How to determine the distance to a target using binoculars. How to measure the distance to a target

Determining the distance by the degree of visibility and apparent size of the target.

One of the conditions for effective firing is constant observation of the battlefield, which allows timely detection of the enemy. However, in order to destroy the enemy well-aimed shot, it is not enough to see it, you also need to determine at what distance it is.
A shooter, whether on the battlefield or during shooting practice, constantly has questions before opening fire: “How many meters to the target? Which sight should I put? And only after receiving answers to these questions, the shooter can set the sight, select an aiming point and open fire on the target.
The distance of the target from the firing position is usually determined from a map, using optical instruments, improvised means, etc. The method of determining distance on a map is available only to command staff, since sergeants and privates do not have maps. They do not always have optical instruments. In addition, even if a soldier has binoculars, then to determine the distance he will need to make calculations, which is difficult to do in a tense battle environment.

In our army and law enforcement agencies Various methods are widely used to determine the distance to the target for correct installation of the sight, and primarily using the “thousandth” formula:
D = Bx1000/U, Where:

• D - distance to object in meters
• B - height or width of the object in meters
• Y - the angle at which the object is visible in “thousandths”

For example, an enemy tank with a height of 2.8 m is visible at an angle of 0-05: D = 2.8x1000/5 = 550 m.

In this case, the practice is to use improvised objects (for example, a matchbox, pencil, cartridge) with a previously known angular value.
So, if you extend it at eye level right hand and look at the terrain lying in front of the shooter, then the width of four bent fingers will cover a distance on the terrain equal to 100 “thousandths”. One index finger will cover 33 thousandths, the middle or ring finger will cover 35 thousandths, the thumb will cover 40 thousandths, and the little finger will cover 25 thousandths.
Given these numbers, you can determine angles and distances literally with your bare hands.

You can measure the distance to the target by cartridges. The case of a 7.62-mm rifle cartridge for SVD and PKM has 20 base widths, 18 thousandths for the case width, and 13 thousandths for the case neck width. The width of the middle part of the bullet covers 8 “thousandths”. The length of the bullet from the muzzle of the cartridge case to the tip is 35 thousandths.

The matchbox covers 90 in length, 60 in width, and 30 thousandths in thickness.
The length of the match covers 85, and the thickness - 3.5 thousandths.

But to convert these angular values ​​into meters, additional calculations must be made. However, if it is not difficult to make such a calculation with a pen and notepad or with a calculator, sitting at your desk, then in a trench or the ruins of a house in the direct line of sight of the enemy there is neither time nor convenience for this.

The second common way to determine the distance to a target is by the covering value of the front sight (CVM): D = CVM/3x1000, where the distance can be determined by combining the width of the front sight with the width of the target, and the range is characterized by the distance along the front covered by the front sight.
At a distance of 100 m, this value is 30 cm and increases proportionally with the distance of the target from the shooter.
The covering value of the slot is twice the covering value of the front sight. For example, the front sight covers a VAZ-2109 car, 165 cm wide: D = 165/3x1000 = 550 m. But using this method is not difficult only when the target is stationary, and you can combine the width of the front sight with the width of the target without interference.

These methods are not always convenient and practical. Therefore, today, almost sixty years after the end of the Great Patriotic War, it makes sense to turn to the significant combat experience gained during the war by the Main Directorate of Combat Training ground forces of the Red Army together with the Rifle Tactical Committee.
During the Great Patriotic War, in the process of fire training of fighters and commanders, the eye method was most often used to determine range. Firstly, by comparison with a known range to a landmark or local object. Secondly, along sections of the terrain that are well captured in visual memory arrow. This was a more acceptable way of determining distances in battle by mentally (visually) laying down memorized length segments on the ground. True, this method also had its negative sides.
Firstly, the shooter did not always have the opportunity to see the entire terrain ahead.
Secondly, as the target moves away, it becomes increasingly difficult to mentally plot lengths on the ground, so errors are possible in determining the distance.
In addition, such an eye-based method for determining the range to a target directly depends on the individual characteristics of each shooter.

