WITH THE EYES OF A HAWK

TDS TRI-FACTOR RETICLE SYSTEM

AN INTRODUCTION AND FAMILIARIZATION
ON HOW COL. T. D. SMITH’S SHOOTING SYSTEM WORKS.

INTRODUCTION

The accuracy of arrows, rocks, spears, bullets, etc., through the Earth’s gravitational fields and atmosphere is generally determined by three variables: Surface and shape of the missile, weight of the missile and strength of the propelling force. Naturally, the missile must be aimed properly, and if the forces acting on the missile before and after launch are constant or can be predicted, then useful accuracy can be achieved with the proper aim.

Debate on this subject has been conducted over the glow of many a campfire since man first tied a sharp rock onto the end of a long stick. The principle and effect of shape, weight, air density and propelling force, and their combined effect on accuracy is certainly at play where sporting arms and ammunition are concerned. To some hunters it’s a puzzle; to others it’s a matter of logic, plus practice and more practice. However, when an accurate rifle, cartridge and sighting device are used for sport hunting, and the hunter does his or her part, the results can be rewarding.

Today’s factory produced rifles, premium bullets and ammunition are capable of achieving levels of accuracy and penetration, that, a few years ago, were only obtainable from custom rifles and hand loaded ammunition. Now, the only variables left are the shooter, his or her ability to read the elements and the sighting device.

T.D. SMITH HAD A SYSTEM

Most rifle scopes have an adjustable reticle of some sort, and most reticles take the form of a cross. The only significant differences in scopes are their brightness, clarity, durability and quality.

These differences can be substantial, and that is why T.D. Smith, Lt. Col., USAF (ret.), chose Swarovski Optik to finally build scopes with the TDS TRI-FACTOR reticle system for the Sporting public. As a combat fighter pilot flying F-4’s in Vietnam, TD learned well the importance of accuracy, and twelve years after retiring, he developed his renowned TRI-FACTOR Shooting System.

Starting at age 30, he began competition shooting, breaking 79 national records during the next four years. His firearms expertise ranges from pistols to rifles to shotguns and even cannons on jet fighters where he began developing the basic TRI-FACTOR system for teaching distance to target, the elevation and lateral deflections to compensate for bullet drop and wind drift, as well as up or down angles to the target for accurate shot placement.

THE TDS, TRI-FACTOR RETICLE SYSTEM

RANGE TO TARGET ESTIMATION USING
THE TDS, TRI-FACTOR RETICLE

If the height measurement of the target animal or a portion of that animal, (bottom of chest to top of shoulder), is known then an accurate range estimation can be made using the cross hairs and cross bars of the "TRI-FACTOR reticle". The reticle is designed so that the RMB #1 marker bar will correspond to 2" at 100yds., the second is set for 4.8", the third 7.5" and the fourth is 10.5". If this reticle is over laid onto a known twenty inch target in such a manner that the target just fits within the #4 marker bar, then the range to target will be 200 yds. If the 20" target fits within the #3 bar then the range to target would be just under 300 yds. The formula is:

Known target inch

Depth measurement inches = distance x 100 yds.

Cross bar inches

TRI-FACTOR RETICLE PREDETERMINES
EFFECTIVE ONE SHOT DISTANCE

The heart of the TDS TR-FACTOR reticle system is the reticle itself. The central cross hair corresponds to a conventional rifle scope reticle. With a selected rifle and ammunition zeroed for a 100 yd target, at or above the cross hairs, the lower cross bars, Range Marker Bars (RMB) will correspond to 100 yd intervals so as to graphically indicate bullet drop or adjustment as required. A standard velocity rifle/cartridge combination, zeroed for 100 yds at the centre of the cross hairs, will have the bullet strike a 200 yd target when the target is centred at RMB #1. A 300 yd target will be hit when it is centred at RMB#2 and so on out to 500 yds. Uneven yardage’s such as 250 yds will fall exactly between RMB #1 and RMB #2 i.e. between the bars.

