Range-compensation reticles have become increasingly prevalent on scopes of all varieties, but the Nikon Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle has taken the concept to a new level of accuracy, versatility and ease of use.

It is, in fact, the first reticle system to be awarded a new patent in many years.

By incorporating small aiming circles into the reticle, the BDC system allows precise, unobtrusive aiming points. Each circle allows three separate aiming points: top, bottom or middle of the circle. By matching each load and each gun to these separate aiming points, the BDC reticle offers very fast, intuitive shooting.

Monarch SlugHunter 3-9x40 with BDC 200 reticle

The standard Nikon BDC reticle is designed to be used with most centerfire hunting cartridges with typical bullet weights, providing aiming points out to 500 yards with a 100-yard zero. With magnum cartridges and typical bullet weights, the same scopes with BDC reticles offer aiming points out to 600 yards with a 200-yard zero.

Nikon has also taken the BDC concept to the muzzleloading and slug-gun fields. The BDC 250 was introduced in the Omega Muzzleloading Riflescope in 2006. The new SlugHunter shotgun scope featuring the BDC 200 will be available in 2007.

The BDC 250 is designed specifically for .50-caliber muzzleloaders using 150-grain powder charges and 250-grain bullets. When sighted-in at 100 yards on the crosshair at 9X, the BDC 250 provides aiming-point circles at 150, 200, 225 and 250 yards. The BDC 200 reticle is designed specifically for slug-gun loads, and the new Nikon 3-9x40mm SlugHunter is the very first scope dedicated to the slug gun. Engineered specifically for rifled-barrel guns firing modern sabot slugs in both 20 gauge and 12 gauge, the new BDC 200 is a trajectory-compensating reticle that provides fast, simple aiming points for various shot distances. Calibrated to be sighted-in on the crosshair at fifty yards, the BDC 200 has two ballistic circles that represent 100-yard and 150-yard aiming points. For exceptionally accurate gun/load combinations, the lower reticle post becomes a 200-yard aiming point as well. A full five inches of eye relief means a safe and comfortable shot with even the hardest-hitting magnum loads.

Nikon's multicoated optics produce crisp, clear images with 92 percent light transmission. The innovative SlugHunter also features quarter-MOA click adjustments, 100-yard parallax setting and rugged waterproof, fogproof and shockproof performance.

The BDC is also available in Nikon's new Laser IRT and the new line of Monarch riflescopes, as well as the Monarch Gold, Buckmasters, Nikon ProStaff and Team Realtree scopes.

Contact: Nikon Sport Optics, (631) 547-4200; www.nikonsportoptics.com.