BALLISTIC RANGE FINDING RETICLE FOR MODERN SPORTING RIFLE

Abstract

A gunsight reticle suitable for rapid and accurate target distance measurement and compensation or rapid close quarters target acquisition. Reticle may incorporate members and markings suitable for use in scale based, bracket at distance, and power ring rangefinding techniques. Reticle may include thick central aiming elements suitable for rapid target acquisition. Reticle may include horizontal bracket at distance members and vertical scale members which overlap on a vertical axis passing though the primary aiming point.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61843369 filed Sep. 4, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sporting rifles, and more particularly, to a ballistic range finding reticle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently the popularity of 1-(n)x scopes, where (n) commonly represents a maximum power of 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, has grown. This class of optics is exemplified by such products as the Leupold CQ/T, Leupold VX-6x 1-6x, Leupold Mark 6 1-6x, Leupold Mark 8 CQBSS, U.S. Optics SR-8c, GRSC CRS, Vortex 1-6x24 Razor HD Gen II, Zeiss Victory Varipoint 1.1-4×24 T, Swarovski 1-6×24 Z6i, and others. A common application of this class of optics is use on the Modern Sporting Rifle class of firearms, as exemplified by the AR15, AR10, SCAR, ACR, FN2000, AUG, and other similar rifles and carbines. These rifles are effective at ranges from point blank to beyond 600 yards. The variable 1-(n)x scope class often proves to be a good complement to this large extent of effective ranges because a scope of this class can be used at lx magnification with both of the shooter's eyes open in the manner of a red dot type sight for high speed, or at high magnification for extended range shooting. The combination of the 1-(n)x class of optics with the modern sporting rifle has become popular in practical shooting competitions where life-size targets are engaged at a variety of known and unknown distances.

Determining the range of a target is of great importance in order to know how much deviation from the primary point of aim must be employed to compensate for the drop of the projectile because of the distance and its drift due to wind. Conceiving of a reticle design that offers as great a degree of flexibility of target dimensions, speed of use, and accuracy of resulting range and shot placement, as the rest of the modern sporting rifle platform does, has proven difficult for optics makers.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide reticle and method of using the reticle that do not suffer from the above drawbacks in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a gunsight reticle is provided. The gunsight reticle includes a primary aiming point, at least one marking, a plurality of horizontal ranging members, and a plurality of scale members. The at least one marking on the reticle is operable to be used in combination with a power ring range denominators on a rifle scope and is operable to bracket a target within the at least one marking on the reticle to determine a range of the target using a power ring method. The plurality of horizontal ranging members are operable to determine the range of the target using a bracket distance method. The plurality of scale members are placed along a axis at a predetermined interval and are operable to determine the range of the target using a scale-based method.

The primary aiming point of said gunsight reticle may be a top vertex of a first thick central aiming element. A second thick central aiming element may surround the first thick central aiming element and may include a plurality of scallops thereby avoiding windage members, scale members, horizontal ranging members, or a combination thereof.

Said gunsight reticle may have at least one marking wherein, at least one marking includes a semicircular marking is operable to surround a known dimension of the target. Said gunsight reticle may have at least one marking wherein, at least one marking includes a first horizontal marking and a second horizontal marking bracketing a known dimension of the target. Wherein, if a known dimension of the target appears smaller than the at least one marking, then a power ring on the rifle scope is rotated in a direction of higher magnification. Wherein, if a known dimension of the target appears larger than the at least one marking, then a power ring on the rifle scope is rotated in a direction of lower magnification. Wherein, if a known dimension of the target is bracketed within the at least one marking, then the range of the target may be read off the power ring range denominators at a point adjacent to an indicator mark on the rifle scope.

Said gunsight reticle may have a plurality of horizontal ranging members wherein, the plurality of horizontal ranging members are further vertically displaced from the primary aiming point at distances in accordance with a predetermined ballistic profile forming a secondary aiming guides.

Said gunsight reticle may include scale members wherein, the scale members may include a plurality of horizontal scale members along a horizontal axis and may include a plurality of vertical scale members along a vertical axis. The plurality of horizontal ranging members may be interspersed vertically with the plurality of vertical scale members and be coaxial along a vertical axis.

Said gunsight reticle may include a plurality of windage members operable to indicate drift of a projectile at a specific range and a wind value. The plurality of windage members, being both vertically and horizontally displaced from the primary aiming point, at distances in accordance with the predetermined ballistic profile.

