Range Finder for Prairie Dog Shooting
- Thread starter hawkeye58
- Start date
Big10gauge
New member
Most of them all are + or - a yrd. I use a Leica and am happy with it.
CatShooter
New member
It's not a matter of how much you paid... it is the problem inherent of all laser rangefinders.
The beam gets reflected from the ground and all things on the ground, so you will get errors unless the "target" is something standing clearly away from the ground (like a deer or a sign post).
When you range a PD you get pings from everything around it... and the further away it is, the worse it is.
I lot of serious PD shooters use big military surplus optical rangefinders like the Wild and the Barr & Stroud. With these, you can range a single PD at 1,500 yds, with a plus or minus 30ft.
I own a military laser rangefinder (an AN/GVS-5), and at the price of a new car, it still won't accurately range a PD at 500 yds.
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The beam gets reflected from the ground and all things on the ground, so you will get errors unless the "target" is something standing clearly away from the ground (like a deer or a sign post).
When you range a PD you get pings from everything around it... and the further away it is, the worse it is.
I lot of serious PD shooters use big military surplus optical rangefinders like the Wild and the Barr & Stroud. With these, you can range a single PD at 1,500 yds, with a plus or minus 30ft.
I own a military laser rangefinder (an AN/GVS-5), and at the price of a new car, it still won't accurately range a PD at 500 yds.
.
6mm06
Well-known member
Hey, CatShooter is right about that one - that the beam sometimes gets reflected. It's really easy to do on flat open land.
I did a test one time just to see how some range finders compared. I used three; a Leica 1200, a Nikon and a Bushnell, and did a comparison chart. All three were suprisingly accurate to each other at distances out to just under 400 yards.
I personally use the Leica 1200. It's a great rangefinder, in my opinion, but it too doesn't range everything all the time.
I did a test one time just to see how some range finders compared. I used three; a Leica 1200, a Nikon and a Bushnell, and did a comparison chart. All three were suprisingly accurate to each other at distances out to just under 400 yards.
I personally use the Leica 1200. It's a great rangefinder, in my opinion, but it too doesn't range everything all the time.
Linefinder
New member
Ditto Catshooter.
I'm on my 3rd laser, and I've actually had the opportunity to field test (in pdog towns) at least half a dozen other makes and models (including the much vaunted Leica 1200 & a really hi-$$ Swarvoski).
While almost every one I tested would pick up an elk-sized object out to as far as you'd ever dream of shooting, against pdogs and pdog mounds, reliable ranging stops at ~350 yards, regardless of model, or the amount you spent on it. Most will, of course, pick up a terrain feature (other than a mound) beyond that, but in pdog country, there often aren't any terrain features.
When I absolutely, positively have to range a pdog at long range, I break out the Swedish Army Mortar ranging periscope. It's an optical unit, and very cumbersome, but it'll accurately range anything you can see under any conditions out to 1700 yards.
The technology may be a century or so old, but when it comes to small targets at long distances, a civilian (and probably even military) laser won't begin to compare to a quality optical unit.
Mike
edit: 6mm06 - please don't take my "much vaunted Leica 1200" comment as directed at you. I didn't even notice that part of your reply before I posted mine. The Leica 1200 is indeed one of the best units out there, but, by personal experience, it's not noticibly better in the dogtowns than say a Bushnell 1500 Pinseeker. As you said, ~400 or less is about what you can expect.
The reason I posted this edit is because when I say this about the Leica unit, I usually get a bunch of irate comments from Leica owners stating I don't have a clue about what I'm saying. I notice most of these comments come from shooters that don't live within 1000 miles of the nearest pdog town.
Like I said...this wasn't directed at you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I'm on my 3rd laser, and I've actually had the opportunity to field test (in pdog towns) at least half a dozen other makes and models (including the much vaunted Leica 1200 & a really hi-$$ Swarvoski).
While almost every one I tested would pick up an elk-sized object out to as far as you'd ever dream of shooting, against pdogs and pdog mounds, reliable ranging stops at ~350 yards, regardless of model, or the amount you spent on it. Most will, of course, pick up a terrain feature (other than a mound) beyond that, but in pdog country, there often aren't any terrain features.
When I absolutely, positively have to range a pdog at long range, I break out the Swedish Army Mortar ranging periscope. It's an optical unit, and very cumbersome, but it'll accurately range anything you can see under any conditions out to 1700 yards.
The technology may be a century or so old, but when it comes to small targets at long distances, a civilian (and probably even military) laser won't begin to compare to a quality optical unit.
Mike
edit: 6mm06 - please don't take my "much vaunted Leica 1200" comment as directed at you. I didn't even notice that part of your reply before I posted mine. The Leica 1200 is indeed one of the best units out there, but, by personal experience, it's not noticibly better in the dogtowns than say a Bushnell 1500 Pinseeker. As you said, ~400 or less is about what you can expect.
The reason I posted this edit is because when I say this about the Leica unit, I usually get a bunch of irate comments from Leica owners stating I don't have a clue about what I'm saying. I notice most of these comments come from shooters that don't live within 1000 miles of the nearest pdog town.
Like I said...this wasn't directed at you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
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6mm06
Well-known member
Hi Linefinder,
No offense taken and no apologizies needed. Hey, we are all here to learn and share experiences. As to the Leica, it made me "feel good" to own it ! He he. Whatever works, works, right!? That much cheaper Bushnell ranged pretty good for the distance and its price range.
No offense taken and no apologizies needed. Hey, we are all here to learn and share experiences. As to the Leica, it made me "feel good" to own it ! He he. Whatever works, works, right!? That much cheaper Bushnell ranged pretty good for the distance and its price range.
