{"id":5165,"date":"2014-04-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-04-10T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/https-swiftotterincubator-wpcomstaging-com-videosview-34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:39:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:39:04","slug":"34mm-mrad-elr-reticle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn More about the MRAD ELR Reticle"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"position:relative;padding-top:56.25%\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/iframe.mediadelivery.net\/embed\/330784\/32978e14-5eb7-4099-92b4-7a67c55a9068?autoplay=false&#038;loop=false&#038;muted=false&#038;preload=true&#038;responsive=true\" style=\"border:0;position:absolute;top:0;height:100%;width:100%\" allow=\"accelerometer;gyroscope;autoplay;encrypted-media;picture-in-picture;\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/div><p>When you&#8217;re stretching your shots to extreme distances, every fraction of precision matters. Whether you&#8217;re competing in long-range matches or testing your skills on distant targets, the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/meet-the-toric-uhd-4-25x50-built-by-optics-experts-not-marketers\/\">MRAD ELR reticle<\/a> might be the game-changer your <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/videosview\/unlocking-low-light-performance\/\">precision shooting<\/a> needs. Let&#8217;s break down what makes this floating dot design so effective for extreme long-range applications.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#What_Is_the_MRAD_ELR_Reticle\" >What Is the MRAD ELR Reticle?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#How_the_Floating_Dot_System_Works\" >How the Floating Dot System Works<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#Key_Benefits_for_Precision_Shooters\" >Key Benefits for Precision Shooters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#Practical_Applications_in_the_Field\" >Practical Applications in the Field<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#Understanding_MRAD_Measurements\" >Understanding MRAD Measurements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#How_does_the_floating_dot_in_the_MRAD_ELR_reticle_improve_accuracy\" >How does the floating dot in the MRAD ELR reticle improve accuracy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#Whats_the_difference_between_02_mil_and_05_mil_reference_marks\" >What's the difference between 0.2 mil and 0.5 mil reference marks?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#How_many_clicks_per_inch_with_MRAD_adjustments\" >How many clicks per inch with MRAD adjustments?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#Is_the_MRAD_ELR_reticle_only_useful_for_long-range_shooting\" >Is the MRAD ELR reticle only useful for long-range shooting?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/34mm-mrad-elr-reticle\/#What_makes_this_a_Christmas_tree_style_reticle\" >What makes this a 'Christmas tree' style reticle?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_MRAD_ELR_Reticle\"><\/span>What Is the MRAD ELR Reticle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>The MRAD ELR (<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/videosview\/elr-scope-for-air-rifles\/\">Extreme Long Range<\/a>) reticle is a Christmas tree-style reticle built around milliradian measurements, featuring a distinctive 0.04 milliradian floating dot at its center. Unlike traditional crosshair designs where thick lines intersect at the center, this reticle suspends a precise dot in the center, giving you unobstructed target visibility while maintaining pinpoint aiming precision.<\/p><p>This design philosophy stems from real-world feedback from precision shooters who needed better target definition at extended ranges. That&#8217;s because traditional crosshairs, while excellent for general shooting, can obscure small targets when you&#8217;re pushing distances to 1,000 yards and beyond.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_the_Floating_Dot_System_Works\"><\/span>How the Floating Dot System Works<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>Here&#8217;s why the floating dot concept is revolutionary: at extreme distances, traditional crosshairs can cover more of your target than you realize. Picture shooting at a bowling pin at 1,000 yards\u2014that target appears just a couple inches wide through your scope. A standard MOA or MRAD crosshair might cover half that target, leaving you guessing whether you&#8217;re holding center, left, or right.<\/p><p>The 0.04 mil floating dot eliminates this guesswork. You&#8217;re placing that precise dot exactly where you want the bullet impact, without any crosshair lines blocking your view of the target edges. It&#8217;s like switching from a thick marker to a fine-tip pen when drawing a bullseye.<\/p><p><strong>PRO TIP:<\/strong> This precision advantage isn&#8217;t limited to long-range shooting. Even at 100-200 yard benchrest competitions, placing that floating dot on eraser-head sized bullseyes provides cleaner sight pictures than traditional designs.