Mil dots are essential tools for marksmen, hunters, and tactical shooters who require precision at varying distances. While the term "mil" might sound technical, understanding how to use mil dots on a rifle scope can dramatically improve your long-range accuracy and target estimation. This guide will walk you through how to use mil dots.

What Are Mil Dots?

Mil dots are small dots spaced along the vertical and horizontal crosshairs of a rifle scope's reticle. "Mil" stands for milliradian, a unit of angular measurement. One mil subtends 3.6 inches at 100 yards (or approximately 10 cm at 100 meters).

Mil-dot reticles help shooters estimate:

• Range to a target

• Bullet drop compensation

• Windage adjustments

• Target size estimation

Why Use Mil Dots?

Unlike standard duplex or BDC (bullet drop compensator) reticles, mil-dot scopes allow for flexible estimation and on-the-fly adjustments—especially useful in unpredictable field conditions. They’re popular among military, law enforcement, and long-range competitive shooters.

How To Use Mil Dots to Estimate Range

One of the core uses of mil dots is range estimation. Here's how to do it:

Formula:

Distance (yards) = (Target Height in inches × 27.78) ÷ Mils measured

Or in meters:
Distance (meters) = (Target Height in cm × 10) ÷ Mils measured

Example:

If a deer’s chest is 18 inches tall and it appears to span 2 mils in your scope:

• (18 × 27.78) ÷ 2 = 250 yards

Knowing this helps you dial in the correct elevation or hold over accordingly.

Bullet Drop Compensation With Mil Dots

Once you've determined the range, you can compensate for bullet drop. Suppose your bullet drops 18 inches at 300 yards. Since 1 mil = 3.6 inches at 100 yards, at 300 yards, 1 mil = 10.8 inches.

So to compensate for 18 inches of drop:

• 18 ÷ 10.8 = 1.67 mils

You would hold over approximately 1.7 mils below the crosshair.

Windage Adjustments Using Mil Dots

Wind drift can throw off a shot significantly at longer ranges. Knowing the wind speed and direction, you can use mil dots to hold left or right.

Example:

• A 10 mph crosswind might push a bullet 6 inches off target at 300 yards.

• 6 ÷ 10.8 = 0.56 mils

You would hold approximately half a mil into the wind.

Tips for Accurate Mil Dot Use

1. Know Your Scope’s Zoom Level
   In second focal plane (SFP) scopes, mil dots are only accurate at a specific magnification—usually the highest. First focal plane (FFP) scopes keep the reticle scale constant at all magnifications.

2. Practice Range Estimation
   Use known-size targets to practice estimating range regularly.

3. Create a Dope Card
   A ballistic cheat sheet with your rifle's drop and windage values at different ranges helps streamline in-field adjustments.

4. Use Ballistic Apps
   Tools like Strelok, Ballistic AE, or Hornady’s app can help you calculate mil values more quickly.

Wrap Up

Using mil dots on a rifle scope isn't just for snipers—it's a valuable skill for any shooter aiming for precision. From estimating range and bullet drop to correcting for wind, mil dots turn your scope into a dynamic shooting tool. With practice, you'll be able to make fast, accurate shots even at long distances.