Reflective Target Material

[OzzyO20]

I've been researching LRF's for some time now, and I have a possibly silly question that I'm sure some of you can answer.

What is the best reflective material for a LRF to read off of?

I ask because I understand beam divergence enough to know it's going to take a high quality unit ($$$) to range 66% IPSC targets at 1K and beyond. But, what if someone had a large reflective target that was transportable, for the sole purpose of just getting accurate range? I'm thinking a tri-fold presentation board covered in aluminum foil. Then someone could take something like the Kilo 2000 or the Bushy ConX ARC and at least get accurate range information to collect DOPE.

I understand this doesn't help hunters or PRS shooters, but for getting data and building accurate range cards, this seems like a way to get info without spending a ton of money.

Maybe this is an awful idea, but I'm curious regardless.

 

[sinister]

You can use a photo studio flash reflector/screen, or one of those for car dashes.

 

[MilDot1960]

Normally a reflective target is classed a large White Board but a Range finder will see Dark Stone walls as reflective, I Zapped a dark stone Church Wall at 1485 but that is not classed as reflective, A truly reflective targets will get a reading up to 10 to 100% and more well past the quoted figures, Grab one of those Reflective Highway Signs and most LRF's will double their distance and even more so under the right light conditions.

If this is some project of yours then go for it, I do crazy testing of stuff all the time and it will give you a better understand of what is going on,

 

[Ledzep]

I have a post with 4 old license plates on it that works pretty well. Peg it in the dirt next to the target.

 

[Stpilot12]

Get your self one of these... I set mine up on a tripod at my firing position, then as I go out and set up my steel I just range back. Works great.
Theyre light weight and they fold up pretty small.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...552_gs_52_collapsible_circular_reflector.html

 

[Stpilot12]

If you look close, you'll see it. Thats about 1020yds IIRC. Really stands out, makes it easy...

 

[northern50]

https://www.amazon.com/Dot-c2-Reflective-Conspicuity-Safety-Trailer/dp/B008BVZG6S

A little square of DOT C2 reflective tape on a target will make your life easy and simple. Put it on a leg of a target stand if you are worried about impacts.

 

[Diver160651]

I am image this discussion is about lower end finders, like the Kilo.

Tried a Kilo against several models of Vectronix and when the Kilo feel way short of it rating, I had to re-think what “reflective” was according to Sig.

Rocks/cliffs, etc while proving a highly reflective signal near the max ratings of a v21 and 25c, not for the Kilo. That said, a road sign with the Kilo was reading easily at it rated distance.

I tried, most the methods mentioned with the Kilo when doing my comparison including emergency/space blankets staples to large cardboard. The US road sign, was the winner.

The main issue I had the very first time I tried the camera/tripod reflector and the space blanket was wind.. just a pain in the ass in the best case out in the West on what might be a normal day to just not possible an windy Western day. It also did not perform anywhere nearly as good as some of the other methods.

“Seconding” the recommendation, whenever possible, shooting the finder back to your FFP with the wider beams like the Kilo. This is actually better from 1200 yards (or wherever the Kilo can still return from ground around your plate) and closer to ensure the return is not from a backstop. Once the plate is past were ground returns are read, the Kilo type finders start ironically return a distance with more certainty it is your plate your are reading.

Parking your vehicle at the FFP using your vehicle tail lights facing the targets yielded almost as much distance as the road signs.

If those two aren’t an option 3” 3M 3430 reflective tape covering everything on a 48”sq plywood, was 2nd to large road signs. It takes I think about $300 in tape. I have a 3M connection that allowed me to work around the cost.

In third place was using a thin sheet metal plate 4x4 painted with 3M reflective paint.

Again, if at moderate distance were the wider beam range finders can return distances from things other than your targets, ranging back to the FFP with your truck next to the target, seem to provide the most certainly of exact distance. Once the range finder drops out, you can get a good return from the plate plate go either way. At the end of the day the vehicle thing worked the best in my makeshift testing.

PS: Note that the front of most vehicles are way more stealthy than the rear. I think it is the not only the shape and lack of large reflective tail lights, but the radiators that brake up the beam; as I have seen the same even with a 25C on a tripod aimed carefully at the radiator area of a truck.. pull off it and a return is read..

In reality, what we do is get to a FFP figure out the best line-of-sight, then one guy stays back and the other sets targets. We range the truck as we drive out the targets. Radio communication is needed as the guy on the range finder is prone on a tirpod to confirm the line of site is going to work.

The image above at 2100y from the FFP, is in the white sink area in the middle picture. You might notice the wind is well over 25mph. Thats why the camera reflector trick is a no go.

We are luck to move the FFP and targets wherever we want. Sometimes well have paper at close ranges 100, 300 then lots of steel all the way out.. This is were we tested the Kilo and a few others, in bright daylight.

 

[isofahunter]

I park the jeep at FP then laser it from target location and make range notes at target an return to FP and finish set up.

 

[OzzyO20]

I park the jeep at FP then laser it from target location and make range notes at target an return to FP and finish set up.

We did this one day with a pick up and it worked really well, but the usual LR shooting spot doesn't really allow us to do that.

 

[Diver160651]

@OzzyO20 I should have started by saying that you are spot on with your concerns and idea of gather 'accurate" dope.. It is a ton of work to do it correctly..

I like how you thought this out..

 

[steve123]

Old stop sign