Do you use a rangefinder?

[bedwards1966]

I've become curious on how many people use them in the field, and why?

 

I don't own one and I'm happy without, to me estimating ranges is a skill required for rifle shooting. Using a device to tell you how far away something is so you can look at a chart or dial it in seems to be taking all the skill out of the job.

Am I in the minority, or do others think this way too?

[steve_b_wales]

I don't carry mine around with me in the field all the time, but I use it to get an accurate measurement across fields etc on my permissions. I also practice my distance judging skills by guessing how far a certain object etc is, and then finding out by using the rangefinder, It's surprising how many times I have been 'almost accurate' and also 'way out'! I use mine as well when putting targets out in the field for zeroing purposes.

 

Steve.

[tweedledee]

Always carry one.

[Mangled99]

I don't carry mine around with me in the field all the time, but I use it to get an accurate measurement across fields etc on my permissions. I also practice my distance judging skills by guessing how far a certain object etc is, and then finding out by using the rangefinder, It's surprising how many times I have been 'almost accurate' and also 'way out'! I use mine as well when putting targets out in the field for zeroing purposes.

 

Steve.

[barrelsniffer]

I was a trained UKLF sniper and judging distance was just one of the skills taught to us...but there we are against human and man made tgts and sitting in hides doing observation for days getting to know our tgts..unlike animals which are un-predictable ..i do use one now when shooting dist as it gives me a very quick way of getting there.

Edited March 30, 2012 by barrelsniffer

[sitsinhedges]

I always use a LRF because it extends the useable range of the gun by quite a margin where otherwise a few yards out would mean a miss because of the curved trajectory of the ammo at range. I want every shot to count and the LRF helps me to do this by adding an amount of certainty into the equation.

[telf]

Always carry one.

me also

[barrelsniffer]

If the technology is there and it works and it gives you that peace of mind of a clean kill then why not use them ? im usually good with out when using my field craft to get closer but anything past 350-400 and i cant get closer then i use my RF.

[artschool]

I was a trained UKLF sniper and judging distance was just one of the skills taught to us...but there we are against human and man made tgts and sitting in hides doing observation for days getting to know our tgts..unlike animals which are un-predictable ..i do use one now when shooting dist as it gives me a very quick way of getting there.

 

cool. did you carry any range finding equipment or was it all done by eye?

[Shropshire_Lad]

Always used one with the fac air, great combo out to some good ranges with practise. The hmr shoots flat for the ranges my skill will allow so tend not to bother when out with that so 50/50 for me.

 

atvb Paul.

[barrelsniffer]

cool. did you carry any range finding equipment or was it all done by eye?

 

No we had no rangefinders all done by how they trained us in the judging distance part mils and binos..forgot also aerial photography is useful

 

But if i had chance to use them..then yes i would..its an aid so why not...they do use them now but still teach them the normal way in case range finders pack in, but when i trained back in the days in 1994 we didn't have them.

Edited March 30, 2012 by barrelsniffer

[artschool]

I use a rangefinder all the time but I also like having it as a spotter.

 

Would like to get a pair of range finding binos.

[Gimlet]

I have one in my coat pocket all the time. Don't use it so often mainly because I've now got a mental range map of my ground.

I have found it very useful when planning an ambush shoot or mapping in the daylight fixed positions for rabbit shooting with NV.

Occaisionally use it to plan an approach when stalking, more often to see how far the shot was after the event.

I do think it has extended my HMR range. I'm shooting more often out to 170/180 yds because I can ping the long shots and compensate with confidence. Mine's a basic one though, don't know if I'd trust those ballistic calculator models. Prefer my own judgement.

All in all, glad I bought it and always keep it with me.

[malkiserow]

I use an MTC one... simple but very good. Often check out places on my shoot to then remember them at night. Certainly helps with a .22lr which has good impact energy but loopy trajectory at distance.

[zipdog]

I dont use one! for day time vermin shooting they may be ok, but useless when lamping rabbits or foxes, you simply do not have the time especially on foxes.

 

It does not take long before you are able to judge ranges quite well with out using a range finder.

[coyotemaster]

You could likely get by without one if you confine your shots to 200-250 yds. But to consistently connect at long range I always range. As range increases it becomes harder to be exact. I use the Leica CRF 1200 which is extremely small and easily carried.

[barrelsniffer]

I use an MTC one... simple but very good. Often check out places on my shoot to then remember them at night. Certainly helps with a .22lr which has good impact energy but loopy trajectory at distance.

 

Instead of always using a rangefinder..for the same pieces of land where you are sat waiting for your game/vermin to appear...make out a Range Card for that area and other areas..saves ranging every time when all you have to do is pull the card out look at it..eye ball what object you previously ranged ect ect...so easy.

[coyotemaster]

Instead of always using a rangefinder..for the same pieces of land where you are sat waiting for your game/vermin to appear...make out a Range Card for that area and other areas..saves ranging every time when all you have to do is pull the card out look at it..eye ball what object you previously ranged ect ect...so easy.

 

 

Thanks for that, I wondered what the Snipers in the movies were up to looking at cards----obviously preranged landmarks.

[barrelsniffer]

Thanks for that, I wondered what the Snipers in the movies were up to looking at cards----obviously preranged landmarks.

 

Correct..range card with drawing the land in front with buildings, obstacles, landmarks ect ect..all ranged and plotted..if you do one for each bit of permission you shoot ie from a static spot that you use often they are handy,saves doing it all over again.

[cooter]

I can judge ranges well enough out to 200 yards when there are obstacles about, but in flat open land, or with a heat haze, it is easy to error by as much as fifty yards.

 

I bought RF Binos so that I always have the option to range a target accurately.

[welshwarrior]

Barrelsniffer rangefinders are now issued to all snipers and sharpshooters for tour and most commanders.

 

I'm with you tho I was taught the old ways but the technology helps to check because I'm only human. Don't have one for vermin shooting tho I use the stadia grat on my scope

[bullet boy]

I take mine out all the time apart from when out Lamping.

[bedwards1966]

Interesting results, never tried using cards myself (nor seen a need to).

My granddad was an army sniper, well before the days of rangefinders (or acceptable scopes...).

I seem to find that with a little practise you can have a very good idea of what ranges things are then pacing it out. (I'm not saying I get it perfect every time).

Interesting to see just how many prefer the rangefinders.

Edited April 1, 2012 by bedwards1966

[malkiserow]

The rangefinder makes your guesses better

[Alycidon]

Only carry one when longer shots or fox shots are expected. Missed 2 crows this morning with my 17AH probably because I could not get an accurate range. Both were 250 yards ish !!, thats 150mm of drop and a bit of drift. Thats my trap round rifle, most shots are 60-100 yards, stalk crows with a Landrover !!.

 

A