LRF or Spotting scope (with Mildot)?

[Buckskinner]

Funds are limited, and elk season is here. I know all you hairy chested Nimrods (that's a complement by the way) have all killed many more elk than I'll ever see in my crosshairs, so I ask this question:

Would you rather have a Laser range finder or spotting scope (with a ranging reticle, probably Mildot)?

I have good binocs, and a cheap range scope (I think its an older Bushnell 32 max zoom by prolly 40mm or so) with a heavy tripod.

I put the binocs on the tripod last year, but am lousy at range estimation over 25 yards.

I"ll be hunting in the wide open West, with shots over 300 yds relatively common among my elk camp. Folks can sit and spot for hours, up to a couple miles away.

I guess ideally I'd be able to use my Mildot Master with the Leupold Mk 4 spotter with MD reticle for range, and skip the extra LRF piece of gear.

OR do I deal with my 10power Brunton on a tripod for spotting and get the LRF?

Anybody use their rifle telescope reticle (other than MD) for rangefinding?

 

[aubie515]

I have both the LRF and spotting scope. For hunting, I'd go with the LRF because it is portable. I also have an IOR scope with MP8 reticle for ranging. If you can afford it, I'd go with a Leica LRF.

 

[sscoyote]

Definitely get the laser. The problem with reticle-ranging game is that all too often game doesn't give u the opportunity nor the correct angle to reticle range them. Most that reticle-range use the back to brisket system that Leupold uses for their Range Estimating System with some of their reticles, and just apply either the mil-dot master, simple formulas or adjust scope power for bracketing purposes.

Get the laser, and establish a back-up system for ranging game, if so desired. U don't really need the mil-dot to rangefind BTW. Many simple plex reticles would work just as well for that.

 

[koja48]

Well Buck, you fibbed . . . I done checked my chest & damn few hairs were to be found, however, I reckon I've harvested my share of elk over the years. For what you want, I'd lean toward a good laser range finder. Personally, I carry a small spotting scope & no range finder . . . spotting critters is more important to me than knowing exactly how far away they are, plus 50 years in the field has allowed me to develop reasonably good range estimating skills & I rarely shoot beyond 300 yards when hunting big game anyway. I'd "second think" this & determine if this is in the "want/gadget" or "need" category.