If I were to use a tape measure to "precisely" mark distances to 50 yards from my bench setup, would I start to measure from the end of the barrel or somewhere else? Or does it even make a difference? There might be a difference of 24 inches for precision shooters who are shooting for prize money.
How to accurately measure target distances?
- Thread starter rodjava
- Start date
I use a laser range finder and I usually stand at the side of my rifle so it puts my distance from the breach. I dont do it that way for any reason other than thats how I am setup at my bench. In the field I am ranging animals with the stock at m shoulder so its going to be longer by 10" roughly. For me thats plenty accurate enough or close enough. When ever I range from a bench at the shooting range I get 100 yds sitting at the bench as if I was setup to shoot. I dont know if it needs to be any more technical than that.
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100% get a laser. ORRRR get a compass with an azimuth. There's a trick we used to do in the military, and its really, really accurate +- maybe a meter or 2. Anyway. SO you shoot an Azmith at your target. Turn 180 degrees left or right. (basically, turn to walk) Walk until the azimuth changes 5 degrees from the original degree of the object. Count the number of steps. Every left step you took multiply by 11. That will give you a damn good distance. (Okay so I can't remember and don't have a magnetic compass near me right now. but its either every other step or every step. 99% sure its every other step.)
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I use a tape and start from the center of my scope (parallax knob). My laser and tape don't agree beyond about 20 yards.
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I hardly think it matters, my POI doesn’t change from 35-50yds so I think a couple of inches or feet really doesn’t matter 
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Thank you to all members who chimed in. Seems like several different ways to measure off distances. Yes, I have a range finder. But with my shaky hands it's hard to get a very accurate measurement and most of the time I average what the distance displays.
I was thinking that it really matters to a precision bench rest shooter and not so much for plinking at targets. I'm going to measure from the breach which is about 24 inches further back then the front of the bench where I would have thought of measured from . This would be the start of the slugs travel distance. I think this is the difference in the big prize money.
I was thinking that it really matters to a precision bench rest shooter and not so much for plinking at targets. I'm going to measure from the breach which is about 24 inches further back then the front of the bench where I would have thought of measured from . This would be the start of the slugs travel distance. I think this is the difference in the big prize money.
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Strictly for convenience I put one end of my 100 foot steel tape measure on the back of the railing of the side porch my shooting bench is on. Depending on the gun, that might be behind or in front of the muzzle of the gun. I figure this is close enough.
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I use the rangefinder from where I sit, and add a yard to my distance to make up for gun length.
My rangefinder unsupported is of no use, i usually set it on a couple pellet tins on my bench to steady it, and peer through it that way.
My rangefinder unsupported is of no use, i usually set it on a couple pellet tins on my bench to steady it, and peer through it that way.
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For example Strelok pro calculates a difference between 40 and 42 yards. 40 yards .25 moa and 42 yards .28 moa. The difference in 1st and 2nd place?
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Could you show that trick to a few Marine Corps Lt's?? Might help them keep from getting "lost".
Smitty
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The key is to be consistent as to the starting point (muzzle, scope objective etc). This way your dope card remains consistent and repeatable. This is important in FT where a half yard ranging error can result in a miss at a close target with a tiny KZ.
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I use a tape measure as I want to be precise as possible and measure from the barrel. I am now interested to learn how the gun clubs measure from. Good thread!
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If you want to get technical using a steel tape and measure from the front edge of your shooting table. Otherwise using your range finder works just fine.
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Lol..
Ya i use to string out a 100' tape you know go out put a stake in at 100' 3 times and all.
Then at harbor freight they got a 330' tape a guy can string out 1 time straight pull for a 100y. And with coupons or sidewalk sale its like 8 bucks or so fepending on the coupon or sale that day.. ya made stringing out a 10m to 100y easy.. ( mine got feet on one side and meters on the other)
330 ft. x 1/2 in. Open Reel Measuring Tape
Amazing deals on this 330Ft X 1/2In Open Reel Measuring Tape at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com Upvote 0