Do you use Range Finder

BOstreet

BOstreet

New member
I am getting a range finder mostly for deer hunting but will be with me on all hunts. My question is how many use one when coyote hunting? I am also curious about the new tru ballistic rangefinders that are suppose to figure shot angle into the reading. If this is the case how many people have missed coyotes or had a bow miss due to shooting the distance off one of the old none ballistic range finder? Is it woth the extra cash or another gimick? Thanks
 
I use the older Bushsmell 400, it works for most of my shooting conditions. I don't distance the animal as much as using it to distance the area I will be shooting in. Lets say I set up on a rock bluff, I will measure the trees to my right and the distance to an old stump out in front of me. That way I will know the maximum shooting distance at my location so I do not need to make unecessary movement if a coyote comes in. Deer are not much of a problem, they can be shot from my bathroom window so no need to measure distance really /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I don't know anything about the newer models and besides even if I knew how far it was away and how much bullet drop compensation info was available, I'd still miss /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
FALfire has it right. We use them when bowhunting, and get distances to certain points so we'll know in advance. But it doesn't help my shooting talents....... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
tcusparky here,
I've used them for long range shooting and for the antelope hunt a couple of weeks ago but not for coyotes here in WI. I have a Weaver I got form LS&B a few years ago and works great for under 600 yds but one of the guys from PA had the Lica 1200 scan and it's now on my list of things to get. With using the Exbal BP you can really reach out and touch the critters with a good deal of accuracy.
It would be more difficult for coyotes is some cases around here but if you do a spot and stalk type hunt where you have more time it sure would be fun, like out west.
As a side note, I was having problems with the balistic software, Exbal, and emailed Gerald, and got a phone call ten minutes later and Gerald was concerned about the problem, which turned out to be user err /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
You can go to longrange hunting .com and to a search on range finders to get a lot of info.

Mike
 
At 300YDs and less, with most of the calibers we use for coyote hunting, a range finder is really superfluous. With a 150 or 200YD zero, just hold on your target and shoot. You'll get a good hit from 10 to 300Yds.

At longer ranges they can be very handy, and I use them as described. Pre range several spots in your kill zone. At real long range a laser won't work and you'll have to get an optical rangefinder.

The angle compensating rangefinders aren't going to be of much practical use until you get to pretty long range and are shooting up or down a pretty steep slope. They were developed to save some engineering calculations in construction projects, and are more gimmick than useful for hunting except in the most extreme circumstances.
 
Ditto FALFire,
When I get on my stand I like to let things calm down for a few minutes before I start to call. I use this time to range different objects, mainly to determine my max range. I've also used mine to range coyotes that have hung up and usually it's to convince myself that, yes, that is to far to shoot!
 
I always take my rangefinder with me to the field. Unfortunately I have an early Bushnell and it is poor. I am saving for a Leica, Swarovski if I hit the lottery.
 
We've used a number of them over the years now, but as soon as i can get ahold of 1 i'm retiring my Leica 1200 Scan for the compact CRF version. As a spot and stalk hunter i would not go to field without 1 anymore.
 
Yes--I normaly check out different tree's, post,and other markers ahead of time, so when Mr Coyote shows up I am ready to let fire. Rifleman2
 
When I saw those new rangefinders that take into account the angles of being in a treestand, I thought they were genius. Then I sat down and did the pythagorian theorum (spelling could be wrong) which is A squared + B squared = C squared. C squared being the longest line on a right angled triangle. This is the hypotneus and is the distance from your stand to the objust. It is essentially what those rangefinders use to take into account the angle and distance. Then realized that even if you are pretty high in a tree, at 20 yards, your rangefinder is only going to read about 2 yards different. The further from the tree you go, the less of an impact it will make on shot discrepancies. To make a long story short, just get a regular rangefinder, the extra ballistic whatever is a waste of money.
 
Thank you, you all pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. Sure nice to get a few honest opinions before you lay down some hard earned dough.
 


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