Rangefinder

[Young Buck]

I am looking for a solid rangefinder for mule deer (rifle) hunting. So far the nikon riflehunter 550 seems to be the frontrunner: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602006-cat601609&id=0054150712997a&navCount=4&podId=0054150&parentId=cat601609&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=UK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

Does anyone suggest looking at any other models? $300 dollars would probably be the most I would want to spend. Thanks for the help!

[Pathfinder101]

I have heard  a lot of good things about the Nikon riflehunter.  Sounds like a good choice to me..

[uplandhunter870]

i picked up a leupold rx-II last summer from opticsplanet.com for 275.  i use it for all my hunting.  used it for archery deer last season and it fit the bill well.  i also used if for coyote hunting all winter and didnt have any problems.  they claim that its rated to 650 on highly reflective stuff like rocks and trees but i found that on coyotes it was only good for about 400ish and the few deer that i ranged while coyote hunting it was good to about 450.  ive gotten 790 out of it, that was ranging a metal sided shop. 

i have heard great things for the nikon rangefinders but they are rifle or bow specific, the rx-II swaps between both thats the only reason i got it over the nikon and i am a nikon fan.

hope this helps
Steve

[littlemac]

I have a Leica that I have had for some time (expensive).

I bought a Bushnell for golf and let my son use it for hunting.  We have compared them and the Bushnell hits the yardage ever bit as well as the Leica.

I see Cabelas has one on sale now:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602006-cat601604-cat601606&id=0065993713219a&navCount=2&podId=0065993713219&parentId=cat601606&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=UK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

[mazama]

Leica is coming out with a new one good out to 1600yds,i tried mine on a tree in the dark and it ranged accurately, most people like the leica after thet have tried others.

[littlemac]

Agree on the Leica for performance, I could range an oryx at any yardage out to 900 with mine and my partner couldn't get a bounce with his cheaper one even at 350yds.

But Your Buck has a budget of $300 so its the less expensive ones he will be looking at in this case I imagine.

[Young Buck]

Yeah I have looked at the leica's. I know they are superior but I am in the market for a spotting scope as well so I have to budget myself a bit. Thanks for your input!

[wastickslinger]

I have a Leica that I have had for some time (expensive).

I bought a Bushnell for golf and let my son use it for hunting.  We have compared them and the Bushnell hits the yardage ever bit as well as the Leica.

I see Cabelas has one on sale now:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602006-cat601604-cat601606&id=0065993713219a&navCount=2&podId=0065993713219&parentId=cat601606&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=UK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

Crazy, I have never seen a Bushnell hit half the distance it says it will. I had a 600 that I was luck to get 250 out of. You must have got lucky. 

[littlemac]

Crazy, I have never seen a Bushnell hit half the distance it says it will. I had a 600 that I was luck to get 250 out of. You must have got lucky. 

This one is only a year old, not sure if the technology has improved from when you may have had yours.

Regardless, the Leica is in my gear when I hunt.

[MooseStock]

Check out the leica lrf"s on ebay. I got a 900 lrf for 246$ and it is in perfect condition and works awesome. Mine was a great deal but I have seen some of the 800 lrf's in the "Buy it Now" for $300 if you don't want to bid. Just check to make sure the seller has at least a 99-100% rating. The leicas are tough to beat and will range out to what they say for the most part..............Les

[carpsniperg2]

leica is for me, one of the few range finders that i can tust use it for bow hunting-muzzle loader-rifle. great in all conditions rain/snow etc i have a bushnell yardagepro and it has worked fine for years but in fog or rain it doesn't read well past about 300 yards

[MooseStock]

There is a leica lrf 800 currently on ebay for buy it now $300 with $15 shipping and the seller has a 100% rating. Hope that helps....just type in leica lrf on ebay.....you could also bid lower if you want to see what happens. Hope that helps............Les

[Special T]

I have a Nikon rifle hunter... Most people can't shoot past 550 yards i know i can't with my 06 even tho i try at coyotes.  great bang for your buck and i use it for both yotes and archery deer. 

[Copperwood]

Nothing against anyone else but I wouldn't buy anything bushnell. The Nikon is the way to go for your price range, but if you find a leica... grab it.

[Special T]