Need some help estimating range.

highny · January 2nd, 2011, 06:49

Hello everyone!

I need some help with my range estimation to improve my snipping ability.

Now I know in order for a Bolt Action to shoot more than 300feet is very hard but might be possible in perfect condition.

Since I'm building my sniper to attempt to shoot that far, I figured I should start practising my range estimation.

How do you know how far someone is after roughly 100feet, 150feet, 200feet, 250feet and even 300feet?

I'm trying to learn how to arc my shoot as well, so I have a chance to hit a target that is further than my effective range. My scope has dots on the line, so I figured if I know roughly how far someone is, I can adjust how high I need to shoot to hit my target.

The only thing I have is my backyard which I'm sure I have roughly 300feet of straight line of sight(new area and no fences). Now I know I can try to shoot in my backyard, but I don't want to break the law and risk people's well being.

Any help or pointer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Boris the Blade · January 2nd, 2011, 07:10

My recommendation is build a few targets of the same size, like head size, which shouldn't be hard, just use regular paper and print out a head. Walk out 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and finally 300ft. Put a target at each distance. Now with your scope, put each target on your crosshair, and check the distance between your crosshair and the next dot down on your elevation dots. You'll notice that the closer you are, the more dots there are between the center of your crosshair and your elevation dots. You can use this theory on the field. If you are aiming at someones head, you can tell how far they are away by how many dots between the crosshair and the elevation dots are used.

DEATH2000 · January 2nd, 2011, 07:19

Have you tested your sniper rifle to ensure that it is capable of hitting a target at 300+ft? Ensuring that your rifle can hit the target at that kind of a distance is the first step. I assume you have, i just wanted to make sure. You didn't mention what type of gun you have and the FPS its currently shooting at so i like to take that into consideration.

A BB is greatly effected by wind and other environmental factors. When shooting to distances of 300 yards, getting an accurate shot at that range is difficult.

Gunny_McSmith · January 2nd, 2011, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEATH2000

A BB is greatly effected by wind and other environmental factors. When shooting to distances of 300 yards, getting an accurate shot at that range is difficult.

+1

Get heavy bbs..... you'll never get that range with .20-.28...

ex · January 2nd, 2011, 09:39

It's feet not yards gents.

CDN_Stalker · January 2nd, 2011, 11:48

Since day one I've been estimating distances in a very simple way, and there are no tricks, equipment or anything to do my method. Literally, you learn to judge distance by looking at the amount of ground in between you and your target. I wear boots that are roughly 12" long, pick out (or set up) objects in your backyard and measure toe to heel to each one. Once you know the distances, look at them often and the amount of ground between you and them. Practice it often, while walking down the street, anytime, referencing what you already know. When in a parking lot or another area with lots of objects, reverse it, and pick out something that is a distance you know, such as "Which car is 200ft from me right now?" and check out the distances. It works well, is easy and you don't need to deal with mildots, scopes or anything.

As for shooting long ranges, isn't even really worth it for airsoft, I rarely go for anything past 200ft any more, unless it's just for shits and giggles and see if it works. I've dealt with many different velocities, ammo weights and brands, hop up rubbers, etc. and the only time I was ever able to get BBs out to 300ft was using 0.30g BBs and having my rifle set up for 340fps (w/0.20g), the rounds literally floated out there.

ThunderCactus · January 2nd, 2011, 20:12

What the guru said.
It just comes with experience. There are some cheats to get around it; some scopes have range brackets based on a certain height of person. Some scopes have laser range finders.

300ft is REALLY hard to do. With my VSR shooting at it's optimum (430fps on .30g BB), in a 0 wind environment, I was able to get the BBs out 280 feet, but I'd only be comfortable shooting out to 220 feet accurately.

Being a sniper in airsoft does have it's advantages. It's a delicate balance between marksmanship, stealth, and SILENCE.
You can sneak behind a squad of guys, take your shot and take out 1 or 2 guys before they figure out where you are and lay down some heavy full auto fire. Seeing as many guns I've upgraded are able to range sniper rifles, but just not nearly as accurate.
HOWEVER, if your rifle is as quiet as a gopher fart, you stand a chance of taking them all out from 50 feet away and they'll never hear you

Back when everything was still new, I could shoot from 20 feet, and you COULD NOT hear my rifle. Racking my bolt was way louder than the shot being fired lol

Eldin · January 2nd, 2011, 20:28

Here's a good method I use for estimating distance... It was used by rifleman in the 16-1800's.

1. Put your thumb out at arms length
2. Line the top of your thumb up with a human, or a human sized object, so that the human's feet are pretty much sitting on the top of your thumb.
3. The distance estimation relies on how many full strides or regular steps this human can take over your thumb...
If 1 stride, 150 feet
If 2 strides, 300 feet
If 3 strides, 450 feet
If 4 strides, 600 feet
If 1 step, 75 feet
If 2 steps, 150 feet
If 3 steps, 225 feet
If 4 steps, 300 feet

You can add these together (like 2 strides, 1 step) for the most accurate estimation.

