Do you agree that your long-distance golf and shooting experience can be improved with the best long-range rangefinder? What a great accessory for hunting, golf and target shooting.
Long-range rangefinders are the latest invention for golfers and hunters, among other people. Compared to traditional rangefinder instruments, rangefinders provide superior performance. The selection of long range rangefinders on the market is vast, and not all hunters or golfers can make the best purchasing decision for themselves. We will help you with this problem..
It is for this reason that we decided to create a list of high-performance rangefinders that can be used at long ranges. The seven products we've selected and reviewed are the best you can buy today.
Things to consider before purchasing
Long Range Accuracy Shortcut - Best Rangefinder for Long Range Shooting. But not all rangefinders are created equally. They come in different features and performance levels; So choosing the perfect model is not as easy as I would have thought.
To help you choose a rangefinder that really makes an impact on your long shot, we offer five key factors to consider before making a purchasing decision. This information is especially useful for long-range shooters.
design
This is, in fact, one of the most important considerations that should not be overlooked when purchasing a rangefinder. You should buy a product that is lightweight and portable. You want a product that you can use with your scope without any problems.
A good model should be compact in size so that it fits comfortably and securely in the palm of your hand. This is especially true for the long-range shooter with smaller hands. Most importantly, the rangefinder should be ultra-portable to make traveling easier.
increase
The amount of magnification you need on your rangefinder depends on the type of hunting you're doing, as well as the terrain. Most shooters, especially those new to long-range shooting, may assume that high-powered rangefinders are best suited for your needs...
Well, that's not entirely true. Essentially, the low magnification power provides a wide field of view as well as ease of stability. However, 6x, 7x, or 8x magnification is much easier to use for most long-range shooting situations.
Ability to collect light
The light collection ability of any rangefinder is directly related to the diameter of the lens. The ideal size of a rangefinder lens should be between 20 and 25mm. This type of lens size eliminates the problems of low light and reflection.
Additionally, the throughput of your rangefinder is determined by the optical quality of the lenses. Poor lens quality will result in poor light transmission regardless of the lens diameter.
distance
To avoid investing in the wrong product, you should make sure that the model you buy is a rangefinder. As for most models, the maximum range distance is usually specified in the product specifications.
For effective range, you should choose a device with more than one range mode. The most common range modes are line of sight (LOS) and horizontal component distance (HCD). HCD is useful for archery and LOS is useful for marksmen.
Durability and battery life.
A rangefinder can provide you with the best range performance, but it will not provide you with long-term service if it is not durable. Therefore, you should buy a rangefinder that is waterproof, shockproof and fogproof.
To avoid inconvenience, you should buy a rangefinder with a battery. This way you can reduce the cost of battery replacement. Also, consider a battery-powered rangefinder that has a long battery life.
Shooting at a moving target
Most often, hunters have to aim and shoot a rifle at a moving target. This is a rather complex method of hunting, which we will dwell on in more detail.
Features of shooting at a moving target
Aiming ability is a guarantee of a successful shot. But when hunting, quite often shooters have to aim at moving targets - a running animal or flying game.
The key to a well-aimed shot is improving your skills and bringing your skills to automaticity. And this applies to both the shot itself and the ability to handle the weapon (loading, unloading, releasing, throwing).
In this case, each hunter has to take into account a number of physical parameters:
- The speed of the target (usually for a running animal 5 - 10 km/h or 1.5 - 3 m/s).
- Direction of movement relative to the shooter (towards the hunter, away from him, perpendicular to the direction of the shot or at an angle)
- Distance to target (can be determined in advance using a rangefinder or using preset marks)
- Flight speed of the selected type of ammunition (depending on the type and caliber of the cartridge).
Experienced hunters shoot at a moving target at a reflex level thanks to years of practiced skills. For beginners, calculations and numerous training sessions help with this.
Methods of shooting at a moving target
There are two ways to shoot at a moving target:
- From the shoulder - the hunter takes a comfortable standing position in advance, even before the appearance of the animal, and waits for the right moment. At the same time, he has time to prepare, check the optical sight, make the necessary adjustments and make corrections.
