Experimentation with the Boone and Crockett™ Big Game Reticle is best when a long-range place to shoot out to 400 to 600 yards is available. I did not have that, but went through the exercise with some known information. But I still need a long distance range to proof the work.
The key to properly using this reticle is to have a laser rangefinder.
Accurate distances mean accurate trajectory once your bullet has been sent downrange at those longer distances. First the VX-6 comes with triangle markings on the zoom ring for some bullet speed groups called Group A and Group B and C cartridges. A large white triangle on the Power Dial is near 18x is designated for bullets muzzle velocities 3000 fps and a small triangle mark on the power dial for slower bullets. Group C cartridges are for very fast bullets 3100 fps to 3400 fps like 7mm RUM and .270 Wby and are sighted in at 300 yard zero verses 200 for A and B groups but use the larger triangle on the power dial at 18x.
The Savage 11/111 Long Range Hunter in 7mm Rem Mag I am testing with the VX-6 and Nosler 140grain E-Tip is in “Category A” thus it required the shooter to zero the rifle at 200 yards shown above. My range limitation was 150 yards so to estimate the 200 yard zero i used JBM on-line software. I knew the speed of the bullet as I chronographed it already at 2950 fps and are sub-moa accurate.
My 7mm Rem Mag when zeroed at 200 yards is 2 inches high at 150 yards. With this setting and not changing point of aim I am at Max Point Blank range to 270 yards and will stay within a 3 inch radius. At this point the bullet is falling fast and to kill game at 300 yards needs to use the next cross-bar below. At 150 yards as point of aim using the 300 range cross-bar places the bullet nearly 5 inches high and will strike the target 6 inch kill area at 300 yards based on the JBM data of bullet drop at 300 yards. Proof is actually shooting at 300 yards to confirm the bullet placement.
The next bar below is supposed to be the 400 yard bar but because my bullets drag and speed is slowing, it strikes the target at only 335 yards for a kill shot based on drop data from JBM. This bullet at this point is “falling like a rock” due to the effects of gravity squared and accelerating the bullet drop. Accordingly, distance accuracy with a laser rangefinder is an absolute must.
Max Point Blank Range (MPBR) Zero
The method of Calculating Max Point Blank range all by itself takes the Boone and Crockett reticle out of use as the rifle needs to be zeroed at its maximum zero range of 250 yards with the main cross hair based on the 2950fps and BC of the Nosler 140 grain E-Tip. With this method the rifle has a MPBR of 294 yards. For most of us wanting to shoot long range that is all we need as long as a steady rest is available.
If I was shooting prone position at a test range that was in the 400 yard to 600 yard category the B&C reticle would offer proved solutions to where the lower long distance crosshairs of 400 and 500 yards will fall.
Wind Drift
The two largest factors in long-range accuracy, given that you have a steady rest, is bullet drop and wind drift. The most unpredictable is “wind drift” of your bullet. At a MPBR of 294 yards with a 10mph wind will move your bullet 5 to 6 inches left or right from center per JBM data. A 5 mph wind will push the bullet laterally 2.9 inches in keeping with the 3 inch radius you are trying to keep to. The good news is that wind in the early dawn and dusk where you expect to see game is often negligible.
Hunter Ethics
Having gone through the exercise, the bottom line is hunter ethics. If you have not shot or practiced or proved your crosshair use of B&C at these longer ranges then you should pass on the shot. As I said in an earlier article, that buck may be within your range another day. Patience is a virtue a good hunter learns. We all want a clean kill and a promise to yourself to abide by that is important.
