Thread: Mildot help

First, you need to find if your scope is first focal plane or second focal plane.

When looking through your scope, does the reticle change size as you adjust magnification? If not, it is second focal plane.

Why does it matter? With first focal plane, the distance in the reticle is ALWAYS the same, eg 5 mils (random example). So, doesn't matter what magnification it is set at, you can use the reticle and the mil markings.

For second focal plane, you can only use the mil markings on the reticle at 1 specific magnification (usually max).


The mil markings mean thst you can account for bullet drop. Say you are shooting at 500m but you are zeroed for 100m. You know via test shooting or ballistic calculators, how low the impact will be at 500m. You can get this in mils/centimeters. For example you might know that at 500m, it is 15 milirad low.

To account for this you put the 15milrad mark on the reticle (the one below the centre of the reticle) on your 500m target. Now, when you fire, the bullet should impact on the center of the target.

You can use it to help with range estimation too.