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Benefits_for_Precision_Shooters\"><\/span>Key Benefits for Precision Shooters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>The MRAD <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/toric-4-5-30x56-elr\/\">ELR reticle<\/a> delivers several competitive advantages:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Enhanced Target Definition:<\/strong> The floating dot prevents target obscuration, critical when every inch matters at distance<\/li><li><strong>Dual Reference System:<\/strong> 0.2 mil windage and elevation marks for precision holds, plus 0.5 mil quick-reference marks for faster adjustments<\/li><li><strong>Visual Organization:<\/strong> Alternating mark design\u20140.2 mil marks point up on horizontal crosshair, 0.5 mil marks point down, with opposing patterns on elevation axis<\/li><li><strong>Christmas Tree Layout:<\/strong> Provides multiple holdover points for quick second-shot corrections without scope adjustment<\/li><li><strong>MRAD Consistency:<\/strong> Uses milliradian measurements throughout, eliminating MOA\/MIL conversion confusion<\/li><\/ul><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practical_Applications_in_the_Field\"><\/span>Practical Applications in the Field<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>Whether you&#8217;re engaged in competitive precision rifle shooting or challenging yourself with long-range targets, this reticle system adapts to various scenarios:<\/p><p><strong>Extreme Long Range Shooting:<\/strong> When engaging targets beyond 800 yards, the floating dot maintains target visibility while providing precise aiming points. The Christmas tree layout offers multiple holdover options for varying conditions.<\/p><p><strong>Competitive Benchrest:<\/strong> Even at shorter ranges, the clean sight picture helps when shooting at small bullseyes where traditional crosshairs might cover the entire scoring rings.<\/p><p><strong>Wind Correction:<\/strong> The 0.2 mil windage marks allow for precise wind holds, while 0.5 mil marks provide quick corrections when conditions change rapidly.<\/p><p><strong>Follow-up Shots:<\/strong> After your first shot impact, use the reticle&#8217;s reference marks to hold for immediate corrections without touching turrets\u2014essential in timed competitions.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_MRAD_Measurements\"><\/span>Understanding MRAD Measurements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>For shooters transitioning from MOA systems, understanding MRAD clicks becomes crucial. Each 0.1 mil click equals approximately 0.36 inches at 100 yards (compared to 0.25 inches for 1\/4 MOA clicks). This means roughly 3 clicks per inch of adjustment at 100 yards versus 4 clicks with MOA systems.<\/p><p>The 1000-to-1 ratio of MRAD measurements simplifies ranging and holdovers: 1 mil equals 1 yard at 1,000 yards, 1 meter at 1,000 meters. This mathematical relationship makes field calculations more intuitive once you&#8217;re comfortable with the system.<\/p><p>Notice something? The reticle&#8217;s design came directly from shooter feedback\u2014requests from precision rifle enthusiasts who needed better solutions for extreme-range challenges. This customer-driven approach ensures the reticle addresses real-world shooting situations rather than theoretical advantages.<\/p><p><strong>Final Thought:<\/strong> The MRAD ELR reticle represents a purpose-built solution for precision shooters who refuse to compromise on target definition. Whether you&#8217;re pushing boundaries at extreme distances or demanding perfection in benchrest competition, that floating dot gives you the visual clarity needed to make every shot count.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_the_floating_dot_in_the_MRAD_ELR_reticle_improve_accuracy\"><\/span>How does the floating dot in the MRAD ELR reticle improve accuracy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>The 0.04 mil floating dot eliminates the target obscuration problem of traditional crosshairs. At extreme distances, thick crosshair lines can cover small targets, making precise aiming difficult. The suspended dot allows you to place your aiming point exactly where needed without blocking your view of the target edges.<\/p><h3>What&#8217;s the difference between 0.2 mil and 0.5 mil reference marks?<\/h3><p>The 0.2 mil marks provide precision holds for exact windage and elevation corrections, while 0.5 mil marks offer quick reference points for faster adjustments. The alternating design\u20140.2 mil marks pointing up and 0.5 mil marks pointing down\u2014helps you quickly identify which measurement you&#8217;re using.<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_clicks_per_inch_with_MRAD_adjustments\"><\/span>How many clicks per inch with MRAD adjustments?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>MRAD scopes typically require about 3 clicks (0.1 mil each) to move one inch at 100 yards, compared to 4 clicks with 1\/4 MOA systems. Each 0.1 mil click equals approximately 0.36 inches at 100 yards.<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_MRAD_ELR_reticle_only_useful_for_long-range_shooting\"><\/span>Is the MRAD ELR reticle only useful for long-range shooting?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>No, the floating dot design benefits shooting at all ranges. Even at 100-200 yard benchrest competitions, the precise dot provides cleaner sight pictures when aiming at small bullseyes compared to traditional crosshairs that might cover the entire target.