Pentax 3x9x40 BDC ?

[DalesCarpentry]

I bought a 450 Marlin barrel for my Handi Rifle about a week ago. I can get a Pentax 3x9x40 from Ebay for $100.00 and I think I would like to put one of these on it. I can not find the info on the Pentax site. Can someone who owns a Game Seeker scope please explain to me how you calibrate for different calibers for the bullet drop reticle. If I like it I may get one or two more that are the 4x16x40  ( I think thats what they are ) for my varmint guns. Thanks Dale.

[kyelkhunter3006]

You can't really calibrate the ballistic reticles in scopes.  Most of the major center fire rifle cartridges have similar trajectories, and the reticles in these scopes are based on a generic estimate of trajectory.  Aiming points for most rounds range from 100 yds at the x-hair intersection to 500 yds for the bottom point.  An extremely fast round would be zeroed at 200 yds for the first mark, up to 600 yds for the bottom mark.  You can make the aiming points work for your preferred zero range, you'd just have to shoot at long distance to see the yardage for each mark.

Honestly, I've not read too many positives on the Gameseeker scopes as of yet.  I like to read the reviews at Midway USA to see what people think of products, and the reviews on the Gameseeker are probably 50-50 right now.  They are an excellent price point for a ballistic reticle scope, but I think that the jury is still out on them right now.  With the attractive prices you can find on Burris Fullfield's right now, I would spend the extra $$ for it, or for the Nikon's with BDC.  I think you'd be alot happier.

[DalesCarpentry]

I have considered Burris Fullfield II and Nikon also. I Know Burris has something that calibrates it between calibers. I think Nikon is like what you said about Pantax. For that matter would it be like having a mill dot scope then? With a mill dot you could do the same thing. You could figure out where each dot hits and at what ranges.  I really don't know what to do at this point. I don't want to buy a piece of crap and not have it do what I want. I kind of think the Burris is the way to go with the 450 because they offer more calibrations for many calibers. I don't mind spending a little more money for something I think would work better. The 450 is kind of like launching a cannon ball and I would be willing to bet the Burris would come out on top as to where it lands. Guys help me out here. thanks Dale.

[quickdtoo]

Dale,

The ballistic plex reticle isn't calibrated to any one caliber, they're all the same, you just get a paper list of ranges that are estimates at which mark is relative to in each cartridge. You can download the .pdf list on their web site. I would be more concerned with eye relief with the .450M, even the FFII 3-9x40  has the same eye relief as the Gameseeker you were thinking on, 3.1 to 3.8", which isn't enough IMO unless you plan on staying on the lower power settings all the time.

Tim

http://burrisoptics.com/reticles.html

http://burrisoptics.com/pdf/BPlxlabl.pdf

[DalesCarpentry]

well guys this is the scope I have decided on putting on the 450 Marlin.  Pentax Gameseeker 1.5-6x40  Shotgun Rifle Scope. It has 4'' of eye relief. I think that should be enough to keep from being kissed by it. This is not going to be a long range gun so the lower power should be fine. I really don't think I will shoot it over 200 yards. Any thoughts on this scope.