How to use a laser as a lamping range finder

[zini 1,939]

Hi all,

 

I received a private message this evening from a friend on here asking me about how I used my Hawk laser as a good range estimation tool when out lamping at night.

 

Rather than just private message him back I thought that some others on here may be interested in the technique so I’ll post it on here for who ever is interested.

 

Ground rules first

 

The laser ideally needs to be directly above the scope or on the barrel under the scope directly.

 

The technique works best if the laser is not left or right of the scope or barrel but straight above or below the scope.

 

Once you have secured it there then carry out the following actions:

 

1. Take your rifle in to a wind free location and zero your scope / rifle bang on so your hitting the 10 spot on the target card at 30 metres or your normal zero range every time.

 

2. Once you have zeroed your combo then rest your rifle on something that enables your hands to be free. A rifle rest is ideal.

 

3. Look through your scope at your target at the zero range and then press the pressure pad on the laser to see where the laser falls at the target end.

 

4. Once you have identified where it lies, adjust the laser with a allen key so that the laser dot is bang smack in the middle of the cross hair at you zero range. Ensure that it is bang smack in the middle, near isn’t good enough and will give you false estimation later.

 

5. Now your scope. Rifle and laser are all zeroed for 30 metres etc or you normal zero range.

 

Because the laser is above the scope directly but still pointed at your target it is naturally looking down in a straight line at an angle.

 

If the target was now further away than 30 metres the laser would fall below the cross hair on the scope falling somewhere down the vertical reticule below the cross hair telling you that the target is further away than 30 metres.

 

If the target was now closer away than 30 metres the laser would fall above the cross hair on the scope falling somewhere up the vertical reticule higher than the cross hair telling you that the target is closer than 30 metres.

 

By experimenting in 5 metre distances and looking through your scope with the laser pressed you will get to know where each dot falls at 35, 40, 45, 50 metres.

 

You can also if need be do the same experimenting for 25, 20 metres ect.

 

This method really does work and if done correctly will double your night time game bag.

 

Ive knocked up a visual aid to explain the above technique better, a picture paints a thousand words as they say.

 

Regards

 

Zini

How a laser works as a range finder.doc

Edited November 30, 2009 by zini

[ferretville 69]

Interesting that zini

[andyz 30]

Cheers Zini, Very good information. I'm sure loads of people will ind this usefull.

 

Thanks

[kev1986 0]

cheers si gunna give it a bash when my laser arrives

[zini 1,939]

No problem Kev mate.

 

Let me know how you get on mate.

 

I think that once you have tried it you will never be without it.

 

One technique that i do when out lamping on foot is to shine my lamp and identify a bunny sat in the field.

 

Press the laser pressure pad to see where the laser dot falls up and down the vertical reticule. (see if the bunny is further or closer than my zero range).

 

If the bunny is further away I turn the lamp off and then walk 4 or 5 steps forward and repeat the process with the lamp and laser.

 

Do this until you look through the scope and the laser is sat in the middle of your cross hair. ( you know that the bunny is now at 30 metres or your zero range).

 

Take a steady shot and let lead fly.

 

The bunny should be in the bag

 

Zini

[kev1986 0]

will do mate and will let you know how i get on does pod work with a springer or does the recoil effect the stability before the pellet leaves the gun just thinking about setting up gun on pod

[stealthy1 3,964]

Very informative

[zini 1,939]

Ive personally found that if the bipod is well back on the wooden part of the spring rifle it doesnt effect the rifle zero too much and the zero isnt that much different over normal hunting ranges, but if the bipod is forward or attached to the barrel then the recoil effects the POI quite alot.

 

The BSA Lightning has quite a sharp recoil if i remember correctly so i wouldnt really advise it mate.

 

A PCP is another kettle of fish though mate and they really come into their own witha bipod.

 

Si