Said gunsight reticle may have the scale based method, bracket at distance method, and windage members calibrated to a specific magnification.

A method of using said gunsight reticle according to an embodiment of this disclosure is reserved.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure a gunsight reticle is provided. The gunsight reticle includes a primary aiming point, a plurality of horizontal ranging members operable to determine a range of a target using a bracket at distance method, and a plurality of vertical scale members placed along a vertical axis at a predetermined interval. The plurality of vertical scale members being operable to determine the range of the target using the scale-based method. The plurality of horizontal ranging members and vertical scale members are coaxial along a vertical axis passing through the primary aiming point.

This invention provides a reticle with associated power ring markings that allows a user more flexibility in range-finding methods by offering three distinct systems. These systems being: a power ring based system, a bracket at distance system, and a scale-based system. These systems are particularly suited for ranging the life-size targets, such as the full sized International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) target used in practical rifle shooting competitions today. The strengths and weaknesses of each range-finding system offers the user meaningful choices with regards to speed, accuracy, and flexibility of type of target to be ranged. The power ring range-finding method offers ranging with high speed and accuracy but low flexibility. The bracket at distance method offers high speed but has low accuracy and low flexibility. The scale-based method offers high flexibility and accuracy varying according the size and orientation of the object being ranged but low speed. Lastly, this design includes features helpful to rapid target acquisition at point blank range. The particular way in which these extant range-finding methods are combined with each other, with the caliber-specific range compensation markings, and with the rapid point shooting features, results in a reticle with associated power ring markings offering an average performance over the full effective range of a modern sporting rifle, which is a significantly improvement over existing alternatives.

One advantage of an embodiment of the present disclosure is that the reticle with associated power ring markings, offers an improvement in average hit probability and speed to the user over extant designs.

Yet another advantage of an embodiment of the present disclosure is, that the reticle with associated power ring markings, allows a user more flexibility in range-finding methods by offering and combining three distinct systems. The three systems being: a power ring based system, a bracket at distance system, and a scale-based system. These systems are particularly suited for ranging life-size targets, such as the full sized International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) target used in practical rifle shooting competitions today. The strengths and weaknesses of each range-finding system offers the user meaningful choices with regards to speed, accuracy, and flexibility of type of target to be ranged. The power ring range-finding method offers ranging with high speed and accuracy but low flexibility. The bracket at distance method offers high speed but has low accuracy and low flexibility. The scale-based method offers high flexibility and accuracy varying according the size and orientation of the object being ranged but low speed. Lastly, this design includes features helpful to rapid target acquisition at point blank range. The particular way in which these extant range-finding methods are combined with each other, with the caliber-specific range compensation markings, and with the rapid point shooting features, results in a reticle with associated power ring markings offering an average performance over the full effective range of a modern sporting rifle, which is a significant improvement over existing alternatives.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a riflescope mounted on a rifle in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing optical elements of a riflescope in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view of a reticle as viewed through an ocular (eyepiece) of a riflescope;

FIG. 4 is a ballistic table, calculated by JBM ballistics software, for the common M855 62gr 5.56×45 mm ammunition fired from a 16-inch AR-15 or similar type rifle;

FIG. 5 is a depiction of an 18-inch wide×30-inch tall IPSC style full size silhouette target mounted on a 40-inch high×4-inch wide post for realistic target presentation;

FIG. 6 is and enlarged view of the reticle of FIG. 3 including and reference numerals referred to in the detailed description for describing the various features of the reticle;

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the reticle shown properly bracketing the target for range-finding using the power ring system;

FIG. 8 is view of the rifle scope showing the power ring range denominators, 500 yards is indicated by the indicator mark;

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the reticle shown properly bracketing the target for range-finding using the bracket distance method at 500 yards;

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of the reticle shown properly aligning the target for range-finding using the scale-based method at 500 yards;

FIG. 11 is an embodiment of the reticle shown properly aligned to engage a target at 500 yards with a 10-mph 90 degree left-to-right crosswind and using the caliber-specific drop and drift markings; and

FIG. 12 is an alternative embodiment of the reticle altered to enhance function with an optic featuring different illumination technology, such as fiber optics, and a target style elevation turret, shown properly bracketing the target for range finding using the power ring system;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a gunsight reticle 40 is provided. The gunsight reticle 40 includes a primary aiming point 50, at least one marking 77, a plurality of horizontal ranging members 54a-f, and a plurality of scale members 69. The at least one marking 77, on the reticle is operable to be used in combination with a power ring range denominators 35, on a rifle scope 10, and is operable to bracket a target 85, within the at least one marking 77, on the reticle 40, to determine a range of the target 85, using a power ring method. The plurality of horizontal ranging members 54a-f, are operable to determine the range of the target 85, using a bracket distance method. The plurality of scale members 69, are placed along a axis at a predetermined interval and are operable to determine the range of the target 85, using a scale-based method.