One of the most optimal was recognized a method of determining distance by the degree of visibility and apparent size of a target.
It is known that any object is visible differently from different distances. At close range, small details are visible. Then, as the object moves away, they seem to be erased, and only larger details can be distinguished. Finally, large details are erased, only the general outline of the object remains visible. These three stages of object visibility have their own so-called intermediate boundaries, at which some characteristic details of the object are visible, while others are not distinguishable. Hence there is a certain pattern in the degree of visibility of an object at different distances. Knowing this pattern of visibility of each object, the shooter can accurately determine the distance to it.

For example, a sniper can clearly recognize the outline of an enemy's head and shoulders. Knowing that this is possible no further than 400 m, he places the appropriate sight and fires. Having discovered an enemy soldier whose only general outline of the torso can be discerned, the sniper changes his sights, based on the fact that the target is at least 600 m away.

The proposed method did not require any instruments or calculations. It was equally convenient for determining distances to approaching and receding targets. To determine distances, we took only those targets and objects that always had some consistency in size and shape: a person, a dog, a tank, a car, a motorcycle, a wire fence, a telegraph line.
Repeated experiments carried out during the war years clearly established that knowing the degree of visibility of the listed objects, you can quite accurately determine the distance to them on any terrain.
Based on the experiments carried out, tables of the degree of visibility of objects at various distances were developed. These tables were very simple, they could easily be learned by every shooter.

Of course, not all people have the same vision. Therefore, in the process of fire training during the war, each officer and soldier was required to independently compile such tables. To better assimilate these tables, it was recommended to conduct several practical classes, in which, by showing the listed objects, military personnel were instilled with skills in quickly determining the distances to them based on the degree of visibility of these objects.

During the training process, during demonstration classes, it was always required that targets such as a person, a dog, a tank, a car or a motorcycle move towards the students. For some time, these targets were delayed at lines spaced 100 m from each other, after which they passed along the front for 20-30 m. This allowed the shooters to become familiar with the degree of visibility of targets in all positions.

Military students were advised to have ready-made tables with them and compare the data indicated in them with reality. Or, knowing the distances to the milestones, write down your observations on paper when your goals reach each milestone.

During classes on determining the visibility distances of stationary objects (targets), students gradually approached the object (target) and recorded the results of their observations at each milestone. If they had ready-made tables, then, having reached each milestone, they checked the data given in the table in practice and had to remember them.

We often hear that shooters simply do not know how to determine the distance to the target (target) at which they need to shoot. And this despite the fact that an optical sight is installed on the rifle or shotgun (carbine). In general, the topic of optical sights is very common in questions on forums and letters from readers. The main issues are reticles and distances to the object of observation. Which reticle is best for long range shooting? Why big ones? Yes, because at a distance of 10 to 20 m it is easier to use red dot sight. I decided to organize some information regarding optics and distance.

A simple method for determining the distance to an object

In the picture below you can see the aiming reticle Rangefinder, or as it is popularly called - “crossbow net”. Sights with this type of reticle have become very popular among owners of weapons with optical sights. A convenient scale for calculating distances and at the same time auxiliary crosshairs allow you to very accurately calculate the distance to the target, making certain adjustments. The figure clearly shows how you can determine the distance to the target using the example optical sight 4x32.

Visual determination of the distance to the target using an optical sight
(Rangefinder reticle, or crossbow reticle)

It is worth noting that the setup and preliminary calibration of each sight must be carried out separately. This should be done as follows:
- take a “standard” with a vertical and horizontal dimension of 50 cm (for example, a cardboard box),
- set the scope magnification to 4 (if you have a scope with variable magnification) and look at the “standard” through the optical sight from a distance of 30 m. Usually at this distance 0.5 meters of width is placed between the curves at the level of the central crosshair.

