When shopping for an optic, reticle is often a critical consideration. After all, it’s what we see and use as shooters to take aim. But reticles come in all different shapes, sizes, and measurements.
Whether you’re looking for a reticle that best suits or shooting needs or researching which Swampfox riflescope you want to purchase, learn more about every reticle across our low power variable optic (LPVO) lineup – including Arrowhead, Tomahawk II, and Warhorse.
Reticles 101
FFP vs. SFP
Depending on how a riflescope is constructed – specifically, where its reticle lens is located – an optic may be referred to as First Focal Plane or Second Focal Plane. First Focal Plane (FFP) scopes have reticles positioned in front of the magnification assembly that grow and shrink with magnification in sync with the observed target. Second Focal Plane (SFP) scopes have reticles positioned behind the magnification assembly and maintain a constant size across magnification while observed targets grow and shrink. Ranging holdovers stay the same on FFP scopes but are only accurate on the highest magnification with SFP optics.
BDC vs. MOA vs. MIL
While many look similar, not all reticles are created equal. LPVO reticles are often offered in three different styles/measurements: Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC), Minute of Angle (MOA), or Milliradian (MIL). BDC reticles feature quick reference points for ranging at different distances and are typically calibrated for specific calibers and bullet weights. Both MOA and MIL reticles use angular measurements and formulas to calculate ranging, with 1 MOA equaling 1 inch at 100 yards and 1 MIL equating to 10cm at 100 meters. Each has their place based on magnification, application, and shooter preference.
Illumination
While red dots use LED emitters to project their reticle onto a forward lens, illuminated riflescopes rely on glass-etched reticles infilled with luminescent material. Still powered by an LED, this allows specific parts of, or the entire, reticle to be illuminated. Reticles are typically available in red or green – the two fastest and easiest colors for the human eye to pick up – but can also be used without illumination in daylight bright settings or where illumination is not legal. Illumination can be turned up or down to account for varying indoor and outdoor light conditions.
LPVO Reticles
Swampfox Arrowhead SFP
Guerrilla Dot BDC Long
Designed for the AR platform, Arrowhead’s Guerrilla Dot BDC Long is a versatile reticle calibrated for both 5.56 NATO and .308 Win/7.62 NATO loads. Available in red or green illumination, the reticle features a 1 MOA center dot encompassed by an 18 MOA horseshoe. Crosshairs at 12, 3, and 9 o’clock have an outer dimension of 19” at 100 yards – the width of an average human torso – and an inner plate diameter of 12” at the same distance. Horizontal hash marks and inverted chevrons at the 6 o’clock position act as rapid shoulder ranging bars and bullet drop subtensions to compensate for mid to long-range targets out to 960 yards.
Note: Subtensions vary slightly between magnification ranges.
Guerrilla Dot MOA Long
Combining red dot-like speed with extended range capability, the Arrowhead Guerrilla Dot MOA Long reticle is simple, but effective. Completely illuminated in red or green, the reticle features a broken 20 MOA horseshoe surrounding a 1 MOA center dot. Three crosshairs at the 12, 3, and 9 o’clock position offer 4 MOA of vertical and horizontal ranging while a 32 MOA ladder at 6 o’clock provides holdovers in 2 MOA increments. Holdovers representing 10, 20, and 30 MOA are called out with larger 5 MOA wide hash marks. Like the BDC Long reticle, the width across center ranging bars measures 19” at 100 yards and form a 12” inner diameter plate.
Note: Subtensions vary slightly between magnification ranges.
Guerrilla Dot MIL Long
Unlike Arrowhead’s other two reticles, the Guerrilla Dot MIL Long variant features heavy duplex lines that reach the edge of the lens to draw the shooter’s eye toward the red or green illuminated center (when illumination is used). In the middle of it all sits a 0.23 MIL dot with a 5.55 MIL inner diameter broken ring. Inside the ring are 2.5 MILs of ranging in all four directions in 0.5 MIL increments. The MIL ladder extends outward an additional 2.5 MILs at the 12 o’clock position, 5 MILs at both 3 and 9 o’clock, and 15 MIL at 6 o’clock for ranging at various distances.
For more details about Arrowhead reticles, view the digital Arrowhead Reticle Guide.
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Swampfox Tomahawk II SFP
Guerrilla Dot BDC
Simplifying Arrowhead’s Guerrilla Dot BDC Long reticle for lower magnification ranges, the Tomahawk II Guerilla Dot BDC delivers fast target acquisition for accurate shots in close to mid-range engagements. Offered in our standard red or green illumination, take aim with a 2 MOA/1 MOA (4x/6x models) center dot and 23 MOA outer diameter horseshoe with 4 MOA long crosshairs at 12, 3, and 9 o’clock. Below the dot, three non-illuminated, etched hash marks provide bullet drop subtensions and rapid shoulder ranging for common 5.56 NATO and .308 Win/7.62 NATO loads. The distance between the center crosshairs measures 20” at 100 yards.
Bright Fiber Optic
When it comes to illuminated reticles, they don’t get any brighter than fiber optic. Exclusively offered with Tomahawk II, our Bright Fiber Optic (BFO) reticle delivers nuclear bright center point illumination for shooting in any light against any background. Available in red, green, amber, and blue illumination, the blazing reticle features a 0.9/0.6 MOA (4x/6x) illuminated “dot” with etched 5 MOA ladders for 30 MOA of horizontal and vertical ranging. Thick duplex lines at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions further direct the shooter’s eye to the bright center dot.
For more details about Tomahawk II reticles, view the digital Tomahawk II Reticle Guide.
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Swampfox Warhorse FFP
Dragoon MOA
Named after a class of mounted infantry who fought on foot, the first focal plane Warhorse Dragoon MOA reticle is optimized for speed and precision at any magnification. A 120-degree, 26 MOA outside diameter horseshoe and 1.2 MOA dot sit at the center of the reticle, available in red or green illumination. A hash mark ladder descends from the dot in 5 MOA increments, accompanied by a ranging tree with alternating 0.7 MOA and 1 MOA windage dots. Ten, 20, and 30 MOA positions are marked on both sides of the ladder. Two 64 MOA sharpened duplex points flank either size of the horseshoe with a third rising from the bottom, measuring 96 MOA.
Dragoon MIL
Replicating the design of the Dragoon MOA with MIL measurements, the Warhorse Dragoon MIL reticle features a 120-degree, 7.7 MIL outside diameter horseshoe with 0.29 MIL center dot in red or green illumination. A 6 MIL ladder at the 6 o’clock position provides versatile ranging in 1 MIL hashes with a small and large dotted tree of 0.5 MIL ranging. Two, 4, and 6 MIL positions are noted for quick reference. Outside duplexes measure 18 MIL on each side and measure 10 MIL from point to center dor. A 30 MIL duplex supports the the bottom of the reticle.
For more details about Warhorse reticles, view the digital Warhorse Reticle Guide.
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Not sure which reticle is right for you?
Purchase with confidence knowing all Swampfox optics are protected by our 30-day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee. Mount and shoot your LPVO up to 30 days after delivery. If you’re not happy with the optic or reticle you chose, simply return it for another optic, reticle variant, or a full refund.