you guys use a Rangefinder?

D

Danno

New member
I'm new to the game but I've been hunting for a while. I've been out calling a few times and just got the chance on an unsuspecting fox the other day. He was about 200 yards away by my estimate and I was able to rest my rifle on the snow bank for the shot, so I figgered "what the heck?" When I sighted in my rifle (6.5x55) I took note that it drops at least 10 inches between 100 and 200 (and it's sighted in for 100 (1" groups)), so I put the crosshairs about 10 " above his shoulder and squeezed (he was standing still). I didn't see where it hit, but the critter took off like a hornet, so I guess I missed. He was running diagonal to me, so I went for a few more: 250, 300, 300+, (I was leading too) and then I figgered I was out of my league.

So: Do you guys use a rangefinder to learn to calibrate yourself, or do you just miss the first 100 times?

Thanks
D
 
Danno,

I use a rangefinder when I call. I get set up and range different spots so I got a idea.

I also know the aproxement range looking through my scope and judging animal size to my cross hairs. This is made easier with a fixed power. Though I don't use one cause I've had enough time and patience to figure it all out on every power.

Get you some life sized fox, coyote or what have you targets range find them compare and practice. If you have a variable scope pick a power and leave it.

Most guys will tell you that a fixed power is better for this, and they are right, unless you are like me and are constantly makin sure you are on the right power. Its just a habit I have, like always makin sure my emergency brake is off in my pickup even though the light is'nt on.

I hope this helps.
 
I just bought the Nikon 600 a few months ago. I think there a great tool, especially if your shootin any distance.

I usually set up and will range several reference points and then get to callin.......

I've been shootin over 40 years and It's amazing how wrong you can be when guesstimating long range. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I use a Leica 1200 range finder much the same way Smith does on some of my stands. Before I start calling, I range some spots out in front of me so I have some idea how far the coyotes are when they get to those objects. It just gives you a little more confidence. I use variable powered scopes, but don't use the reticle as a range finder.

If you have a fairly flat shooting caliber, you really don't need to do a lot of range finding for any coyotes within 250 yards of you. For example, my .17 Remington shoots the 30 gr. Starkes at 3,900 fps MV. Set for a 200 yard zero, the bullet is never more than 0.9" high between 0 and 200 yards and at 250 yards it is only 1.9" low.

With my Tikka Master Sporter in 22-250 and using 40 gr. Nosler BT bullets leaving the barrel at 4,050 fps and zeroed in for 200 yards, the bullet is never more than 0.8" high between 0 and 200 yards and at 250 yards it is only 1.7" low.

That takes a lot of the guesswork out of where to hold if you can figure out your distances. I usually just hold dead on and I don't turn many coyotes loose.
 
I currently use a bushnell yardage pro, I also range spots before calling, I'm in the market for a leica, think i'll put my bushnell up on the classifieds. Silverfox, is it pretty accurate at 800+ ??? Thanks
Scott
 
Silverfox Your hunting conditions are similar to mine in a lot of cases. I had a Leica and really liked it until I tried to range something with a completely white landscape. The small target acquisition box was invisible, making the rangefinder useless. I bought a Bushnell and it works fine in all conditions as the target acquisition feature is different from the Leica.

Danno You said your bullet drops 10 inches from 100 to 200 yds. :eek: :eek: WOW!!!I don't think my arrows drop that much /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Silverfox has the right idea, of course, zero for 200 and hold on the fur. I think most misses are the result of shooting over the target. I'm only guessing here as I have no first hand knowledge of missing /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The rangefinders are great and like any other piece of equipment that works well, give you cause to wonder why you hunted without one for so long.I've used the reticle as a "in the field" rangefinder, but in actual fact f you zero for 200 and hold on the fur, you shouldn't miss many because of errors in range estimation. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
You have other problems......there is no way a 6.55x55 should be dropping 10" at 200 yards?

If you sight it in at 200 yards your point blank range with a 100 gr. bullet should be somewhere around 230-250 yards?
 
I will give you a piece of advice I was given 40years ago when you hunt always shoot dead on the target and learn range as you go. Youll connect on a lot more. If there running get on em and swing your rifle like it was a shotgun catch up from behind pass em up and pull the trigger if dust flies behind em you have to lead em more. pretty simple and you will learn fast.
 
scottmilk9--I cannot really vouch for the 800 yard accuracy. I have, however, read many reports from folks who use the Leica 1200 and they claim it is very accurate. About the furthest thing I have ranged is a small clump of sage brush out on an absolute white snow background and that ranged about 385 yards. I had shot at a coyote at that spot and had guesstimated the range at about 250 yards. My shot fell about a foot low and that's about the drop with my load at 385 yards. The Leica is probably pretty accurate. Now, if I could just hold it steady enough to get readings off the pin on the greens on the golf course, I'd really be happy. I'm going to have to bring my camera tripod and the adapter plate that Lonny made for my Leica 1200 to the golf course next summer.

Redfrog--the little target acqusition box on my Leica 1200 is a small reddish square. It is very easy to see on a white (snowy) landscape. What color is yours, is it white? If so, I wonder if yours was defective??? I have been able to range distances quite easily on the snowy landscape.
 
I've never used a rangefinder when predator hunting. The animals usually don't stick around long enough to figure it out do they? I've just never seen a need for it. The swift I use is always zeroed in 1" high at 100 yards, so anything I shoot at 0 to 300 yards should be dead. Besides, taking real long shots at predators is probably not a good idea for newer shooters, they have a good chance of wounding the animal. Once you start reaching out 400+ yards with a varmint caliber you have lost alot of energy in the bullet and you know what that means. Oh well, just my opinion.
 
Hee hee /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif , I guess it was 10 " between 100-300 m.
Thanks for all the input. I have to sight in 2.4 " high at 100, to be dead on at 200. I haven't shot much and when I have, I generally have a pretty good idea of the distance before hand. (New to this game, as I said...) I'm in the process of trying to procure some handloading gear so I can develop a nice flatt shooter for the rifle. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Cheers
D
 
I use my range finder all the time! I will set up and range several spots before I start calling. Gives me a good idea of yardage before I start calling.

Kee
 
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