If the “standard” does not fit between the curves or, on the contrary, is much smaller, then you need to change the distance to the target until you achieve the desired result. Remember this distance, or better yet, make a note to yourself so that later, when needed, you can quickly calculate the distance to the target.

In the same way, we find the distances corresponding to all other aiming marks on the reticle. After this, you can begin to zero in the sight. “Why not the other way around?” - you ask. Yes, because it is easier to sight the sight at already known distances. Now, looking at your hunting object through an optical sight, you will know exactly the distance to the target.

Such sights can be installed on air guns and firearms.

To approximately determine the distance, a sniper or shooter can use the following simplest methods.

An eye-based method for determining the distance to a target

To hit the target with the first shot, you need to know the distance to it. This is necessary to correctly determine the amount of corrections for side wind, air temperature, Atmosphere pressure and, most importantly, to install the correct sight and select the aiming point.

The ability to quickly and accurately determine the distance to stationary, moving, and also appearing targets is one of the main conditions successful work sniper

Rice. Proportional perception of the target by the sniper with the reticle of the PSO-1 sight for the development of automatic skills in determining the range

The main one, the simplest and fastest, most accessible to a sniper in any combat situation. However, a sufficiently accurate eye is not acquired immediately; it is developed through systematic training carried out in various terrain conditions, at different times of the year and day. To develop your eye, you need to more often practice estimating distances by eye, necessarily checking them in steps and on a map or in some other way.

First of all, you need to learn to mentally imagine and confidently distinguish several distances that are most convenient as standards on any terrain. You should start training with short distances (10, 50, 100 m). Having mastered these distances well, you can move successively to larger ones (200, 400, 800 m) up to the maximum range of actual fire sniper rifle. Having studied and consolidated these standards in visual memory, you can easily compare with them and evaluate other distances.

During such training, the main attention should be paid to taking into account side effects that affect the accuracy of the visual method of determining distances:
1. Larger objects seem closer than small ones located at the same distance.
2. Objects that are visible more sharply and clearly seem to be closer together, therefore:
- objects of bright colors (white, yellow, red) seem closer than objects of dark colors (black, brown, blue),
- brightly lit objects seem closer to dimly lit ones that are at the same distance,
- during fog, rain, at dusk, on cloudy days, when the air is saturated with dust, observed objects seem further away than on clear sunny days,
- the sharper the difference in the color of objects and the background against which they are visible, the more reduced the distances to these objects seem; for example, in winter, a snow field seems to bring all the darker objects on it closer.

3. The fewer intermediate objects are between the eye and the observed object, the closer this object seems, in particular:
- objects on level ground seem closer,
- distances defined through vast open water spaces seem especially shortened; the opposite shore always seems closer than in reality,
- folds of the terrain (ravines, hollows) crossing the measured line seem to reduce the distance,
- when observing while lying down, objects seem closer than when observing while standing.

4. When observed from bottom to top, from the bottom of the mountain to the top, objects appear closer, and when observed from top to bottom, they appear further away.

Visibility of objects at different distances:

Determining the distance to the target by angular dimensions

Determining the distance to a target by angular dimensions is possible if the observable linear value (height, width or length) of the object to which the distance is determined is known. The method comes down to measuring the angle in thousandths at which this object is visible.

The thousandth is 1/6000 part of the circular horizon, increasing in width in direct proportion to the increase in the distance to the reference point, which is the center of the circle. For those who have a hard time understanding, remember that the thousandth is in distance:

100 m = 10 cm,

200 m = 20 cm,

300 m = 30 cm,

400 m = 40 cm, etc.

Knowing the approximate linear dimensions of a target or landmark in meters and the angular magnitude of this object, you can determine the distance using the thousandth formula: D = (H x 1000)/U,
Where D- distance to target
1000 - constant, unchangeable mathematical quantity, always present in this formula
U- the angular magnitude of the target, that is, to put it simply, how many one-thousandth divisions on the scale of an optical sight or other device will the target occupy
IN- metric (that is, in meters) known width or height of the target.

