Laser Range Finder to Improve Range Estimating

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Navy87Guy

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My weakest skill is range estimation. It seems like one of the fastest ways to improve it is to get a decent (but not crazy expensive) laser range finder and use it to teach myself to estimate better. By using the range finder and comparing it to my own estimates, I should be able to get myself calibrated better than I am now!

Any suggestions for a decent - yet affordable priced - range finder to consider?

Thanks!!
 
If you wait until the Friday after thanksgiving, you’ll be able to pickup a decent one for $99. I have played with a few, the cheap bushnell’s read the same as expensive ones at most people’s hunting distances.
 
My weakest skill is range estimation. It seems like one of the fastest ways to improve it is to get a decent (but not crazy expensive) laser range finder and use it to teach myself to estimate better. By using the range finder and comparing it to my own estimates, I should be able to get myself calibrated better than I am now!

Any suggestions for a decent - yet affordable priced - range finder to consider?

Thanks!!


In another thread you claim you have never hunted deer before and you are going to restrict your shots to 50 yards or less. 50 yards is pretty easy to judge. Half a football field. Even if you are off by 20 yards either way (30-70 yards) you will not have to change your POA with any of the possible rifle calibers you mentioned. Range finders are nice, but for most of us, with shots under 100 yards, using a high power rifle, they are completely unnecessary. IMHO, I'd spend the monies on good boots and good outerwear designed for hunting your first year. A range finder won't keep you or your feet warm, nor will it prevent blisters if you are set on walking/stalking a lot. Invest in a good rifle and enough ammo to get proficient. Then next year you can rethink your priorities once you have actually experienced the hunt.
 
In another thread you claim you have never hunted deer before and you are going to restrict your shots to 50 yards or less. 50 yards is pretty easy to judge. Half a football field. Even if you are off by 20 yards either way (30-70 yards) you will not have to change your POA with any of the possible rifle calibers you mentioned. Range finders are nice, but for most of us, with shots under 100 yards, using a high power rifle, they are completely unnecessary. IMHO, I'd spend the monies on good boots and good outerwear designed for hunting your first year. A range finder won't keep you or your feet warm, nor will it prevent blisters if you are set on walking/stalking a lot. Invest in a good rifle and enough ammo to get proficient. Then next year you can rethink your priorities once you have actually experienced the hunt.

Thanks. One of the reasons I’m limiting my shots is because I’m not comfortable with my range estimating. I think the more I practice the better I’ll get — so waiting a year won’t help anything. And while I appreciate your concern, I have good gear for the weather (it’s my first year hunting - not my first time in the woods for extended periods).
 
There are lots of good options from good companies, just choose your preference between optics quality, weight and cost. I used Nikon for years which were lowish cost at the time and finally switched to Leica for better optics but at a higher cost. There are plenty of options from Leupold, Bushnell, Sig, etc. They will all be waterproof and have angular range compensation.

I bought an Athlon scope recently (great optics & low cost) and so I would sure consider one of their rangefinders for $160. This one is pretty light as well:

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https://www.swfa.com/athlon-6x21-talos-rangefinder.html
 
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I have owned a Bushnell, Nikon and currently have a Sig Sauer Kilo 1400BDX. It is small and has a max range on deer to 750 yards, max on trees 950, plus it has 6x magnification. I am happy with it.
 
I chose a Leupold. The exact model is no longer made, but one thing to consider is the range. Mine is supposed to be good for 1200 yards. That is under near perfect conditions. You might be able to get a reading on a barn 1200 yards away. But not on a deer or smaller object. And from what I can gather this is pretty normal. If it's rated for 1000 yards, then consider 1/2 of that to be more realistic. I think there are several options that will be a good learning tool for what you want to do.

I carry mine hunting and will use it to measure the distance to various landmarks around my stand. That way I have a pretty good idea and won't have to actually use it later when I really need to be shooting. For example I may measure a tree at 300 yards. Anything in front of the tree shouldn't require enough hold over to be a problem. On the far side of the tree and I may decide it isn't a shot I want to take.
 
I picked up a Vortex ranger 1800 last year but really just for bow hunting. I settled on that one basically for the warranty, you can't beat Vortex on that. If everything else is equal, knowing they will replace it if it falls out of the stand and smashes on a rock that they have me covered means allot.
Having said that, I never really thought about using one for rifle season since there is only one place I hunt with shots over 200 yards. I sight my high powered rifles in high at 100 so they are close to a 200 yard zero and just aim center mass. Anything that seems longer than 200 gets a little high holdover.
Range finders are nice but the deer I have shot under 100 feel so close I could touch them, lol.
 
Rifle hunting out West for Antelope and Mulies I too had some difficulty estimating distances.....over time it becomes easier to do. Went with a Swarovski rangefinder, at the time it was one of the few that could do long distances out to 1500 yards.....handy for Prairie Dogs too.

When "gun hunting" on my home place the distances are considerably less and I rarely use it, however; Archery is a completely different matter. Often use the rangefinder from permanent tree stands to get distance to other nearby trees....then spraypaint that number on the trees trunk. That way anyone using the stand instantly knows and has a distance reference when deer come through.

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