Still driving back from our antelope hunt so I will post up those stories later this weekend. But, after hunting antelope for the first time I came away some days very frustrated with my Nikon Riflehunter 1000 range finder. I've used this range finder elk hunting several times with no issues. This time a different story. Even when the antelope was on a side hill and I had terrain to range, I had difficulties ranging past 250 yds. What do other antelope hunters use for rangefinders?
range finder for antelope hunting
- Thread starter Work2hunt
- Start date
geargrinder
Member
I use my old Swarovski Laser Guide or my Bushnell 1600 ARC binoculars. Both have a decent enough beam to reliable range antelope to further than I can shoot them.
RICMIC
Veteran member
I used a Leupold RX1000 TBR. Unless it was foggy, I could generally range to 800 yards or so. Of course, that is to something solid near the antelope. As it turned out, my 3 tags were all filled within 130 yards, and no range was needed. I ranged several (non-shooter) bucks in the 300 - 450 yard area, and set up for a shot just to practice.
Musket Man
Veteran member
Team Kabob
Very Active Member
- May 9, 2014
- 793
- 148
Had the same problem with a bushnell 1000arc on caribou. Great for bow, but no good on fur past 225. Leica 1000 fixed that problem!
TK
TK
Was it hot? Clear skies? From my experience antelope hunts are the biggest weakness test for rangefinders. The heat really affects the performance. On a cool morning most rangefinders will do exactly what they are suppose to. As the day progresses the ranges get harder and harder to acquire. I've tried a handful of rangefinders while antelope hunting even mounted them on tripods for stability. I end up frustrated most of the time. I wouldn't throw your rangefinder out. I've just come to accept the fact that antelope hunting really spotlights the weakness. I'm sure if you use it on a cool morning deer hunt you will be fine with the results. I think that antelope hide is tough to range as well. There is a lot of depth to the hide and not much reflection.
Hard stalk, you hit right on some of the issues I saw. In the cooler mornings or evenings I had better success but as it got warmer and with the clear skies my ability to range was worse. Something about those animals and that terrain made it real difficult to range.
missjordan
Veteran member
Leica hands down, we went cheap on a rangefinder the first year we ever started hunting anything in the open Prarie and it really sucked. Bought that and it's never failed us in four years we've owned it.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
Shooter09
New Member
I also have been using Leupold 1000i TBR for several years and have had great luck with these. The open prairie can be a challenge depending on the sun and time of day is my findings trying to pick up the reflection. Occasionally I need to look for an object in the same vicinity to range. Sometimes moving and changing the angle with the sun and reflection is a good option when you can do it and still stay concealed out of site.
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
I had the same rangefinder a few years ago. It ranged everything at around 300 yds. Sent it back to Cabelas. I haven't replaced it yet, but I'm considering a Vortex or a Leupold. Leica's are better but twice as much money.
Extractor
Active Member
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I use a Swarovski rangefinder/bino combo. I have used it for 7 or 8 years and it does a great job....and I only need to carry a single set of optics around my neck.
I have the Leica version of Cowboy's binos, the HD-B I got in 2014. I really like it also. It was plenty expensive but was one of the best purchases I've made I think. The rangefinder has far better range than anything else I've tried. I haven't used the Swaro but I'm sure it's great also. I find the binos much easier to steady on target than just a small rangefinder and get good quick reads. I use them on a tripod with the Outdoorsmans pistol grip head some and they are REALLY steady and fast to range then.
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Thanks Guys. I actually just used my Cabelas points and picked up the Leica Geovid HD-B 10x42. I spent some time looking through these, the Swarovski, and the Zeiss before I finally made up my mind. I really like the features and the glass of the Leica over the others.