Military mil-dot formula vs. After market mil-dot scopes

[KYBOY]

Does the standard military range finding formula of size in meters(or yards) times 1000 divided by the size in mils work on the after market mil-dot scopes such as tasco, bushnell, nikon ect? I know Mils can vary and was wondering if thiers a standard that the companys use or do they each have thier own formula?? I know the formula can be very effective with military issue scopes. Is it as effective with after market?

[BigJakeJ1s]

A mil (milliradian) is a mil, no matter what scope it is on. Now some scopes may not accurately control the magnification as well as others, meaning that the exact accuracy of their reticle markings may be suspect...  Make sure not to confuse mil with MOA (minute of angle, or 1/60th of a degree).

Andy

[KYBOY]

Thanks, I was wondering because Im sure some manufacturers tend to cut corners at times. I think a set power mil-dot would be more practical. I guess thats why the military used a fixed 10x for so long. How does variable magnification affect the rangefinding equasion??

[KYBOY]

What I meant by"mils can be different is the dots themselves in scopes. I know the mil itself(measurement) dosnt change. I was kinda refering to manufacturers making thier dots different. At one time the marines scope mil dots were stamped on wire and where 1/4 mil in length while the armys were etched in glass and were .22 mils long. Though when I think about it the size of the dots shouldent matter as long as the distance between centers is the same.

[BigJakeJ1s]

Knowing smaller mil-dot dimensions (of dots/cross hatches, etc.) helps in estimating distances to objects of different sizes.  The manufacturer's literature will tell you how big they are.

Most scopes are only calibrated at one magnification, sometimes marked with a dot or diamond on the power ring.

Andy

[KYBOY]

Thanks, I didnt know they were calibrated at one setting. I was wondering how that worked. Aprreciate it

[bluebayou]

I have a target with 3.6" black square on it especially for checking my Bushnell Legend 5-15.  It ranges at 15x.  At 100 yards 3.6" is the magic number.  A good scope for all the features and price (IMHO).