For example, a target is detected. It is necessary to determine the distance to it. What are the actions?
1. Measure the target angle in thousand.
2. The size of the object located next to the target in meters, multiply by 1000
3. Divide the result obtained by the measured angle in thousand.

The metric parameters of some objects are:

Scales available in service open sights, optical sights and optical instruments are graduated in thousandths and have a division value:

Thus, to determine the distance to an object using optics, it is necessary to place it between the scale divisions of the sight (device) and, having found out its angular value, calculate the distance using the above formula.

Example, you need to determine the distance to the target (chest or height target), which fits into one small side segment of the scale of the PSO-1 optical sight.

Solution, width of the chest or height target (infantryman in full height), equal to 0.5 m. According to measurements using PSO-1, the target is covered by one division of the lateral correction scale, i.e. angle 1 thousandth.
Hence: D=(0.5 x 1000)/1=500m.

Measuring angles using improvised means

To measure angles with a ruler, you need to hold it in front of you, at a distance of 50 cm from the eye, then one of its divisions (1 mm) will correspond to 0-02.
The accuracy of measuring angles using this method depends on the skill in placing the ruler exactly 50 cm from the eye. You can practice this using a rope (thread) of this length.
To measure angles with improvised objects, you can use your finger, palm or any small object at hand ( matchbox, pencil, 7.62 mm sniper cartridge), the dimensions of which in millimeters, and therefore in thousandths, are known. To measure the angle, such a measure is also placed at a distance of 50 cm from the eye, and from it the desired angle value is determined by comparison.

The angular dimensions of some objects are:

Having acquired skills in measuring angles, you should proceed directly to determining distances based on the measured angular dimensions of objects.
Determining distances by the angular dimensions of objects gives accurate results only if the actual dimensions of the observed objects are well known, and angular measurements are made carefully using measuring instruments (binoculars, stereo scopes).

Methods for determining range to targets:

Direct measurement of the terrain in pairs of steps.

First, the lesson leader should help each cadet determine the size of his step. To do this, the teacher marks a 100-meter segment with flags on level ground and orders the students to walk it two to three times, in a normal step, counting each time under the right or left foot, how many pairs of steps are obtained.

Let’s assume that with three measurements the cadets obtained 66,67,68 pairs of steps. The arithmetic mean of these numbers is 67 pairs of steps.

Therefore, the length of one pair of steps of this cadet will be 100:67 = 1.5 m.

After this, the teacher moves on to teaching cadets how to measure distances by direct measurements. To do this, he points to one of the students an object and orders him to measure the distance to it in steps. The next student is given a different object, etc. In this case, each student must act independently and take measurements both when moving to the object and back.

This method of determining the range to a target (object) is used under certain conditions - outside of contact with the enemy and when there is time.

By eye over sections of terrain:

When determining the range from segments of terrain, it is necessary to mentally set aside some familiar range, which is firmly entrenched in visual memory, from oneself to the target (it should be borne in mind that as the range increases, the apparent value of the segment in the future is constantly reduced).

From landmarks (local objects):

If a target is detected near a local object (landmark), the range to which is known, then when determining the range to the target it is necessary to take into account its distance from the local object (landmark).

According to the degree of visibility and apparent size of objects:

When determining the range by the degree of visibility and the apparent size of the target, it is necessary to compare the visible size of the target with the visible dimensions of this target imprinted in memory at certain ranges.

Calculation method (using the thousandth formula):

┌───────────────┐

│ B x 1000 │

│ D = ──────── │

└───────────────┘

An enemy tank with a height of 2.8 m is visible at an angle of 0-05. Determine the distance to the target (D).

Solution: D = ────────── = 560 m.

Using the covering value of 0 2 sighting devices of small arms.

To determine the covering value sighting device the formula is applied:

┌────────────┐

│ D x R │

│ K= ────── │

└────────────┘

K - covering value of the sighting device;

D - range to the target (100 M area is taken);

P is the size of the sighting device;

d is the distance from the eye to the sighting device.

