Hunting & Fishing Ranging in the field

[HotLash]

I hope I'm getting this in the right forum.

My question pertains to "ranging" in the field. Let's say I've got a rifle (.308) zeroed at 100 yards. While I'm traipsing across a field, or along a ridgeline, I see a 'yote quartering away at a jog. How do you range this guy to take a shot at him? Do you have a quick-reference section in your handbook for mil-measurement under "Coyote?" Once you guesstimate that he's about 300 yards out and putting distance between the two of you, do you dial in elevation or hold over?

You'll have to forgive me, I've been shooting ducks for the past ten years, and have never put a bullet to anything with fur, but I'd like to start.

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: Ranging in the field

honestly, you lase him.... it'll always be quicker than using a mil reticle... you'll eventually be able to eyeball 300yds fairly close.... but if you must use the reticle, you'd use the "average size" for a yote, just like the "average" size for a man.... quartering away, you'd use height. and if he's moving, I'd probably "SWAG" the range (scientific wild ass guess), then hold

 

[HotLash]

Re: Ranging in the field

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: force_multiplier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">honestly, you lase him.... it'll always be quicker than using a mil reticle... you'll eventually be able to eyeball 300yds fairly close.... but if you must use the reticle, you'd use the "average size" for a yote, just like the "average" size for a man.... quartering away, you'd use height. and if he's moving, I'd probably "SWAG" the range (scientific wild ass guess), then hold </div></div>

Thank you. Never thought about a laser, DOH!
I'll have to look at some ballistics charts and start making flash cards or something. I won't get enough shots like this to need to, but what little shooting I've done with a scoped rifle has gotten to me. I guess you can say I'm hooked.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Re: Ranging in the field

Definitely use a laser, and if there's enough area in the direction he's heading range an object farther out than he is, giving you time to dial, then nail him when he gets there. If you range him and he's moving then use a hold because it's faster.

 

[psinclair]

Re: Ranging in the field

Ranging coyotes with a reticle is tough...they can vary in size quite a bit, plus they arent much of a target...about five to six inches from the bottom of the chest to the top of the back.

 

[psinclair]

Re: Ranging in the field

Bigger critters...

 

[Archer762]

Re: Ranging in the field

I hunt in areas where I've studied the maps and know the rough distances between contour lines. Of course, this is much easier in the Northwest where we actually have contour lines. I will also pre-range trees or other objects (laser) so I have an educated guess when a critter appears, and I don't waste time guessing how far away it is. Sort of like making a mental range card for you ex-infantry types. I have also used a GPS to measure distances between terrain features.

 

[skinney_7]

Re: Ranging in the field

PGS,
lets see some of those LR ranges, lased with your 21.