Thread: How do I set up and use a BRH (or BDC style) reticle?

Originally Posted by Ground Control

I’d be interested in knowing what your average shooting distance has been up until now with the Leupold 1.25-4 VXR ?
The new Swaro will definitely help in stretching the distance a bit , but how often will you realistically encounter 450 yrd opportunities where you hunt ?
BDC reticles are mostly an educated guess when hunting where time and opportunities are short or seldom . They will never be as accurate as a deliberate thought and action process that a ballistic chart and dialing turrets will deliver.

Good question.

This last year I shot three deer with the Leupold 1.25-4 VXR/308 combo (it has a 200yd zero). Two around 200yards (open tussock) outside of the bush edge and one at around 30yards (bush). I have a dedicated tops type rifle (300WSM with Swaro Z5 3.5-18 BT), but I want the ability to use the 308 in the bush and in the open stuff as well when there is a variety of terrain/vegetation during a hunt.

Besides covering Fordland bush hunting, I plan to use the 308 it in the open tussock country around Central Otago and down south. The deer that I'm seeing in the open tussock down here above the bush edge or in and around Central where there is no bush at all) are more than 200yds as a starting point and generally hard to sneak in on given the terrain (especially with a 10 year old and dog in tow), so that's why I wanted something with a bit more potential to assist in longer shots with the 308 out to 400/450yards if I can't get closer. Ideally yes, I'd be trying to get as close as possible, but that isn't always achievable. At present the 308 gets left behind more often than not as I'm exploring more open areas, so it seems a real waste to not use it.

I went for the BRH reticle option over a dial, as I wanted something lightweight and simple for the bush, but also something that allows the rifle to be used in more open terrain. Perhaps it was the wrong choice of scope?

Case in point. I'm looking at exploring a new area soon (bit of bush, but opens into quite open tussock pretty quickly) . I only have the VX-R mounted on the 308 (and the 300WSM is out of action). Now I could hunt with the VX-R and hope I can get within 200/250ish yards and used the 4 x power scope, but personally I'd feel more confident going into that area using a scope that has not only the magnification but some distance graduations to assist in aiming. Hunting opportunities for me are few and far between and I'm super time poor, so I don't want to lose or pass up an opportunity either while hunting or even not go out at all because of lower magnification and having to guess elevation beyond 200yds. I am a fairly confident shooter out to 550yards with a 7mm08 and 300WSM dialing on gongs and know the 308 is accurate, so don't want to limit its potential to just 250ish yards.