- Offhand - a method used during walking, driven hunting, as well as during shooting from pre-marked positions - numbers. The gun is raised and positioned to fire only when game appears. At the same time, the hunter has a few moments to make a decision, prepare and shoot. This method is effective only with proper experience and skills developed to the point of automaticity.
If the target of the hunt moves, the gun should be given the same direction and intensity of movement. To do this, it turns smoothly - the leash, during which the entire body should be used. Moving your hands alone will not allow you to accurately aim and make an effective shot. The shot itself should be made with anticipation.
Lead calculation
There are several types of shot lead when hunting moving game.
- Preemptive removal of the barrel is a method used by experienced hunters when catching game at a distance of no more than 50 meters. It involves moving the barrel when aiming at a certain angle forward, in the direction of movement of the object. The distance is selected based on the shooter’s personal experience. In this case, the angular speed of movement of the gun should not differ from the angular speed of movement of the object of hunting in relation to the shooter. The greatest results can be achieved when shooting at a bird or animal that moves perpendicular to the direction of the barrels.
- Overtaking a target is a way to pre-empt a shot, which will be convenient even for a novice hunter. After raising the gun, a point behind the target is determined as the aiming point, but not too far. In the case of a wolf, fox or hare, this could be the animal’s tail. Then, in a smooth movement, the leash is made so that the sight catches up with the target and overtakes it to a distance that is suitable, in the hunter’s opinion. In this case, the rifle barrel moves at a speed that is slightly greater than the speed of the target relative to the shooter, and the hunter’s eye is focused on the target. The main point is not to slow down the leash of the gun either before, during or after firing a shot.
- Shooting in a casual manner - a shot is fired when the gun is placed in position and the butt touches the shoulder. This is the most difficult method of aiming, which experienced hunters perform almost intuitively, reflexively. The success of a hit depends solely on the experience and skill of the hunter. This method is more effective when the target has a low angular velocity or is moving toward or away from the hunter. An offhand shot is used to hit a target when hunting with dogs or “from the approach,” when frightened game takes off and gives away its location.
Best product on the current market
Now that you know what to look for in a rangefinder, it's time to present you with our seven top picks. We've reviewed each product in detail to help you choose the most original product for your application.
Rangefinder Simmons 4x20LRF 600
Price: Approx. 150 dollars
weight: 6.4 ounces
zoom: 4x
Maximum distance: 5 - 600 yards
Features: Vertical Configuration, One Button Control, +/- 1 Yard Accuracy, Class 1 Laser with Less than 1 mW Average Output Power, Field of View LCD Display
Best Uses: Hunting, golf, fishing and target shooting.
The Simmons 4x20LRF 600 rangefinder is described as the best rangefinder for long range shooting. There is an LCD screen that allows you to get the exact distance to the lens. It has a range of 5-600 yards with an accuracy of +/- 1 yard.
This ensures that you have a clear vision of goals that are far away from you. It is an easy to use rangefinder that operates with one button, making it easy to use even for beginners. You can see your target at close range with 4x magnification power.
It is formed by crystal optics, which allows you to see clear and bright images. It has a rugged, weather-resistant design, making it ideal for extreme weather conditions. It has tilt technology that allows you to change your position as per your desire.
Range for furry animals is 200 yards, for trees is 400 yards, and for reflective targets is 600 yards.
PROS:
- LCD display shows accurate target distance 5-600 yards
- The all-weather housing is durable and ideal for all weather conditions.
- Compact vertical design is lightweight and easy to transport anywhere
- Bright and crystal optics ensure a clear lens image
- 4x magnification provides more precise details of the target and its surroundings.
MINUSES:
- It does not provide readings in meters and yards.
- The battery is not included, which makes you bear additional costs
related : Batteries are not included; Then you will have to buy Duracell MN1604. You will need batteries to power the rangefinder and for backup during an overnight expedition.
Bushnell Elite 1 rangefinder
Price: Approx. 300 dollars
weight: 12.2 ounces
zoom: 7x
Maximum distance: 5 - 1760 yards
Features: Bluetooth wireless via Conx, Bright Screen technology, built-in tripod, Posi-thread battery cover
Best use: Fishing, hunting and target shooting
The Bushnell Elite 1 Rangefinder is the best long-range device that works with your smartphone. Allows you to configure the device from your phone by connecting your smartphone via conx.
