Target Height Estimation(?) (2024)

Hey all. Just ordered an MTC Viper specialized range-estimating scope.
as some of you may know, to find out how far you are from the target you're shooting, you take the height of the target (in inches) and divide it by how many mils cover the target, and then multiply by 27.78... My only concern is that determining the height of various objects at various distances can be a bit tricky, and inaccurate. For example, if I guesstimate that a target is 6 inches in height, but it's in fact 4 inches, that's around a 20 yard error.

So my question is: is there a way for me to determine the height of the object?

I figured this is airgun - related, as airguns require accurate measurements at longer distances.
Thanks in advance,

CZ

Let us know how it works out as I use my 30mm MilDot set at 12 power for ranging and when hunting gophers use an average of a 1 foot target average but have always been curious about those scopes, how much was it?

Randy

randyhub wrote: how much was it?

Price for the Viper was £127.62 + £14.00 Shipping = $250 CAD
This scope is a HIT in the U.K.
The whole package is amazing:
free side wheel, free metal flip-up caps, free 30mm mounts, free sunshade, free battery to illuminate the reticle and free velvet scope bag.
Some people said these scopes are just bellow the Bushnell 4200 picture quality.

I got it here:

http://www.opticswarehouse.com/acatalog ... ights.html

So yea, back to topic... Please help with height estimation

CZ

Well you have lots of viables here.

MilDots are typically designed to be used at 10 power and the static reference is either a vehicle tire or a man hence using a 3 or 6 foot target to assist in ranging but I just do not know anyway you could estimate various target sizes with a scope?

I now use a laser rangefinder and a ballistic print out to determine my hold over using MilDots and your comments about being wrong about target sizes and different ranges makes total sense. So other then using a fence post or the average size of a particular target I would like to know as well how to size a target.

Sorry I don't have the answer just wanted to share some info on ranging with MilDots.

Randy

big boar wrote:CZ, you can either KNOW the size of the target OR know the size of an object close to the target. If you're shooting at a crow (?) of an unknown size and see it is sitting close to a box that you know is 18" (high or wide) and it subtends 5 mildots then, 27.8x18/5=100yds.

This is the only way it would make sense to me also... So in my case, i'm trying to find a way to measure an unknown size target, that doesn't have any usable objects beside it. I will have a look around, maybe try other forums, and get back here with the answer (hopefully!)

CZ

"Learn to think like a buffalo hunter. The buffalo hunters of the 1870s killed millions of buffalo with blackpowder rifles that seldom exceeded 1,400 f.p.s. at the muzzle. The ranges at which they shot buffalo were often greater than 300 yards, because they tried not to spook the herd and therefore get more animals in a single "stand." A slow-moving bullet drops many YARDS by the time it travels that far, so the hunters learned to estimate distances very well, and they knew the trajectory of their bullets. They used ONE load of powder and ONE type of bullet, only. And that is my recommendation to all who want to hunt long range with airguns."

I can't remember where I cut and pasted this from but it rings true. Sirjeigo knows his rifles very well, has shot them at varying distances thousands of times allowing him to become familiar with each gun and its attributes. Thats why he can hit the frying pan consistently in contrasting weather within the first couple shots while I go through half a tin before finding the sweet spot!

Sorry I don't have a genuine answer!