Using a rangefinder scope is simple. Once you know how to read and use your device, it can help you provide accurate range information. Matching the distance to your target with the horizontal line in the viewfinder can be confusing at first, but understanding how rangefinders work will help you use your rangefinder scope easily.
New guide walks you through each part of a rangefinder, how it operates and how to use it best. This article was written with you in mind, so be sure to read it thoroughly and put the advice into practice.
Rangefinder scopes have been a valuable tool of hunters, sportsmen, and outdoorsmen for decades. Today, they have become more than just an effective measuring device when out hunting or sporting. They are devices that can be extremely valuable even in an urban setting. There is no doubt that rangefinder scopes have changed the way people look at distance, but it can be difficult to know how to use a rangefinder scope correctly.
They typically employ a monocular, telescopic or laser rangefinder, usually with an illuminated reticle, to calculate the distance to the target. These devices help sight-in the weapon for deadlier shots.
Each marking on the reticle corresponds to different distances. These markings will help to determine the distance to your target. Some manufacturers make rangefinder scopes, so there might be slight differences in design. You’ll see some minor variations in the colors, sizes, and markings.
Main Uses of Rangefinder Scope
Using the rangefinder scope can improve your chances of hitting your target by up to 4 times. This is where the Rangefinder scope comes in handy. It allows you to shoot longer distances but you must learn the basics and how they work properly. If you don’t know how to do this then this article will give you an idea of what it’s all about.
Rangefinder scope is used for various purposes and these are described here.
- In sport, it is basically used for golf to measure distance in golf courses and in many other sports competitions.
- The other major use of rangefinder scope is in hunting.
- Other than this, rangefinder scopes are also used in military rifles. The use of a rangefinder in a rifle is accurate target shooting.
- Moreover, rangefinders are also used for archery and photography.
Magnification Lens
The magnifying lenses enable a shooter to locate very small targets even in poor light, just as the powerful lenses enable a hunter to sight game through dense brush. The scope’s magnification powers can be changed by turning the eyepiece scale and the rifle’s focus.
Step Zero In Your Scope
For the range markings on the scopes to help you, you must zero them. There are several ways to do this. You can take sets of three shots at targets, and adjust your scope accordingly. Or, you can use a boresight, and this is a more modern method.
Bore sighting requires either a bore (barrel) of the rifle and the barrel scope to concentrate on the near target. Carefully and carefully change your scope to a mark from your laser. When you adjust your scope, make sure that the gun is steady. Otherwise, the alignment might go wrong.
Scope Zeroing should be done before shooting. You must know the distance between you and the target. You need to estimate the target’s height and compare it with the scope’s measurement.
A scope has different settings depending on the type of weapon used. This example shows how a rifle scope has a higher magnification than a handgun scope.
Step Understanding Align Your Scope Reticle
A scope is an optical device used to magnify objects. You adjust the scope up or down depending on what you want to see. Your scope should also be adjusted left or right depending on what you want the bullet to go into. Practice shooting at a full size deer target until you get the hang of it.
Terminology
Optics are used to view things up close or far away. Some people use them to see better, others to shoot better. Scopes are used to help aim weapons. A scope is an optical device that magnifies images. You can also use a scope to zoom in on something. Binoculars are similar to a telescope but smaller. Telescopes magnify objects by using lenses. Magnification is how much bigger an image appears compared to the object. Zoom is how many times closer or further away you can focus on something. Focusing is adjusting the lens to make sure everything is clear.
The Basics
A scope should be set up correctly before firing. You need to adjust the elevation and windage settings. You also need to make sure that the reticle is centered over the target. This is done by adjusting the elevation setting until the crosshairs are directly over the center of the target. Then you adjust the windage setting until the cross harses are right on top of the target.
Zero refers to when you aim a gun at a target. Field of view describes how big an area you can see. A rifle is typically set up at 100 yards (0.01 miles). This means that if you’re shooting at a target 100 yards away, you should be able to see about 0.01 square miles.
Power: The amount of magnification compared ot the human eye. A 2-power optic, for instance, has a magnification that’s twice as much as your normal vision.
Advanced
A minute of angle (MOA) is a unit of measurement used to describe the ability of a rifle to accurately shoot at a target. At 100 yards, the rifle may be able to shoot within an inch or two. As you move farther away, the rifle may miss by more than an inch.
