Scope Marking Video

[Cliff Gray]

First note - yes, credit goes to shooting with @Formidilosus for inspiration on using paint pens on optics for notes, holds, reminders, etc...

This is something I’ve been playing with quite a bit. I've extended the idea to trigger some things that help me in my process, like the big mark on the magnification ring.

In the past, I’ve used all sorts of different systems. the best solution is having everything memorized. Same rifle, same load, shooting a bunch of distances in similar environmental conditions. Things like Form's quick drop drastically helps on this front. For practical hunting distances that route is hard to beat. But for people shooting multiple rifles or hunting different areas, you’re always dealing with how to manage it. Dope cards, bdc turrets, binos with ballistics, whatever.

If someone else is spotting for me, something like Revic binoculars with my ballistics in them is obviously the fastest. The spotter having my chart in their hand, great. Someone just calling my holds is always going to win. If I’ve got a hunting partner setup that way, that’s better than anything. But how often is that actually reality? or how often are you hunting with someone that you are going to trust what they tell you? most cases I see hunting partners have range finding capabilities only (not your ballistics), animals are moving, yardages are changing, and you’re trying to manage it all yourself. Every time animals move or things change, you’ve got to pull up your binos, card, etc.. and recheck your holds. breaking your shooting position. I can't tell you how many times I have been in prone, an animals moves and now I'm readjusting everything to get to binos I'm laying on. Or I am fumbling in my pocket to throw someone my ballistics on my phone, go back and forth with them about reading the holds, etc...

the paint all over the optic looks a ridiculous. It does wipe off easily with acetone. My recommendation is to actually test it. use a dope card on your stock, pack, whatever. Use your phone. Use binos with ballistics. Someone capable of quick math under pressure, could easily simplify the markings by just recording a simple offset to quick drop. Whatever your setup is, time it and see what’s actually fastest. You might land somewhere different. But so far, this has been the best solution I’ve found. all the other stuff has been useful safeguards also.

 

[Formidilosus]

First note - yes, credit goes to shooting with @Formidilosus for inspiration on using paint pens on optics for notes, holds, reminders, etc...

This is something I’ve been playing with quite a bit. I've extended the idea to trigger some things that help me in my process, like the big mark on the magnification ring.

In the past, I’ve used all sorts of different systems. the best solution is having everything memorized. Same rifle, same load, shooting a bunch of distances in similar environmental conditions. Things like Form's quick drop drastically helps on this front. For practical hunting distances that route is hard to beat. But for people shooting multiple rifles or hunting different areas, you’re always dealing with how to manage it. Dope cards, bdc turrets, binos with ballistics, whatever.

If someone else is spotting for me, something like Revic binoculars with my ballistics in them is obviously the fastest. The spotter having my chart in their hand, great. Someone just calling my holds is always going to win. If I’ve got a hunting partner setup that way, that’s better than anything. But how often is that actually reality? or how often are you hunting with someone that you are going to trust what they tell you? most cases I see hunting partners have range finding capabilities only (not your ballistics), animals are moving, yardages are changing, and you’re trying to manage it all yourself. Every time animals move or things change, you’ve got to pull up your binos, card, etc.. and recheck your holds. breaking your shooting position. I can't tell you how many times I have been in prone, an animals moves and now I'm readjusting everything to get to binos I'm laying on. Or I am fumbling in my pocket to throw someone my ballistics on my phone, go back and forth with them about reading the holds, etc...

the paint all over the optic looks a ridiculous. It does wipe off easily with acetone. My recommendation is to actually test it. use a dope card on your stock, pack, whatever. Use your phone. Use binos with ballistics. Whatever your setup is, time it and see what’s actually fastest. You might land somewhere different. But so far, this has been the best solution I’ve found. all the other stuff has been useful safeguards also.

People would do well to learn from this.

 

[7mm-08]

Very educational content. Thanks for posting.

 

[huntnful]

Great video! These Super-Metal paint pens are great for writing smaller, finer detailed things with a paint marker as well.

 

[Megalodon]

So the premise is that the animal is moving enough that your original dope from your binos is incorrect. But you somehow know how much it moved closer or further to then use the dope written on your scope to make an adjustment without re-ranging the animal??

 

[Cliff Gray]

So the premise is that the animal is moving enough that your original dope from your binos is incorrect. But you somehow know how much it moved closer or further to then use the dope written on your scope to make an adjustment without re-ranging the animal??

No. The premise is that almost every hunter walking around can give you a range. 9 out of 10 of them can only reliably give you that. Even if you view it as just a backup I think you will find yourself using it a lot. As mentioned, memory or some rule of thumb for your specific load is a viable alternative.

I've seen so many people bumbling around... wounded animals covering lots of distance, people that just keep forgetting what their binos told them to hold, etc... to know that a basic visual can be very helpful.

 

[nm.otter]

Video got mirror flipped -- all the writing is backwards, and it looks like a left-hand action.