Burris ballistic cross hairs???

[jhalcott]

Any one have any ideas how these work? Are they worth it on a 14" 7x30 waters barrel?  I just shot this barrel Wednesday and it was accurate enough with a 4x scope. I have a 2x6 & 2.5x8 on other guns and they are more accurate ONLY because of more magnification.I want to put better glass on the 7x30,but don't want to sacrifice the other 2.Looking thru Midway's site I found a 3x12/BALLISTIPLEX.I am not familiar with this reticle and want some input.   Thanks

[palgeno]

Ask yourself if you really want 12x magnification----if you are taking shots out to 300 or 400 yards, perhaps, or if varmint shooting, perhaps. I use the 3-12 Burris B-plex on two guns--a .14 " .223 and a 15" 6.5-284--- and the scale is calibrated at 12x power---but 12x is useable only with a very solid rest---for field use on a deer hunting gun, 12x is not needed and 2-7x 0r 2.5-8x scopes make more practical sense if you want a variable power scope. Just my not so humble opinion :shock:  pg

[Lone Star]

I have to agree with palgeno, a 12x has no place on a game hunting barrel.  Not only is it heavy (one pound!), but you can't hold it steady without a very good rest, and the field of view is way too restricted.  You will probably leave it set at 4x or 7x.  IMO a 2x7 is all anyone needs for game hiunting, and more power is usually a handicap - less light, etc.

That 7-30 is no 300 Weatherby, and shooting past 250 yards is a stunt for 95% of handgun hunters....at least the ones I see at the ranges I've frequented in the past few decades.  They have trouble hitting a pie plate at 100 yards if they don't use sandbags.... :cry:  

[Van/TX]

Wasn't aware that guns are more accurate with more magnification.  I wouldn't use a 12X on a rifle much less a "handgun".  JMO :wink: ....Van

[sgtt]

You answered yourself.  Go with the 4X.

[palgeno]

jhalcott----a few more thoughts---a good load with a 130 gr bullet in the 7-30 Waters will go out at about 2200fps from a 14 " Contender----if you sight in at +1.5" at 50 yds, you will be + 2.5" at 100. zero will be at 175 yds and you will be -2.5 at 200 yds-----you have a 200 yd point blank range (no hold over)----do you need anything other than a regular plex reticle? The plus or minus  2.5 inches gives you a 5 inch target diameter and that is perfect for deer or speed goats or even black bear----you can still get the Ballistic Plex in the 2-7x, but why?---might be useful for shootitng prarie dogs, but then 12x would be better and would you use your 7-30 Waters for that?   pg

[KYODE]

havn't  used the balistic plex reticle yet, but i don't think it'd help me under most of the circumstances i shoot under. the b-plex would be handy for very long range shooting. i'd call anything over 250-300 yards....very long range. of course some western shooters/hunters shoot those long ranges for target, and maybe some game animals. it would be very beneficial to them.

i have a few 3x12's and one 2x7. the 2x7 is a little more "woods friendly". it still allows plenty of magnification, yet gives a better field of view at close range. it is just a tad smaller/compact also.

i'd say it just depends on the intended use of your 7-30. if long ranges and targets are your main intention, then the 3x12(possible b-plex) might be the scope of choice. the 3x12 is very nice at the bench.....even at 100 yards.
if it is gonna be a "deer hunter" mostly, with ocassional target work, the 2x7 would be the scope of choice. the 21' field of view@100 does help get on moving targets etc under 100 yards.
 :eek:  moving game :?  yeah....if they are walking/running, i try to get on em, then try to make em stop for a shot. a loud waaaaaaah!.....has worked more than once. :wink:

4x is my most used power while in the woods. i still adjust up/down while traveling thru different terrain i encounter while in the field. i even shot one deer on 12x, but had a perfect, rock solid rest.

both burris scopes do shorten in eye relief as the power is turned up. i try to use this to my advantage in field positions also. it allows differing arm lengths to get sight picture. plus..........i reckon i have short arms :?  the constant eye relief scopes don't work well for me in the field. at the bench, it doesn't matter, i can just get where i need to be in relation to the scope.
 :money:  :money: may take 4 cents to cover that one :shock:  :lol:

[jhalcott]

Well,I didn't mean the GUN is more accurate.It's just easier to see and hit smaller targets.Since my retirement, money is more of an issue.I have several Leupold scopes,2,4 &2.5x8.The 2x8 is on my 6.5JDJ,but a replacement is about 400 bucks now.A few Burris scopes on other guns.They only cost about $300 to replace.
  I have been using the retic;le as a range finder for years.I use a target that is 18" tall and set it at ranges from 100 to 300 yards .I note how much of the gap between the large stadia wires is covered by the target.
  Guess I'm just getting lazy in my old age. BTW,I have shot prairee dogs with handguns.Also coyote,deer and antelope.My favorite target is STILL ground hogs!

[Catfish]

There is not reason you would need more than a 2X scope on a handgun for deer hunting. With a 2X scope you will have a point of that is good to a range that is longer than most handgun will shoot. The greater the magnifaction the the smaller the field of vision and it`s hard enought to find a deer in a handgun scope to start with. If your also wanting to bench shoot with it you might go to a variable power scope, but keep the bottom end to no more than 2 1/2X. That is my never to be humble oppenion at least. Unless I`m sitting a stand I will carry only iron sights. I do have an Encore in .357 max. that is scoped but it also has a by-pod and is usless to try to fire off hand.

[xphunter]

Personally, I want more than 2x or 2.5x for some of my shots.

[xphunter]

Had to get off line for a minute (no DSL here @ my house).
4x scope should be just fine with your 7x30 waters for hunting big game.
If you want high magnification for varminting, bench work or LR shooting then the 3-12 may suit you better.  You can use the ballistic plex reticle on other power(s), but that is a longer post.  Exbal is set-up to work on 12x and that is the way Burris designed it too.  My longest shot on a mulie was with a 4x Leupold.  I sure wish I had more X's that day though.

[jhalcott]

I decided to go with a 2x7 I had on a 14"30-30. I was more interested in HOW the reticle worked than the power of the scope.Sorry I did not make that clear.I have made some $ shooting MY hand guns at 2 & 300 yards using 2x7 and 4x scopes off bags against rifle shooters. One wife outshot her husband using my 7BR,XP100 ,7x scope.He used his trusty 300 MAG. They both shot off sand bags,3 shots @300 yards.Prize was a trip out west for Elk/Mule deer.  XP ,a question! What is the name of the "sniper bag" used in LRT shooting that takes the place of a bipod??
   thanks for the replies.

[xphunter]

jhalcott,
I don't know.  The only tactical shoot I have shot at was the International Tactical Rifleman's Championship and the Harris Bi-Pod was the primary choice of rest (90%+ if I remember right).  John Dustin from PS magazine took a poll on gear at closing ceremonies, and  I think the less than 10% were using bipods too, just not from Harris Engineering.