A hunting rangefinder is a small optical instrument that uses a laser to measure the precise distance between the hunter and a point in the terrain. This could be the distance to an animal, a forest edge, a fence, a tree, or another known reference point.

It sounds like a relatively simple function, but especially for rifle hunting, a laser rangefinder can be a very useful piece of hunting equipment. This is primarily because people are generally worse at judging distances than we think. Across open fields, on moors, in mountainous terrain, or between uniform forest edges, 120 meters can easily feel like 80 meters – or vice versa.

A rangefinder removes the guesswork and instead gives you a concrete distance measurement in a few seconds.

But what do you actually use a rangefinder for? How does it work? How much range do you need? And does a measuring range of 600 meters mean it's designed for shots at 600 meters?

We'll cover it all here.

What is a rangefinder?

A rangefinder – often called a laser rangefinder – is an optical instrument that measures the distance to the point you aim it at.

On most models, it also functions as a small monocular. You look through the eyepiece, find the desired point in the terrain, and activate the measurement with a button. Shortly after, the distance is displayed digitally in the field of view. For example, you can see our hunting rangefinder with 600 meters range if you want to see a concrete example of this type of laser rangefinder.

A hunting rangefinder is therefore somewhat like a combination of a small binocular and an electronic measuring instrument.

It is worth emphasizing that the rangefinder normally does not replace a regular binocular. A good binocular is better for longer observation and identification of game, while the rangefinder has one particular strength: It tells you precisely how far away something is.

The two products therefore complement each other well.

How does a laser rangefinder work?

The technology behind a laser rangefinder is quite advanced, but the principle is relatively simple.

When you press the measurement button, the rangefinder emits a laser pulse towards the point you have aimed at. Part of the light is reflected back to the instrument, which registers how long it took the signal to travel back and forth.

Since the speed of light is known, the electronics can calculate the distance.

The entire process happens in a very short time. In practice, you simply point the rangefinder at, for example, a tree, press the button, and almost immediately see the distance displayed.

This makes a laser rangefinder much faster and more accurate than trying to estimate the distance by eye.

Why use a rangefinder for hunting?

In hunting, even relatively small errors in distance estimation can have an impact.

At short distances, the difference will often be limited. But the longer the distance, the greater the importance of the bullet's trajectory, wind, and the precise distance to the target.

A rangefinder should therefore primarily be seen as a tool to remove uncertainty about distance.

This does not mean that a rangefinder tells you if a shot is safe. It only tells you the distance. The hunter must still assess, among other things, bullet stop, shot angle, weather, wind, their own shooting skill, weapon and ammunition, and the animal's position.

But one of the central unknowns – the distance – can be eliminated.

And that can be particularly valuable in rifle hunting.

It's harder to judge distances than you think

Most hunters get better at distance estimation with experience, but the terrain can trick even seasoned hunters.

A field without clear reference points can make the distance seem shorter than it is. In hilly terrain, slopes can distort our perception. Fog, dusk, and uniform forest edges also make distance judgment more difficult.

The size of the animal can also affect the perception. A large animal may seem closer, while a smaller animal may seem further away.

Precisely for this reason, it is interesting to use the rangefinder before there is even an animal in front of you.

If you are, for example, on a stand, you can measure the terrain in advance: The forest edge is 112 meters away. The large oak tree is at 86 meters. The fence is at 154 meters. The furthest edge of the meadow is 203 meters.

When the game appears later, you already have a mental map of the distances.

The rangefinder is also a training tool

One of the somewhat overlooked advantages of a rangefinder is that it can make you better at judging distance yourself.

For example, try looking at a tree and guessing:

It's about 135 meters away.

Then measure with the rangefinder.

If the result is 91 meters, you have learned something about your own distance judgment. If you do this repeatedly during hunting, on walks, and at the shooting range, your intuitive sense of distance will gradually improve.

This does not mean that the rangefinder becomes superfluous. But it means that it can function both as a measuring tool and as training.

How much range do you need for a hunting rangefinder?

A very long measuring range may immediately sound like a requirement, but the necessary range depends on the application.

For general Danish rifle hunting, a rangefinder with a maximum measuring range of 600 meters will provide ample scope for most situations. HuntersMarket's 600-meter laser rangefinder for hunting combines this range with 6.5x optical magnification and a stated precision of ±0.5 meters.

This is because the range is not only used to measure directly on the animal that may be shot at.

You can also measure the terrain around you.

