Hi, guys! I can hit a rabbit sized target out to about 175 yards with my 22LR but need to be able to range them to within about 5 yards to do so. I want it to be as small and cheap as possible (I'm not looking to spend a fortune to kill a rabbit.). I've seen several on Ebay but I have no idea if they can identify a small varmint versus a deer.
So I'm asking two things. First does anyone have something easy to carry and use they'd recommend, including where to find it?
Second, failing the first, what info in an ad for a range finder would indicate its ability to range a rabbit sized critter?
I have a Nikon, about 200$ on clearance and I love it. My brother has a Bushnell that is also nice, but not as precise as my nikon, IMO
I'm not sure if mine will zoom in on a rabbit at 175 yards, will try it out for ya when it gets daylight. My gut instinct is that it will though.
Rangefinders are fun, I now know the exact yardage of everything in my yard, lol They also entertain ya on the deerstand, kill time by guessing distances, then checking it with the 'finder to see how close ya are.
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This may be asking a bit much of existing technology
and human perception. Let's face it - it would be pretty hard for you to find a rabbit at 175 yards even with a good riflescope. Hitting it would generally require a good varmit rifle. Yes, I do realize a statistically small number of shooters might do this with more common shooting accountrement, but I am speaking of the general population of shooters.
If, however, you did see a rabbit at 175 yards your best bet would be to hope it was next to a larger object your rangefinder could acquire.
nathangdad I think you'd better go get the peepers checked out. If you can't see a rabbit at 200 minimum there is something wrong. Although I agree about the .22 at 175, now that is keen.
I only go to 300 as a last resort with the 223, but then I'm getting paid for dead not just missed.
PS: A agree also about the rock/hard surface handy to where the bunny is to.
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All I can say is if you guys have no difficulty spotting a rabbit at a minimum of 200 yards, you eyesight must be excellent. I have trouble spotting an orange marking disc at 200 yards against a black/white background let alone see a rabbit in it's natural environment at that range.
Attached picture of target at 200 yards, left target has orange spotting disc. First sand bank is the 100 yard zero/pistol range. 2nd piccy is at 300, anyone spot the rabbits or orange/green marking discs?
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WHL,I find it much easier to spot a moving animal even well beyond 200yds than some markers that are stationary.Also,varmints that have just a slight different shade of color are easily spotted but must move to be identified. ,,,sam.
^^agreed. i shoot groundhogs regularly and spot them at a lot longer distances than that. its just a different shade or an obviously large clump of brown that might be twitchin. rabbits i think are a little harder to spot than hogs, but sitll fairly easy to spot. but i don't shoot them with varmint rifles so theres not a lot of point in spottin them that far. although this rabbit season my 17 may get a workout so maybe i should work on lookin for them out to 150-175? lol
Could you detail what "small furry things" we are supposed to be looking for? I love to hunt,but sometimes am confused as to what to do if I find it. ,,,sam.
Well, my 'finder is a Nikon prostaff laser 440.
I tried it today and had no problem zeroing in on a rabbit sized area at 175 yards, or even 250. As Mooseman said, I'm not sure if it would read the actual rabbit, but it will read the ground at the rabbits feet, so it should work for your application. lol it's hard to find a actual rabbit to stand still at 175 yards to do a test on.
At longer distance ya really have to support the rangefinder to make sure you're aiming at the right spot, my 'finder is a 8x20mm. Hope this helps.
__________________ I'm here for a good time, to h*ll with the red wine, pour me some moonshine!
My friend has a lieca rangefinder that has an 8x magnification on it. I have range find ground squirrels out to 329 yards with it. If you can't spot a moving target out at 200 yards then you need glasses in my opinion. I was out this past Sunday shooting ground squirrels and have no issues spotting movement.
My friend has a lieca rangefinder that has an 8x magnification on it. I have range find ground squirrels out to 329 yards with it. If you can't spot a moving target out at 200 yards then you need glasses in my opinion. I was out this past Sunday shooting ground squirrels and have no issues spotting movement.
YEAH,but can you hit them??? (on good days I get a few) ,,,sam.
nathangdad I think you'd better go get the peepers checked out. If you can't see a rabbit at 200 minimum there is something wrong. Although I agree about the .22 at 175, now that is keen.
I only go to 300 as a last resort with the 223, but then I'm getting paid for dead not just missed.
PS: A agree also about the rock/hard surface handy to where the bunny is to.
Wirenut...that depends on the terrain and how high the grass is in the area. I have spots where it's difficult to see deer sized critters let alone a rabbit. Now if it's sitting in the middle of a cleared parking lot; that's a different story.
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All I can say is if you guys have no difficulty spotting a rabbit at a minimum of 200 yards, you eyesight must be excellent. I have trouble spotting an orange marking disc at 200 yards against a black/white background let alone see a rabbit in it's natural environment at that range.
Attached picture of target at 200 yards, left target has orange spotting disc. First sand bank is the 100 yard zero/pistol range. 2nd piccy is at 300, anyone spot the rabbits or orange/green marking discs?
I can tell you exactly where the rabbit is in the second picture. He's behind you taking a picture of two shooters trying to find a rabbit at 300 yards...Duh?
I'll bet you get some serious up-draft on that range.
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Last edited by oldjarhead; 07-01-2009 at 08:38 AM.
i actually just picked up a leica 1200crf. i had used a buddies while P Dog hunting the last few years, and they will range the small fuzzy critters at ranges much further than your looking for. the leica does cost a little more, but for the price it is the best you can buy. the next better rangefinders triple in price and dont offer much more in ability.
Range Finder? 
