If you’re an avid long-range rifle shooter or just starting out, you’ve likely come across the term “mils” or “milliradians” before. But what are they exactly? And how can you incorporate them into your shooting? Fortunately, expert long-range shooter and instructor Ryan Cleckner is here to break it all down for us. In this post, we’ll gain a clear understanding of what mils are, why they matter, and how to use them effectively in long-range shooting. So get ready to take your shooting game to the next level with this comprehensive guide on understanding mils.

Introduction

Long-range rifle shooting requires accuracy and precision in measuring distances to targets. One of the primary tools at the disposal of long-range rifle shooters is the Mil Dot scope, which is specifically designed to measure distances using milliradians (mils). In this article, we will discuss mils and how they relate to long-range rifle shooting.

What are Mils?

Mils are a unit of measurement used in long-range shooting. It is the abbreviation of milliradian, which is a thousandth of a radian. But, instead of being based on the diameter of a circle like radians, mils are based on a relationship between 1000 units. Mils are similar to MOA (Minute of Angle) in the sense that they are an angular measurement that translates to different sizes at different distances.

Mil Dot Scopes

Mil Dot scopes are specifically designed to measure distances using milliradians. They have dots spaced one mil apart, and some have hash or tick marks every half mil, 2, or 3 mils. The width of mil dots is 0.2 mils, and the difference between the center of one dot to the outside edge of the next is one mil plus half the width of the dot, which gives 1.1 mils. The inside edge of one dot to the inside edge of the next is subtracting 0.1 from half and the other half, giving 0.8 mils. These small tents make a big difference over long distances when measuring between mil dots.

How to Measure Distance Using Mils

To find the distance to a target using mils, you need to measure the height of the object, multiply it by 1000, and divide by the mils you see in your scope. If you use yards to measure the object’s height, you will get the distance in yards, and the same applies to other units of measurement. For example, if you see the target is 7 mils high, and you know the height of the target is 70 inches, you can use the formula to find the distance. 70 x 1000 / 7 = 10,000 / 7 = 1428.57 yards.

Using Mils to Figure Out the Distance of Targets in Your Scope

Mil dots can be used to stack and add on top of each other to get precise measurements. For example, if you see the target is 3.4 mils high, you can estimate the distance by measuring halfway between the 3 and 4 mil dots. This measurement is equal to 3.5 mils. Now, you can find the distance from the target by doing the math.

Long-Range Rifle Shooting Handbook

Ryan Cleckner’s book, Long Range Shooting Handbook, is an excellent resource for beginners and experienced shooters who want to learn about long-range rifle shooting. The book covers various topics such as ballistics, optics, and marksmanship. It gives detailed explanations and illustrations on how to use mil dots and other tools to measure distances and take accurate shots.

Conclusion

Understanding mils and how to use them to measure distances to targets is crucial in long-range rifle shooting. Mil dot scopes are designed specifically for this purpose. By following the formula and practicing with mils, long-range shooters can increase their accuracy and precision in taking shots.

FAQs

1. What is a mil?
   A mil is a unit of measurement used in long-range shooting that is equivalent to a thousandth of a radian.

2. How do you measure distance using mils?
   To measure distance using mils, you measure the height of the target in your scope, multiply it by 1000, and divide by the mils seen in the spotter scope.

3. What are mil dot scopes?
   Mil dot scopes are specially designed scopes that allow long-range shooters to measure the distance by using mils.

4. How does the Long Range Shooting Handbook help with mils?
   The Long Range Shooting Handbook provides detailed explanations and illustrations on how to use mils and other tools to measure distances and take accurate shots.

5. What is the difference between mils and MOA?
   Both mils and MOA are angular measurements but use different ratios to measure angles. Mils and MOA can be interchanged, but mils are generally preferred in military applications.