Parallax is an optical illusion that makes the shooter think the reticle is moving when it isn’t. Point of Impact is where the bullet lands relative to where the reticle rests.
Exit pupil determines how much light is gathered by the optic. A larger exit pupil gathers more light for a brighter image. Holdover compensates for bullet drop caused by the gravitational pull of earth. Your holdover is based on your zeroing and the distance of the targets.
Types of Scopes
There are all kinds of magnifying lenses on the market, but you need to know what kind works best for you. Some scopes are better than others for finding ranges and estimating distances. Simple optics are great for beginners to learn how to use them. Deceptive optics may seem like they don’t have any rangefinding features, but they actually do. You’ll just need to read the manual to see what reticle elements can measure.
A scope should be camouflaged. Your scope should be covered to look like your gun, but not too much. GunSkins has skins that fit any scope perfectly.
Fixed Magnification
Optics with fixed magnification have one magnification setting. Fixed-magnification optics are usually shorter than variable optics, saving more room for other accessories. They’re also generally lighter in weight.
Fixed magnifications have advantages over variable ones. You don’t need to think about adjusting the scope. You’re always going to be able to acquire targets consistently. A fixed magnification scope gives you consistent results every time.
Fixed magnifications work well when looking at distant objects. Zooming in makes things clearer. A fixed scope is usually better than a variable scope at transferring light. Fixed scopes are also more durable and reliable than variable scopes.
Different Reticles and How To Use Them
There are lots of different types of reticles out there. Some people get upset by the number of them, but others see it as an opportunity to find the perfect one for themselves.
Basic Crosshairs and Red Dots
Crosshairs are useless for rangefinding. Reticles are mostly useless for rangefinding. Holographic sights are useful for rangefinding, but not as accurate as laser rangefinders. Magnifiers are useful for rangefinding if you’re looking at something close up.
Some optics have what appear to have simplistic sights that don’t include rangefinding capabilities. These sights are deceptive because they are capable of range estimation on human sized targets at up to 800 m. At 100 m, the width of the Chevron is 19″ at 300 m. Based on the average size of a person being 5’10”, if a man-sized target can be fitted within the vertical line up the dash marked 4, then you can estimate that the distance of the target is 400m.
A target can be estimated at 600 meters if he fits into the dash marked 6. More advanced reticles account for wind and running targets.
MilDot
Mils are used to measure distances. The distance between two points is measured by counting the number of mils between those two points. The dot or hash mark on the reticle is usually about 1/4″ wide and 1/8″ tall. The spacing between the dots is called mils. The dots should be spaced 0.2 mil apart.
When you aim at a target, you need to know the exact distance. You can use the rangefinder to measure the distance. A 45 inch target is about 379 yards away. Divide 379 by 3.3 (the number of mils) and multiply by 1000. That gives us 379/36 11.11. Then, divide 379 by 36 and multiply by 1000. This gives us 379/36 * 1000 379 * 100 37 900. So, we get 379 / 36 * 1000 37 900.
Range finding is an important part of shooting. You need to be able to calculate how far away your target is before firing. This helps you aim more accurately.
Distance Calculation
The formula to calculate the distance between two objects is WERM, which stands for width equals range times (MOA or mils). The MOA constant represents 100 while the MIL constant represents 27.8. A deer chest of 20 inches takes 4 mil dots on the reticle, so the distance between them is (20/4 x27.8) yards.
Windage charts help you to aim accurately by showing you where the bullet will land after being fired. Mirages are caused by changes in air pressure due to temperature differences. Knowing these things helps you to aim better.
Tips To Choosing The Right Scope For You
There are some things that you need to think about when purchasing a rangefinder scope.
- First, see if it is easy to install.
- Second, make sure that it has all the features that you want.
- Third, check out how much it costs.
A scope should be chosen based on how well it performs. Make sure that you buy the right product. Check out the warranty if you purchase something. Don’t believe the distance claims made by manufacturers.
Conclusion:
Rangefinders are used to measure distances. They are easy to use and fairly accurate. However, there are some drawbacks. A rangefinder needs to be recalculated every time the magnification changes. Also, the calculations are complex.