The first rule with a mil is to convert the target size to mils.
Here’s the formula
A mil is 3.6”@100 and 36”@1000
There’s a few different ways to do this -I have a chart that converts target inches to mils to simplify this. Knowing your target size is critical to make this work.
Bull elk pre rut is 28”(back to brisket) 28/36=.778
.778x1000=778 so (778)is our number for a pre rut bull elk.
Bull elk post rut is 24”(back to brisket) 24/36=.667
.667x1000=667 so (667) is our number for a post rut bull elk
A mature mule deer is 18” back to brisket 18/36= .5
.5x1000=500 so (500) is our number for a mature mule deer and likely a whitetail.
A coyote is 12” back to brisket 12/36=.334
.334x1000 =334 so (334) is our number for a coyote.
Here’s my example:
My bull elk formula is 667 as this elk has lost a lot of weight post rut. Food is scarce so he won’t be gaining any weight until spring.
If you look closely at the pic you will see that every hash mark is 1/2 (.5) mil.
From the back to brisket I estimated .8 mil total.
667/ .8 = 834 yards
15 min later after the snow stopped -the 2 bulls were almost exactly in the same spot. My rangefinder gave me an 841 yard measurement 3 times. Would I feel comfortable shooting this elk only milling at this distance -NO. But if this elk had been wounded and still going -YES.
Had he measured 2 mils
667/2=333 yards and yes I would have taken this shot without a rangefinder.
How does this relate to a whitetail.
Formula is 500
You mil him and get 2.5 mils
500/2.5=200 yards
He moves and gives you another look - now he’s 1.5 mils
500/1.5 = 333 yards
He moves and now he’s 1 mil
500/1 =500 yards
If you keep your mil numbers to .1 increments and do a little practicing -you could shoot a deer with high confidence if your rangefinder stops working.
You might say this is a pain in the rear to do especially with mils and you might be right. Lots of shooters prefer MOA because it makes the formulas easier. I can share MOA if anyone wants it. It does have an 5.47% error that needs to be factored in for precise ranging.
I also could have used another formula
Bull elk is 24”
24/36 =.667
.667/.8 x1000= 834 yards.
Ok
You either like this post - or you don’t ?
You might like the MOA formulas better.
IPHY reticles and turrets are the best and easiest for ranging -my opinion.