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 
       [0001]    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 
       [0002]    This invention relates to sporting rifles, and more particularly, to a ballistic range finding reticle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    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&#39;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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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 
       [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    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. 
         [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    Said gunsight reticle may have the scale based method, bracket at distance method, and windage members calibrated to a specific magnification. 
         [0013]    A method of using said gunsight reticle according to an embodiment of this disclosure is reserved. 
         [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    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. 
         [0016]    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. 
         [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    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 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a riflescope mounted on a rifle in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing optical elements of a riflescope in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a view of a reticle as viewed through an ocular (eyepiece) of a riflescope; 
           [0022]      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; 
           [0023]      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; 
           [0024]      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; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an embodiment of the reticle shown properly bracketing the target for range-finding using the power ring system; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is view of the rifle scope showing the power ring range denominators, 500 yards is indicated by the indicator mark; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is an embodiment of the reticle shown properly bracketing the target for range-finding using the bracket distance method at 500 yards; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is an embodiment of the reticle shown properly aligning the target for range-finding using the scale-based method at 500 yards; 
           [0029]      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 
           [0030]      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 
       [0031]    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  54   a - 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  54   a - 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. 
         [0032]    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  55   a - c,  thereby avoiding a windage members  53   a - l,  scale members  69 , horizontal ranging members  54   a - f,  or a combination thereof. 
         [0033]    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  179   a,  and a second horizontal marking  179   b,  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 . 
         [0034]    Said gunsight reticle  40 , may have a plurality of horizontal ranging members  54   a - f,  wherein, the plurality of horizontal ranging members  54   a - 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  51   a - f.    
         [0035]    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  54   a - f,  may be interspersed vertically with the plurality of vertical scale members  70 , and be coaxial along a vertical axis. 
         [0036]    Said gunsight reticle  40 , may include a plurality of windage members  53   a - l,  operable to indicate drift of a projectile at a specific range and a wind value. The plurality of windage members  53   a - l,  being both vertically and horizontally displaced from the primary aiming point  50 , at distances in accordance with the predetermined ballistic profile  FIG. 5 . 
         [0037]    Said gunsight reticle  40 , may have the scale based method, bracket at distance method, and windage members calibrated to a specific magnification  36 . 
         [0038]    A method of using said gunsight reticle  40 , according to an embodiment of this disclosure is reserved. 
         [0039]    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  54   a - 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  54   a - f,  and vertical scale members  70 , are coaxial along a vertical axis passing through the primary aiming point  50 . 
         [0040]    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. 
         [0041]    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. 
         [0042]      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 &amp; 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. 
         [0043]      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. 
         [0044]      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  51   a - f,  windage members  53   a - l,  and horizontal ranging members  54   a - 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. 
         [0045]      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. 
         [0046]      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&#39;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&#39;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. 
         [0047]      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 . 
         [0048]    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. 
         [0049]      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  54   c,  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  54   c,  which is conveniently labeled by the 5 unit labeled  76 . In this example the units indicate 100&#39;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  54   c,  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  54   a - 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  54   a - f  ranges for. 
         [0050]    The vertical displacement of the horizontal ranging members  54   a - 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  54   a - f  may further be arranged so that some portion of the horizontal ranging members  54   a - f  intersects with the vertical center line  73  of reticle  40  forming secondary aiming guides  51   a - 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  54   a - f  will properly bracket the target  85 , provided the rifle scope  10  is set at the specific magnification  36 . Therefore, each horizontal ranging members  54   a - f  may also serve to form the corresponding, caliber-specific, secondary aiming guides  51   a - 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. 
         [0051]    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. 
         [0052]      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&#39;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. 
         [0053]    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  54   a - f  and windage members  53   a - l.  The vertical scale vertical scale members  70  may be coaxial and interspersed at least some places vertically with the horizontal ranging members  54   a - f.  The horizontal scale members  71  may be offset vertically from the primary aiming point  50 . 
         [0054]      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  51   a - f  and caliber specific windage members  53   a - l,  provided that the rifle scope  10  is at a specific magnification  36 . The drifts  63 , in  FIG. 4  upon which the windage members  53   a - 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  53   a - l  are calibrated. The aiming point is therefore the center of the right 500 yard windage members  53   a - l.    
         [0055]      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. 
         [0056]    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  154   a - 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  154   a - 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. 
         [0057]    The primary aiming point  150  of reticle  140  may be a top vertex of an alternative embodiment of first thick central aiming element  174 . 
         [0058]    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  179   a,  and a second horizontal marking  179   b,  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 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , reticle  140  may have a plurality of horizontal ranging members  154   a - f  wherein the plurality of horizontal ranging members  154   a - 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  151   a - f.    
         [0060]    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  154   a - f  may be interspersed vertically with the plurality of vertical scale members  170  and be coaxial along a vertical axis. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , reticle  140  may include a plurality of windage members  153   a - l  operable to indicate drift of a projectile at a specific range and a wind value. The plurality of windage members  153   a - 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 . 
         [0062]    Reticle  140  may have the scale based method, bracket at distance method, and windage members calibrated to a specific magnification  36 . 
         [0063]    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  154   a - 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  154   a - f  and vertical scale members  170  are coaxial along a vertical axis passing through the primary aiming point  150 . 
         [0064]    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.