The primary aiming point 50, of said gunsight reticle 40, may be a top vertex of a first thick central aiming element 74. A second thick central aiming element 72, may surround the first thick central aiming element and may include a plurality of scallops 55a-c, thereby avoiding a windage members 53a-l, scale members 69, horizontal ranging members 54a-f, or a combination thereof.

Said gunsight reticle 40, may have at least one marking 77, wherein, at least one marking includes a semicircular marking 75, is operable to surround a known dimension of the target 83. A alternative embodiment reticle 140, may have at least one marking 77, wherein, at least one marking includes a first horizontal marking 179a, and a second horizontal marking 179b, bracketing a known dimension of the target 83. Wherein, if a known dimension of the target 83, appears smaller than the at least one marking 77, then a power ring 34, on the rifle scope 10, is rotated in a direction of higher magnification. Wherein, if a known dimension of the target 83, appears larger than the at least one marking 77, then a power ring 34, on the rifle scope 10, is rotated in a direction of lower magnification. Wherein, if a known dimension of the target 83, is bracketed within the at least one marking 77, then the range of the target 85, may be read off the power ring range denominators 35, at a point adjacent to a indicator mark 38, on the rifle scope 10.

Said gunsight reticle 40, may have a plurality of horizontal ranging members 54a-f, wherein, the plurality of horizontal ranging members 54a-f, are further vertically displaced from the primary aiming point 50, at distances in accordance with a predetermined ballistic profile FIG.6, forming a secondary aiming guides 51a-f.

Said gunsight reticle 40, may include scale members 69, wherein, the scale members 69, may include a plurality of horizontal scale members 71, along a horizontal axis and may include a plurality of vertical scale members 70, along a vertical axis. The plurality of horizontal ranging members 54a-f, may be interspersed vertically with the plurality of vertical scale members 70, and be coaxial along a vertical axis.

Said gunsight reticle 40, may include a plurality of windage members 53a-l, operable to indicate drift of a projectile at a specific range and a wind value. The plurality of windage members 53a-l, being both vertically and horizontally displaced from the primary aiming point 50, at distances in accordance with the predetermined ballistic profile FIG. 5.

Said gunsight reticle 40, may have the scale based method, bracket at distance method, and windage members calibrated to a specific magnification 36.

A method of using said gunsight reticle 40, according to an embodiment of this disclosure is reserved.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure a gunsight reticle 40, is provided. The gunsight reticle 40 includes a primary aiming point 50, a plurality of horizontal ranging members 54a-f, operable to determine a range of a target 85, using a bracket at distance method, and a plurality of vertical scale members 70, placed along a vertical axis at a predetermined interval. The plurality of vertical scale members 70 are operable to determine the range of the target 85, using the scale-based method. The plurality of horizontal ranging members 54a-f, and vertical scale members 70, are coaxial along a vertical axis passing through the primary aiming point 50.

Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment. Thus appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, characteristics, and methods may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a riflescope 10, mounted to a rifle 14, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of optical elements 16, of riflescope 10, together with ray trace lines 18, indicating the path of light from an observed object (not shown) located to the left of the assembly of optical elements 16, as the light travels through the optical system along an optical path. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, riflescope 10, includes a tubular housing 20, that supports at opposite ends an objective or objective lens assembly 22, and an ocular or ocular lens assembly 26, (sometimes referred to as an eyepiece or eyepiece lens assembly). Objective lens 22, focuses the image of an observed object at a first (front) focal plane 28, located medially of objective lens 22, and ocular lens 26. A power-adjusting erector lens assembly 30, interposed between objective lens assembly 22, and ocular lens assembly 26, inverts the image and refocuses it at a second (rear) focal plane 32, between power-adjusting erector lens assembly 30, and ocular lens assembly 26. A preferred riflescope 10, may comprise, for example, a VARI-X.RTM. III brand riflescope sold by Leupold & Stevens, Inc., Beaverton, Oreg., USA, modified according to various preferred embodiments to include a reticle 40, of the kind described below. At least a part of erector lens assembly 30, is movable in response to rotation of a power ring 34, or other power selector mechanism to adjust the optical power of riflescope 10, within a predetermined range of magnification. For example, the optical power of riflescope 10, may range between approximately 1× and 6× magnification, or alternatively between approximately 2× and 12× magnification or between 1× and 4× magnification.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of reticle 40 of the present disclosure as viewed through ocular lens assembly 26, of riflescope 10, by user 17, with the markings shown in proper size relative to the extent of the field of view 41. The 5 unit, labeled 76, and 7 unit, labeled 78, visible in other figures are not shown in this pictorial representation because they would appear too small the be clearly read. Reticle 40 is preferably formed on a substantially flat disc of optical quality material, such as glass or plastic. Reticle 40 may be marked on the surface of a transparent reticle disc, it may also be embodied in other forms, such as reticle wires, iron sights, illuminated reticle devices, projected targeting displays, head-up displays, simulated reticle images, and the like. Thus, the terms “reticle”, “mark”, “marking”, “marks”, “lines”, and the like are not limited to permanent inscriptions on a physical object, but are intended to also include all kinds of visually perceptible patterns, signs, and symbols, regardless of the way in which they are created and regardless of whether their elements are permanent or transitory in nature, or a combination of both permanent and transitory elements.

FIG. 4 is a ballistic table, calculated by JBM ballistics software, for the common M855 62gr 5.56×45 mm ammunition fired from a 16-inch AR-15 or similar type rifle. This is an example of the type of table that may be used in the calculation of the vertical and horizontal displacement from the primary aiming point 50 of secondary aiming guides 51a-f, windage members 53a-l, and horizontal ranging members 54a-f on the reticle 40. Values for drops 64 in the ballistic table of FIG. 4 may be calculated at a variety of chosen distances 62, based on a chosen zero distance 65, as well as shooting platform details such as the caliber of the rifle 14, its barrel 44, length, the height of the rifle scope 10, above the barrel 44, and specific details of the cartridge such as the ballistic coefficient of the bullet, its caliber, muzzle velocity, and weight. Environmental variables such as barometric pressure may also be used in the computation. Values for drifts 63 in the ballistic table FIG. 4 may be calculated at a variety of chosen distances 62, based on a chosen zero distance 65, as well as shooting platform details such as the caliber of the rifle 14, its barrel 44, length, the height of the rifle scope 10, above the barrel 44, and the specific details of the cartridge such as, the ballistic coefficient of the bullet, its caliber, muzzle velocity, and weight. Environmental variables such as barometric pressure, and wind may also be used in the computation. An alternative to using a software such as JBM ballistics to calculate a table such as FIG. 4 is to measure the drop 64, and drift 63, values at chosen distances 62, from a chosen zero distance 65, manually by firing the desired ammunition from the desired rifle 14, at each of the chosen distances 62, in the chosen environmental conditions. Values for chosen distances 62, drops 64, drifts 63, and chosen zero distance 65, may be in any useful units.

FIG. 5 is a depiction of an 18-inch wide×30-inch tall IPSC style full size silhouette 80, mounted on a 40-inch high×4-inch wide post 81, to provide a target 85. The total distance from the ground 82 to the top of the silhouette 80 is a known dimension of the target 83. This provides a realistic target 85 presentation that may be used in practical shooting competitions.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of reticle 40 of FIG. 3 including reference numerals referred to in the detailed description for describing the various features of the reticle. In this embodiment, reticle 40 includes a first thick central aiming element 74, that is surrounded by a second thick central aiming element 72. These elements may be more than twice as thick as all other elements shown in FIG. 6. First and second thick central aiming elements 74 and 72 may also be positioned near the center of reticle 40. The purpose of this thickness and central location is to draw the user's eye to the center of reticle 40 and to keep the eye focused in that area even if the user makes rapid transitions from one target 85 to another. These features may therefore allow the user to engage multiple targets more quickly at close range. In optics using reflection-based illumination systems, the added thickness may also reflect illumination to a greater extent. This may further aid the user's speed by further emphasizing these elements. Scopes using reflection-based illumination systems may benefit from larger and more numerous thick elements than scopes using other illumination systems such as fiber optics or projected dots.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the reticle 40, shown properly bracketing the target 85 for range-finding using the power ring system. FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of the rifle scope 10, showing the power ring range denominators 35. 500 units (yards in this case) is indicated by the indicator mark 38. Together FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate proper usage of the rifle scope 10 to range a target 85, located 500 yards from the user. As shown in FIG. 7, target 85 is exactly bracketed in the at least one marking 77. Had the target 85, appeared smaller than the at least one marking 77, the range adjacent to the indicator mark 38, would not have been correct and the user would rotate the power ring 34 in the direction of greater magnification to make the target 85 appear larger relative to the at least one marking 77. Had the target 85 appeared larger than the at least one marking 77, the range adjacent to the indicator mark 38 would not have been correct and the user would rotate the power ring 34 in the direction of lesser magnification to make the target 85 appear smaller relative to the at least one marking 77.