Example: - calculate the covering value of the AK-74 front sight;

100000mm x 2mm

K= ─────────────── = 303.3 mm or 30 cm.

Thus, the covering value of the AK-74 front sight at a distance of 100 m will be equal to 30 cm.

At other ranges, the covering value of the AK-74 front sight will be greater than that obtained by as many times as the range to the target is greater than 100 M.

For example, at D=300 M - K=90 cm; at D=400 M - K=1.2 M, etc. Thus, knowing the size of the target, you can determine the range to it:

Target width - 50 cm, target Target width - 1 m, target

half-closed by the front sight completely closed by the front sight

(i.e. the front sight is closed to the example- (i.e. the front sight is closed to the

but - 25 cm), since measured 3 times 30 cm)

K=30cm by D=100M, then in the corresponding range

In this case, the range to the target will be equal to:

target - approximately 100 m. D = 3 x 100 = 300 m.

In the same way, using this formula, you can calculate the covering value of any sighting device of various samples small arms, substituting only the corresponding values.

According to the rangefinder scale of aiming devices:

The range on the rangefinder scale is determined only to those targets whose height corresponds to the number indicated under the horizontal line of the rangefinder scale. In addition, it must be taken into account that the range to the target can be determined only when the target is completely visible in height, otherwise the measured range will be overestimated.

Comparing the speeds of light and sound.

The bottom line is that first we see the flash of a shot (the speed of light = 300,000 km/sec, i.e. almost instantly), and then we hear the sound. Speed ​​of sound propagation in air = 340 m/s. For example, we noticed a shot recoilless rifle, mentally calculate how long it will take for the sound from this shot to reach (for example, 2 seconds), respectively, the range to the target will be equal to:

D = 340m/s x 2s = 680 m.

According to the map.

Having determined the standing point and position of the target, knowing the scale of the map, you can determine the distance to the target.

Methods for determining the direction and speed of a target:

The direction of movement of the target is determined by eye by its heading angle (the angle between the directions of movement of the target and the direction of fire).

It could be:

Frontal - from 0° to 30° (180°-150°);

Flank - from 60° to 120°;

Oblique - from 30° to 60° (120° - 150°).

The target's speed of movement is determined visually by eye external signs and the way the target moves. It is generally accepted:

The speed of a walking target is 1.5 - 2 m/s;

The speed of a running target is 2 - 3 m/s;

Tanks in cooperation with infantry - 5 - 6 km/h;

Tanks when attacking the front line of defense - 10 - 15 km/h;

Motorcycle - 15 - 20 km/h;

Equipment afloat during crossing water hazard- 6 - 8 km/h.

3. Purpose, performance characteristics, general structure, order incomplete disassembly and assemblies after partial disassembly of the PM 9 mm MAKAROV PISTOL (PM)

The 9-mm Makarov pistol (Fig. 5.1) is a personal weapon of attack and defense, designed to defeat the enemy at short distances.

Rice. 5.1. General form 9 mm Makarov pistol

Very often it is necessary to determine the distances to various objects on the ground (ranges to the target). Distances (ranges) are most accurately and quickly determined using special devices(rangefinders) and rangefinder scales of binoculars, stereo tubes, sights. But due to the lack of instruments, distances are often determined using improvised means and by eye.

The most accurate methods for determining the range (distances) to objects on the ground include the following: by the angular dimensions of the object and by the linear dimensions of the objects.

Determining the range to the target by angular dimensions objects (Fig. 2) is based on the relationship between angular and linear quantities. The angular dimensions of objects are measured in thousandths using binoculars, observation and aiming devices, a ruler, etc.

Some angular values ​​(in thousandths of the distance) are given in Table 1.

The distance to objects in meters is determined by the formula:

Where B is the height (width) of the object in meters; Y is the angular magnitude of the object in thousandths.

