What does the BDC reticle stand for?

The BDC reticle stands for Ballistic Drop Compensator. This type of reticle is specifically designed to help shooters compensate for the drop of a bullet over long distances. The markings on a BDC reticle correspond to specific distances, taking into account factors such as bullet drop due to gravity and the ballistic trajectory of the bullet.

By using a BDC reticle, shooters can more easily aim at targets at varying distances without needing to estimate or adjust their sights manually as much. The BDC reticle allows for quicker target acquisition and increased accuracy, particularly useful for long-range shooting scenarios. Each mark on the reticle represents a range based on a particular caliber and bullet weight, facilitating a direct visual cue for aim adjustments based on distance.