The power ring range denominators 35 may be marked in desirable increments of any units and properly calibrated so that the power ring ranging system yields accurate range measurements of a chosen target 85 over an increment of chosen distances 62 relevant to the specific caliber chosen such as that in FIG. 4. This power ring system of ranging offers a remarkable combination of accuracy and speed in ranging. Rifle scope 10 may utilize the power ring ranging function in its reticle 40 when at least one marking 77, is included in the second focal plane 32. When the at least one marking 77 of reticle 40 is located in the second focal plane 32 the relationship between the size of the target 85 and the at least one marking 77 is not fixed, but rather changes in a predictable manner depending on what magnification the rifle scope 10 is set at. The principle downside of power ring system of ranging is that it only effectively ranges a target 85 of a specific height or width.

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the reticle 40 shown properly bracketing the target 85 for range-finding using the bracket distance method at 500 yards and with magnification set at a specific magnification 36. The width of the horizontal ranging member 54c, which lies on the same vertical displacement from the primary aiming point 50 as the 5 unit labeled 76 is the same as the width of the target 85. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the target 85 is therefore properly bracketed. This informs the user that the target 85 is located at the distance from the user indicated by horizontal ranging member 54c, which is conveniently labeled by the 5 unit labeled 76. In this example the units indicate 100's of yards and therefore the target 85 is located at 500 yards. Had the target 85 appeared to be more narrow or wide than the horizontal ranging member 54c, the range would not be correct and the user would need to move rifle scope 10 to align the target 85 with a different horizontal ranging members 54a-f, whose width was correct. The 5 unit labeled 76 and 7 unit labeled 78, may be employed to help the user because they make it easier for the user to remember what distance each of the horizontal ranging members 54a-f ranges for.

The vertical displacement of the horizontal ranging members 54a-f from primary aiming point 50 may be calibrated in a way that corresponds to the drops 64 of the chosen caliber, illustrated in FIG. 4. The horizontal ranging members 54a-f may further be arranged so that some portion of the horizontal ranging members 54a-f intersects with the vertical center line 73 of reticle 40 forming secondary aiming guides 51a-f that correspond to the amount of drops 64 that the chosen caliber will exhibit at distances corresponding to the distance at which each horizontal ranging members 54a-f will properly bracket the target 85, provided the rifle scope 10 is set at the specific magnification 36. Therefore, each horizontal ranging members 54a-f may also serve to form the corresponding, caliber-specific, secondary aiming guides 51a-f for the same distance. In the example of FIG. 9, this means that the target 85 is not only properly aligned for ranging at 500 yards but also to be fired at, provided there is little wind present.

The bracket distance method of ranging is the fastest of all ranging systems. The disadvantage of this system is that because it ranges horizontal dimensions, it suffers inaccuracy if the target 85 is not round and is oriented about the vertical axis in a manner that makes it difficult for the user to observe that the width of the target 85 being displayed is not the full width, but rather, a lesser amount owing to the rotation. Lastly, most width-based bracket distance systems use a relatively small horizontal dimension, such as 18-inches and suffer inaccuracy as a result.

