02-03-2020, 04:50 AM
I would not spend alot of money on gear. A good laser range finder is all you really need to get started shooting long range at unknown distances.
The most important thing you need is good trajectory data for your rifle/bullet combination. That can be approximated with even free ballistic calculators or trajectory data from some reloading manuals. Fine tune from there by shooting and keeping DOPE. Most of the inputs you need for a ballistic calculator are sight height of your scope, bullet type and muzzle velocity. Everything else with respect to external enviornment can be gleaned from your phone, providing you have service. If you don't have service where you plan to shoot, get that data while still in service. Coriolis and other small details aren't necessary until you get to the point of shooting pop cans at extremely long distance. Keep it simple. Inclination isn't all that important either unless your shooting steep angles.
Wind meters are good at telling you wind speed/direction at your shooting position but doesn't tell you what the wind is doing every 100 yards to your target, which can be entirely different. Learning to read wind takes practice and a good spotting scope or binoculars is almost mandatory to learn to read wind by observing mirage. It is much easier if you can shoot extended ranges with a partner as a spotter. Especially shooting larger caliber, higher recoil impulse rifles, that drive the muzzle off the target from recoil, obviously making harder to spot hits. Learning to see mirage with optics is fairly straight forward. If you want to see what the wind is doing at any distance down range, focus your optic at a distant object at that range. Next, back the focus off so that images approximately 2/3 of the way to that distant object are in focus, while you are still watching the distant object which is now out of focus in your optic. Doesn't matter how hot or how cold the temps, with practice you can see the wind. Don't use your riflescope to do this as warm barrels will distort what you're trying to see.
Save the money you would otherwise spend on all the gadgets on good quality ammo that shoots great from your firearm, reloading equipment and components. Then find a shooting buddy who is willing to be your spotter and vice versa.
The most important thing you need is good trajectory data for your rifle/bullet combination. That can be approximated with even free ballistic calculators or trajectory data from some reloading manuals. Fine tune from there by shooting and keeping DOPE. Most of the inputs you need for a ballistic calculator are sight height of your scope, bullet type and muzzle velocity. Everything else with respect to external enviornment can be gleaned from your phone, providing you have service. If you don't have service where you plan to shoot, get that data while still in service. Coriolis and other small details aren't necessary until you get to the point of shooting pop cans at extremely long distance. Keep it simple. Inclination isn't all that important either unless your shooting steep angles.
Wind meters are good at telling you wind speed/direction at your shooting position but doesn't tell you what the wind is doing every 100 yards to your target, which can be entirely different. Learning to read wind takes practice and a good spotting scope or binoculars is almost mandatory to learn to read wind by observing mirage. It is much easier if you can shoot extended ranges with a partner as a spotter. Especially shooting larger caliber, higher recoil impulse rifles, that drive the muzzle off the target from recoil, obviously making harder to spot hits. Learning to see mirage with optics is fairly straight forward. If you want to see what the wind is doing at any distance down range, focus your optic at a distant object at that range. Next, back the focus off so that images approximately 2/3 of the way to that distant object are in focus, while you are still watching the distant object which is now out of focus in your optic. Doesn't matter how hot or how cold the temps, with practice you can see the wind. Don't use your riflescope to do this as warm barrels will distort what you're trying to see.
Save the money you would otherwise spend on all the gadgets on good quality ammo that shoots great from your firearm, reloading equipment and components. Then find a shooting buddy who is willing to be your spotter and vice versa.