What's this on my scope?

[MoeFaux]

I have a Leupold Vari-X 3 bought sometime between 1995 and 2001. I don't understand these Yards/Meters markings on the zoom ring as depicted below. Can you shed some light?

 

[LightFoot]

That was designed as a rangefinder. I can’t remember exactly how it worked but it was along these lines:

Square the body of a deer in the reticle using increasing/decreasing magnification. When the plex reticle measures back to belly, the yardage indicator lets you know approximate distance. I think that’s for Whitetails.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[pbroski]

It's a specific distance in yards where the reticle brackets a set amount of inches. I don't know the exact amount, but it's something like this. The space between the center crosshair and the heavy post of the reticle might be 15 inches. That 15 inches is accurate at the distance in yards marked on the zoom ring. It's kind of a crude way to range find. Kind of an irrelevant method today with the availability of accurate electronic rangefinders.