From a high seat, for example, you can measure forest edges several hundred meters away. On a stalk, you can measure a fence or a tree that the game is expected to pass. In open areas, you can get a picture of the size of the entire area in advance.

A measuring range of 600 meters therefore does not mean that you should or ought to shoot at 600 meters.

Measuring range and safe shooting distance are two completely different things.

HuntersMarket's rangefinder with 600 meters range

For general hunting, we at HuntersMarket have a compact laser rangefinder with up to 600 meters range, developed precisely to quickly check distances in the terrain.

It has a stated measurement accuracy of ±0.5 meters and combines distance measurement with 6.5x optical magnification. This allows you to first find the point through the optics and then perform the measurement itself.

Weighing only approximately 170 grams, it is also small enough to fit snugly in a jacket pocket or hunting bag without taking up significant space. It has a rechargeable 450 mAh lithium battery and is charged via USB-C.

You can see HuntersMarket's rangefinder with 600 meters range here.

It also comes with a case, hand strap, cleaning cloth, charging cable, and manual, so it's ready to go hunting.

How precise should a rangefinder be?

For hunting, it is rarely crucial to know if an animal is 147.1 or 147.4 meters away.

But it is important to be able to distinguish between, for example, 110 and 150 meters.

A stated precision of ±0.5 meters is therefore more than sufficient for most hunting applications. It provides a significantly more precise starting point than ordinary distance estimation by eye.

However, the actual measurement can be affected by conditions.

A large bright object reflects laser light better than a small dark object. Fog, rain, heavy precipitation, and very small targets can also affect how easily the instrument can obtain a stable measurement.

Therefore, the manufacturer's maximum range should always be understood as a maximum measuring range under suitable conditions, not as a guarantee that every object can be measured at the same distance.

Why does a rangefinder have magnification?

When measuring at short distances, it is usually easy to hold the rangefinder on the desired point.

At longer distances, it becomes more difficult.

If you are 300 meters from a forest edge and want to measure a specific tree, optical magnification helps you find and hold the desired point.

HuntersMarket's rangefinder has 6.5x magnification, which provides a good compromise between magnification and the ability to quickly find the target.

It can therefore be used as a small monocular for short periods.

For longer observation, however, a proper binocular will still be more comfortable, as you see with both eyes and typically get a larger and brighter image.

Rangefinder and binoculars solve two different tasks

If you are only buying one optical tool for hunting, a regular binocular will often be the natural place to start.

But binoculars do not automatically tell you how far away the animal is.

Therefore, the combination makes very good sense: Use the binoculars to find, observe, and identify the game, and then use the rangefinder to determine the precise distance.

For this type of use, a compact rangefinder is particularly practical because it does not require much extra space.

If you already have, for example, 8x42 or 10x42 binoculars around your neck, the rangefinder can be in a pocket and only come out when you need it.

Rangefinder for stalking

In stalking, much is about being proactive.

If the animal only becomes visible when you start rummaging for the rangefinder, moving your shooting stick, and adjusting all your gear, the situation can quickly be over.

Therefore, it can be a good idea to measure relevant points along the way.

For example, if you have stalked to a good position by a field, you can measure the most obvious spots before game appears.

The corner of the forest: 94 meters.

The dead tree: 128 meters.

The fence: 161 meters.

If an animal later positions itself near one of these points, you already have a very good starting point.

In this way, the rangefinder does not only have to be an instrument that is taken out immediately before a shot. It can be actively used to understand the terrain throughout the hunt.

Rangefinder for stand hunting

For stand hunting, the use is even easier.

When you get into position in a high seat or hunting stand, you can use the first few minutes to measure relevant reference points.

This is especially meaningful if you are hunting from a stand you are not familiar with.

In large fields, the difference between, for example, 150 and 220 meters can be surprisingly difficult to see with the naked eye.

However, if you have already measured the corners of the field, trees, fences, and other points, you will quickly know the approximate distance to the game.

Rangefinder at the shooting range

A laser rangefinder is not only a hunting tool.

It can be useful at the shooting range or in other legal shooting situations where you want to check that a target is actually at the distance you think.

It can also be interesting when you are training at different distances and want to learn the relationship between perceived distance and actual distance.

Precisely the combination of training and practical hunting means that the rangefinder often ends up being used significantly more than initially expected.

What about bullet trajectory and ballistics?

Knowing the distance is one part of the equation.

The bullet's trajectory is another.

A rifle bullet does not fly in a perfectly straight line from muzzle to target. It is affected by gravity, and its trajectory depends, among other things, on caliber, projectile, muzzle velocity, zeroing distance, and external conditions.