<\/p><h3>What makes this a &#8216;Christmas tree&#8217; style reticle?<\/h3><p>The Christmas tree design refers to the graduated holdover marks that branch out below the horizontal crosshair, resembling an inverted tree shape. This layout provides multiple aiming points for different ranges and conditions without requiring <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/choosing-your-first-optic-getting-it-right-from-the-start\/\">scope adjustments<\/a>.<\/p><p>{  &#8220;@context&#8221;: &#8220;https:\/\/schema.org&#8221;,  &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;FAQPage&#8221;,  &#8220;mainEntity&#8221;: [    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;How does the floating dot in the MRAD ELR reticle improve accuracy?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;The 0.04 mil floating dot eliminates the target obscuration problem of traditional crosshairs. At extreme distances, thick crosshair lines can cover small targets, making precise aiming difficult. The suspended dot allows you to place your aiming point exactly where needed without blocking your view of the target edges.&#8221;      }    },    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;What&#8217;s the difference between 0.2 mil and 0.5 mil reference marks?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;The 0.2 mil marks provide precision holds for exact windage and elevation corrections, while 0.5 mil marks offer quick reference points for faster adjustments. The alternating designu20140.2 mil marks pointing up and 0.5 mil marks pointing downu2014helps you quickly identify which measurement you&#8217;re using.&#8221;      }    },    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;How many clicks per inch with MRAD adjustments?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;MRAD scopes typically require about 3 clicks (0.1 mil each) to move one inch at 100 yards, compared to 4 clicks with 1\/4 MOA systems. Each 0.1 mil click equals approximately 0.36 inches at 100 yards.&#8221;      }    },    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;Is the MRAD ELR reticle only useful for long-range shooting?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;No, the floating dot design benefits shooting at all ranges. Even at 100-200 yard benchrest competitions, the precise dot provides cleaner sight pictures when aiming at small bullseyes compared to traditional crosshairs that might cover the entire target.&#8221;      }    },    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;What makes this a &#8216;Christmas tree&#8217; style reticle?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;The Christmas tree design refers to the graduated holdover marks that branch out below the horizontal crosshair, resembling an inverted tree shape. This layout provides multiple aiming points for different ranges and conditions without requiring scope adjustments.&#8221;      }    }  ]}<\/p><p><strong>Let&#8217;s make every shot count.<\/strong><\/p><p>Have questions? We&#8217;re here to help:<\/p><ul><li>\ud83d\udcde Call: <a href=\"tel:631-662-7354\">631-662-7354<\/a><\/li><li>\ud83d\udce7 Email: <a href=\"mailto:support@tractoptics.com\">support@tractoptics.com<\/a><\/li><li>\ud83d\udcac Live Chat available on <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tractoptics.com<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trustpilot.com\/review\/tractoptics.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2b50 See what our customers say on Trustpilot<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The MRAD ELR reticle features a revolutionary 0.04 milliradian floating dot design that eliminates target obscuration at extreme ranges. This Christmas tree-style reticle provides both 0.2 mil precision marks and 0.5 mil quick-reference points for versatile field applications.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12312,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2272,2274],"tags":[4245,4488,4489,2797,2899,4490,3573,3004,3032,3047,3048,3049,3050,3053,3054,3056,3057,3058,3060,3064,3074,3078,3079,3082,3085,3086,3087,3088,3089,3091,3092,3093,3351],"class_list":["post-5165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-toric-34mm","category-video","tag-christmas-tree-reticle","tag-extreme-long-range-shooting-2","tag-floating-dot-reticle","tag-hunting","tag-long-range-rifle-scope","tag-milliradian-reticle","tag-precision-rifle-scope","tag-rifle","tag-rifle-scope","tag-rifle-scope-objective-size","tag-rifle-scope-reticle","tag-rifle-scope-reticles","tag-rifle-scope-reticles-explained","tag-rifle-scope-turret-knobs","tag-rifle-scope-turrets","tag-rifle-scope-windage-adjustment","tag-rifle-scope-with-ballistic-calculator","tag-rifle-scopes","tag-rifle-scopes-for-sale","tag-rifle-size-for-deer-hunting","tag-rifle-turret","tag-rifles-for-deer-hunting","tag-riflescope","tag-riflescopes","tag-rimfire-bdc-reticle","tag-rimfire-bdc-scope","tag-rimfire-optics","tag-rimfire-rifle-scope","tag-rimfire-rifle-scopes","tag-rimfire-scope","tag-rimfire-scope-3-9x40","tag-rimfire-scope-with-bdc","tag-wistia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5165"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12662,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5165\/revisions\/12662"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}