Another way to do it is bring a mini sextant and a calculator out to a game, measure the angle y between you and the other guy's head from a height of x... The range from you to him is a and the height of the guy is b (best to be 6)

Assuming x = 0, take sin y and divide b by that, equaling h, now use pythagrium theorem, h(squared) = b(squared) + a(squared), out of that there should be a value of a, which is the distance between you and him.

Also stated as... sin y/b = b(squared) + a(squared)

But by the time you've finished calculating that, the guy has probably moved, and you would have to redo your calculations... So it would be advisable to stick to the first method

Personally, on a good day, I have no problem taking and hitting targets past 300 feet at 340fps with .4's and hop up cranked.

Cheesevillage · January 2nd, 2011, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eldin

Personally, on a good day, I have no problem taking and hitting targets past 300 feet at 340fps with .4's and hop up cranked.

I'd like to see some video of that.

Grudge · January 2nd, 2011, 21:01

You could try this: http://www.shooterready.com/rangingclass.html

Its a game to help you work through rangeing

Eldin · January 2nd, 2011, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheesevillage

I'd like to see some video of that.

I'll make one when I get back from vacation...

highny · January 2nd, 2011, 21:55

Sorry for not giving enough info on my bolt action.

As it stands, it shoots 450FPS with .2.

I've been using .3 bbs and manage to get 200feet pretty good. Lately I've been trying to use .4 bbs to increase my consistency. I figure that if I can shoot consistenly at 200feet and by arcing my shoots, I can get a pretty consistent arc if my shots are consistent.

I like the scope/head size method most.

I'm starting to consider lowering my fps becuase from what I read it gives the most consistency. I also just order a 650mm 6.03 inner barrel hoping it'll give me more consistency.

When I have everything put in my gun, I'll have all laylax internals and barrel with PDI hop up unit.

Another question.
I have a game coming up on the 16th. It's going to be cold(-10 to -20). Would the cold effect my hop up rubber by much?

Eldin · January 2nd, 2011, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by highny

I have a game coming up on the 16th. It's going to be cold(-10 to -20). Would the cold effect my hop up rubber by much?

The only affect the cold would have on your hop up would be the rubber contracting, and the hop up being more sensitive.

The thing I would worry about it the barrel. I was running my 6.01 in -5 and the barrel contracted to about 5.96ish mm and I was getting abysmal fps, but on anything except a 6.01 - 6.03, I wouldn't worry about it.

CDN_Stalker · January 2nd, 2011, 22:47

Cold air is also denser, so your hop up adjustments set for warmer temps will over hop as well.

highny · January 2nd, 2011, 22:55

Man, I really hate adjusting PDI hop up unit.... Such a pain... But thanks for the tips. It really help!

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January 2nd, 2011, 06:49	#1
highny Trader rating Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calgary	Need some help estimating range. Hello everyone! I need some help with my range estimation to improve my snipping ability. Now I know in order for a Bolt Action to shoot more than 300feet is very hard but might be possible in perfect condition. Since I'm building my sniper to attempt to shoot that far, I figured I should start practising my range estimation. How do you know how far someone is after roughly 100feet, 150feet, 200feet, 250feet and even 300feet? I'm trying to learn how to arc my shoot as well, so I have a chance to hit a target that is further than my effective range. My scope has dots on the line, so I figured if I know roughly how far someone is, I can adjust how high I need to shoot to hit my target. The only thing I have is my backyard which I'm sure I have roughly 300feet of straight line of sight(new area and no fences). Now I know I can try to shoot in my backyard, but I don't want to break the law and risk people's well being. Any help or pointer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

January 2nd, 2011, 07:10	#2
Boris the Blade Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario	My recommendation is build a few targets of the same size, like head size, which shouldn't be hard, just use regular paper and print out a head. Walk out 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and finally 300ft. Put a target at each distance. Now with your scope, put each target on your crosshair, and check the distance between your crosshair and the next dot down on your elevation dots. You'll notice that the closer you are, the more dots there are between the center of your crosshair and your elevation dots. You can use this theory on the field. If you are aiming at someones head, you can tell how far they are away by how many dots between the crosshair and the elevation dots are used. __________________ Every word ever written will fall short, of it's intent Even sung, or spoke, or screamed, they will betray what they had meant.

January 2nd, 2011, 07:19	#3
DEATH2000 Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta	Have you tested your sniper rifle to ensure that it is capable of hitting a target at 300+ft? Ensuring that your rifle can hit the target at that kind of a distance is the first step. I assume you have, i just wanted to make sure. You didn't mention what type of gun you have and the FPS its currently shooting at so i like to take that into consideration. A BB is greatly effected by wind and other environmental factors. When shooting to distances of 300 yards, getting an accurate shot at that range is difficult. __________________

January 2nd, 2011, 09:39	#5
ex Wanna buy some Nod's? #StolenValour Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ottawa	It's feet not yards gents.

