What is the best reticle to use? This is best answered by determining the game and the conditions you expect to encounter most. For example, our reticles Nos. 7 and 8 have the thickest center crosshairs, appropriate for low light situations. Reticle No. 9 has the thinnest center crosshairs, making it a good choice for smaller targets, competitive shooting and general hunting. Reticle No. 1, with its three heavy posts, is the ultimate for low light use. Our specialized No. 6 or No. 8 Dot are designed for varmint hunting and smaller targets at long ranges. The P3 MilDot reticle can be used as an effective rangefinder.

Standard or illuminated reticle? While the light transmission capabilities of Schmidt & Bender scopes are so superior that they will take you well beyond the "half hour before dawn or after sunset" legal shooting light in most states, occasionally an illuminated reticle can make the difference between having an effective shot or no shot at all. This is particularly true when hunting heavy, dark timber, and in overcast, poor weather, especially at dusk. Our illuminated reticles will help greatly in distinguishing the crosshairs against the dark body of an animal in poor light.

Illuminated reticles are illegal in some states, so check your local regulations first. All Schmidt & Bender illuminated reticles feature a full range of adjustment, and function as a standard, non-illuminated reticle when they are switched off. If your budget allows, an illuminated reticle will have you covered under virtually any lighting situation you will encounter anywhere in the world.

Flash Dot reticles have become extremely popular, particularly among hunters of dangerous or moving game. Our Flash Dot technology projects a red dot precisely at the center of the reticle, giving you an extremely fast aim point; not unlike the front bead on a shotgun. It is completely adjustable according to ambient light situations, and can be very effective in harsh sun and bright snow. Turned off, our Flash Dot reticles function as normal reticles, giving you the best of both worlds.

Specialized reticles such as the P3 Mil-Dot offered in our Precision Hunter and Police Marksman II scopes provide sophisticated rangefinding capabilities and help in calculating holdover.

Personal preference also affects your choice. Many hunters are experienced with a certain style of reticle, and if you are comfortable with a specific design, by all means stick with it. We offer so many different choices, you should have no trouble finding one right for your eyesight and your application.

standard reticles
illuminated reticles
flashdot reticles