For example (see Fig. 2):

Table 1

Determining the range to the target based on the linear dimensions of objects is as follows (Fig. 3). Using a ruler located at a distance of 50 cm from the eye, measure the height (width) of the observed object in millimeters. Then the actual height (width) of the object in centimeters is divided by that measured using a ruler in millimeters, the result is multiplied by constant number 5 and get the desired height of the object in meters..jpg" alt=" Determining the distance to the target by the linear dimensions of the object (subject)" width="642" height="135"> Рис. 3. Определение дальности до цели по линейным размерам объекта (предмета) !}

For example, a distance between telegraph poles equal to 50 m (Fig. 8) is closed on the ruler by a segment of 10 mm. Therefore, the distance to the telegraph line is:

The accuracy of determining distances by angular and linear values ​​is 5-10% of the length of the measured distance. To determine distances based on the angular and linear dimensions of objects, it is recommended to remember the values ​​(width, height, length) of some of them, given in table. 2.

table 2

I think there is no need to analyze in detail within the framework of this article why in shooting it is necessary to know the distance to the target: shooters and just readers interested in shooting know perfectly well that a bullet fired from firearms, does not fly in a straight line, but describes an arc along a flat trajectory, and its excess depends on the elevation angle of the weapon, specified for different distances. Therefore, let’s immediately move on to the issue that interests us, without venturing into the territory of external ballistics.

Not every shooter thinks about how to independently determine the distance to the target, and this is understandable. For example, in such a popular shooting discipline as practical shooting, distances to targets, although they can reach several hundred meters, are either known in advance or have no of great importance. Rifle athletes hit black circles with small-caliber rifles at a distance of 50 m - no more, no less. There’s no need to talk about stand-up shooters: fast, almost intuitive shooting with a shotgun at a flying saucer - there’s no time for checking distances. And in general, in indoor shooting ranges and at open shooting ranges, as a rule, boards with targets are placed at equal intervals at a designated distance. This is convenient and allows you to focus on making quality shots from a comfortable, familiar distance.

But sooner or later, some shooters have a desire to go beyond the limits offered by shooting ranges and shoot at longer distances - for example, from . What is needed for this? First of all, of course, a suitable shooting range with a length of up to 1000-1200 meters.

And although there are many such shooting ranges in Russia, let’s imagine that you find yourself at such a facility.

What do you see? Most likely, rows of shields with targets, and gongs placed throughout the field. And if the first ones, as a rule, are installed at fixed and designated distances and therefore are not of interest within the framework of this article, then the second ones - those same small-sized, coveted targets that respond to a hit with a characteristic ringing - are placed at an unknown distance, and I propose to talk about them more details. To hit such a gong you need to know the distance to it. Wind, air temperature, pressure, etc. - this is all secondary. The first most important thing is the distance to the target, for which it is necessary to make adjustments in the sight. How to define it?

Three common ways to determine the distance to a target

Method #1 - determining the distance “by eye”

The first method is the most literally, obvious. But once you try, you will understand that this task is not easy. Your vision, your eye level of training, lighting conditions, terrain, and even the color of your target will all make your best guess at distance too far off. What does too big mean? Let's figure it out.

Let's say the gong is actually at a distance of 580 meters, and you are off on your estimate by 10 meters more or less, which is very good for a naked eye measurement. Even with such a small error, the probability of a miss is high. Why? Judge for yourself. Gongs for high-precision shooting are rarely larger than half a thousand, which means that the height of our target is no more than 30 cm. The trajectory of a bullet from one of the most popular rifle calibers - .308 Win - at distances of 570-590 meters will vary in height by approximately 15 -20 centimeters every 10 meters, which is equal to half the size of the target. Thus, if you shoot at the center of such a gong at 580 meters, having previously set the correction on the sight to 570 or 590 meters (depending on which direction you were mistaken in assessing the distance), you will most likely miss, since your bullet will pass by 15-20 cm below or above the aiming point.

What if the error in determining the distance is not 10, but 20 or 30 meters? Or is the gong even further away? In this case, the shooting will go almost at random with the hope of an accidental hit.