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of reticle 40, shown properly aligning the target 85 for range-finding using the scale-based method at 500 yards and with magnification set at a specific magnification 36. In FIG. 10, the vertical dimension of target 85 is being measured using the vertical scale members 70. The measurement can be seen to be approximately 3.889 units. The units of the vertical scale members 70 may be mils and the units for distance may be yards, so the equation (Height of target 85, (70-inches)/units measured using vertical scale members 70, (3.889 mils))*27.78=distance (yards) may be used to calculate a distance of 500 yards. The advantage of scale-based ranging is that any object of known dimension may be easily ranged, not just a target 85 of known dimension of the target 83. A further advantage is that scale members 69 may be used in combination with a ballistic table such as the one depicted in FIG. 4 based on the user's caliber, and having output calculated in the same units as the scale members 69, to allow the user to hold the drops 64 and drifts 63. The disadvantages of scale-based ranging are that it is the slowest method and can be prone to user error because it requires mathematical computations to be made often in high stress and time constrained situations.

A scale-based ranging system may exist wherein the scale represents angular dimensions such as milliradian (mil), minute of angle (MOA), or inches per hundred yards and is graduated at regular intervals with a plurality of scale members 69. The scale members 69 may be described in a style clearly differentiating them from the horizontal ranging members 54a-f and windage members 53a-l. The vertical scale vertical scale members 70 may be coaxial and interspersed at least some places vertically with the horizontal ranging members 54a-f. The horizontal scale members 71 may be offset vertically from the primary aiming point 50.

FIG. 11 is an embodiment of reticle 40 shown properly aligned to engage a target 85 at 500 yards with a 10-mph 90 degree left-to-right crosswind using the caliber-specific secondary aiming guides 51a-f and caliber specific windage members 53a-l, provided that the rifle scope 10 is at a specific magnification 36. The drifts 63, in FIG. 4 upon which the windage members 53a-l are based, may be calculated for a 10-mph 90 degree wind magnitude. The aiming point for this 500 yard shot may be seen to be vertically displaced from the primary aiming point 50 an amount equal to that of the 5 unit labeled 76 denoting 500 yards. The aiming point for this 500 yard shot may be seen to be horizontally displaced from the primary aiming point 50 in the direction of the wind. The magnitude of the wind is equal to that upon which the ballistic table in FIG. 4 is based and therefore upon which the windage members 53a-l are calibrated. The aiming point is therefore the center of the right 500 yard windage members 53a-l.

FIG. 12 is an alternative embodiment of reticle 40 altered to enhance function in a rifle scope 10 featuring different illumination technology, such as fiber optics, and a target style elevation turret. This alternative embodiment of reticle 40 is depicted properly bracketing the target 80 for range finding using the power ring system.

According to an exemplary alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, a gunsight reticle 140 is provided. The reticle 140 includes a primary aiming point 150, at least one marking 77, a plurality of horizontal ranging members 154a-f, and a plurality of scale members 169. The at least one marking 77 on reticle 140 is operable to be used in combination with power ring range denominators 35 on a rifle scope 10, and is operable to bracket a target 85 within the at least one marking 77 on reticle 140 to determine a range of the target 85 using a power ring method. The plurality of horizontal ranging members 154a-f are operable to determine the range of the target 85 using a bracket distance method. The plurality of scale members 169 are placed along a axis at a predetermined interval and are operable to determine the range of the target 85 using a scale-based method.

The primary aiming point 150 of reticle 140 may be a top vertex of an alternative embodiment of first thick central aiming element 174.

A gunsight reticle 40, may have at least one marking 77, wherein at least one marking includes a semicircular marking 75 operable to surround a known dimension of the target 83 (see FIG. 6). An alternative embodiment of reticle 140 may have at least one marking 77, wherein, at least one marking includes a first horizontal marking 179a, and a second horizontal marking 179b, bracketing a known dimension of the target 83 (see FIG. 13). Wherein, if a known dimension of the target 83 appears smaller than the at least one marking 77, then a power ring 34, on the rifle scope 10 is rotated in a direction of higher magnification. Wherein, if a known dimension of the target 83 appears larger than the at least one marking 77, then a power ring 34 on the rifle scope 10 is rotated in a direction of lower magnification. Wherein, if a known dimension of the target 83 is bracketed within the at least one marking 77, then the range of the target 85 may be read off the power ring range denominators 35 at a point adjacent to an indicator mark 38 on the rifle scope 10.

As shown in FIG. 12, reticle 140 may have a plurality of horizontal ranging members 154a-f wherein the plurality of horizontal ranging members 154a-f are further vertically displaced from the primary aiming point 150 at distances in accordance with a predetermined ballistic profile of FIG. 4, forming secondary aiming guides 151a-f.

