standardised for military and civilian use worldwide.
✔ Works in Any Calibre – No need for a calibre-specific reticle like some BDC scopes.

5. Comparison: Mil-Dot vs. MOA Scopes

Conclusion

Mil-dot scopes are highly effective for long-range shooting and tactical applications. They provide a simple but powerful system for range estimation, holdovers, and windage corrections. While they require practice and knowledge of your rifle’s ballistics, they offer greater flexibility compared to standard hunting scopes.