Method #2 - based on the known dimensions of the “target”

I’ll immediately make a reservation that in the second method of determining the distance to the target there is one condition: you must know the size of the target - height or width. Using your scope's reticle, you measure in thousandths the size you know, and then calculate the distance to the target in meters by dividing the size of the target in millimeters by its size in thousandths. Let's take our 30-centimeter gong as an illustrative example. Its height on the sight reticle was 0.517 thousandths. We divide 300 (the height of the gong in millimeters) by 0.517 and we get 580.27 meters, which is very close to the truth.

Nothing bothers you about this method? No, I don't mean mental division skills - after all, you can do the calculations using a calculator on your phone. This is what confuses me: in my experience, it is extremely difficult to determine with such accuracy the size of a target in thousandths using a scope reticle - there will definitely be an error. For example, without seeing 0.017 thousandths in the scope and taking half a thousandth as the size, I will get the distance to the target not 580, but 600 meters. I explained above what this will lead to.

Method #3 - high-precision

His Majesty will help us with it Laser rangefinder. “Their Majesties” are different: from budget hunting ones for 15 thousand rubles to exclusive tactical ones for 800 thousand rubles. If no questions arise about the latter, except for two - high price and relatively big size, then it’s worth understanding the rest in more detail and talking about several, in my opinion, important aspects their applications.

Measuring range

Let’s immediately discard rangefinders with a maximum measurement range less than the effective range of our rifle: why do we need a rangefinder for 500 meters if our rifle can hit, for example, up to 1000 meters? With maximum range more possibilities of our caliber, it also makes no sense to be greedy: targets at distances where a bullet is guaranteed to “not reach” are no longer targets, but simply objects of observation. Better take binoculars.

Size

The size of the rangefinder should, on the one hand, be small so that it is comfortable to wear, but on the other hand, it should allow measurements to be taken while holding the rangefinder with both hands - this way vibrations of the device will be minimal. But no one, even the most confident hands, can replace a tripod: take a rangefinder with a tripod mount.

Built-in Ballistic Calculator (BC)

Manufacturers of mid-priced rangefinders often provide them with built-in ballistic calculators, promising to tell the shooter the amount of required vertical correction for the measured distance. It is important to understand that you should not fully rely on such data: built-in BCs are based on average trajectories for the most popular calibers without reference to atmospheric conditions. If your target is the front of a barn, you'll probably hit it; if you need to shoot at a small-sized gong, you cannot do without a serious and correct ballistic calculator, but this is a subject for another discussion.

Measurement techniques

Having decided on a rangefinder, let's try it out and measure the distance to the target - for example, the distance to that gong over there. We point the rangefinder at the target, hold, press (or press, depending on the model of the device) the button. Happened? No? If the rangefinder is treacherously silent, there can be two main reasons:

1. Instrument instability during measurement
   The signal must have time to reflect from the target and be considered a rangefinder detector, so vibrations of the device must be minimized. I mentioned a tripod above. You can also use a wall, a pole, a tree trunk as a support - anything that will allow you to keep the device as motionless as possible. If the situation allows it, lie down. When lying down, there is less fluctuation when shooting and when measuring distances.
2. Small target size
   How smaller size target, the less reflective it is. We, as you remember, did not purchase an expensive tactical rangefinder, the measurement of which is similar to pointing a point at a target with a laser pointer, but a more modest model. But our device can also have such a useful function as scanning: while holding down the measurement button, move the device along the front of the target and monitor its readings. If this does not help, take a closer look at what is on the flanks of the target or immediately behind it. Any reflective surface - a pile of sand, wood, etc. — will allow you to calculate the distance. Do you see anything similar next to the gong?

There are no hopeless situations

If circumstances allow, use reverse measurement - get in the car, drive to the target and measure the distance from it to the firing line. After all, as has been experimentally established many times, the distance to the target is equal to the distance from the target to the firing line.

Good luck with your measurements and accurate shots!