Night vision scope - do i need a rangefinder?

[slider]

Best glass scope you can afford, and then zero the rifle for an inch high at 100 yards. Everyone did it that way for donkeys years, and you are OK up to about two hundred yards with just point and shoot. If you want, you can read up on the theory of what was called 'point-blank zero', and it will explain how using this method never lets your bullet go above or below the kill area on a deer at sensible ranges.

Unfortunately without ever increasing public disturbance deer are becoming increasingly nocturnal, hence the need for NV scooes where deer need to be managed.

 

[nf-fuse]

The lrf on the zulus is really good. The ergonomics of its operation and the way it integrates to the software are good.

I find it interesting to know how far things are as much as anything. Obviously it's more useful on rimfires and air guns than centre fires at moderate range.

 

[Shootingspark]

Always personally distance to be very deceiving when shooting at night. Lrf built into the thermal spotter was a massive game changer for me. essential when covering lets of ground. not so much when your shooting on the one field that you know very well, like you say

 

[HonestJohn]

The lrf on the zulus is really good. The ergonomics of its operation and the way it integrates to the software are good.

I find it interesting to know how far things are as much as anything. Obviously it's more useful on rimfires and air guns than centre fires at moderate range.

Zulus are for air rifles and 22lr. No place for them on a proper CF rifle

 

[HonestJohn]

Unfortunately without ever increasing public disturbance deer are becoming increasingly nocturnal, hence the need for NV scooes where deer need to be managed.

Only relevant if night license approved ground of course. Dog walkers and farmers, deer get used to them. Excessive presence by high QTY syndicates is far worse for driving deer into nocturnal behaviours

 

[Zio65]

Zulus are for air rifles and 22lr. No place for them on a proper CF rifle

Zulus LRF work very well in my 30.06, the wild boar not so happy

 

[Foxyboy43]

Zulus are for air rifles and 22lr. No place for them on a proper CF rifle

What do you base that call on plz?
Just curious…

 

[nf-fuse]

Zulus are for air rifles and 22lr. No place for them on a proper CF rifle

I've used mine on a centre fire. Works well. I've also used it lots on 17hmr.

 

[nf-fuse]

Only relevant if night license approved ground of course. Dog walkers and farmers, deer get used to them. Excessive presence by high QTY syndicates is far worse for driving deer into nocturnal behaviours

Except when it's dark but still legal to shoot where the sensor can see a lot more than the human eye even through the best glass.

 

[nun_hunter]

Zulus are for air rifles and 22lr. No place for them on a proper CF rifle

Mine has worked very well on my Creedmoor and 308. Maybe they aren't "proper CF rifles" though

 

[Dan Newcombe]

On clearfell, in the dark with thermal and NV I would say range finder is a handy thing to have even if you use it to build up a picture / range card and not really for the actual shot to save time.

I have a pard 007 and a thermal neither with a range finder and I’d like one of them
To have it if I was buying again

 

[Greenmist]

Get there a bit earlier and do a range card (even a mental one)

 

[Freeforester]

A potential advantage to using the LRF is that after the shot has been taken, it would give the user a pretty good indication as to where they should be looking to start with any search for recovery. I’d imagine that it can get a bit ‘samey’ looking out over clearfell say 150 yards away and 180 yards away from the point of fire, a steer for the distance in such a scenario should theoretically be beneficial.

 

[kenbro]

For me the best use for a rangefinder is when going somewhere new(Especially if in a high seat) then ranging a few landmarks/ trees etc.
For most things I like mpbr.
Kb.

 

[Zio65]

Zulus LRF funziona molto bene nel mio 30.06, il cinghiale non è così contento

 

[Smellydog]

View attachment 425074

What ever he said yeah

 

[Merlyn]

Best glass scope you can afford, and then zero the rifle for an inch high at 100 yards. Everyone did it that way for donkeys years, and you are OK up to about two hundred yards with just point and shoot. If you want, you can read up on the theory of what was called 'point-blank zero', and it will explain how using this method never lets your bullet go above or below the kill area on a deer at sensible ranges.

Well, if that's no good, then it seems you need a Pard Night Stalker, then. I have one and a Pard DS 35–70 and both do the business very well. They are not overly expensive, either. NV, light enhancing, LRF and all the usual automatic stuff for working out shot placement built into the one unit. Dead easy to use, too. Even for an ancient stalker like me.

 

[Suilven]

Thanks @Merlyn, Pard Night Stalker wasn't on my shortlist, will have a look

 

[slider]

Only relevant if night license approved ground of course. Dog walkers and farmers, deer get used to them. Excessive presence by high QTY syndicates is far worse for driving deer into nocturnal behaviours

Of course only under night licence. Deer do get used to dog walkers etc - but only by avoiding them and becoming near nocturnal. I shoot to forestry blocks, one right on the edge of town and the other used by professional dog walkers. I don't think I have ever shot a deer on either area outside 1 hour after sunrise or 1 hour before sunset.

 

[Mr Tree]

It would be nice to have, but... shots at 300 yards, at night at a small target with a bit of wind with a less than ideal rest. Its easy to miss too, or worse, wound it. Can you be sure of a kill? Its easy to get carried away & greedy and stretch your luck. Personally for me I hate all this button pushing, be it a mobile phone or a digital scope. Picture quality for me is far more important, and that fox will be none the wiser at 200 yds the next time your out. The one time I do miss it, is in May, when the crops are growing fast, so is the meadowland, a week later is to late to see anything. One last point, a missed fox is a problem fox.