January 2nd, 2011, 11:48	#6
CDN_Stalker Official ASC Bladesmith Trader rating Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ont.	Since day one I've been estimating distances in a very simple way, and there are no tricks, equipment or anything to do my method. Literally, you learn to judge distance by looking at the amount of ground in between you and your target. I wear boots that are roughly 12" long, pick out (or set up) objects in your backyard and measure toe to heel to each one. Once you know the distances, look at them often and the amount of ground between you and them. Practice it often, while walking down the street, anytime, referencing what you already know. When in a parking lot or another area with lots of objects, reverse it, and pick out something that is a distance you know, such as "Which car is 200ft from me right now?" and check out the distances. It works well, is easy and you don't need to deal with mildots, scopes or anything. As for shooting long ranges, isn't even really worth it for airsoft, I rarely go for anything past 200ft any more, unless it's just for shits and giggles and see if it works. I've dealt with many different velocities, ammo weights and brands, hop up rubbers, etc. and the only time I was ever able to get BBs out to 300ft was using 0.30g BBs and having my rifle set up for 340fps (w/0.20g), the rounds literally floated out there. __________________ STKR Knives http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/STK...17036668380871 Last edited by CDN_Stalker; January 2nd, 2011 at 11:51..

January 2nd, 2011, 20:12	#7
ThunderCactus Not Eye Safe, Pretty Boy Maximus on the field take his picture! Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2007	What the guru said. It just comes with experience. There are some cheats to get around it; some scopes have range brackets based on a certain height of person. Some scopes have laser range finders. 300ft is REALLY hard to do. With my VSR shooting at it's optimum (430fps on .30g BB), in a 0 wind environment, I was able to get the BBs out 280 feet, but I'd only be comfortable shooting out to 220 feet accurately. Being a sniper in airsoft does have it's advantages. It's a delicate balance between marksmanship, stealth, and SILENCE. You can sneak behind a squad of guys, take your shot and take out 1 or 2 guys before they figure out where you are and lay down some heavy full auto fire. Seeing as many guns I've upgraded are able to range sniper rifles, but just not nearly as accurate. HOWEVER, if your rifle is as quiet as a gopher fart, you stand a chance of taking them all out from 50 feet away and they'll never hear you Back when everything was still new, I could shoot from 20 feet, and you COULD NOT hear my rifle. Racking my bolt was way louder than the shot being fired lol

January 2nd, 2011, 20:28	#8
Eldin Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saltspring Island, BC, Canada	Here's a good method I use for estimating distance... It was used by rifleman in the 16-1800's. 1. Put your thumb out at arms length 2. Line the top of your thumb up with a human, or a human sized object, so that the human's feet are pretty much sitting on the top of your thumb. 3. The distance estimation relies on how many full strides or regular steps this human can take over your thumb... If 1 stride, 150 feet If 2 strides, 300 feet If 3 strides, 450 feet If 4 strides, 600 feet If 1 step, 75 feet If 2 steps, 150 feet If 3 steps, 225 feet If 4 steps, 300 feet You can add these together (like 2 strides, 1 step) for the most accurate estimation. Another way to do it is bring a mini sextant and a calculator out to a game, measure the angle y between you and the other guy's head from a height of x... The range from you to him is a and the height of the guy is b (best to be 6) Assuming x = 0, take sin y and divide b by that, equaling h, now use pythagrium theorem, h(squared) = b(squared) + a(squared), out of that there should be a value of a, which is the distance between you and him. Also stated as... sin y/b = b(squared) + a(squared) But by the time you've finished calculating that, the guy has probably moved, and you would have to redo your calculations... So it would be advisable to stick to the first method Personally, on a good day, I have no problem taking and hitting targets past 300 feet at 340fps with .4's and hop up cranked. Last edited by Eldin; January 2nd, 2011 at 21:05..

January 2nd, 2011, 21:01	#10
Grudge multitech Trader rating Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: with your girlfriend, playing with her P90.	You could try this: http://www.shooterready.com/rangingclass.html Its a game to help you work through rangeing __________________ Nothing says loving, like a head shot!

January 2nd, 2011, 21:55	#12
highny Trader rating Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calgary	Sorry for not giving enough info on my bolt action. As it stands, it shoots 450FPS with .2. I've been using .3 bbs and manage to get 200feet pretty good. Lately I've been trying to use .4 bbs to increase my consistency. I figure that if I can shoot consistenly at 200feet and by arcing my shoots, I can get a pretty consistent arc if my shots are consistent. I like the scope/head size method most. I'm starting to consider lowering my fps becuase from what I read it gives the most consistency. I also just order a 650mm 6.03 inner barrel hoping it'll give me more consistency. When I have everything put in my gun, I'll have all laylax internals and barrel with PDI hop up unit. Another question. I have a game coming up on the 16th. It's going to be cold(-10 to -20). Would the cold effect my hop up rubber by much?

January 2nd, 2011, 22:47	#14
CDN_Stalker Official ASC Bladesmith Trader rating Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ont.	Cold air is also denser, so your hop up adjustments set for warmer temps will over hop as well. __________________ STKR Knives http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/STK...17036668380871

January 2nd, 2011, 22:55	#15
highny Trader rating Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calgary	Man, I really hate adjusting PDI hop up unit.... Such a pain... But thanks for the tips. It really help!

Need some help estimating range.

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