Clay Thornton Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 I want to buy a range finder for deer hunting, something just to confirm ranges before I pull the trigger. Which means 500 yards and in. Any experience or recommendations you can provide would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack, SASS #20451 Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Several descent consumer ones now available. SIG and Leica are probably among the best. The way they are rated you need at least twice the rated range for deer. Need 1000yd+ rated for 500yd on a deer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostrum Damus SASS #110702 Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 ^^^^ what he said. Good rule of thumb -- effective working distance is half of rated effective range. And consider how hard it will be to hold the crosshair in the rangefinder steady on a deer size target at 500 yards while pushing the button. I actually never use mine to range animals themselves -- which are usually walking. If still hunting, once I'm set up, I range the trees out to my maximum comfort zone and make a mental map of distance rings around me using specific trees as ring distances. If I'm stalking, I look for big tree trunks or boulders nearest to the quarry, range them, and hope for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trigger Mike Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 I do the same as nostrum. I sight in trees etc, that way when deer comes I am ready. Sig is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil dogooder Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 I have used a vortex for years. Works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fence Cutter Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 They are not top of the line but I've had good luck using Bushnell. I've been around other ones enough to know the actual range that they will cover is below the stated yardage. Just like a rating on house shingles, if you get 80 or 85% out of a 25 year shingle your doing good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 Just picked up a Leopold good for 1500 yds. It will range a golf flag at 350 yds, quickly. It cost about 1/3 of what I paid for one 10 years ago. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 I have a Leica that works well. Will range out to 1000 yards. Has to be held really steady though. I use a light weight tripod or a monopod. Built a base out of some scrap aluminum plate that allows me to strap it into place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 Howdy, Good ideas there. A monopod really helps and lightweight. Nikon 800 yd waterproof works for me but I dont shoot deer at 500 yards. Some rangefinders are complicated I like simple. And you will pay for each feature, be sure you want those features. Take a spare battery too. Price around 100 to 160. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 How many of you read the title of this thread in an Elmer Fudd voice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826 Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 If you are a archery and gun hunter check out how well it works 0-50 yard range as well as the long range end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 I have been using a range finder for years. I have a ballistic turret on my Leupold scope that is setup to match my handloads. It goes out to 1000 yards (I don't shoot that far, my limit is around 400 yards depending on conditions), so I want to know the distance to adjust the turret to match it. I have a set of Swarovski binocular range finder combination. I only have one instrument to deal with and it is awesome. When I am glassing and see an animal I want to take, press the button and it's distance shows up instantly. Several years ago I shot an antelope in Wyoming that was 590 yards from me. Ranged it, set the turret to 590 and one shot, dead antelope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 Sig and Vortex both make nice rangefinders. Choose your price point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 Many will range in Yards and Meters. Be sure which mode you are using. Not telling how I know this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted September 5, 2021 Share Posted September 5, 2021 When I use mine with my Mosin-Nagant I have it set on meters. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.