Range/Distance Measurement-What do you use

[Fenian]

Hi Guys

apart from getting a measuring tape how do you measure out your 50/100/150 yard distances to say your trap/targets when just range shooting?

A range scope or what? 
if so could youse mention a few that are reliable but won’t cost a fortune? 


Thanks guys, want to use the down time to head out to a shooting field and set some targets out at certain increments 

 

[Redick]

A Rangefinder is your best friend! Any would do just fine I use a bushnell arc 1000 myself 

 

[L.Leon]

I second a good range finder will do what you require. I consider a range finder an essential part of my kit. I use mine often when setting out targets and definitely while pesting.

 

[Fenian]

Do let me know which you use, I’m not a big time hunter or anything, I pest and like just range shooting but nothing major 

also, can you let me know what yardage you zero your scope at and hold over/under....ie is 30 yards typical but then you account for that at higher distances so you use 30 yards as your go to standard or what?



thanks

 

[L.Leon]

@fenian, there are lots of models, mine is a Halo XL450 I paid $90 USD. It is a simple unit. You can find models that are comparable for less. 

 

[Yo]

$70 Simmons range finder from Wal-Mart works fine. Zero typically set at 25-35 yards nominally then only click up or hold over or dead on no matter what distance shot. YO!

 

[Septicdeath]

My home range has been measured with a tape measure. It is 107 feet 35.667 yards. I could remove a fence to make it longer. 

 

[Aimright]

I too use a tape measure, a 100 foot fiberglass Stanley like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-100-ft-PowerWinder-Tape-Measure-34-760/100318955. for setting up my targets for field target ranging, from 10 to 55 yards.

As far as zero, Dave Cole has good video about it for field target here and how he calculates it on the ChairGun app: https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/video-how-i-determine-zero-and-make-a-range-card/

 

[JungleShooter]

100 meter (111 yards) tape measure. $30 IIRC.

 

[chasdicapua]

I use a 300" tape to measure the yardages and then mark them on my wheel. I have a range finder, but find it's not accurate enough. I've found it be 2-3 yards off when compared with the tape and that's just not cutting it for the kind of precision one needs for setting up one's scope. 2 yards off at 50+ yards could very well be the difference between a hit and a miss. I imagine the more expensive range finders would be more accurate. I'm fine with using the tape though. Good exercise walking back and forth!

Chas

 

[WAGMASTER]

A buddy of mine had a cheaper Halo range finder and when we were out shooting it was ranging pretty much the same as my Leopold 1,000 TBR 

One way to think of it is let's say you buy a inexpensive RF and it's off by say 2 yards, as long as you range and shoot the target knowing where it's going to hit at what your RF says that's all that matters, but if you were using a app like Strelok Pro or ChairGun for your info that would throw you off a bit. 

 

[DonC]

I have a Leupold rangefinder. Works perfect.

 

[Fenian]

Thanks guys! 

 

[Yo]

FYI - HALO wouldn't repair or replace mine within their warranty period I sent it to them within one month after buying it. It was always temperamental since it was new. It wouldn't track and had to remove the battery then wait a minute then reinsert battery then it would range some of the time. It wouldn't reset just by powering it off. They just tested it and confirmed that it was defective and deemed not user abuse nor error and replaced the battery but I sent it with a brand new battery. They said since it had been superseded by a new model they couldn't do anything for me nor upgrade to a new one even after I offered to pay extra for something that works. That's why I went to Wal-Mart and bought a $70.00 Simmons rangefinder that still works fine. I would have ordered a Bushnell instead if I had known HALO wouldn't service what they sell. Another bad and similar situation when warranting a modem within warranty period purchased from Wal-Mart different company they wanted me to pay $30.00 for tech support for a DOA brand new modem. YO!

 

[Fenian]

What do y’all think of Leica? 900/1000/1200
was thinking of getting a used one.

not fond of Chinese brand stuff, especially even more so now 

 

[bad_lighting]

SIG KILO 2400. Good stuff.

 

[Fenian]

Well...won’t be getting the Leopold....made in the people’s republic of China....ehhhh can’t bring myself to support business there right now 

 

[Fenian]

Is there a point buying a rangefinder with 2400 yards, or even 500 yards, when we are not in that range with air rifles?

 

[Arzrover]

I use a 300' fiber tape measure for my yard range and calibration and use a Nikon Black 4000 for everything else. Have checked it many times against the tape. 

I've ranged the cliff near my house at 2745 yards multiple times so it seems very repeatable. I picked it up to use for everything. Cost about $400 shipped. I've compared it against my friend's $1700 one several times and it seems possibly a bit better, but his is much older and technology just keeps marching..... I typically buy stuff with versatility in mind, so that's MY justification.

A golf or archery rangefinder is likely just fine for airgun only use.

Bob

 

[BC]

For Field Target, get a 165 ft tape from Harbor Freight. Mark 55 yds, 52.5, 50, 47.5, 45,42.5,40, 39 etc down to 10 yards. Start off by attaching a box or what i call a sled (made out of 3/4 pvc pipe that holds a target) to the end of the tape measure, and drag it from far to near. Its vital tyo have the right clicks for the distances with FT. If youre going to use your gun for hunting etc, then a range finder like everyone else has suggested will suffice. BC