Ranging Game in the Field Can be Tough

[General RE LEE]

Anyone else have issues getting an accurate range with a rangefinder on game? In the heat of the moment with one hand on the rifle and another trying to range target while shaking, it’s very easy to range stuff in background behind target. Happened to me tonight on a hunt. I picked up in my rangefinder the tree line behind the deer, dialed and whiffed first shot. Shot was high. I reloaded and ranged again to realize I dialed wrong distance. I had to dial down and connected on next shot.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Remember that a LRF is a cone and isn’t a absolute distance at longer distances
“”
a laser rangefinder's beam can be described as a
very narrow, focused cone (or sometimes a rectangle, depending on the optics). It is not a single, infinitely thin point, nor is it a wide cone like an ultrasonic sensor's beam.
The spreading of the beam as it travels is called beam divergence. Manufacturers of high-quality rangefinders aim for minimal divergence because:

• A smaller, more focused beam can pinpoint individual targets more precisely, even at long distances.
• It reduces the chance of the beam reflecting off an unintended object in the foreground (like a branch) or background, which would result in an inaccurate reading.
• It ensures more of the laser's energy reflects back to the device's receiver, improving performance and maximum range.

For context, a typical consumer laser rangefinder might have a beam divergence of around 1 to 2 milliradians (mrad). This means that at a distance of 1,000 meters (about 1,094 yards), the beam will be approximately 1 to 2 meters wide. ””
Also they should be ranged multiple times at different surfaces surrounding the actual target to get a good reading

1st time I used my Leica 1200’s I was WTF why am I getting so many different readings on this goat / pronghorn ( only about 300 meters after I finished the complete series of measurements

 

[Jordan Smith]

In addition to the above, part of it is technique. Try ranging at the feet of the animal if possible.

 

[wpeach1912]

A tripod mounted rangefinder helps. Kinda why I like rangefinding binos. Easy to find stuff in and attach to a tripod. Other ways to mitigate the issue is to range at the feet or range the background then range the target then range the foreground. That gives you some data as to whether or not you’re actually ranging your target

 

[nm.otter]

If you're hunting an area like a meadow, range the closest and furthest parts of it, split the difference, and dial your elevation. Now you can focus on the wind and the target.

 

[Car Ramrod]

I struggle with this as well with my Revic br4. I love the rangefinder for the data it provides but stability leaves a lot to be desired. Image stabilizing range finder would be great and I’m sure isn’t too far out.

I am wanting to get my hands on some swaro el ranges to see if it helps as much as I think it does/would.

 

[mtnbound]

Anyone else have issues getting an accurate range with a rangefinder on game? In the heat of the moment with one hand on the rifle and another trying to range target while shaking, it’s very easy to range stuff in background behind target. Happened to me tonight on a hunt. I picked up in my rangefinder the tree line behind the deer, dialed and whiffed first shot. Shot was high. I reloaded and ranged again to realize I dialed wrong distance. I had to dial down and connected on next shot.

I also range the animal several times along with the ground at its feet. The other thing is knowing where your laser is actually at in your RF reticle. I have seen them be dead center of the reticle, but others have been off a little, which means you need to adjust your point of aim to get a range.

 

[Sled]

I ranged an elk at 500 when it was actually 375. Put a bullet right above the lungs. Took me several minutes to figure out what happened. In the meantime she fed comfortably as if nothing happened. When I finally figured it out it was too late. She was behind some brush and I had no clean shot at vitals, just a head. I don't take head shots up close, so 350 yards was out for sure.

Double and triple check the range. Had I ranged an object in front of and behind the elk I would have known something was off.