Reticle and method for using

Abstract

A gunsight reticle defines a system of dimensioned indicia spaced at specific separations to improve aiming accuracy of a gun. The indicia may include perpendicularly intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines, and four (or more or less) horizontal range-marker lines disposed at specific angular separations below the horizontal hairline in bisected relationship with the center vertical hairline. Spacing of the range marker lines below the center horizontal hairline is proportional to bullet drop at selected ranges, depending upon ballistic characteristics of bullet used. Relative lengths of said range-marker bars on each side of the central vertical crosshair are proportional to a specific crosswind (say 10 mph) at target range reflected by respective range marker. The method involves employing this reticle to determine distance to target, and using distance thus determined to ascertain a precise aiming point on the reticle. These indicia also have other useful characteristics that allow the shooter to easily mentally calculate corrections for crosswind, moving targets and shooting at targets that are above or below the shooter at a significant angle.

1 . A reticle for use in a telescopic gunsight, the reticle comprising: 
 orthogonally intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines;    three horizontal hairlines of sequentially incremental length disposed below the center horizontal hairline and each intersecting the center vertical hairline; and    first indicia disposed below the three horizontal hairlines and intersecting the center vertical hairline.    
   
   
       2 . The reticle as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said reticle is disposed in a second focal plane of a telescopic gun sight.  
   
   
       3 . The reticle as set forth in  claim 2  wherein apparent spacing between horizontal hairlines of said reticle portion in said second focal plan is adjustable through adjusting a power setting of said telescopic gun sight.  
   
   
       4 . The reticle as set forth in  claim 1  wherein spacing between said three horizontal hairlines is proportional to drop of a bullet at three or more predetermined ranges.  
   
   
       5 . A reticle for use in a telescopic gunsight, the reticle comprising: 
 orthogonally intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines;    first and second indicia of sequentially incremental length disposed below the center horizontal hairline and each intersecting the center vertical hairline; and    third indicia disposed below the first and second indicia and intersecting the center vertical hairline.    
   
   
       6 . The reticle in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the first and second indicia are further operable for distance measurement.  
   
   
       7 . The reticle in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the first, second and third indicia provide a first series of aiming points at a first set of ranges for a bullet trajectory of a first type and provide a second series of aiming points at a second set of ranges for a bullet trajectory of a second type, and wherein the first set of ranges is different than the second set of ranges.  
   
   
       8 . The reticle in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the intersection of the center vertical and center horizontal hairlines defines a center point, and the first and second indicia provide range increments of about 100 yards from the center point for both the first set of ranges and the second set of ranges.  
   
   
       9 . The reticle in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the center point, first indicia and second indicia define aiming points at ranges of about 200, 300 and 400 yards, respectively, in the first series of ranges, and the center point, first indicia and second indicia define aiming points at ranges of about 300, 400 and 500 yards, respectively, in the second series of ranges.  
   
   
       10 . The reticle as set forth in  claim 5  wherein at least a portion of said reticle is disposed in a second focal plane of a telescopic gun sight.  
   
   
       11 . The reticle as set forth in  claim 10  wherein apparent spacing between horizontal hairlines of said reticle portion in said second focal plan is adjustable through adjusting a power setting of said telescopic gun sight.  
   
   
       12 . The reticle as set forth in  claim 5  wherein spacing between said three horizontal hairlines is proportional to drop of a bullet at three or more predetermined ranges.