At 300 yards, 1 mil is exactly 10.8 inches.
A mil, short for milliradian, is an angular unit of measure widely utilized in shooting and optics, particularly with reticles designed for precision aiming. It represents a specific angular size that expands linearly with distance. This means that while the angle of 1 mil remains constant, the actual linear distance it covers on a target increases proportionally as the distance to the target grows.
Understanding the subtension of a mil at various distances is fundamental for precise adjustments for elevation, windage, and range estimation, especially when using mil-dot or similar reticles.
Mil Subtension at Various Distances
The following table illustrates the linear subtension of one mil across different common shooting distances:
| Distance (Yards) | Mil Subtension (Inches) |
|---|---|
| 100 | 3.6 |
| 200 | 7.2 |
| 300 | 10.8 |
As the table clearly shows, at a distance of 300 yards, one mil encompasses a span of 10.8 inches. This relationship is directly proportional: if one mil measures 3.6 inches at 100 yards, it will cover double that at 200 yards (7.2 inches) and precisely three times that at 300 yards (10.8 inches).
Practical Applications of Mil Measurements
Accurate knowledge of mil subtensions at varying distances provides shooters with invaluable capabilities:
- Range Estimation: By knowing the physical size of an object and observing how many mils it subtends through the optic, a shooter can precisely calculate the distance to that object.
- Holdover and Holdunder: Shooters can compensate for bullet drop or rise without adjusting the scope's turrets by using the mil markings on the reticle to hold above or below the target.
- Windage Adjustments: Mils also allow for accurate compensation of wind drift by using the horizontal markings on the reticle to hold into the wind based on calculated wind effects.
This precise understanding of mil measurements is a cornerstone for effective long-range precision shooting and maximizing the utility of modern optical reticles.