A gunsight reticle 40 may have at least one marking 77, wherein at least one marking includes a semicircular marking 75 operable to surround a known dimension of the target 83. In an alternative embodiment, gunsight reticle 140, may include scale members 169, wherein the scale members 169 may include a plurality of horizontal scale members 171, along a horizontal axis and may include a plurality of alternative embodiment vertical scale members 170 along a vertical axis (see FIG. 12). The plurality of horizontal ranging members 154a-f may be interspersed vertically with the plurality of vertical scale members 170 and be coaxial along a vertical axis.

As shown in FIG. 12, reticle 140 may include a plurality of windage members 153a-l operable to indicate drift of a projectile at a specific range and a wind value. The plurality of windage members 153a-l may be both vertically and horizontally displaced from aiming point 150, at distances in accordance with the predetermined ballistic profile illustrated in FIG. 5.

Reticle 140 may have the scale based method, bracket at distance method, and windage members calibrated to a specific magnification 36.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a gunsight reticle 140 is provided. As shown in FIG. 12, gunsight reticle 140, includes a primary aiming point 150, a plurality of horizontal ranging members 154a-f operable to determine a range of a target 85, using a bracket at distance method, and a plurality of vertical scale members 70 placed along a vertical axis at a predetermined interval. The plurality of vertical scale members 170 are operable to determine the range of the target 85 using the scale-based method. The plurality of horizontal ranging members 154a-f and vertical scale members 170 are coaxial along a vertical axis passing through the primary aiming point 150.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gunsight reticle comprising:

(a) a primary aiming point;

(b) at least one marking on the reticle to be used in combination with a power ring range denominators on a rifle scope, the at least one marking operable to bracket a target within the at least one marking on the reticle to determine a range of the target using a power ring method;

(c) a plurality of horizontal ranging members operable to determine the range of the target using a bracket distance method; and

(d) a plurality of scale members placed along a axis at a predetermined interval, the plurality of scale members being operable to determine the range of the target using a scale-based method.

2. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein the primary aiming point is a top vertex of a first thick central aiming element.

3. The gunsight reticle of claim 2, further include a second thick central aiming element, wherein the second thick central aiming element generally surrounds the first thick central aiming element.

4. The gunsight reticle of claim 3, wherein the second thick central aiming element including a plurality of scallops thereby avoiding a windage members, scale members, horizontal ranging members or a combination thereof

5. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein the at least one marking includes a semicircular marking is operable to surround a known dimension of the target.

6. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein the at least one marking includes a first horizontal marking and a second horizontal marking bracketing a known dimension of the target.

7. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein if a known dimension of the target appears smaller than the at least one marking, then a power ring on the rifle scope is rotated in a direction of higher magnification.

8. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein if a known dimension of the target appears larger than the at least one marking, then a power ring on the rifle scope is rotated in a direction of lower magnification.

9. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein if a known dimension of the target is bracketed within the at least one marking, then the range of the target many be read off the power ring range denominators at the point adjacent to a indicator mark on the rifle scope.

10. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of horizontal ranging members are further vertically displaced from the primary aiming point at distances in accordance with a predetermined ballistic profile forming a secondary aiming guides.

11. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein the scale members include a plurality of horizontal scale member along a horizontal axis.

12. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein the scale member include a plurality of vertical scale members along a vertical axis.

13. The gunsight reticle of claim 12, wherein the plurality of horizontal ranging members are interspersed vertically with the plurality of vertical scale members and are coaxial along a vertical axis.

14. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, further including a plurality of windage members operable to indicate drift of a projectile at a specific range and a wind value, the plurality of windage members being both vertically and horizontally displaced from the primary aiming point at distances in accordance with the predetermined ballistic profile.

15. The gunsight reticle of claim 1, wherein the scale based method, bracket at distance method and windage members are calibrated to a specific magnification.

16. A method of using a gunsight reticle of claim 1.

17. A gunsight reticle comprising:

(a) a primary aiming point;

(b) a plurality of horizontal ranging members operable to determine a range of a target using a bracket distance method; and

(c) a plurality of vertical scale members placed along a vertical axis at a predetermined interval, the plurality of vertical scale members being operable to determine the range of the target using the scale-based method;

(d) wherein the plurality of horizontal ranging members and vertical scale members are coaxial along a vertical axis passing through the primary aiming point.

18. All patentable subject matter herein.