Does anyone use ballistic calculating binoculars/scopes/range finders for close to mid range pesting? Wondering if it’s worth getting some sort of ballistic calculator for iguana removal. Would be be able to calculate drop on a .22 pellet for 100 yards and in? Is it worth getting for pellet hunting? Been looking at a few options including the ATN X-Sight 5. Thanks.
Ballistic calculator for close/mid range pesting
- Thread starter Floridaman2005
- Start date
I bought the DNT thermal/night vision unit with range finder recently, but haven't used it much yet to give an honest opinion on true field use. It does seem like it will be quite useful as it gives the range with the touch of a button. There's a corresponding balustics app as well, similar to the Chairgun and Strelok apps.
As a bonus, they come at a great pricepoint for the whole package.
As a bonus, they come at a great pricepoint for the whole package.
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I use them on my digital scopes all the time and for every shot. Once they are dialed in, they are more accurate than me. They are particularly good when you are constantly moving let’s say in a canal floating around looking for iguanas! Much quicker than looking up the holdover on Chairgun. Since you probably don’t hunt iguanas much at night, the DNT Zulus would be a better choice. I use the 3-12 out to 100 yards but mostly 50 and closer.
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I’ve hunted prairie dogs for years from 20-200 yards with the average just under 100. Yes, a ballistic app is a big plus provided you do your due diligence on entering the correct data points with the true BC (one you calculated, not one you found on the internet) being one of the most important values entered into the app. Iguanas like PD’s do not provide a sufficient profile and blend very well into their environment. To aim at with accuracy on the target, it is equally important in your calculations.
First couple of years I used hold overs with decent results but calculating using clicks greatly improved the kill ratio.
First couple of years I used hold overs with decent results but calculating using clicks greatly improved the kill ratio.
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I agree
I didn’t know if I should go full ATN X-Sight 5 at over $1000 (though the instant crosshair adjustments are great) or a rangefinder/ballistic solution would be better that tells you how many clicks or holdovers. I need to look at some more reviews but right now I’m trying to decide between the full scope or a rangefinder or sig sauer kilo binoculars that can calculate and keeping my Athlon scope.Upvote 0
Do you think the ATN X-Sight 5 is worth the extra $ vs the Zulus? It seems like it’s got quite a few great features that I haven’t really seen at the price point.
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No. I had the scope you want to buy. I sent it back 4 times to get it to work correctly and it never did. I found out from a forum that the actual objective lens came loose on some and I then fixed it via the person's example. I sold it after it was working correctly.
The Zulus only drawback over the ATN is if you want a "traditional" scope versus a digital scope that has a non-tradtional form factor. Personnally I like the smaller scopes as it helps in tight spots. You could buy the ThermNight for just a little more than the ATN and then you would really have your cake and eat it too! I had a ThermNight and the only reason I sold it was that I had thermal scopes that were 640k and the ThermNight was only 256 so it was really usable at the lowest power. That being said, it let you identify very quickly and then switch or PIP with the NV side to shoot. I have a PARD Landsat C now that is multi-spectral and I got it before the higher resolution DNTs were available. Unfortunately - both are a pile of money!
For NV scopes I have 2 now - as I said a DNT 3-12 and a hikMicro Alpex 4k LRF. The hikMicro is a regular scope size and heavier than the DNT and it requires an external IR torch, which to me are it's only drawbacks. Its power is from 3.5 to 28 so it covers the short and long range very well. I use them both and like them both - in day and night. The DNT is on my Cricket 2 Tactical in .22 and is my truck gun. @zx10wall tuned it for 18.1g pellets and it's a laser. The hikMicro is on my EVOL .22.
The Zulus only drawback over the ATN is if you want a "traditional" scope versus a digital scope that has a non-tradtional form factor. Personnally I like the smaller scopes as it helps in tight spots. You could buy the ThermNight for just a little more than the ATN and then you would really have your cake and eat it too! I had a ThermNight and the only reason I sold it was that I had thermal scopes that were 640k and the ThermNight was only 256 so it was really usable at the lowest power. That being said, it let you identify very quickly and then switch or PIP with the NV side to shoot. I have a PARD Landsat C now that is multi-spectral and I got it before the higher resolution DNTs were available. Unfortunately - both are a pile of money!
