Nikon BDC 250 User Guide

Nikon

Inc.

1300

WALT

WHITMAN

ROAD,

MELVILLE,

NEW

YORK

11747-3064,

U.S.A.

Printed

in

Taiwan(501B)/2E

Thank

you

for

selecting

the

Nikon

OMEGA

for

your

muzzleloading

rifle.

The

Nikon

OMEGA

has

been

developed

specifically

for

muzzleloaders

-the

size,

optics

and

reticle

are

optimized

for

your

sport.

The

OMEGA

features

Nikon's

new

BDC

250

reticle

that

can

be

custom

tailored

for

the

trajectory

of

your

load.

We

are

very

proud

of

the

ruggedness

and

superb

performance

built

into

every

Nikon

riflescope

and

the

OMEGA

carries

on

this

tradition.

Nikon

Guide

to

using

the

Nikon

BDC

250

Reticle

Mounting

the

Omega

on

your

Muzzleloader*

Ensure

the

following

is

carried

out

before

shooting

your

Omega

equipped

muzzleloader:

•All

base

and

ring

screws

should

be

properly

tightened.

El

Sighting

-in

the

Omega

There

are

two

ways

to

sight

in

a

rifle

-the

simple

way

or

the

frustrating

way.

Let's

go

directly

to

the

simplest

method.

First,

make

a

LARGE

target.

Large

would

be

at

least

two

feet

square,

preferably

bigger.

Cut

up

an

over

-sized

cardboard

box

or

get

a

sheet

of

construction

paper

from

a

craft

shop.

We

want

to

ensure

we

catch

the

first

shot

fired.

Make

an

aiming

mark

in

the

center

of

the

target

with

a

felt

pen.

A

simple

one-half

inch

dot

will

suffice.

Place

the

large

target

at

20

or

25

yards.

Then

fire

a

shot

at

this

dot

from

a

stable

shooting

rest.

Unless

your

scope

mounting

system

is

very

incompatible

with

your

rifle

you

will

hit

the

target

somewhere.

Now

for

the

neat

trick!

Replace

the

rifle

in

the

shooting

rest

and

place

the

crosshair

intersection

on

the

aiming

dot.

Without

moving

the

rifle,

move

the

crosshairs

to

the

bullet

hole.

The

rifle

must

remain

absolutely

stationary

as

the

adjustment

is

made.

Best

to

have

a

friend

carefully

turn

the

turrets

while

you

look

through

the

scope

and

provide

directions.

Fire

one

shot

to

confirm

that

your

scope

is

now

zeroed

on

the

close

range

dot.

Make

minor

corrections

if

required.

The

object

is

to

get

the

point

of

aim

identical

to

the

point

of

impact.

Always

remember,

when

making

windage

and

elevation

adjustments,

you

are

moving

the

impact

of

the

bullet

toward

your

original

intended

point

of

aim.

Now

move

your

large

target

paper

to

one

hundred

yards.

Enlarge

the

aiming

dot

to

two

inches

with

your

felt

pen.

Place

small

pieces

of

masking

tape

over

the

short-range

bullet

holes

or

simply

mark

them

with

the

felt

pen.

Now

fire

a

shot

and

again

the

bullet

should

hit

somewhere

on

the

large

target

paper.

You can

repeat

the

previous

technique

of

moving

the

crosshairs

to

the

bullet

or

simply

measure

how

much

correction

will

be

required

to

bring

the

bullet

to

the

aiming

dot.

If

you

are

six

inches

low

and

four

inches

right,

move

the

elevation

turret

24

clicks

up

and

the

windage

turret

16

clicks

left.

Once

again

-

the

objective

is

to

get

the

point

of

aim

identical

to

the

point

of

impact.

Using

the

Omega

BDC

250

Reticle

You

have

no

doubt

noticed

the

series

of

round

circles

in

the

lower

vertical

section

of

the

BDC

250

reticle.

These

circles

are

positioned

to

enable

accurate

placement

of

shots

out

to

250

yards.

Nikon's

research

indicates

that

current

in

-line

muzzleloaders

and

loads

are

capable

of

lethal

accuracy

to

that

distance.

The

BDC

250

reticle

will

enable

hunters

to

shoot

with

confidence

-from

point

blank

to

250

yards!

By

Sighting

in

the

center

crosswire

at

100

yards,

most

muzzlelaoding

forearms

will

match

the

trajectory

on

page

4

using

the

following:

•250

grain

bullet

with

150

grain

powder

charge

(powder

or

pellets)

If

you

choose

to

use

a

different

weight

bullet

or

different

powder

charge,

have

no

fear,

the

BDC

250

reticle

can

and

will

still

work

perfectly

for

you.

By

using

a

2"

circle

(subtension

at

100

yards)

instead

of

a

dot

or

hash

mark,

you

have

multiple

aiming

points

(top,

middle

and

bottom

of

the

circle)

to

customize

the

reticle

to

your

specific

firearm.

