Before tackling the subject of Rangefinders, we must first look at the significant ways in which a Rangefinder is needed. Firstly, A Rangefinder is most used for hunting, which is generally defined as capturing or killing wildlife or other feral animals for recreation or to harvest the animal’s meat for consumption. This is done with or without a permit, depending on where in the world the hunt is being done. Secondly, rangefinders are also used in sports like golf, where a need to see across long distances is paramount. But for this article were going to focus on the Rangefinder as it relates to hunting. So, you decided you want to start the sport of hunting? That’s great, but now you’re probably wondering what to do and where to start. Well, why not start at finding the right Rangefinder? Most people who don’t hunt or practice individual sports may be asking themselves what the heck even is a rangefinder. In contrast, a Rangefinder is an essential tool for a seasonal hunter that they cannot do without.

What is a Rangefinder?

A Rangefinder is a device used to measure certain distances from where the person using the Rangefinder is positioned to the target’s observation point. This process is widely known as ranging.

How does a Rangefinder Work?

Rangefinders utilize different methods of focusing, called rangefinders. Unlike looking directly through the lens of a camera or a mirror, a rangefinder’s viewfinder works by using another visual apparatus mounted near to the lens. As a result of this unique method, Rangefinders can display two different overlapping images of a subject. The Rangefinder then aligns the images and range of a subject by calculating its overall distance with pinpoint accuracy. This is done through a phenomenon known as the similar effect.

The History of Rangefinders

The first type of Rangefinders was known as mirrorless cameras, which were used a lot in street photography. This was due to their better range and compatibility over the—at the time, more bulky DSLR cameras. The Rangefinders at the time utilized a 35mm film, which was the same as DSLRs but used a unique method of focusing method that didn’t even require a lens or mirror. Mirrorless cameras, in a sense, are the successors to rangefinders. They have the same advantages, such as weight and size over DSLRs with none of the drawbacks of rangefinders.

Why are Rangefinders Important?

Now that you have a comprehensive history of the Rangefinder, you need to know why it’s an essential tool to have, especially for hunters. Hunters often carry hunting rifles that can shoot rounds at high velocities at a long distance, which, if not handles correctly, can lead to an accident that can be potentially fatal for those who may be unexpectedly around. Picture this for a moment, you and your buddy are out hunting one day when you think you see a voluminous deer in the far distance. You aim at the deer without using a Rangefinder to calculate the distance of the deer and then fire a round. The round misses the deer and but instead struck your buddy in the shoulder. You rush him to the hospital to be treated, and the doctors say he’ll make a full recovery. Sounds good, right? But ask yourself, what if the round had struck him elsewhere? The situation could have ended much worse. Sadly this scenario is an all too common occurrence when hunting. Do you know see why having a Rangefinder is essential?

Types of Rangefinders

Military Rangefinders – This type of Rangefinder is mostly utilized in the military to pursue targets and objectives over a long distance. This type is usually incorporated with a firearm, which is more commonly used with a laser Rangefinder. During the detection of a target, a bright dot is displayed to show the mark. These Rangefinders usually can see up to 2000 yards and are often used to measure distances and release projectiles such as missiles. Sport Rangefinders – As previously stated, rangefinders are often used in sports—mostly golf—to measure a particular target’s distance. There are two types of Rangefinders used in sports, namely GPS and laser types. The GPS Type requires the handler to download the golf course map to achieve the distances, while the laser type measures the distance of a more specific target. While these types of Rangefinders are not as precise as the ballistic type, they still offer exact measurements to a lesser extent.

Hunting/Forestry Rangefinders – Hunting can be dangerous, which is why it often hunters requiring the latest technological gear to combat the wilderness’s wild and unpredictable nature. Hunters hunt with several different weapons, such a hunting riffles or even bow, which require other Range finders.A rangefinder used along with rifles usually covers up to 8x the magnification of a target and is the most popular Rangefinder type. In contrast, rangefinders used with bows are usually used to compensate for the bow’s curvature and angle to give similar results as a rifle. Moreover, these are usually more lightweight as opposed to the Military Rangefinders.

What to consider when buying Rangefinders?

Buying a Rangefinder is an easy task IF you know exactly what you are looking for. For instance, if you hunt with a rifle, you’ll most likely want a Laser Rangefinder, explicitly hunting. Other things you might want to consider as a hunter are target reflectivity, range, environment sensor, tripod support, water resistance, durability, weight, and battery life. Many distributors of Rangefinders will often let you test them before purchase, which will enable one to know precisely if a particular range finder suits them.

Recommended Rangefinders

Some Rangefinder I would recommend is the Nikon Monarch 3000 Stabilized available at nikonsportoptics.com and Vortex Optics Fury HD 10 x 42 single on vortex optics.com. Inclusion, I hope that you would-be hunters gained a lot of knowledge and experience about Rangefinders from this article. I also hope that you know see why Rangefinder is such a significant factor and essential to hunting as a whole.

