Abstract: A reticle for a projectile weapon aiming device, such as a riflescope, includes a primary horizontal sight line that intersects a primary vertical sight line to define a primary aiming point. A circle is centered on the primary aiming point to intersect the primary horizontal and vertical sight lines. Multiple aiming marks are preferably spaced apart along the primary horizontal and vertical sight lines and cooperate with the circle and the sight lines to form horizontal and vertical scales for estimating a range to a target having features of known or estimable size. The scales also facilitate windage and holdover aiming adjustments. The circle may facilitate quick target acquisition in rapid fire engagements, as well as enhance range estimation capabilities.

Abstract: A reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and further includes a plurality of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below the primary aiming mark. The secondary aiming marks are positioned to compensate for ballistic drop at preselected incremental ranges beyond the first selected range, for a selected group of ammunition having similar ballistic characteristics. Angles subtended by adjacent aiming marks of the reticle can be adjusted by changing the optical power of the riflescope, to thereby compensate for ballistic characteristics of different ammunition. In some embodiments, the reticle includes a set of windage aiming marks spaced apart along at least one secondary horizontal axis intersecting a selected one of the secondary aiming marks, to facilitate compensation for the effect of crosswinds on the trajectory of the projectile.