How do you use a duplex reticle?

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Jun 13, 2018
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Maine, United States
I realize this sounds like a dumb question so let me have it. 😩I have a Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x33 EFR with the duplex reticle and it is an awesome scope. I'm just confused on how you guys (I know there are many that use Leupold and other scopes with the duplex) use the reticle? This scope wasn't made for clicking the turrets and the reticle wasn't made for hold overs lol. Pretty much only have the cross-hair and the post directly beneath it (and you can guess halfway between the two easily).



When I ordered this I had wanted to get it from the custom shop with a mil-dot reticle but this scope wasn't on their list as one you could buy and have customized. The rest of the VX Freedom line was😡 Don't get me wrong I love the scope and I knew what I was buying so will keep using it I just need some tips if anybody has any.
 
This works much better (more aim points) with higher zoom scopes, but use the zoom. If I took my .177 (10.3 at 840) and zero it at 25yds, the post will be 44yds on 9x, it will be 50yds on 6x and it will be 65yds on 3x. Of course then 1/2 way between would be about 34yds at 9x, 37yds at 6x and 45yds at 3x.

Plug your #'s into Strelok and see what zero you need to get the post as far as you need it to go.
 
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And using the cross hair, post and half-way between the two for hold overs at each magnification gives plenty of options. Just need to figure it all out.

A side note, I think if Leupold offered more of their scopes with the choice of a mil-dot reticle (without having to wait for the custom shop) they would sell a lot more even if they had to pay a little extra.
 
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The issue with variable scopes unless the have first focal plane reticles is the only part of the reticle that stays the same is the center of the cross hair. SO what to do. If you are talking air guns I'd shoot the rifle dead on at the closest distance you might engage targets. Lets say 15 yards. Then go out to the farthest lets say forty. At forty yards you have two choices. Sight the gun in by varying the power so that the lower duplex is on at forty yards. Of select the power who want and "remember" where the pellet strikes at 40 yards on that line that drops from the center of the cross hair to the duplex point.

And example for my HW 30 I have it sight in at 15 yards and it's pretty much dead on out to 25. At forty it's about half way between the center and the lower duplex. NOW my scope is a straight 4 power so it is what it is. If you had a 4 to 12 you probably could figure out at what power the lower duplex point is on at forty or fifty yards or what ever you want to sight the second place in to. Remember then if you change the power you've lost your second sight in.

Actually variable scopes mess up a lot of things for you unless you are an experienced shooter and can work thru this. A simple good 4 power scope on an air rifle used to pest control at reasonable distances in more then adequate. 

I like Nikon BDC reticles and I've found if you set the scope at 10 power you will be surprised how close your shots will be with a 223 or even a 308 at 100, 200 and 300 and 500 yards.

Remember once you change power (magnification) everything will change. There are advantages to fixed power scopes and also for FFP scopes.
 
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And using the cross hair, post and half-way between the two for hold overs at each magnification gives plenty of options. Just need to figure it all out.

A side note, I think if Leupold offered more of their scopes with the choice of a mil-dot reticle (without having to wait for the custom shop) they would sell a lot more even if they had to pay a little extra.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you've said. However the more complex reticles can get a fellow confused. I've used them at prairie dogs and they did me no good. I'd forget which mil dot I was using from shot to shot. Just saying some times less is more. At least for me. Everyone is different. I just happen to like Nikons BDC reticle the one that has circles (three of four of them). If I think the PD is at 200 yards I just cover him with first circle. Everyone is different. Love Leupold scopes but I am not crazy about their reticles either. Too much magnification makes spotting your shots difficult So for me a simple fixed power scope say at about 10 to 12 power with the right reticle is my choice. I've used FFP scopes and they didn't really float my boat either I found I wanted to shoot only on the high magnification for some reason.
 
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