Linefinder
New member
I've killed probably in excess of 20K pdogs in the past four years. I killed one at what I think was ~900 yards, but though I could clearly see the body in my scope from my shooting position, I couldn't (in three attempts) drive directly to the carcass to verify the range.
That said, my personal confirmed "best" is currently 794 yards, which happened a couple weeks ago. I was shooting my 6mm Rem with 75 grain VMaxes launched at 3670 fps (insert disclaimer here...don't try this at home). Though I have the opportunity often to try 1K, I'm gonna say right now, if I ever hit one at that range, it'll be almost entirely luck, and I don't think anyone could do it consistently, let alone "on demand". That final 200 yards of the 1K quest is where the gremlins live.
As to optics, much over 20X will prove pretty useless once the sun's up enough to heat the ground enough that the dogs are active. Just for kicks, a friend and I tried his competition 6BR with the 45X power-boosted Leupold. While I think the rig may have been capable of some good results, I wish one luck in getting a dog in that tiny FOV....at any distance. In over fifteen minutes of trying (each) neither one of us was able to get the crosshairs on a pdog (at any range) in time to get a shot off. You'll also find that the eye-relief on a 45X scope is so ridiculiously critical that any movement at all trying to get your target in the scope will black it out. 20-24 X is pretty much the most magnification one can use, even discounting the effects of mirage.
As to laser rangefinders, I'll certainly agree (again). On the flat featureless plains of eastern Colorado, you may as well leave it at home if your shots will be limited to more than ~325 yards. I was given the opportunity to independently real-world test several models during an active pdog shoot by one of the local big-box stores. The prices ranged from the mid $300 range to well over $1K, and included pretty much every brand you've ever heard of. The Bushnell Pinseeker (designed for golf) at ~$550 performed the best, and truth is, returns past 350 yards were uncommon even with that one.
The old-tech optical rangefinders rule the roost (or compete unchallenged, would be more like it)at long range out here. Or you could just work out a good comeups table and fire a few spotters.....that's pretty quick, though arguably not the most efficient use of ammo....
1K's tough....optics, ranging, and ballistics are all stacked against you.....badly.
Mike
That said, my personal confirmed "best" is currently 794 yards, which happened a couple weeks ago. I was shooting my 6mm Rem with 75 grain VMaxes launched at 3670 fps (insert disclaimer here...don't try this at home). Though I have the opportunity often to try 1K, I'm gonna say right now, if I ever hit one at that range, it'll be almost entirely luck, and I don't think anyone could do it consistently, let alone "on demand". That final 200 yards of the 1K quest is where the gremlins live.
As to optics, much over 20X will prove pretty useless once the sun's up enough to heat the ground enough that the dogs are active. Just for kicks, a friend and I tried his competition 6BR with the 45X power-boosted Leupold. While I think the rig may have been capable of some good results, I wish one luck in getting a dog in that tiny FOV....at any distance. In over fifteen minutes of trying (each) neither one of us was able to get the crosshairs on a pdog (at any range) in time to get a shot off. You'll also find that the eye-relief on a 45X scope is so ridiculiously critical that any movement at all trying to get your target in the scope will black it out. 20-24 X is pretty much the most magnification one can use, even discounting the effects of mirage.
As to laser rangefinders, I'll certainly agree (again). On the flat featureless plains of eastern Colorado, you may as well leave it at home if your shots will be limited to more than ~325 yards. I was given the opportunity to independently real-world test several models during an active pdog shoot by one of the local big-box stores. The prices ranged from the mid $300 range to well over $1K, and included pretty much every brand you've ever heard of. The Bushnell Pinseeker (designed for golf) at ~$550 performed the best, and truth is, returns past 350 yards were uncommon even with that one.
The old-tech optical rangefinders rule the roost (or compete unchallenged, would be more like it)at long range out here. Or you could just work out a good comeups table and fire a few spotters.....that's pretty quick, though arguably not the most efficient use of ammo....
1K's tough....optics, ranging, and ballistics are all stacked against you.....badly.
Mike