The Accurate Reloading Forums
The rangefinder on safari
10 May 2007, 03:32
Wooly ESSThe rangefinder on safari
Is the rangefinder a useful device to have on safari? Or is it just another unnecessary trinket that takes up space in one's luggage and then sits in camp?
I am not in the habit of using one for North American hunting, preferring to estimate range, and decline shots that I feel are beyond my and my rifle's ability. Is there anything about African hunting that would cause me to view rangefinders differently?
We used one quite a bit in South Africa where shots can be long. I understand the same applies for Namibia. In Zimbabwe it would be a waste of space.
I think it depends on where you are hunting and what you are hunting. I liked having on in Nambia where things are mostly wide open and we were hunting plains game, but it wasn't useful in Tanzania for buffalo.
They are fun in RSA. The best thing about them, is you can leave them with the PH as part of his "tip"
10 May 2007, 05:28
<Hunter Formerly Known As Texas Hunter>Wooly,
If you hunt successfully without one in N.A., you will hunt successfully without one in Africa. The big stuff (DG) will be at relatively close range. The plains game will be hunted with a relatively flat shooting rifle. By the way, .375 H&H fits that bill well.
If you don't own a rangefinder, don't buy one. If you do, leave it at home. Rely on your skills. All that paraphenalia can detract from the experience. Odds are, your PH will be pretty good at estimating range if you need help. Just my two cents.
10 May 2007, 07:20
Black FlyI am only a one trip guy, so far, so for what it's worth, I took mine to Namibia, and after the first day, left it back at the ranch. I told the PH I came to hunt and have fun, not shoot long range targets, so we got close. For me, that was a few onces I won't take again.
Bfly
Work hard and be nice, you never have enough time or friends.
I've had a rangefinder on each of my safaries. His name is Glen Munger.
Seriously, if your PH is worth his salt he'll give you range to your target.
TerryR
10 May 2007, 07:35
retreeverI took my range finder not to range but to check after the shot how far..
However, when hunting crocodile they can be your best friend.. shots have to be made percisely and they give you what you need the exact distance...
Mike
Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting
www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
10 May 2007, 08:48
Use Enough GunBwanna and I found them useful in South Africa where some of the shots were quite long. And, I agree with Retreever that having one for croc might be very helpful.
10 May 2007, 09:11
driftwoodI plan on taking one to SA this July. Pictures I have seen indicate that there may be shots up or down hill. I use the new range finders that give you the amount of hold over up or down hill. Work very well. Used one on my elk hunt last fall. Have seen people miss terribly on these types of shots.
10 May 2007, 09:46
Safari-HuntIt depends on wha where and how you hunt. Otherwise it is very usefull.
Bowhunting it is very usefull.
Hunting in mountainess terrain it is difficult to judge distances. And of course what are you hunting in mountainess terrain some small animals like Klipspringer, mountain reedbuck and vaal reebuck so it can come in very handy.
It is a small instrument anyway so the last thing it will do is take up space. You have nothing to loose when bringing along but dont use it yourself you handle the rifle and the ph will handle the rangefinder. Maybe the ph will have one already so find out and then leave yours at home.
Frederik Cocquyt
I always try to use enough gun but then sometimes a brainshot works just as good.
10 May 2007, 10:01
martinbnsI wondered about that too. I use when here when I sit on cutlines for whitetail, when I first sit down i range objects in each direction for points of reference. I have never time to actually range a nice animal.
10 May 2007, 12:43
Blair338/378I had found that a rangefinder unit on it's own was seldom used here in Oz, despite the fact we do some very long range shooting, as it was a pain in the arse getting it out, etc etc.
But the Leica Geovid, changes the equation COMPLETELY..........
You can have great glass and a rangefinder in one unit.
I used a 10X42 Geovid, on my last hunt in Namibia, my PH loved the bloody thing, especially in the Kalahari and Khomas Hochlands
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
10 May 2007, 17:29
butchlocboy am i going to start something - i think they're useless. for other than things like steenbok or the like the killing area on the animal is large enough that with a little range practice (we all do that - right?) and a bit of confidence in the rifle you really don't need to know where the animal was at 100 or 125 yards. if you're setting up on croc. spots etc. you know the distance from the blind already. If you're hunting DG 30 or 50 yards really doesn't make much differance. another gadget to take along
Here's where mine was really worthwhile. Once we had a leopard feeding and built a blind, I was able to range the exact distance to the bait tree and the limb the cat was going to be sitting on. I then went a few miles away and made sure the rifle I was going to use was spot on at that distance. For that purpose, it was very nice.
10 May 2007, 20:12
Michael Robinsonquote:
Originally posted by Bwanna:
Here's where mine was really worthwhile. Once we had a leopard feeding and built a blind, I was able to range the exact distance to the bait tree and the limb the cat was going to be sitting on. I then went a few miles away and made sure the rifle I was going to use was spot on at that distance. For that purpose, it was very nice.
I did the same thing - for leopard - and it really puts your mind at ease to know that the distance from the blind to the tree is the same exact distance for which your rifle is zeroed. I highly recommend that approach.
I have also used my rangefinder for the few long shots I have taken at plains game, and have found it very useful for purposes of determining the right amount of holdover for such shots.
My advice would be to take your rangefinder along with you. They're small and fit in a pocket. Not a big deal.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
10 May 2007, 20:22
AtkinsonHunting today is becoming too high tech and I am not sure I like that. I don't use range finders, hi tech scopes and or gimmicks like little red dots and stuff that works of batteries. The scope sight is the only advanced product I use today and its usually a fixed 3X or at best a 2x7...
I figure it has to stop somewhere and that is my personal application, not to say that anyone else is bound by my stipulations, I have no problem with anyone using a Buck Rogers Lazer Zappo whatever, its just not for me.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
I used mine a lot in Namibia last year and am taking it to Zim this year.
____________________________________________
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11 May 2007, 00:11
L. David KeithI use one most of the time, here and in Africa. I feel I owe it to the game I hunt to make the most accurate shot I possibly can. I've hunted many years without one, and became very proficient varmit hunting at long range. However, when in open areas of Africa, my PH uses mine. I know when I feel confident and when I need to get closer on spooky game by using my rangefinder. Sometimes, I find it helps me plot an approach on game. Example: if we spot a Kudu bull at 700 yards, I begin to search for objects I can hide behind during my approach. Say I see an acacia bush that is between the Kudu and my approach, I range the acacia and it's 450 yards from my current position. 700 yards minus 450 yards tells me that if I make it to the acacia, I'll be looking at a 250 yard shot, which is within my desired range. If you have one, take it. Good hunting, David
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http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added
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Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running......
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11 May 2007, 01:09
<Hunter Formerly Known As Texas Hunter>At the risk of sounding like a reactionary old fart..........I agree with Ray 100%.
11 May 2007, 10:33
Hoot MurrayI have one and I took it to Tanzania last year. I did not use it while shooting game, eventhough I carried it every day. The best use on this safari was to take it out during lunch and estimate the distance, asking my PH to estimate also and then confirming the distance with the range finder. You will be supprised at your errors. As time went along, the margin of error lessened greatly.