ArizonaShooting.ORG

I have recently gotten back into hunting, a buddy has a range finder that he takes along. What are your thoughts on them?
I have never felt that confident in my ability to judge distances further out.
I think it would be nice to have to help get an idea of the range.
What are your thoughts on model, brand?

I use a range finder every time I go hunting.
There are lots of choices. Even the cheap ones seem to work good.
I have a Leica. It was close to $1000 new about 10 years ago.
A friend of mine bought a Redfield last year for around $200 and it works just about as good as mine , it just doesn't go the distance and is not quite as clear as mine at longer distances.

I've had a few over the years, current one is a Bushnell (maybe 10 years old) and it seems to still be right on the money. Try to get as compact as you can as you may have it and binocs and whatever else slung around your neck..
When you get one, test it against known objects at various distances out to/past its rating. That way you'll know if it is on the money at distances you will be shooting. The as you use it, estimate the distance yourself first- in time you'll be able to call it pretty good.

I could never get comfortable swapping out from scope to range finder and then back to scope, or range finder to scope, or bino's to range finder to scope, when I had an animal in my sights.

So,... many years ago I went with a new generation Redfield 3-9x52mm (by Leupold) with a manual Accu-Ranger Hunter reticle. It's only good out to 600 yards, but, I like to stalk my prey to 150 yds or less. I use its ranging ability more for letting me know when my target is outside of my comfort zone.

Burris came out with a new age computerized range finding, auto ballistic drop, scope, you may want to check out. I didn't study it in depth, but, I was impressed with one of their promo videos.

Desert rat, here is a video with better info, imo.

https://www4.bing.com/videos/search?q=B ... &FORM=VIRE

https://www4.bing.com/videos/search?q=B ... &FORM=VIRE

I have a Nikon ProStaff 3 that ranges out to 550+ yards.

Good enough for me.

I have a Bushnell 1000 yard model that I've had a long, long time. I practice judging distance around the neighborhood using it from time to time and have gotten fairly accurate over the years.

I picked up a Simmons Volt 600 for $45 after rebate. I've only used it for ranging targets. It's easy to use and it's consistent.

@shooter444, I saw the scopes with the integrated range finder, a nice concept. I will have to do some research.

@Flash, I have practiced around the neighborhood as well, it works ok on flat terrain, it is when I have a valley in between me and the object that I get messed up!

Thanks for all the input, I have some reading to do!

I have a Nikon real tree 1000 yard range finder like a lot

Desert Rat wrote: ↑July 7th, 2018, 2:17 pm @shooter444, I saw the scopes with the integrated range finder, a nice concept. I will have to do some research.

@Flash, I have practiced around the neighborhood as well, it works ok on flat terrain, it is when I have a valley in between me and the object that I get messed up!

Thanks for all the input, I have some reading to do!

Yeah, that creates an optical illusion that tends to make me misjudge the distance as well.

Knowing the distance is only a small part of hunting.
Scopes and bullet drop are also an important part of hunting.
Just a few yards discrepancy can be the difference in a kill and a wounded animal running off.

jesus, the poor critters aint got a chance, range finders, scopes that do the deal, game cameras, what the shiat ever happened to hunting, learning the moves of the critters, scouting, finding their lair, putting the sneak on them,

yeah, not hunters anymore, just shooters.

jmo
Rj

Let me guess.
All a real hunter needs is a sharp stick and a rock.

redj wrote: ↑July 8th, 2018, 9:12 am Let me guess.
All a real hunter needs is a sharp stick and a rock.

lol, of course not, but some skill should be involved,
Rj

So enlighten us.
What makes a person not a hunter just because he uses a scope and a range finder ?