Range finding mode: Angle of Sight or Angle Compensation?

[Seeking_Coyotes]

When using drop charts with a target turret, which distance / range finding mode should be used on a range finder; line of sight, or angle compensation? Explanations appreciated.

 

[jimbires]

line of sight is how far to the target .

angle compensation is the corrected distance to your target . this distance is corrected for the angle of your shot , up hill , down hill . when shooting up or down hill you will shoot high unless you correct for the angle .

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Sorry, should have been more clear. I understand the differences in the two measurements. My question is which measurement should be used in long range shooting with a ballistic generated computer drop chart and target turrets.

 

[jimbires]

I'd say you would want to make your drop chart with the line of sight . you'll also need to use a cosine indicator so you can adjust your line of sight reading to a corrected angle reading . you really can't make a drop chart with the angle compensated , because this will only work for that one angle . unless you are only going to be shooting at this certain place .

here is a cosine gauge . something like this is what you'll need .

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6...ration-2-picatinny-style-mount-aluminum-matte

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Thank you, Jim. I just checked out the device from your link.

Hard to wrap my little mind around all these concepts. Just to check my understanding:

Line of Sight distance is best for wind correction since the wind will affect the bullet over the actual line of sight and not the corrected angle reading?

You suggest: Making a drop chart based on line of sight. Then, to use the chart, instead of using the angle compensated yardage given from the range finder, purchase the device in the link and convert from the cosine gauge and actual line of sight distance from the range finder to get the correct value to dial for on the drop chart?

Doesn't the angle compensation feature in a rangefinder do the same thing as the cosine device?

 

[spife7980]

You would use the angle compensation I think if youre wanting to know how far to dial to without entering multiple factors. You can plug in the horizontal distance and angle to most solvers and that would output the angle compensated solution.
Your line of sight distance would be the hypotenuse and you have the cosine angle which leaves you the distance of your adjacent side horizontal distance to solve for which is what would be the angle compensation output.

 

[jimbires]

Thank you, Jim. I just checked out the device from your link.

Hard to wrap my little mind around all these concepts. Just to check my understanding:

Line of Sight distance is best for wind correction since the wind will affect the bullet over the actual line of sight and not the corrected angle reading?

You suggest: Making a drop chart based on line of sight. Then, to use the chart, instead of using the angle compensated yardage given from the range finder, purchase the device in the link and convert from the cosine gauge and actual line of sight distance from the range finder to get the correct value to dial for on the drop chart?

Doesn't the angle compensation feature in a rangefinder do the same thing as the cosine device?

I'm sorry I misread your original post . it just didn't sink in that your range finder gave you the angle correction . I thought you were printing out a paper drop chart to use for elevation corrections , and your rangefinder was was not compensating for angle .

yes the angle compensation in the rangefinder should give you the correct distance to dial your scope elevation turret . the wind kicks my tail , so I'll let someone smarter than me answer this question on which mode to use for windage corrections . I'd say the angle corrected distance . I use a G7 BR2 rangefinder , so I don't see some of this . it just spits out a wind correction to the mph I asked for .

 

[CharlieNC]

Wind is working over the entire line of sight distance. But that difference is probably not the most significant factor vs the other geographic and uncertainties associated with wind.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Thanks for the input and help fellas. Mike

 

[jimbires]

you can get a huskemaw scope with the elevation turret etched in yards . so you would rangfind your target in the angle compensated mode , then turn your elevation turret to that distance . along with the distance the turret also has a wind correction etched in . as in the pic I linked to . if you have elevation dialed to 6 , your wind hold or dial would be 3 in a 10 mph wind .


http://www.longrangestore.com/category_s/129.htm

 

[hogpatrol]

Easy to overthink this. In AB calculator, I use angle compensated distance in the rangefinder, not line of sight. Line of sight is just how far you'll have to trek to get to the target (assuming relatively flat ground).