The

circle

allows

you

to

see

the

target

without

obstructing

it

and

still

fits

well

within

the

body

of

big

game

animals

out

to

250

yards.

Should

your

firearm

perform

in

a

manner

that

is

not

consistent

with

the

image

below,

use

the

technique

mentioned

on

page

7

in

this

manual

to

maximize

your

firearms

performance

and

customize

the

reticle

to

your

particular

setup.

Fl

Nikon

has

designed

this

BDC

250

reticle

to

blend

simplicity

with

accuracy

-a

difficult

challenge

considering

the

huge

number

of

variables

involved

in

placing

a

bullet

drop

compensating

scope

on

a

rifle.

These

would

include:

•

the

mounting

system

and

how

true

it

positions

the

scope

to

the

center

-line

of

the

bore

•the

make,

model

and

caliber

of

firearm

involved

•

the

firearm's

condition

and

inherent

accuracy

•

the

ballistics

performance

of

the

ammunition

-accuracy,

velocity,

uniformity

and

bullet

characteristics

such

as

ballistics

co-

efficients.

•

a

final

variable

is

you

-the

shooter!

Other

variables

include:

•

temperature

•

humidity

•altitude

•

barrel

length

•

bullet

design

•cleaning

and

reloading

techniques

•

bullet

seating

pressure,etc

100

yds

150

yds

200

yds

225

yds

250

yds

Let's

face

it,

right

out

of

the

box

no

reticle

can

be

expected

to

match

every

rifle

and every

trajectory

perfectly.

That

is

simply

impossible

given

the

above

variables.

What

is

possible

is

to

offer

a

simple

reticle

design

that

can

be

adjusted

or

tailored

to

work

with

almost

any

rifle

and

ammo

combination

if

the

shooter

does

his

homework.

This

requires

one

key

element

-the

shooter

must

understand

how

the

system

works

and

he

must

go

out

and

shoot

his

rifle

at

a

variety

of

distances.

He

must

determine

the

distance

that

he

can

shoot

with

confidence.

How

far

out

can

you

place

your

first

shot

into

a

ten

-inch

paper

plate

-every

time?

Let's

call

that

your

personal

lethal

hunting

distance.

The

Nikon

BDC

250

reticle

will

help

you

extend

your

personal

lethal

hunting

distance

and

to

shoot

with

complete

confidence

within

that

range.

There

are

two

challenges

for

accurate

placement

of

shots

-bullet

drop

and

wind

drift.

Wind

drift

is

the

most

difficult

since

wind

speed

and

direction

are

infinite

variables.

At

two

hundred

yards

a

ten

mile

per

hour

cross

-wind

can

drift

a

bullet

from

ten

inches

to

almost

thirty,

depending

on

velocity

and

bullet

design.

There

is

only

one

way

to

learn

to

shoot

in

wind

and

that

is

getting

out

there

and

shooting

on

windy

days.

Keep

notes

because

the

information

is

easily

forgotten.

Trajectory

is

much

easier

to

handle

since

gravity

affects

our

bullets

quite

uniformly.

The

BDC

250

reticle

will

become

your

partner

as

you

prepare

for

the

eventuality

of

long

shots.

Nikon

has

developed

a

simple

technique

for

tuning

the

accuracy

circles

in

the

BDC

250

to

the

trajectory

of

your

particular

load.

The

bottom

line

is

that

we

must

shoot

under

controlled

circumstances

so

that

reticle

performance

can

be

tailored properly.

This

requires

a

safe

shooting

location,

large

targets

to

ensure

catching

every

bullet,

good

shooting

rests

and

a

uniform

loading

technique.

We

need

to

shoot

as

accurately

as

possible

so

the

rifle

must

be

supported

at

the

front

and

rear.

Nikon

suggests

the

use

of

a

laser

rangefinder

to

ensure

accurate

distance

determination

for

longer

shots.

Nikon

offers

a

complete

line

of

rangefinders

that

are

optimized

for

hunting.

We

must

know

how

far

away

our

target

is

for

correct

hold

-offs.

The

best

muzzleloader

accuracy

results

from

developing

a

uniform

loading

procedure.

Swabbing

the

bore

lightly

between

shots

minimizes

the

accumulation

of

propellant

residue.

Swabbing

is

highly

recommended.

Use

patches

lightly

saturated

in

solvent

(barely

moist

to

the

touch).

Always

push

the

ramrod

down

the

bore

in

short

jabs

rather

than

with

one

long

push.

If

using

pellets

seat

the

bullet

carefully

to

just

make

contact

with

the

propellant.

Do

not

crush

the

pellets

with

excessive

seating

force.

Now

for

the

shooting

procedure

that

will

fine

tune

the

BDC

250

reticle

to

your

load.

•zero

the

scope

at

one

hundred

yards

so

that

your

point

of

impact

is

identical

to

the

point

of

aim.

•set

up

large

cardboard

targets

at

two

hundred

and

fifty

yards.