For NV scopes I have 2 now - as I said a DNT 3-12 and a hikMicro Alpex 4k LRF. The hikMicro is a regular scope size and heavier than the DNT and it requires an external IR torch, which to me are it's only drawbacks. Its power is from 3.5 to 28 so it covers the short and long range very well. I use them both and like them both - in day and night. The DNT is on my Cricket 2 Tactical in .22 and is my truck gun. @zx10wall tuned it for 18.1g pellets and it's a laser. The hikMicro is on my EVOL .22.
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I am using Strelok Pro for all my scope zeros and distances.
In this case, my scope is Immersive Optics 3x35 pro with MillDotRapid reticle, close focus down to 5 meters/yards.
Zero at 20
this is the dope card from Strelok... the left side numbers are from 5 up to 20, the right side numbers are over 20 m/y. All range distances configurable in the app.
There bigger and smaller e-paper screens available (no need batteries). The image is transferred from Strelok with NFC
In this case, my scope is Immersive Optics 3x35 pro with MillDotRapid reticle, close focus down to 5 meters/yards.
Zero at 20
this is the dope card from Strelok... the left side numbers are from 5 up to 20, the right side numbers are over 20 m/y. All range distances configurable in the app.
There bigger and smaller e-paper screens available (no need batteries). The image is transferred from Strelok with NFC
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Strelok is only available for Android devices correct? I cannot find it on iOS. I use “Mero” on PC which does a good job. I have just been debating getting a scope or rangefinder binoculars that would give you the holdovers over using an app.
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I have Strelok on an old iPhone and my iPad
It is not currently available on the App store. Searching here, GTA and AirgunWarriors will show links to where you can still download it
It is not currently available on the App store. Searching here, GTA and AirgunWarriors will show links to where you can still download it
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Hi Floridaman, I am new to this forum. I see you have a notos on the classifieds for sale, is it still available? I'm not sure hot to message you or reach you besides replying to a post.
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You need 10 days and 10 conversational posts before you can activate the classifieds . Please do not attempt to side step the rules here .
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Got it, I wasn't trying to side step my apologies. I'm not savvy with forums or social media type things.
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Beerthief, what do you mean by conversational posts? I would appreciate any help on how to be involved in the forum.
Thanks
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Please read the rules , this one helps to keep scammers at bay . Apologies not needed , but welcomed
BTW Welcome to the best AGN , a great bunch here always willing to help .
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I agree
I do have an ATN X-Sight 5 LRF 3-15X and a Thor 5 XD LRF 3-30X. Once I figured out how to set up their ballistic calculators, target practicing became so simple; I just measure the distance, point the crosshairs to the target and shoot. That’s it. No more manual clicks, or holdovers or anything else. The results are extremely reliable. I am really happy with the ATNs.
The problem is figuring out how to set up the ATNs. Ideally, you should be able to enter your projectile’s BC, your scope hight, and pellet speed, and you should be good to go. Well, I was not that lucky.
First, you cannot use the scope hight you measure. You have to find your real scope hight
I’ve started from 26 yards (where the scopes are zeroed, and tested the daystates at decreasing distances, all the way down to 10 yards. I lowered the scope hight a bit if the hit point was above the aim point (and vice versa). In both of my daystates, the measured scope hights were almost 1” higher than the ATN settings (one was 0.9” and the other was 0.8”). Then I had to adjust the BC. Normally, the manufacturer’s BC should be enough. Well, it turns out, ATN calculates the drop amount using some equations and adjusts them using a look-up table. Unfortunately, they don’t have any data for slow projectiles (pellets /slugs). So, the look up does not work well. To compensate, I’ve tested the daystates starting from 26 yards to 74 yards, at 10 yards increments. If the pellets hit above the aim point, I increased the BC a bit (ATN obviously thought, the pellets should have dropped more). If the pellets hit below the aim point, I decreased the BC by a bit).
At this point, my daystates and I can hit within 1” for distances up to 74 yards, and up to 5(ish) degree elevation change. Anything more than 5 degrees, the spread goes above 1” for distances more than 50 yards. I still don’t know why.
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