CatShooter
New member
Quote:
i have both lecia's. binoculars and 1200 yard one. i like them both.
Now that the weather is getting nice(er!), and I can see something that looks like it might be grass in a few weeks, it's time to get back to shooting.
I just finished up one of the county's ugliest custody case in court (4 years).
I was representing myself - being a lawyer really sucked... I won against the county's biggest law firm!!!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Anyway... soon I'll be dragging all my chuck whackin' plunder out of the basement, and I'll take some pictures of my rangefinders.
I have a cool collection.
A few Bushnells.
A Swedish "Periscope"
One of the first Swiss "Wilds" that came into the country - all the bronze and oak are nicely finished.
And a US Military AN/GVS-5, a $12,000 rangefinder that has a "worst case error" of 30 feet at 6 miles... in bright sunlight.
It's not my fault... they follow me home /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
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6mm06... it's looks like it'll be a few weeks for the new 6mm.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
.
i have both lecia's. binoculars and 1200 yard one. i like them both.
Now that the weather is getting nice(er!), and I can see something that looks like it might be grass in a few weeks, it's time to get back to shooting.
I just finished up one of the county's ugliest custody case in court (4 years).
I was representing myself - being a lawyer really sucked... I won against the county's biggest law firm!!!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Anyway... soon I'll be dragging all my chuck whackin' plunder out of the basement, and I'll take some pictures of my rangefinders.
I have a cool collection.
A few Bushnells.
A Swedish "Periscope"
One of the first Swiss "Wilds" that came into the country - all the bronze and oak are nicely finished.
And a US Military AN/GVS-5, a $12,000 rangefinder that has a "worst case error" of 30 feet at 6 miles... in bright sunlight.
It's not my fault... they follow me home /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
-
6mm06... it's looks like it'll be a few weeks for the new 6mm.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
.
CatShooter
New member
Quote:
Do you have any idea where I might look about geting one of the old military optical range finders?
Thanks
r
They show up on eBay from time to time.
Usually go for around $200 to $400 if they are in good condx.
Here's a real cream puff that went for $260 a few weeks ago. The guy that bought it... STOLE IT!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/BARR-STROUD-LTD-RANG...1QQcmdZViewItem
The "Wild" reads in meters, and the "Barr & Stroud" reads in yds, but it doesn't make any difference... you make out your range sheet in yds or meters - they are just numbers!
The "Wild" is by far, the best of the bunch.
There are a few of the Swedish "Periscope" mortar crew rangefinders around - but the supply of them was very limited.
.
Do you have any idea where I might look about geting one of the old military optical range finders?
Thanks
r
They show up on eBay from time to time.
Usually go for around $200 to $400 if they are in good condx.
Here's a real cream puff that went for $260 a few weeks ago. The guy that bought it... STOLE IT!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/BARR-STROUD-LTD-RANG...1QQcmdZViewItem
The "Wild" reads in meters, and the "Barr & Stroud" reads in yds, but it doesn't make any difference... you make out your range sheet in yds or meters - they are just numbers!
The "Wild" is by far, the best of the bunch.
There are a few of the Swedish "Periscope" mortar crew rangefinders around - but the supply of them was very limited.
.
Ackman
New member
The Leica 1200 has worked really well for me. Narrow beam divergence, good optics, and an adjustable eyepiece are why I like it. That plus being so small and quick to use.
Quote:
I notice most of these comments come from shooters that don't live within 1000 miles of the nearest pdog town.
Isn't that the truth....."expurts". Even 1500-2000 miles.
Quote:
I notice most of these comments come from shooters that don't live within 1000 miles of the nearest pdog town.
Isn't that the truth....."expurts". Even 1500-2000 miles.
CatShooter
New member
Quote:
Quote:
I notice most of these comments come from shooters that don't live within 1000 miles of the nearest pdog town.
Isn't that the truth....."expurts". Even 1500-2000 miles.
Ackman - Nice try, but no cigar. It must take a long time for your ego to heal.
Where I live has nothing to do with where I shoot.
I've spent over 60 days on dog towns. Not as much as the locals, but enough to know how to work a PD town.
I still have the offer open for you. Bring your 223 AI that shoots as fast as a 22-250!
.
Quote:
I notice most of these comments come from shooters that don't live within 1000 miles of the nearest pdog town.
Isn't that the truth....."expurts". Even 1500-2000 miles.
Ackman - Nice try, but no cigar. It must take a long time for your ego to heal.
Where I live has nothing to do with where I shoot.
I've spent over 60 days on dog towns. Not as much as the locals, but enough to know how to work a PD town.
I still have the offer open for you. Bring your 223 AI that shoots as fast as a 22-250!
.
claimbuster
New member
OK guys, I'm always the "different" guy here, but I don't use my range finder as much as you would think.
Almost 50% of my PD shots are 200 yds. or less. At those distances I'm pretty good at estimating through the scope. Beyond that my Bushnell Elite 1500 works pretty well.
Last year I made 14 PD trips for a total of 42 days. Early in the season (and early in the day), short shots are the rule, as it gets later, longer shots become the majority of the shooting.
As I said somewhere before, I establish "zones" in my shooting field, based on landmarks, and I don't try to range individual shots. That allows me to spend more time shooting.
Different strokes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
Almost 50% of my PD shots are 200 yds. or less. At those distances I'm pretty good at estimating through the scope. Beyond that my Bushnell Elite 1500 works pretty well.
Last year I made 14 PD trips for a total of 42 days. Early in the season (and early in the day), short shots are the rule, as it gets later, longer shots become the majority of the shooting.
As I said somewhere before, I establish "zones" in my shooting field, based on landmarks, and I don't try to range individual shots. That allows me to spend more time shooting.
Different strokes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
