The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Distance estimation -- how to

Dr.Rob · February 9, 2000, 05:26 PM

Rangefinders (optical non-laser ones) can be difficult to use and are really only necessary beyond 300 yards.

so HERE is an idea that works:

BUY a full sized deer target or decoy (put in with your buddies if you have to) Pace off 100, 200 and 300 yards and LOOK at it in your scope/vs the naked eye.. you can also use a larger object.. like your car for scale. we are USED to judging how far away a car is.. not people and deer.

Secondly TASCO scopes have a built-in gritty rangefinder.

at 9 power your scope's thick cross hairs should Bracket your deer's body (its like 16 inches or two feet or something across the fine parts of the cross hairs. At 200 yards the animal's body will only fit HALF this measurement .. ie its body should fit between the fat post hair and the cross hair.. at 300 yards its one quarter.. etc. so depending on how the deer looks in the crosshairs you'll have some idea of how far away it is.

(this is thoroughly explained in the literature that comes with a tascc scope)

But the reality is MOST guys OVERESTIMATE range. remeber that a 30-06 150 grain bullet sited in 2 inches high at 100 yards should be dead on at 200, and have a drop of around 7-8 inches at 300. If you think its LONG.. you STILL hold the cross hairs ON THE BODY, NOT OVER It. If you are within 300.. and hold a foot over its back you won't be able to tell if you have shot over or under your animal.

pick your target.. (and at long range you can usually get set) hold steady ON the body and squeeze. a solid body hit you can sometimes hear as the bullet exits (a dull "pop" smack, or thumping sound)

If you plan to shoot OVER 300 yards I'd recommenda bipod, rangefinder etc. For 300 and under.. a GI leather sling is all the extra gear you will need.

Hope the info helps.

Dr.Rob

February 9, 2000, 05:26 PM	#5
Dr.Rob Staff Alumnus Join Date: July 28, 1999 Location: Denver Posts: 2,454	Rangefinders (optical non-laser ones) can be difficult to use and are really only necessary beyond 300 yards. so HERE is an idea that works: BUY a full sized deer target or decoy (put in with your buddies if you have to) Pace off 100, 200 and 300 yards and LOOK at it in your scope/vs the naked eye.. you can also use a larger object.. like your car for scale. we are USED to judging how far away a car is.. not people and deer. Secondly TASCO scopes have a built-in gritty rangefinder. at 9 power your scope's thick cross hairs should Bracket your deer's body (its like 16 inches or two feet or something across the fine parts of the cross hairs. At 200 yards the animal's body will only fit HALF this measurement .. ie its body should fit between the fat post hair and the cross hair.. at 300 yards its one quarter.. etc. so depending on how the deer looks in the crosshairs you'll have some idea of how far away it is. (this is thoroughly explained in the literature that comes with a tascc scope) But the reality is MOST guys OVERESTIMATE range. remeber that a 30-06 150 grain bullet sited in 2 inches high at 100 yards should be dead on at 200, and have a drop of around 7-8 inches at 300. If you think its LONG.. you STILL hold the cross hairs ON THE BODY, NOT OVER It. If you are within 300.. and hold a foot over its back you won't be able to tell if you have shot over or under your animal. pick your target.. (and at long range you can usually get set) hold steady ON the body and squeeze. a solid body hit you can sometimes hear as the bullet exits (a dull "pop" smack, or thumping sound) If you plan to shoot OVER 300 yards I'd recommenda bipod, rangefinder etc. For 300 and under.. a GI leather sling is all the extra gear you will need. Hope the info helps. Dr.Rob