German #1 Reticule

[shooternz]

Afternoon all,
I have been surfing E-bay for German scopes I see the most common reticule is the #1 do any of you use this reticule?
any pros/cons on their use for general hunting would be helpful,
I have a S&B PM10x42 Sniper scope with one quite like it but don't hunt with it have it on a .308 I use for shooting Fullbore out to 600 yards
Regards
Robert.

 

[enfieldspares]

They date from a time when a telescopic sight was seen, almost, as a sort of optical version of the rifle's front sight. Indeed there were Lattey sights that had the same effect and bolted on at the muzzle.

They are also very good for shooting long tall targets. Think men. Which is why that style was long popular on sniper rifles 'scopes even after crosshait type reticules became widespread on hunting 'scopes.

They are also good for fast moving crossing targets as you have, only, to worry about the top of the post and nothing else. They're a good reticule. Not now fashionable but they do work. And work well.

 

[Southern]

As enfieldspares said, they are like an iron sight with no rear sight to line up. But there is more to it than mimicking the iron sights. Snipers in the American War Between the States used telescopic sights with crosshairs. And there are variations of the #1 reticle.

They are fast. They are bold and easy to see. On a low power scope, they are very fast for shooting with both eyes open. When leading moving gave, you are not going to lose it in the background, or on the hide of oncoming game. That is why you see them on dangerous game rifles in 1.25-4X and 1.5-6x scopes. The ones with an obelisk shape are capable of very precision aiming on the sharp point at the peak, and the shoulder below that offers a second aiming plane for drop compensation.

I have a 1.25-4x in 30mm tube, a 1.5-6x42mm in 30mm tube, and WWII Zeiss 6x56mm, all with No.1. I can shoot small groups as far as is practical for hunting big game, so they are very versatile, for me.

 

[dodgyrog]

I have a couple of old scopes (Zeiss) with rail mount and no. 1 reticule - you either love or hate them - like Marmite really! Personally I find them great for ranges up to 150 yards but they come into their own in woodland stalking at ranges 50 yards or less..
I can hold a 2" group with an old 243 I have at 200 yards quite easily but fast sight acquisition is what they're best at

 

[shooternz]

Thanks guys,
I know the one in my S&B is good I once shot a bumble bee with it at 100 metres it was walking on my target I just put the point on it and drilled it dead centre there was just blood splatter and some legs
around the hole, I think I will pick one up on E-bay the prices are not to bad, I have 3 mature Kahles as well as the S&B and a Pecar 6x45 all have excellent optics,
Just wanted to see what other people though of the reticule for hunting as I had never used one for that.
Robert.

 

[ejg]

I used one for a few years, don't like them. Firstly hold over on small targets does not work. The non symmetrical shape will lead to high shots when shooting very quick. Last light shots will also go high as one does not recognise the fine tip and uses a lower part as the tip. For hunting I prefer a plex type reticle that is symmetrical and one naturally puts the centre on what one wants to hit. The No.1 is from the past, illumination now also allows us to use very fine reticles which are better for smaller targets and longer ranges.
edi

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I have a Kahles 7x56 with the post no 1 and I shot my longest roe at 145 metres with perfect shot placement

 

[Heym SR20]

A lot of German hunters, particularly the younger generation are fitting their rifles with latest large zoom scopes with illuminated reticles. Most of their hunting is from highseats, either sitting up overnight under the light of the full moon shooting boar or sitting in a stand on a driven hunt. Mostly the ranges are quite short. There are any number of older fixed power scopes being swapped out for the latest and greatest Zeiss, Swaro or S&B scopes.

Before illuminated reticles, heavy cross hairs really help pick up animals in low light - fine cross hairs just get lost. I mostly use a No 4 reticle - 3 thick cross hairs going to thin with no illumination in a 6x42 Zeiss scope. And I have sat in high seats in the dark in Germany - under natural light from a partial moon and could easily have shot several Roe deer that presented themselves - except they were off the menu. I have also used the No 1 reticle and have one on an old rifle that I inherited. Its not the easiest to shoot tight groups with but fast in the field. Earlier this year I bought 1.25-4x20 Schmidt & Bender with their A2 reticle. This is just a tapered post with a flat top and two fine side lines. I really like it. In use its like the rib of an over and under shotgun - point to middle of target and squeeze - but difficult to zero with just a 1" dot.

Best zeroing target I have found for the No1 reticle as well as open sights is an inverted T made from two pieces of Duck Tape.

 

[Southern]

The A2 reticle is very useful on running game, by aligning the horizontal line with the game for elevation, and moving the thick vertical post out in front for the leading. I have an old Hensoldt with that reticle on a Mauser fullstock carbine with set triggers in 7x64.

 

[finnbear270]

Passed my L1 using this reticle, on a battered .243 from behind Mr Stretton's driver's seat.

 

[JMH123]

Great ret. Nothing better in low light- doing the bizz long before IR was invented.

 

[Yorric]

As JMH said - Plus there are no electrics/switches or batteries to fail!

I currently have a Swaro variable with No1 reticle (large post with a pointed top & a fine horizontal crosshair across at the start of the point which helps levelling). It is fitted on my 30-06 stutzen. I easily shoot sub MOA groups with it with 200 grain bullets.
The only downside is when shooting small targets like bunnies or maybe a fox at extended range the post can obscure detail. In that scenario with practice you can lift the rifle for that final second before releasing the shot.
But for practical deer stalking up to 250 yards the reticle works fine.

I also have a Pecar variable with the same ret. I had it on my foxing rifle for years & it accounted for plenty of the reynard clan under the lamp. Longest successful shot was 200 yards, which was as far as my lamp would illuminate.

Ian