I've used a rangefinder for bow hunting previously. My question is around using one for handgun hunting. Not just to aquire the distance to target, but also to compensate for elevation change. I know some rangefinders add or subtract yardage depending on weather you are shooting up or down hill. I know that this compensation is important for the limited flight path of an arrow. Does it apply to the handgun also? If you do use a rangefinder; which one do you have and what is your experience using it? Thanks

You don't really need one for handgun hunting. Within a "reasonable" distance (0-100 yards) something like a 44mag will be pretty much point blank +/- 2.5".

Beyond 100....well then it gets kind of important but your trajectory starts looking a lot like a rainbow. Off just a little and you are going to miss very high or low.

I always bring a rangefinder regardless of what weapon I use, be it a bow, crossbow, muzzleloader, rifle, or handgun. That's just me, though. Mine is a Bushnell Chuck Adams Edition rangefinder that compensates for elevation. I don't really need that feature, though.

The only time I think you'd really need a rangefinder while handgun hunting is if you shot at longer ranges, especially if you were in an area where you could expect an uphill or downhill shot.

I have spent a whole lot of my hunting career pursuing the fleet-footed pronghorn antelope, hunting them, yes, but to a much greater degree, guiding handgun hunters for them.

On the wide open prairie lands of windy Wyoming, 100 yards seems like 50 yards, and 200 yards seems like a slam dunk!

So to answer your question, for antelope hunting in the areas where I pursue them, YES.

So depending on the situation, whether it be antelope or even mule deer or elk out in the open lands, a range finder is a welcome (if not necessary) tool.

For other handgun hunting situations, maybe not so much. As a general rule, I advise the hunter to study each hunting situation prior to heading out, and take along and use the proper tools, and you will not go wrong.

Badubet,

I consider my rangefinder a necessity, especially when hunting new terrain or stand locations. With either bow or gun, I'll range various landmarks, trails, crossings, etc so as to limit movement when the time/game comes.

And I agree completely with Gregg - in the wide open west, distances can be unbelievably deceiving. It helps to have some confirmation!

I purchased my Leica 900 prior to angle compensation technology, so I have to do some yardage deduction if shooting on steep inclines (up or downhill). And yes, whether arrow or bullet, gravity will effect the projectile path only on the "horizontal" axis distance to the target.

X 2 I do not have to as my distances are not usually long range but I do, because that information is helpful and on occasions all things right I will stretch on the distance. I use it whether pistol,bow or long gun.

I find compact range finders to be valuable tools. I've been using a Bushnell for the last 10 years or so.

I seldom leave home without one.

Me as well...

Never leave home without it......

YES!

I am going to be the odd man out on this one,

I don't carry a range finder most of the time when I hunt. Most of the shots I experience are inside 150 yards or so with firearms, its just too thick to shoot any real distance. Now with archery I never use one, I think it is a great tool for practice but too many rely on it heavily and you don't get into the habit of field judging ranges. I never had one growing up so I just got use to knowing where my equipment will hit at various ranges.

If I was a western hunter I would consider it mandatory.

Yes.

I use one too. Always have since my dad gut shot a deer years and years ago. I do NOT want to experience that.

Yes - all the time.

Yes, always. I keep a record of all my big game shot particulars.

Have one with me all the time, weather I'm bow hunting or handgun hunting.

I notice a few have dual modes. I guess one for straight up distance and one that changes due to shot angle. Do you use yours just for distance without the angle compensation?

If you don't have one that compensates for angle, but need too, you can use a simple formula to calculate. Real easy if you have a iphone with a level app; otherwise you can guestimate.

Lase the distance (300 yards); figure angle (20*).

Multiply distance X angle(COS)= actual horizontal distance, i.e...

300 x 20 (COS)=281; thus 281 yards is what you hold for.

by the time i would need to start compensating for bullet drop my groups have opened up to patterns! So no need for me.

Recommendations on brands and models here.

There are several good ones available. I use Leica and Leupold.

Max distance you will be using one?

I have one with me whether I am hunting with gun or bow for turkey, deer, or big game. I am always checking the distance.

Mine's a Bushnell Bowhunter Chuck Adams Edition. No complaints here.

I carry one all of the time. Bushnell 400 for in the woods with revolvers. Don't use one with arhcery. I shoot primitive longbows, wood arrows and stone points. I need them close enough where I can make a good shot.
In the open terrain, Colorado, Wyoming and Texas I carry a Leupold RXII- 750 yd range on clear days. It has the "True Ballistic Range" for angles compensation readings, a mode for rain and several reticles, digital thermometer.
It is fun to play with while setting in a pop up blind waiting for hours on a speed goat, deer or pigs to show.
Mike

What he said. Model depends on the range you need to cover. But, I like and use both brands mentioned above.

I don't own one yet, but it is on my list. When I am still hunting in the heavy timber, there really is no need for one because if you can see it, it's close enough

.

but there were times hunting open fields and out west that it sure would have been handy, therefore that is why it makes my "want list"

the Lieca's are VERY nice, and I realy like the Luepolds.

here is a link that I just read last night that may help you out some:
http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/2014/04/rangefinders-gear-test-review

Short story.. Hunting whitetail in PA long time ago. A buck breaks the treeline to graze. Take out my old rangefinder and the battery goes dead. Real quick I use my Leatherman to change battery, take a reading, and made a 93yd. tight quarter away shot with 454 handload. Buck ran at shot. Waited. Find him bedded about 40yds away. He gets up as I put another shot in him and he is mine. The range finder was valuable in making the shot as it was in dozens of other shots on game. They were made for handgunners.....

James, that resulted in a nice buck!

Don't go hunting without it and its a Leica 1600.

Leupold RX1 for me for any gun hunting. I never used one bowhunting (I shot a longbow & 30 yds was my max. I could estimate within +- a yd at that range).
When the range gets past about 50 yds it can be hard to accurately estimate.

I have one bushnell 1000 . I use it for bow hunting when I am still hunting. A long shot where I hunt is probably 60 yds because its so thick. I dont as a rule hunt field edges. My gramps tought me to stay bback in the woods , because deer dont just walk out in fields they stand back and watch for hunters that take the path of least resistance. Now that said I have killed a deer out too 200 yds shooting a crossed a ravine into a cut cornfield withh my 308, but thats the exception for me bow hunting I mark spots in my shooting lanes with my range finder. Handgun hunting is so close for me its a hold dead on thing. The whole arch thing for my stuation is waist as my finder has never been more than a foot sjitting up in a 20ft tree stand.

Always take my Leupold 1000. Weapon choice does not matter. Use mine in place of bino"s in all but out west hunting. One less thing to carry most of the time.

I also use a Leupold 1000

I don't currently own one that adds or subtracts distances on angles but, I use an old Bushnell every time I'm out. Especially when hunting coyotes with my XP.
Steve

When I lived out west in open country I found it very handy (Nikon). But I always wanted a bino/range finder in one. I mostly used stalk/spot & stalk techniques. Any gear you can eliminate is helpful. Most of those 2in1 types are kinda big. Bushnell made a more compact set up for a while but I think they discontinued it. Still waiting for the right 1 to come out.