Note that very high velocity rifle/cartridge combinations will shoot very flat for the first 200 to 300 yds, and accordingly should be zeroed at or slightly above the cross hairs. In this case, RMB #1 will indicate 300 yds., RMB #2 would therefore indicate 400 yds, RMB #3 will indicate 500 yds and so on. Individual shooters will have to establish their exact, point blank zero with their own rifle/cartridge combination.

HELPS SHOOTER DETERMINE ACCURATE RANGE LIMITS OF RIFLE AND BULLET DROP FOR SHOT ACCURACY

TDS FACTOR SYSTEM

Note: select your cartridge and bullet weight closest to the one in the table below to help establish the right class and factor for the rifle and bullet weight you are shooting for zero impact at the centre of the cross hairs.

High power, centre fire rifles have an absolute range of several miles or more if the barrel is elevated to 30° or 35° from level, and can injure or kill at those ranges. This is why it is so important to not shoot over a backstop nor shoot at an animal silhouetted against the skyline. However, for hunting purposes these extreme ranges are not practical, as the cumulative effect of air density and winds renders most rifle calibre’s and shooters inaccurate. A one shot hit is no longer a sure thing, and the shot should not be taken.

The TDS TRI-FACTOR RETICLE will show you the size of your wobble area (displaced movement of the reticle on the target) relative to the heart/lung area for a one shot harvest. If the wobble area is smaller than the heart/lung area and your trigger squeeze renders a controlled shot, then you will achieve a one shot knock-down if the wind is right and there are no intervening obstructions like grass, twigs, etc.

USE ENDS OF RANGE BARS TO COMPENSATE
FOR CROSS WIND AT SELECTED RANGE

The right or left ends of each range bat are calibrated for a constant, 10 mph cross wind at the selected ranges. Use the range bar opposite the direction from where the wind is coming i.e. use the end of the left range bar that corresponds to the selected range for a 10 mph cross wind from the right. For quartering cross wind or wind only blowing half as fast, use one half of the cross bar as an aiming point and so on.

Note: If the range to the target falls somewhere between any two range bars, use an imaginary aiming point correspondingly located between the two range bars. The same adjustment will be used for quartering cross winds or cross winds that are a percentage less or greater than 10 mph. For more information on this, contact T.D. Smith. Remember, practice and logic will improve accuracy.

TDS TRI-FACTOR RETICLE WILL HELP
COMPENSATE FOR UP OR DOWN ANGLE SHOTS

By holding your reticle aim point for the centre of impact of the heart/lung area of your target at a 200 yd range with a 35° up or down hill angle, your bullet will strike slightly high but still well within the heart/lung area. By holding slightly low (a few inches) on an uphill or downhill shot at the same range/angle, your bullet will rise, striking in the centre. As the range increases use more compensation. For further information on this point, contact T.D. Smith.

(400 yds., 30-06, 180 gr. bullet, Factor 9, Class 5 rifle and cartridge. Assume no wind or movement)

PRACTICE AND PRACTICE

The T. D. Reticle System may sound complicated at first, but remember that you will only have to work with one set of calculations per rifle/cartridge combination and then stick with that on your hunt. You can even select calibre and load combinations with the same factor so the "fall of shot" remains the same with each combination. For example, see ammunition listed under "Factor 7.5"

Any sight is just a sight. Real riflemen are built from constant practice at the ranges. Start with small, light recoiling calibres. Even practice with a .22 rimfire. Practice until your trigger control, breathing and sight picture are steady and constant. A good rifle rest and body position allows for minimum barrel movement when the shot goes off. Then graduate to heavier calibre’s if you are a new shooter. This practice is also a good idea if you are just picking up the sport after years of "no shooting". Practice is also good if you have picked up a flinch along the way. Going back to basics is good for all of us from time to time. Practice using the Swarovski Optik scope with the TRI FACTOR RETICLE according to the outline above and your marksmanship will improve, and your rewards will be great.

For more information on the T.D. Smith Shooting system contact:

T.D. Smith, Inc.
7008 Landing Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73132
Tel. 405 720 7920
Fax. 405 720 0140