Therefore, precise distance measurement becomes more relevant the longer the shooting distance.

But the rangefinder does not solve the rest of the ballistics for you.

You must still know your weapon and ammunition and understand how the combination performs at the distances you hunt at.

A rangefinder should therefore be seen as a supplement to training and weapon knowledge – not as a replacement for it.

More expensive rangefinders can have more features

The market ranges from relatively simple laser rangefinders to advanced models with a wide range of extra features.

Some can, for example, calculate angles, correct for slope, integrate with ballistic systems, or communicate with other devices.

This can be relevant for highly specialized long-range use.

For general hunting, however, many hunters primarily need one thing:

A quick and reliable measurement of the actual distance.

Here, a simple model can have the advantage of being quick to use, easy to carry, and not requiring navigation through a series of functions while the hunting situation unfolds.

How to get the most out of your rangefinder

The best way to get to know your rangefinder is to use it often – even when there isn't an animal in front of you.

Measure distances in the hunting area. Guess first and check afterwards. Compare distances in open fields with distances in the forest. Try to measure large trees, smaller targets, and different surfaces.

You will get to know both the instrument and your own distance judgment better.

Also, make sure the lens is clean and the battery is charged before the hunt. A small case protects the optics from dirt and scratches, while the hand strap reduces the risk of dropping the instrument in the terrain.

And most importantly: Use the rangefinder before the situation becomes hectic, when possible.

Is a rangefinder necessary for hunting?

No.

You can certainly go hunting without a laser rangefinder, and many hunters have done so their entire lives.

But it can remove a very common source of error.

How far away is the animal actually?

Instead of debating with yourself whether it's 110, 140, or perhaps 170 meters, you can get the answer in a few seconds.

At short and familiar shooting distances, it may make no practical difference. At longer distances or in unfamiliar terrain, however, it can be extremely valuable.

It is therefore not necessarily a piece of equipment that is meant to make it possible to shoot further.

On the contrary, it can just as often tell you that the animal is further away than you thought – and that the right decision is therefore to get closer or to refrain from the shot entirely.

That is perhaps the most important reason to carry a rangefinder.

Frequently asked questions about hunting rangefinders

What is a rangefinder used for in hunting?

A rangefinder is used to quickly determine the actual distance to game or points in the terrain. This makes it easier to plan the hunt and avoid errors in distance estimation.

Are a rangefinder and a distance meter the same?

Yes. Rangefinder and laser rangefinder are English terms often used for a laser distance meter.

Is a 600-meter range enough for hunting?

For most common hunting situations, a 600-meter measuring range is ample. The range is also useful for measuring reference points far out in the terrain and should not be confused with a recommended shooting distance.

Can a rangefinder be used as binoculars?

Partially. A model with optical magnification can be used for short-term observation, but regular binoculars are usually better for longer observation and identification of game.

How accurate is a hunting rangefinder?

It varies between models. HuntersMarket's 600-meter rangefinder has a stated measurement accuracy of ±0.5 meters, which is more than sufficient for general hunting use.

Can a rangefinder be used for things other than hunting?

Yes. Laser rangefinders can be used, among other things, at the shooting range, for golf, and for various outdoor activities where there is a need to know the distance to a point.

The rangefinder gives you a better basis for decision-making

A good hunting situation consists of many assessments.

Is the animal correctly identified? Is the angle good? Is there a safe bullet stop? Are you stable? Do you know your weapon? And is the distance safe?

A laser rangefinder cannot answer all these questions.

But it can give you a precise answer to one of them.

How far away is the target?

And precisely because distance is often difficult to estimate by eye, that small measurement can be valuable.

At short and familiar shooting distances, it may make no practical difference. At longer distances or in unknown terrain, however, it can be extremely valuable.

It is therefore not necessarily a piece of equipment that should make it possible to shoot further.

On the contrary, it can just as often tell you that the animal is further away than you thought – and that the right decision is therefore to get closer or to refrain from the shot entirely.

If you are looking for a compact solution for general hunting, you can view HuntersMarket's model with 600 meters range, 6.5x magnification, ±0.5 meters stated measurement accuracy, and rechargeable battery here: View the rangefinder at HuntersMarket. The product's current specifications are also available on HuntersMarket's product page.

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If you want a compact rangefinder for hunting, you can view HuntersMarket's model with 600 meters range, 6.5x magnification, ±0.5 meters stated measurement accuracy, and a rechargeable battery here:

See the rangefinder for hunting at HuntersMarket →