Binoculars as ranging tools for hunting?

Lionhill

Lionhill

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I use binos when I go hunting. (duh)
I've put a white sticky round label on my focus wheel of my binos which I set at the shooting range. It focuses accurately to 50, 100 and 200 meters with about 3 feet of depth of focus at the furthest range, and much less at the shortest range. The focus wheel is at the back of the bino's right opposite my nose, so to see the range, i just pull the binos out a couple of inches to read the scale. When you get to the really long ranges >350 yards, it is harder to get a focus, but that is beyond my comfort for shooting BG anyway.

My question is - does anyone else use their binos to range, and what could be the false reading/drawback of using this as opposed to a proper ranging tool?

LH
 
I've put a white sticky round label on my focus wheel of my binos which I set at the shooting range.
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That's a good idea. I have used my binos to "guesstimate" range but I use my "field of view" as a guide. How accurate is your "system"?
 
Interesting idea... although I too think I'd be more comfortable measuring my FOV than counting on my eyes to determine the proper focus.
 
+ or - 10 at 200 yaards is irrelevent unless bow or muzzloading. I carry a rangefinder, if you shots get much past 300 yards you really need to know if it's 30 or 375, at 200 or 225 bullet drop is irrelevant.
 
I keep looking at those Leica Geovids, and thinking...Hmm...I could trade in my Ultravids *and* my rangefinder, and have it all in one package...

Don't know how the optics are on the Geovids, though.:)
 
Gatehouse said:
I keep looking at those Leica Geovids, and thinking...Hmm...I could trade in my Ultravids *and* my rangefinder, and have it all in one package...

Don't know how the optics are on the Geovids, though.:)
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Supposed to be great just a bit heavier, my PH in Africa used the Leupold combo rangefinder/binocular. They were reasonably good bino's but a very effective rangefinder, much easier to hold still on an animal that the one hand operation of my nikon range finder.

When he really wanted to see a long distant trophy he kept borrowing my Ultravids.
 
martinbns said:
Supposed to be great just a bit heavier, my PH in Africa used the Leupold combo rangefinder/binocular. They were reasonably good bino's but a very effective rangefinder, much easier to hold still on an animal that the one hand operation of my nikon range finder.

When he really wanted to see a long distant trophy he kept borrowing my Ultravids.
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I was wondering about weight- and would having the all in one package cancel out the binos + RF weight.:p

But it could get tedious wiht something heavy around the neck all day...:)
 
I had a cheap pair of Russian glasses with a built in ranging scale, but they were horrible optically, so I gave up on them. Your idea is interesting, although personally, I would go with a ranging scale built into the rifle sight, if the purpose of the exercise is simple to ensure your target is within range. This is not to criticize your system. A small moose steps out on a lake shore on a foggy morning. The background is obscured, and he looks a long way out, but if you can throw up you glasses and say,"Yup he's in range!" or "Crap, I wonder if I can get a little closer!" that is worth some piece of mind.
 
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Minox HG's has the range on the focus wheel. I just use the duplex area of my cross hairs set a 8x for range. I also range my regular areas with my gps.
 
I would go with a ranging scale built into the rifle sight, if the purpose of the exercise is simple to ensure your target is within range
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I use the mildot system on my scope but I don't stick my rifle out of the window to look at what "might" be a deer.
 
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