The connection also allows you to configure it in three different ballistic curves. It has a wide range of 5 to 1,760 yards with a viewing accuracy of 1/10 yards. It has a good 7x magnification ratio, allowing you to have a clear view of your targets.
It has wind data that is incorporated into the rest of the values using approved Kestrel wind meters. It consists of an archery mode that provides a bullet inside. It consists of a waterproof body, making it suitable for use in aquatic environments.
With fully multi-layer optics, you can enjoy bright, clear and crisp images. This gives you a wide field of view that ranges from 5 to 1,760 yards with 1/2 yard accuracy.
PROS:
- Inch, MOA or MIL values on your screen or smartphone
- Waterproof and weatherproof housing.
- Durable thanks to rain-coated protective screen
- Superior ballistic performance with approved Kestrel wind meters
- The built-in mount is convenient to use during long-term work.
- Wireless laser communicates with conx app on Android and iOS
MINUSES:
- Expensive rangefinder for a limited budget
related We recommend that you buy this product together with Mildot Master. With an analog calculator, you don't need to memorize formulas as you can easily perform simple and quick range calculations to your target.
Laser rangefinder LaserWorks LW1000SPI
Price: Approx. $140
weight: 4.8 ounces
zoom: 6x
Maximum distance: 5 - 1000 yards
Features: 21mm lens, 3V battery, weatherproof, waterproof, two button operation, 7.2 field of view and 6x zoom
Best Use: Fishing, hunting, paintball and target shooting
The LaserWorks LW1000SPI rangefinder is a high-quality device that weighs only 4.8 ounces, making it lightweight and compact for ultralight hikers. It is small in size and easily fits in your pocket or palm.
It has a minimal operating design that includes two buttons: one for measuring and the other for changing mode. With 6x magnification and a clear clear lens, it gives you the feeling of being close and seeing your target.
It comes with more than one mode that works according to different scenarios, making it an excellent functional tool. It is water and fog resistant so it can be used in all weather conditions including water sports...
It has a fog mode that allows you to use it without worrying about the lenses fogging up. It comes with a scan measurement with a key that measures continuously 20 times and shows all scanned distances.
PROS:
- Turns off automatically after 15 seconds to save energy
- Accurate target distance allows from 5 to 1000 yards
- 6x magnification and clear lens ensure clear lens image
- Waterproof and weatherproof housing for extreme conditions.
- Portable and lightweight design that adapts to small spaces.
- Multiple modes including: scan, fog, flagpole, speed and distance
MINUSES:
- It does not measure angles, but only reaches and speeds
related : The package comes with one battery; We recommend that you get a pack of 3 Viridian CR2 batteries. The battery will provide backup power and maximum power from start to finish.
Rangefinder Vortex Ranger 1000
Price: Approx. 300 dollars
weight: 7 ounces
zoom: 6x
Maximum distance : 11 - 1000 yards
Features: Fully laminated lenses, rubber armor, O-ring seals, diopter adjustment, three function modes and display range in yards or meters
Best Use: Paintball, Fishing, Hunting and Target Shooting
The Vortex Ranger 1000 rangefinder is known for its superior performance. It is capable of reaching targets up to 1000 yards. It has three modes which include: horizontal component distance distance which shows the offset angle distance in yards or meters.
Other modes include line-of-sight mode and continuous scanning mode. These modes allow you to easily adjust the rangefinder in all three brightness settings. It has multi-layer lenses with anti-reflective coating, which provides a brighter lens image.
It has O-rings that prevent dust, debris or moisture from entering the rangefinder. The seals also make the equipment resistant to water and fog. It has a rugged design that allows it to withstand difficult situations while being compact and lightweight...
Its rubber lever provides a secure and non-slip grip, allowing you to not worry about slipping even with wet hands.
PROS:
- Waterproof and anti-fog body is durable
- Compact and lightweight design is easy to transport.
- Rubber armor provides reliable grip during operation
- Diopter adjustment ensures precise approach
- The O-ring prevents the entry of dirt, dust and moisture.
- Linear field of view allows up to 315 feet at 100 yards
- 17mm eye relief reduces eye fatigue
MINUSES:
- Does not measure or provide readings for cloud heights
related : We recommend purchasing the rangefinder along with the Vortex strap. Flexible straps help relieve neck tension and fatigue by moving the rangefinder from one location to another.
Rangefinder TecTecTec VPRODLX
Price: Approx. $180
weight: 14.4 ounces
zoom: 6x
Maximum distance: 5 - 600 yards
Features: Wide measuring range of 5600 yards, waterproof housing and advanced sensor technology.
Best Use: Golf, Hunting and Target Shooting
The TecTecTec VPRODLX rangefinder is the latest premium rangefinder on the market with numerous features. It has a reliable measuring range of 5 to 600 yards. It has advanced pin sensor technology that allows you to measure overlapping objects.
Unlike competing models, this rangefinder is equipped with the latest technology that measures distances hassle-free. This is a handy feature for the golfer and long range shooter. The measurement lock feature is sure to boost your confidence.
It is made of waterproof construction, making it a durable rangefinder that can be used in wet environments or extreme conditions. It consists of a diopter adjustment that gives you a clearer idea of your goals.
The laser rangefinder provides you with accurate measurements within +/- yards. Upon purchase, you are provided with a case, a free CR2 battery, a quick start guide, a two-year warranty, lifetime customer service, a wrist strap, and a microfiber cloth.
The carrying case is shockproof and protects the equipment from any shocks and adverse weather conditions.
PROS:
- Large measuring range from 5 to 600 yards
- Easily measure overlapping objects thanks to advanced sensor technology
- Waterproof design for wet and rainy conditions.
- True measurement accuracy allows effective range
- Multiple scanning modes for superior performance
- Multi-layer coated lenses provide clear, bright and crisp images.
MINUSES:
- You may encounter some problems when focusing
Related : You should buy the Stick It Magnetic Rangefinder to move and transport the rangefinder effectively. The strap is integrated with magnets for easy adhesion to your club or vehicle and can be adapted to virtually any rangefinder except the VPRODLX TecTecTec.
Uineye laser rangefinder
Price: Approx. 150 dollars
weight: 12 ounces
zoom: 8x
Maximum distance: 5 - 1600 yards
Features: Multiple measurement modes, multi-layer optics, ergonomic design, CR2 battery powered and 0.33 yard accuracy
Best Uses: Hunting, fishing, golf and target shooting.
Uineye laser rangefinder is one of the best rangefinders which is made of high quality materials and waterproof body. It has a long range of up to 1600 yards and fast measurement with an accuracy of 0.33 yards.
It includes multiple measurement modes which include distance, angle, height and horizontal distance measurement. It consists of a scanning mode for a continuous range of a moving target or multiple targets.
It has 8x magnification which ensures that you get large and clear images of your targets. It has an ergonomic design that provides a comfortable grip and also makes it easy to transport anywhere while being lightweight.
It is powered entirely by a CR2 battery, which is cheaper to replace, and is available everywhere. It consists of multi-layer optics that allows for fast reading and changing units of measurement in meters or yards.
This is the ideal rangefinder for the big game, competition or hunting for the first time.
PROS:
- Long range rangefinder can measure up to 1600 yards
- Fast measurement thanks to 0.33 yard accuracy
- Multiple measurement modes including: scan, horizontal, height and angle
- Multi-layer optics deliver through the lens screen
- High 8x magnification provides a wider field of view
- Ergonomic design provides a comfortable and non-slip grip.
- Long lasting eye relief reduces eye fatigue
MINUSES:
- May not work in extreme conditions
related : You can use a rangefinder with your weapon; you just need to buy the Uineye rangefinder accessory. The aluminum alloy accessory has a small capacity, high maneuverability and allows for tension-free assembly.
Rangefinder Sig Sauer Kilo2000
Price: Approx. 400 dollars
weight: 16 ounces
zoom: 7x
Maximum distance: 3400 yards
Features: DSP light wave technology, OLED light display, long range, scan mode and built-in inclinometer
Best Use: Hunting, fishing, paintball and target shooting.
The Sig Sauer Kilo 2000 Rangefinder is a well-built rangefinder that offers you a long range of up to 3,400 yards. It has revolutionary DSP Light Wave technology that allows faster reach over longer distances.
The technology makes the rangefinder a reliable device, providing accurate distance data. In scan mode, the rangefinder updates with an ultra-fast time of 4 seconds. It has an organic LED screen that provides a clear view of your target.
The screen is equipped with an ambient light sensor that continuously monitors lighting conditions. The sensor adjusts the screen brightness according to the compensation characteristics of the angle change range.
It brightens in bright conditions and dims in twilight to protect your eyes. It consists of a simpler user interface that shows the system status while a task is running and provides you with the data you need.
PROS:
- Reach faster with DSP light wave technology
- Backlit OLED display provides superior brightness
- Light sensor monitors lighting conditions
- Angle compensation offers true ballistic range
- Range up to 3400 yards
- High magnification provides a wide field of view.
- Long-lasting eye relief reduces tired and tired eyes.
MINUSES:
- Poor performance in foggy conditions.
related : We recommend purchasing the rangefinder along with the Sig Sauer adapter case. The housing is designed to connect your riflescope to a tripod adapter for unparalleled range when hunting, fishing, paintball, target shooting or golfing.
High-precision shooting from hunting rifles
What is precision shooting? This concept is quite flexible, because for each type of small arms this indicator is different. We all understand that even hunting weapons, depending on their purpose, have very different criteria for shooting accuracy at different distances.
A rifle for varminting is one thing, and a shortened carbine for driven hunting is quite another. Today, many hunters purchase rifled weapons, without which the further development of hunting and, especially, its reformation in many areas is simply unthinkable. Rifled weapons cost a lot of money, and not every hunter can afford to have several “barrels”, and, on the other hand, are they necessary?
If a hunter is not interested in various exotic hunts such as varminting, but shoots traditional types of game in traditional ways - from the approach, from a tower, from a corral, then it is quite possible to get by with one hunting carbine according to the classical design and of good quality, and this is guaranteed by many weapons manufacturers today, “ Tikka", "Sauer", "Browning", "Wetherby", "Crico" and many others.
In my opinion, the best choice is the Austrian “Staer Mannlicher”, which traditionally demonstrates the best accuracy indicators among all arms companies producing serial weapons, this is no more than 2 cm per 100 m, but provided that you purchase the weapon in Austria itself or or order it there.
Among other things, the carbines of this company have an average price, are quite light, simple, reliable and have an invariably original design, although the catalogs in the photos sometimes do not inspire confidence, especially some samples in plastic. For the average hunter, this is the best choice, especially since now there are models with stainless steel barrels, which is very practical for hunting. Other types of bolt guns, as a rule, have an accuracy standard when shooting at 100 m - 2.5 cm.
Of course, there are also ones with even worse accuracy indicators, but we do not take them into account. There are also many types of hunting weapons with even higher accuracy parameters than 2 cm per 100 m, but we also do not consider them because of very high prices, and they are of little interest to a simple hunter. A standard bolt gun, as a rule, has a barrel length of 580–650 mm and a weight of 3.2–3.7 kg, and it is best not to go beyond these parameters.
The pursuit of a light weapon is not always justified, and in order for your weapon to be multifunctional, the weight can be changed within slight limits, depending on the physique of the hunter. If you are the owner of a semi-automatic, pump-action or short carbine with a barrel less than the limit specified above, then you won’t have to talk about high-precision shooting, at least at long distances. First, we need to clarify what long distance is.
For a regular hunting bolt gun, this is 300 meters, and here's why. All ordinary carbines, as a rule, have the most ordinary optics, albeit very expensive ones, but the aiming mark, as a rule, is adjustable only for one shooting distance, since at distances up to 300 m it is easiest for the hunter to raise the crosshair or lower it below or above the target to a predetermined distance, focusing on the size of the target, that is, the animal being shot, rather than turning some knobs, drums, hoods and collimators, since aiming speed is also important when hunting.
A more complex and bulky scope for very long range shooting will undoubtedly interfere with dynamic hunting. Whenever possible, you should always strive for simplicity, and first of all when hunting. A hunter with practical experience does not need to explain this, but beginners can attach useless optics to an ultra-precise carbine or rifle, and vice versa, install ultra-precise optics on a useless carbine.
In world hunting practice, these issues have long been eliminated, and hunters at all levels receive professional information. So be smart when equipping your weapon with optics, a bracket for mounting it, and carefully select the weapon itself. The best choice is a weapon, as I already said, of a classical design and standards in all respects.
In a bolt gun you have the opportunity to load ammunition with different characteristics - both with a light bullet and with a heavy one, with a small charge and a very large one, and with all this, this weapon is usable, has good balance and combat. Of course, if necessary, it can be reloaded quite quickly, which in our hunts basically does not matter, since the first shot is always decisive, and it must be powerful enough to avoid wounded animals, which means it is advisable to use powerful ammunition, why and why This is what many of our hunters are afraid of.
Subsequent shots can be fired only if the wounded man is picked up, and not try to correct the first mistake in aiming, especially if the distance is more than 100 meters. Many people will immediately ask: what about the versatility of a weapon with a powerful cartridge?
It turns out that in practice, with skillful use of ammunition, this does not interfere with the shooting of small game and, on the contrary, it provides advantages that are used by hunters all over the world, especially since shooting the most valuable species of small animals and birds is even more desirable with rifled weapons than with shot, which gives a lot of wounded animals when the shooting distance is not observed or is not determined, which often happens when hunting.
A shot, especially an accurate one, at long distances has always attracted hunters and was considered the pinnacle of the beauty of hunting for many hunters. I think there is no need to explain that the bolt gun is perfect for hunting from ambush, approach and even driven, and little is known about shooting from such a fairly large-caliber weapon, which most of our hunters have, a caliber from 7 to 9 mm our hunters, who believe, due to various information and rumors, that a 7.62 bullet will smash any small game into “chips,” which is not entirely true.
This will happen if it is used ineptly. But this happens more often in smaller calibers with a bottle case, and it is even preferable to use larger calibers. Firstly, large and medium calibers always have a lower bullet speed, and secondly, for such purposes it is necessary to use, if possible, heavier bullets in a tombak shell without an expansive action and with pointed noses. It is very important what kind of taper the bullet nose has; the force of the hydrodynamic impact when the bullet hits the carcass greatly depends on this.
As practice has shown, not every sharp bullet is suitable for shooting small game; many seemingly indistinguishable bullets have completely different effects on the animal carcass. Personally, I select the type of bullet when shooting crows in hunting grounds, sitting on the ground, opposite some elevation of the ground, so that there are no ricochets.
Based on the effect on the crow carcass, it is easy to determine whether a given bullet is suitable for shooting small game or not. I shot from a weapon chambered for .300 WIN MAG, and if the bullet was successfully selected, nothing bad happened, and even the point of impact was not easy to find. I used Finnish D47 bullets; this bullet is inexpensive, quite accurate and, of course, not the only one suitable for shooting small game.
There are many sporting bullets suitable for this purpose. Of course, during such shooting, you cannot use bullets with steel cores or even steel jackets, since they break down very poorly in obstacles and can ricochet.
Aiming itself should always be analytical, shooting should not be hasty, you should always take into account where the bullet will land. A sharp bullet is quite enough for any large bird, regardless of the location of the hit, but a fox and raccoon dog still run away from such bullets, and sometimes escape, but, of course, with a mortal wound.
produces semi-sharp bullets specifically for hunting small animals, and of various calibers; shooting up to 300 meters is quite effective from a regular hunting bolt gun with good “genetics”. It could be a German, an Austrian, or a Belgian, but, unfortunately, it is extremely undesirable to use Russian-made carbines due to the low accuracy of fire and the senseless risk to others during endless attempts to hit the target.
The weapon is always and in any case zeroed at a distance of 200 meters, which is the optimal zeroing, at which it is easiest to determine the trajectory of a bullet up to 300 meters and easily aim using a regular hunting optical sight, and with any medium-caliber cartridge we have in use.
Of course, the best option is Magnum-type cartridges, which have the flattest trajectory and the most wind-resistant trajectory, which is important for hitting small targets, but even more important is experience in such shooting, and it is best to get it in a special shooting range. It is also useful to have a rangefinder with a small laser beam width, which means it is suitable for determining the distance to a small target. Do not try to shoot further than 300 meters, this requires a different weapon and a different optical sight.
Remember that as the distance increases, the dispersion of bullets on the target progresses, and if in the best case you have a dispersion of 2 cm at 100 m, then at 200 m it will be 4–6 cm, and at 300 m it will be 6–8 cm or more, and at 400 m there is simply no guarantee that you will hit a small target, the accuracy of fire will only be enough to hit large game, and the kinetic energy of the bullet will not be enough to hit it, so effective fire from a conventional hunting bolt-action carbine is limited to 300 meters reliable defeat of both small and large game, and even large game in the presence of a Magnum caliber from 7 to 9 mm. The .30-06 and .308 Win are limited to 200 yards, so the Magnum is preferable anyway.
Some “experienced” people persistently spread rumors that the “Magnum” is a low-resource weapon, which is completely false; many companies, in order to increase the barrel life of the “Magnum” weapon, install barrels made of heavy-duty steel, so this largely depends on the weapon manufacturers. This topic is very extensive, and in this article we will not consider these issues in detail, I will only give approximate numbers of shots fired.
From non-magnums you can shoot from 9000 to 15000, from magnums from 6000 to 18000 depending on the manufacturer, so read the instructions on the weapon and guarantees, often this information is simply hidden in hunting stores so that there is no focus on individual samples of weapons, because everything that is available needs to be sold, including goods, in this case weapons, of low quality. Of course, a lot depends on what country a given hunting store is located in.
You must always remember and clearly know for what purpose you purchased your weapon and not try to achieve sniper shooting, for example, from an automatic carbine with cheap optics. As a rule, in bolt-action carbines there are many points of adjustment for precise combat, while automatic ones are initially designed to fire at short distances; it is also inappropriate to buy expensive ultra-precise cartridges, the capabilities of which can only be realized in high-precision weapons.
From a high-quality hunting carbine or rifle, you can confidently shoot capercaillie, black grouse, and other large birds, as well as small animals, without causing any serious damage if you select the correct bullet, its nose, weight and speed, and, of course, the weapon itself. Knowledge of shooting technique, about which quite a lot of books have been written, also plays an important role.
Of course, for a small target, the range of confident shooting from a hunting rifled carbine is limited to 200–300 m, and even then in the case of using weapons with European standards of accuracy of fire - 2.5 cm at a distance of 100 m, and in the best case these can be Austrian rifles, giving the spread of bullets at 100 m is no more than 2 cm, and this is in mass production.
Such weapons must be purchased in reputable stores with all documentation provided, including sighting targets, so as not to buy weapons rejected by the company, which is very common today. Proper care of the barrel of your weapon is also very important, because a polished or poorly cleaned barrel always gives a much greater spread of bullets when shooting. Under no circumstances can you count on accurate shooting if your weapon has even a small amount of lubricant in the barrel.
Before hunting, the barrel should be wiped with a clean cloth, but under no circumstances should it be degreased with acetone or another solvent, which will certainly lead to rusting of the barrel bore under extreme hunting conditions. If your weapon has a barrel made of stainless steel, this does not mean that it does not need to be cleaned; any contamination of the barrel bore changes its geometry and negatively affects shooting. For accurate shooting at long distances, it is inadvisable to use lightweight weapons, as well as too heavy ones.
A weapon with a weighted barrel allows you to make a large number of accurate shots in a row, which is more necessary when varminting or sports shooting, and regular hunting requires one accurate shot, since when shooting up to 300 m, the game will still be frightened by the shot, which does not always happen when varminting.
Of course, for high-precision shooting, the weapon must have a trigger mechanism of the sneller type, which gives a significant advantage in many hunting situations. The weight of the weapon should be between 2.3–3 kg without optics, the barrel length should be 60–65 cm.
When using flat fire ammunition, which means mainly “magnum”, which, of course, is always written on the packaging. For example, a 7x64 cartridge can also be classified as an 8x68S magnum, which has an increased charge of gunpowder, and therefore is also a magnum, so you need to navigate not by the name of the ammunition, but by the characteristics attached to this ammunition, available in any Western catalog on weapons and hunting.
It is undesirable to use shortened samples of rifled hunting weapons such as the rifle for high-precision shooting, since their accuracy of fire is always lower and is mainly suitable for hitting larger game. Even if we take the Austrian “Mannlicher”, then a normal model with a barrel length of 60 cm will have an accuracy of no more than 2 cm per 100 m, and the fitting will already have 2.5 cm.
And yet, remember that with high-precision shooting, the most important thing is the correct selection of the bullet used, which does not cause great destruction to the carcass of small game, otherwise all the results of high-precision shooting are meaningless. Among other things, a well-adapted rifle for accurate shooting of small game is excellent for all other hunts, if, of course, it has a medium caliber, which can use a very wide range of bullets, both heavy and light.
A hunter should always strive for the greatest versatility of his weapon, but, of course, within reasonable limits, which have long been verified by world hunting practice. This greatly facilitates the process of hunting various types of game; it is enough to have only ammunition for various purposes with you, although, of course, in some cases this is impossible, so you still have to use special weapons, this is understandable - after all, it is impossible to achieve absolute versatility.
More intensive use of rifled weapons in hunting for all types of game will undoubtedly have a beneficial effect on the population of all types of game, because a shot from a smooth-bore gun is as effective as it is dangerous for game, which often runs away or flies away with a mortal wound, which does not happen when used correctly rifled weapon, which, due to hydrodynamic impact, even with a tangential hit, always immobilizes small game, making the shot more effective, allowing you to save a considerable amount of game.
An accurate and reliable shot should be the motto of our hunting.
As for weapons, of course, this is an important factor in high-precision shooting, but nevertheless, our hunters are more susceptible to fashion, usually buying what everyone has. I consulted a lot on this issue with the best shooters in Europe, gun rangers at various arms companies, I shoot well myself, but still I’m not giving my own opinion, but the opinion of a legendary man who, shooting from a hunting carbine at a distance of 100 m, freely puts all the bullets in a chain when one bullet hole touches another, so as not to confuse the number of shots when zeroing the weapon. He also freely places all the bullets 150 m into one hole from the first bullet. This is the director of a gun store in the Austrian city of Freistadt, the famous hunter and shooter, athlete Robert Wirtle, who has extensive experience in this matter. I still wonder how it’s possible to shoot like that, especially since the sighting mark on hunting optics is much larger than the bullet hole on a sheet of blank paper.
Robert’s favorite weapon is the weapon, which, as he claims, has no equal among production models and when using first-burning barrels, which go mainly to the domestic market of Austria, with medium calibers they give a spread of no more than 6 mm per 100 m.
Robert considers Finnish and Tikka, Wetherby to be the strongest competitors of Mannlicher, but at the same time he still singles out Sako. Of course, there are a lot of other good ones, “Heim”, “Crico”, but this, according to Robert, is of secondary importance. He has a critically negative attitude towards the Blazer, which is so popular among us, with the R 93 linear bolt locking system, and indeed towards modular weapons in general.
The same opinion is shared by all other gun shooters from various companies, who have vast experience and comparative capabilities, since they do not have to shoot entire batches of different weapons. “Blazer R 93” was even given the offensive nickname “Kinder Surprise”. Of course, it is important where you will buy the weapon and whether you will have the opportunity to shoot it and evaluate the accuracy of fire, as happens in European stores, and in many cases it would be best if this was done by a specialist who would most realistically evaluate it or other weapons.
In the end, the choice of hunting weapon is a personal matter for each hunter. Some people value the appearance, others the technical merits and performance of the weapon, which is very often found in, to put it mildly, not very beautiful weapons, which often confuses the inexperienced buyer. Still, buying rifled weapons for our hunters is not an easy task, and there is a tendency to first buy and then study what it is?
Our periodical hunting press is largely to blame for this, designed primarily to convey to hunters all the latest information in the weapons world, and not to advertise various illiquid items ordered by the weapons trading network.
We must remember that an accurate shot while hunting is another step towards well-being in the world of our fauna. Still, today numerous wounded animals are the scourge of our hunt. 05 August 2013
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The Sig Sauer Kilo2000 marks the end of our best rangefinder for long range shooting reviews. We will provide you with a list of the best products that will surely satisfy your long range shooting experience.
Remember that the main purpose of a rangefinder is to know how far your target or object is from its location. In light of this, you can only achieve the desired results if you choose a rangefinder with high measurement performance.
For unrivaled performance, you need a rangefinder with full functionality. It is always advisable to choose a product that has exceeded the expectations of many users. This way, you can avoid rangefinders that do not work as specified by the manufacturer.
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