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When playing golf or hunting, knowing the exact distance to your target is quite important. For long-distance hunters, distance is crucial in determining the projectile drop. The same applies to when playing golf. This is where a rangefinder comes in to help with distance.

What exactly is a rangefinder?

A range finder is a device that measures the distance from you to another object in a distance. There is a lot that goes into playing golf than just a club, balls and golf bag. The same applies when hunting in the wild. In fact, studies have shown that close to 70% of professional golf players use a rangefinder to measure distance.

There is nothing complicated about rangefinders. To help you understand why rangefinders are becoming popular, let’s have a look at some of their benefits:

There are just so many benefits for using a rangefinder whether golfing or hunting. You will not take any wrong guesses with a rangefinder. However, you must first learn the nuts and bolts of using a rangefinder. Get familiar with everything about the rangefinder from the display, battery level to accuracy levels.

How to use a rangefinder?

There are no huge differences when using a golf rangefinder or hunting rangefinder. You only need to understand the basics and you’re good to go. Here is a small guide on how to use a rangefinder:

Get the basics ready

The first step is reading through the manual to understand the basics. There is usually a sketch showing you the basic components. Make sure you know the eyepiece, objective lens, the battery lid and various buttons and their functions.

Next, you can start learning about various specifications like errors, vision, measurement range, patterns and field of view. Most terms on how rangefinders work are pretty similar to leading optics in the industry. For example, most rangefinders have magnification levels and adjust with ease.

Once you’ve understood everything about your rangefinder, you can move to the field and start practicing with it.

Searching the target area

Before looking through the rangefinder, you need to scope the target area with your eyes. It is recommended that you find the target with your bare eyes before using a rangefinder. This will make your search for the target easier when using a rangefinder. Mark landmarks and objects close to your target. This will help you know whether to turn the rangefinder left or right when searching for the target.

There are advanced models that even measure the entire distance within the scan area. This is an added advantage giving you the distance between obstacles along the way and the target.

How to look through it

Since you’re measuring the distance between you and the target, you have to look through the unit. Check for the recommended distance between the unit and your eyes. Hold the unit in a stable position with your hands and look through with one eye. Make sure the rangefinder is stable until you spot your target.

Keep it stable throughout

Stability is crucial when using a rangefinder. In most cases, a tripod stand helps maintain stability. However, if you don’t have one, then hold the unit firmly with both hands.

Measuring the distance

Once you have the target in sight, you can readjust the degree of the eyepiece for a clearer field of vision. Next, you can then click the range mode and look for the reticule or crosshairs for the ‘+’ increments.

Rangefinders are pretty accurate and compensate for things like slopes and elevations. They provide you with a straight trajectory the ball or bullet will follow.

You can keep on pressing the mode button or power in a split of a second to get more precise results. There is a further option to adjust the settings according to the weather conditions such as drizzle or fog.

Extra tips on using a rangefinder

Final verdict

Using a rangefinder is not that complicated as seen above. However, you need to keep on practicing until you master every trick. Continued use will make you a pro and reduce time spent on focusing. Make sure you fully understand the settings, increments, and everything about the rangefinder before starting to use it. This is why all rangefinders come with a detailed manual to read and understand before using.

Author Bio

Eric Patton

Eric grew up hunting, fishing, and roaming the hills of the Easter U.S. and has dedicated himself to becoming a well-rounded outdoorsman. Anytime there is an opportunity for a little fishing or a morning spent hunting, you will find him in the woods. In his off time, he teaches a variety of outdoor skills including land navigation and basic survival. Recently a Search and Rescue member, he has begun learning the ancient art of human tracking in a variety of terrains. You can find more Eric's works on https://opticsaddict.com.

The .308 rifle was first introduced by Winchester in 1952 and has since gone to become one of the most popular rifles in the United States today. Minor modifications in this gun led to the 7.62 NATO, and there are minor differences between these two guns. These are two guns that have various similarities and a lot has been said about them but that’s a debate for another day.

Since it first came into the market in 1952, the .308 has remained a finely crafted hunting rifle with various semi-automatic versions. This is one gun you can’t miss from sniper rifles to military machine guns.

If you’re considering buying the best scope for the 308 rifle, then you’ve come to the right place. Even before we get into the basic considerations when buying a 308 rifle scope, there are a few questions you need to answer.

What type of shooting are you engaged in most?

This is a key factor to help you buy the best fit scope for your particular use and .308 rifle. The distance you shoot frequently is a crucial factor. The fact that most .308 rifles are designed to cover long distances means you will most likely require a scope that covers great distances.

What you’re looking for is a scope that will cover 300, 400 and even 500 yards. You might find an excellent scope working for this rifle but only covering short distances. This will be of no use since your rifle is ideal for long-range shooting at 400 yards. However, you need to consider what you will be using the scope for most of the time.

Your .308 rifle scope is one that delivers excellent clarity at long distances. So what do you consider next if all the scopes have excellent clarity at long distances?

Considerations when choosing the best scope for .308 rifles

1.Scope construction

The construction of the scope needs to be durable to withstand the bumps that come with hunting or any other outdoor activities. The best choice is a scope made of aircraft aluminum to withstand bruises. You also need to consider elevation depending on the task. Low profile designs are excellent for easy maneuvering in the wild while high profile elevations are excellent for tactical use. Overall, the best construction for a 308 rifle needs to be durable, waterproof and fog proof especially if you’re using it outdoors.  You don’t want to raise your rifle and only see fog.

2.Maintaining zero

The best scope needs to hold the zero calibration after shooting. .308 rifles are excellent and don’t have huge recoils. However, they do have a kick that can affect zero on your scope especially when using the heavy grain load or high powder.

3.    Variable or fixed power

There are two categories of scopes to choose for your 308 rifle. These are the variable and fixed scopes. Fixed scopes have a single magnification while variable scopes have different magnification settings. The choice usually comes down to where you will be using your .308 rifle.  This is a pretty versatile rifle that can be used in various shooting scenarios and there is no single best scope for it.

If you’re hunting in dense vegetation, then a fixed scope is your best pick. You will probably take short 100-200 yard shorts. Fixed scopes are also more durable and less expensive.

When thinking of long-range shooting at 500 yards, a variable scope is your best pick. Check out this guide for more details when choosing your first rifle scope: https://ioutdoorpursuit.com/best-rifle-scope-reviews/

4.Generous eye relief

This is the distance between your eyes and the rim of the ocular lens. You need a generous eye relief of 3 or more inches due to the kick produced by .308 rifles.

There are several other minor factors to consider like reticles, but the four main considerations above should help you choose the best scope for .308 rifle. Make sure to visit IOutdoorPursuit.com and check out their list of the top rated .308 scopes out there!