The

target

should

be

at

least

three

feet

tall.

Place

an

aiming

mark

at

the

top

of

the

large

piece

of

cardboard.

•

shoot

three

to

five

shots

using

your

one

hundred

yard

zero.

Do

not

be

concerned

about

bullet

drop.

The

challenge

is

to

have

a

large

enough

cardboard

to

catch

each

shot

and

to

form

a

nice

group.

•

mark

the

center

of

your

250

yard

group

with

a

large

X

using

your

felt

marking

pen.

•go

back

to

the

firing

position

and

align

your

scope

on

the

aiming

point

and

note

where

the

250

group

is

relative

to

the

bottom

circle.

Do

not

be

concerned

if

the

group

is

not

in

the

circle.

•vary

the

power

setting

on

the

scope

to

move

the

bottom

circle

to

the

center

of

the

group.

You

might

prefer

to

use

the

center,

top

or

bottom

of

an

accuracy

circle,

your

choice.

You

now

have

a

100

-

yard

zero

and

a

250

-yard

zero.

•

note

the

power

setting

that

enables

the

250

yards/zero

and

do

not

move

the

magnification

ring.

You

might

consider

a

dab

of

nail

-polish

to

mark

the

spot

so

you

can

return

easily.

•

move

your

target

to

150,

200

and

225

and

repeat

the

firing

procedure,

noting

exactly

where

your

groups

form

relative

to

the

circles.

Do

not

move

the

magnification

ring

on

the

scope.

Note

the

relationship

between

the

center

of

each

group

and

the

circles

and

make

simple

notes

to

describe

the

correlations.

•If

you

cannot,

or

prefer

not

to

shoot

out

to

250

yards,

do

the

above

at

200

yards

or

whatever

range

you

are

comfortable

shooting

to.

You

now

have

exact

zero

information

for

100,

150,

200,

225

and

250

yards.

We

suggest

a

simple

drop

-chart

for

field

use.

Accuracy

circles

are

very

adaptable.

We

can

use

three

aiming

locations,

the

intersections

at

the

top

and

bottom

with

the

vertical

crosshair

or

the

center

of

the

circle.

After

tailoring

the

BDC

250

reticle

your

long-range

hold

-offs

will

be

based

on

confidence

rather

than

guess

-work!

Care

of

your

Nikon

Omega

Scope

"Blow

-by"

is

inherent

in

many

muzzleloader

designs

-some

more

-so

than

others.

"Blow

-by"

is

a

mixture

of

gaseous

and

solid

ignition

residues

that

are

swept

backwards

through

the

nipple

or

ignition

path

and

directed

in

several

directions

out

of

the

action

of

the

muzzleloader.

Some

blow

-by

strikes

the

underside

of

the

scope.

If

the

residues

are

not

removed

or

prevented

from

accumulating

the

finish

of

the

scope

tube

can

become

marred.

Fortunately

this

accumulation

is

very

easy

to

prevent.

Simply

apply

a

short

section

of

electrician's

tape

to

the

underside

of

the

scope,

immediately

above

the

ignition

area

of

the

receiver.

There

are

also

several

commercial

scope

-protectors

that

are

held

in

place

by

Velcro

or

snaps

that

will

protect

your

scope

from

ignition

residue

The

following

NIKON

LENS

Cleaning

accessories

are

highly

recommended

for

keeping

your

optics

in

excellent

condition.

These

can

be

found

at

your

local

Nikon

dealer.

•

Nikon

Lens

Pen

-Simply

brush

first,

then

exhale

on

the

lens

to

moisten

and

immediately

rotate

the

soft

cleaning

pad

over

the

marks.

Work

the

pad

in

diminishing

circles

on

the

lens,

ending

with

a

simple

twirl

in

the

center.

•

Nikon

Micro

Fiber

Cleaning

Cloth

•

Nikon

lens

cleaner

spray

and

moist

cloths

Wipe

the

main

tube

of

your

scope

with

a

clean

dry

cloth

to

remove

fingerprints

and

surface

blemishes.

Debris

such

as

mud

should

be

removed

with

a

water

-moistened

cloth

with

soft

rubbing,

followed

by

a

light

wiping

with

a

dry

cloth.

Rifle

scope

lenses

should

be

kept

as

clean

as

possible

during

use.

Never

clean

debris

and

marks

from

scope

lenses

by

rubbing

with

a

dry

cloth

or

tissue.

Always

moisten

the

lens

before

wiping.

Preferably

brush

loose

material

from

the

lens

surface,

moisten

with

a

lens

cleaning

fluid

and

then

wipe

clean

in

circular

motions.

Lens

cleaning

solutions

are

available

in

spray

-pump

containers

or

simply

apply

a

few

drops

to

the

lens

cleaning

cloth.

Nikon BDC 250 User Guide

Nikon BDC 250 - Omega Muzzleloading - Riflescope 3-9 x 40 Manual

Nikon BDC 250 manual content summary: