Point Blank Range - Obsolete...

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angrygopher

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Someone informed me today, that the principal of Point Blank Range is obsolete due to range finders... uh yeah sure. Let's go down this rabbit hole, just briefly. PBR, is a simple principle of allowing error. It's not just mistakes of range of estimation but of errors of holding on the wrong point of aim that PBR covers for. My own experience tells me that relying solely on technology for accurate ranging is foolish at best, stupid at worst. Rangefinders can do weird things, especially when operators expect the most out of them. I recall one occassion not all that long ago, when, I as the spotter, running the range finder called for a distance that was well over the actual range of the animal. Result? Animal missed, turned out the batteries were low on the rangefinder. In short, use the range finder for practice, and trust your eyes and point-blank range will save your butt.
 
I'm only pointing out that the idea that PBR isn't valid is a foolish premise. If I had a dollar for every time I relied on my RF instead of just relying on PBR I would have far more meat in the freezer. Dialling up 300 yard shots on deer is just silly.
 
nate18 said:
I play the "range it game" while I hunt every time I go out, ill stick to trusting my range finder over my eyes every time.
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We don't need pinpoint accuracy inside of a weapons point-blank range. The vast majority of rifle hunting situations, even on the prairies happen within 300 yds. The bigger problem is people overestimating actual distances to the target.
 
what ???

range finders.... never used one in a hunting scenario

sights are set at 2" high at 100m and then you are good out to 250m or so depending on what your shooting and you just estimate longer ranges and hold over.

I don't need to be carrying any extra kit when hunting thanks.
 
Many years of hunting experience has proven to me that the vast majority of the time you do not have time to #### around with a range finder even if you wanted to. Better and more effective to learn how to estimate range , have a "dope card" available and shoot, Most times the intended target will not stand around while you do the range finder thing.
 
I’m zeroed an inch high at 100yrds and it’s served me well whenever I’ve had to shoot quick and on the fly, which always seems to be under 100yrds anyway. Anytime I have the time to range an animal it’s closer to the 200y mark which in my neck of the woods tends to be a longer shot and I have the time to do so and then stalk in a bit. I use both my range finder and my instincts to judge distance, in fact I always have my range finder with me while hiking etc and play the ole how far is that game to keep my distance guessing sharp. Both are good tools to have.
 
I use a 3 inch MPBR so I don't NEED a rangefinder at any range I will actually shoot at unwounded game. Anyone shooting beyond that range would find a rangefinder useful on occasion, I guess, but that would do nothing to take away the advantages of having a known MPBR for the load you are using. One episode of walking around unfamiliar territory playing with first a range estimation, and then measuring with the electronics, convinced me I better have a LARGE room for error in the range estimating part of shooting. The concept of MPBR using a "modern" cartridge is precisely aimed at making accurate estimation unnecessary for the vast majority of real life hunting situations. The idea of seeing one, getting the rangefinder on target, getting the reading, getting my rifle into action, making some scope adjustments, and then making the shot is just not my idea of hunting fun.
 
Bad Bob said:
Many years of hunting experience has proven to me that the vast majority of the time you do not have time to #### around with a range finder even if you wanted to. Better and more effective to learn how to estimate range , have a "dope card" available and shoot, Most times the intended target will not stand around while you do the range finder thing.
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"Dicking" around with the range finder has never been easier especially if you have a higher end binocular/range finder. I find I'm using the binos constantly when hunting anyway so pressing a button just under your finger while glassing for game is easy, quick and a lot more accurate than my range guesstimation. From there it's a quick glance at my range card (printed inside my ocular scope cap) dial up, take the best position available and shoot.

It's a very useful tool and worth it as precise range to target is by far the most important information you can have to make ethical shots on game.

I also think that one has a lot more room for error if you are dialed in for the precise range to target YMMV.
 
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And the "Target" remains totally stationary while you are doing all this? Say you are out hunting deer, all of a sudden a big old coyote busts out from behind a large round bale and starts out across the hay field heading towards the bush. What do you do: 1) reach for your range finder & then do all that other stuff? 2) nothing? 3) Shoot the coyote?
 
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Why not use it all... zero for MPBR, know your trajectory out to your furthest comfortable distance, and use a rangefinder whenever possible... it does not have to be either or.
 
Bad Bob said:
And the "Target" remains totally stationary while you are doing all this? Say you are out hunting deer, all of a sudden a big old coyote busts out from behind a large round bale and starts out across the hay field heading towards the bush. What do you do: 1) reach for your range finder & then do all that other stuff? 2) nothing? 3) Shoot the coyote?
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I don't shoot running targets that far out so yeah I've always had plenty of time. Sounds like you need to hunt with a semi auto.;)
 
Exactly. I have custom MPBR zeroed in each rifle / caliber using parameters based on game ie..coyote rifle uses a much smaller radius than Elk rifle. From that zero I can still dial or use hold over hash marks/ mil for extended range. I like a simple bdc for hunting and can generally shoot way past realistic ranges just using my reticle.
 
Years of using MPBR makes me reluctant to give up the banjo string trajectory of a performance cartridge. It would be silly to do that.

Years of twisting turrets makes me reluctant to give up the long and short range precision of a MOA turret with the zero scale set at 100 yards.

This sort of naturally leads to using MOA turrets, zeroed for 100 but witb the first 3 MOA of come-ups already pre-dialled. Who says you can’t have it both ways?
 
I have a bad habit of shooting animals high in the chest if it's a hurried situation. So I stopped using MPBR and now I sight in every rifle so that the max trajectory above my line of sight is 1.5". Then I dial the turrets for shots over 300 yards.
 
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