| Most scope reticles have simple mechanism, | | | | sights making post and crosshair reticles less |
| especially the common types. But there are times | | | | common. |
| that you will be encountering complex reticles, | | | | The earliest Lee Floating Dot was suspended with |
| especially those in Germany. In this article, the | | | | strands of spider web. These reticles were the |
| common types of scope reticles in North America | | | | finest and the strongest. The stands of spider |
| will only be discussed. These are crosshair, dot, | | | | web were virtually invisible so that the dot will |
| and post and crosshair. | | | | appear to float at the center of the field of vision. |
| By far, the most popular scope reticle is the | | | | The dots are sold in various sizes and made to |
| simple crosshair. This is usually available in fine, | | | | subtend at 100 yards for two, four or six minutes |
| medium and heavy. Fine simple crosshair reticle is | | | | of angle (MOA). The four minute dot is good for |
| great for varmint hunting whereas the medium | | | | big game hunting. |
| simple crosshair reticle is good for big game | | | | In 1950's, the old Weaver Company has begun |
| hunting and is for all-around use. On the other | | | | selling a Range-Finder reticle. This type of reticle |
| hand, the heavy simple crosshair reticle is perfect | | | | has additional crosshair 6 MOA under the central |
| for close range shoot at large targets like deer. | | | | horizontal crosshair. The concept was that the |
| The simple crosshair is fast and much easier to | | | | body of the buck with an average size would |
| use. | | | | have no empty spaces between the crosshairs at |
| The post and crosshair is the next most popular | | | | 300 yards to give the shooter a good estimate |
| scope reticle. The post was designed to look like a | | | | of the range. |
| flat topped front sight and for those with iron | | | | During the 1960s, the scope reticles became |
| sights or have problem adjusting to a crosshair | | | | more complex because of the Duplex reticle |
| scope reticle. Post reticle typically has a flat top. | | | | designed by Leupold. The Duplex reticle has fine |
| The tip of a post with a pointed edge or a picket | | | | central crosshair. It transitions to a strong |
| fence post is very difficult to see at dim light. As | | | | crosshair about ¼ toward the edge. The |
| a result, the shooter aims farther down the scope | | | | concept was to guide the eye to the aiming point |
| reticle and thus shooting above the target. | | | | of the scope reticle. The heavy part of the |
| Below the post top, the horizontal crosshair is | | | | Duplex reticle is much easier to see in the dim |
| attached to maintain the rifle at balance. It does | | | | light. Also, the fine inner crosshair can be finer |
| not have an aiming function. Currently, most | | | | compared to the typical medium crosshair. Overall, |
| shooters are more accustomed to telescopic | | | | the standard Duplex reticle is very versatile. |