Now that you own a brand-new rangefinder, it’s time to improve your sight. Whether you are targeting a clay pigeon or a beer can, isn’t it immensely satisfying when you hit the bullseye? With a rangefinder around, you now have more chances of hitting the target than just relying on your eye and shooting skills. Those who are ready to move on from being an amateur to pro should practice their rifle sight with a rangefinder. This helps prepare for tournaments where you meet veteran shooters from different parts of your country. Wondering how to use your rangefinder to im prove your rifle sight? Here are four things you can do

1. Plinking

Plinking is an age-old American technique to improve your rifle shooting aim. It’s as simple as lining a few beer bottles on a fence post and using your rangefinder to lock their targets. A rangefinder, while plinking, helps you figure out the estimated distance without measuring it manually. Apart from sighting targets, one of the reasons why people invest in a high-quality rangefinder is they want an approximate idea of the distance from their targets. This allows them to set up their shot accordingly. Start by lining up a few beer bottles on a fence post and make a mark from where you plan to
take aim. Measure the distance manually. This is to double-check whether your rangefinder provides an accurate estimate or not. Once you measure the distance, return to your shooting spot and put your eye on the rangefinder. What distance does it show? It will provide either an accurate figure or something close to the figure you just measured. Aim and pull the trigger. Plinking  helps you learn how to avoid misplaced shots because you have the rangefinder to estimate the distance from your target. Try to hit the beer bottle without the rangefinder, and you may need to hold your breath longer than you expect to hit the bullseye. That’s the difference a rangefinder can make.

2. Sighting-in

Sighting-in is a popular technique to improve your sight while using a rangefinder. Almost any veteran who uses a rangefinder will tell you to keep this technique in mind while aiming your target. It makes you more experienced when it comes to hunting. While plinking involves doublechecking the distance of your target using your rangefinder, sighting-in means you need to set up targets before they even arrive at your preferred spot. Suppose you want to kill a mature buck. You wait for it on your stand. The buck is still far away from your range. But it’s not moving in your direction. You can use a decoy to make it come to your spot where you can take aim and shoot it. How will you understand the range where you want to employ the decoy without getting down from your stand? This is where your rangefinder will come to your rescue. Most rangefinders come with a super-duper measuring range that allows you to keep an eye on your moving target and create a decoy if necessary. Many veteran hunters use rangefinders to create landmarks from their stands so that they can lure mature bucks to come near that spot. And once they do, there’s no going back for them.

3. Long-range

Want to practice long-range distance shooting with your rifle? You must use a rangefinder that can cover a distance of at least 600 yards or more. Again, you can use the rangefinder to measure the distance before taking aim. Imagine aiming at a target that is beyond 600 yards. Would you be able to see that target without a rangefinder? Probably not. Most importantly. you also need to consider other conditions like wind direction and wind speed before shooting. You may end up with a misplaced shot if you don’t consider the direction of the wind. Ideally, you should judge the wind movement and shift your aim slightly off the target so that the wind carries the bullet and hits the bullseye. This requires a lot of practice, but you can improve your sight with the rangefinder. Keep checking the wind direction before taking aim. Then use the rangefinder to figure out the distance before setting your target. Now keep practicing until you hit the target consistently. Long range shooting is an art says Samuel Ambrosino of Rangefinder Yard. “Its something that must be practiced over and over to hit targets at extreme ranges”

4. Military training

Military training is another excellent way to improve your rifle sight with your rangefinder. What if you find yourself in a life and death situation, and it becomes vital to know the distance of your target? High-end rangefinders come with advanced features like night-vision, binocular capabilities, and custom ballistic information. Laser rangefinder binoculars have all these benefits in one single unit. Considering weather conditions The above methods work successfully when you practice in dry weather. But if you really want to notch up your skills, you should practice shooting in various weather conditions. Suppose you never needed a rangefinder to shoot a target 100 yards away. But you did it on a bright, sunny day. Would you be able to hit the target consistently when there are clouds around, and it’s pouring heavily? You may as well want to pack your bag and leave for the day. Don’t. Instead, take out your rangefinder and use its in-built features to continue with your target shooting session. If you want to become a complete shooter, you shouldn’t just practice when it’s sunny. Anyone can hit the target when there is enough light. But it takes skill and patience to hit the same target when it’s raining. Some rangefinders come with automatic rain mode so that they can provide an accurate distance, irrespective of the weather condition. The device can distinguish the target and rain and provide an accurate estimate to know the reading before taking aim. Now that you know the various techniques to improve your rifle sight with a rangefinder start practicing right away. Practice makes you perfect. And make sure you practice in different weather conditions to become a veteran shooter soon.