Advanced Marksmanship Standard Target Sizes for Range Estimation

[Coloradocop]

Okay, I'll freely admit that I've spent the majority of my time ranging targets with a laser rangefinder. But, I figure it probably wouldn't hurt to practice milling my targets a bit more often. is there some standard frame of reference that is typically used to determine target size? Obviously, as we all know, an accurate estimation of target size is critical to determining an accurate range to target when using a scope reticle for such a purpose. This process isn't too hard to do when you're shooting at a paper/steel target of known size, but I'm not sure how to best translate this into a real world shooting solution. In other words:

1) Do you have standard sizes you use for estimating the height, length, or width of various game animals?
2) Do you have standard sizes that you use for estimating the height, length, or width of various objects you might shoot at?
3) Do you have standard sizes that you use to estimate the height, length, or width of various members of opposing armies?

I figure that these ranging systems (when applied in the real world) must involve the use of some set of standards by which target size is estimated (ex: a bull elks stands X inches tall, or is X inches from the bottom of the belly to the top of the back; the average vehicle wheel on the opposing army's Jeeps are X number of inches tall, etc). The problem is, I can't seem to locate a good set of "standards"!

I'll keep playing with this issue, but thought I'd pose the question here for some help. In the mean time, at least I can use the LRF for range determination... it just feels like it would be fun to be competent with both systems.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

You are correct in your stated assumptions about standards and the answer is yes to all 3 of your questions. Most data books will give you the generic measurements for an E-type target ( height and width) based off of an "average" man from feet to top of head, crotch to top of head, shoulder width front as well as profile. Here is a short list that I've collected from various places, I haven't verified all of the vehicle data.Keep in mind these are "estimates" and doing an actual confirmation in the field is crucial. I do know there is one for animals out there on one of the bigger hunting sites on everything from ground hogs to elk if you are looking for more hunting centric charts.



Reference only, items are rough averages.

Average Height:
Mexico – male 65.5” female 59.5”
China – male 66” female 60”
Iraq – male 65” female 61”
Turkey – male 68” female 62”
USA – male 70” female 64”
Iran – male 67” female 62”

Average human head width:
5.9 to 7.0 inches or 15 – 18 cm

Average adult male shoulder width 18.3”

Average exterior door width USA 36”

Average bedroom window 36” x 48”

Average vehicle width 6' or 72”

Average length by category:
Sedan Compact 1990 – 176”
2006 – 177”

Sedan Midsized 1990 – 191”
2007 – 190”

Sedan Large 1990 – 209”
2007 – 206”

SUV Compact 1992 – 176”
2007 – 187”

SUV Midsized 1995 – 179”
2007 – 187”

SUV Large 1999 – 220”
2007 – 208”

Average Wheel Diameter USA 16”

Average Car Height USA 51.2” to 59”

Vehicle windshield width by make

Hummer H2 2002 60.25”
Hummer H3 2005 44.75

Mercedes Eclass 2005 44.75”
Mercedes Gclass 2005 50.00”
Mercedes Mclass 2005 43.50”

Jeep Cherokee 2003 44.20”
Jeep Liberty 2003 41.75”

Ford Superduty 1999 51.00”
Ford Taurus 89-99 36.25”
Ford Taurus 2003 41.13”
Ford Explorer 200 43.00”

Dodge Ram 2009 48.00”
Dodge Dakota 2011 42.00”
Dodge Charger 2006 42.00”
Dodge Stratus 2004 37.70”

Chrysler Sebring 2008 40.50”
Chrysler Crossfire 2006 36.50”

Chevy Full size Van 2002 53.60”
Chevy Tahoe 2002 47.00”
Chevy Silverado 2007 48.00”
Chevy Impala 2008 42.00”
Chevy Camaro 2010 44.00”
Chevy Camaro 82-92 41.00”
Chevy Avalanche 2002 48.00”

BMW 318i 39”
BMW 323ci 37”
BMW 325is 38.20”

Buick Regal 1978 41.25”

Acura NSX 2005 32.5”

Standard US STOP sign 36" x 36"
White upper case letters stand 10"

Standard US YIELD sign 48" x 48"

Standard US ONE WAY sign 36" x 12" (skinny)
Standard US ONE WAY sign 30" x 24" (squarish)

Standard US NO Right Turn sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO Left Turn sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO TURNS sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO U TURN sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO MOTOR VEHICLES sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO VENDING sign 24" x 24"

Standard M4 Sherman Tank Dimensions
Length 19' 2"
Width 8' 7"
Tall 8'


Toyota Corolla
Height 57.7"
Width 69.4"
Length 179.3"

Toyota Tacoma
Height 65.8"
Width 72.2"
Lenght 190.4"

Toyota Tundra
Height 75.6"
Width 79.9"
Length 228.7"

Toyota Land Cruiser 40 series
Height 78.8"
Width 65.6"
Length 151.2"

Toyota Land Cruiser 50 series
Height 73.4"
Width 68.3"
Length 184.1"

Toyota Land Cruiser 60 series
Height 68.9"
Width 70.9"
Length 184.1"

Toyota Land Cruiser 80 series
Height 73"
Width 76"
Length189"



Ford Ranger 2011
Height 66.2"
Width 69.3"
Length 189.4"

Ford Ranger 1999
Height 64.9"
Width 69.4"
Length 107.3"

 

[jbailey]

This list might be of some help:

Shooting Voodoo :: Target Dimensions

 

[thrusty]

Tag for later. Might decide to stick a street sign out there beside a target for UKD.

 

[Coloradocop]

Awesome, guys! Thanks for the help. That's pretty much exactly the kind of information I was looking for. It occurred to me that *someone* must have some lists of common object sizes for ranging work... looks there has been some real effort put into that subject!

 

[kraigWY]

In case your hunting:

From top of the back to the bottom of the stomach:

Elk = 24-26 inches, vital area 15 inches
Antelope = 14.5 inches, vital area 8.5-9 inches
Deer = 17-18 inches, vital area 10-11 inches

 

[JB02]

This is great info. Thanks for posting!

 

[Coloradocop]

In case your hunting:

From top of the back to the bottom of the stomach:

Elk = 24-26 inches, vital area 15 inches
Antelope = 14.5 inches, vital area 8.5-9 inches
Deer = 17-18 inches, vital area 10-11 inches

That's also great info that I was looking for, and could come in handy someday if I get an elk in a spot that is difficult to range with the LRF. Thanks!

 

[TwoNiner]

It seems to me that a lot of the dimensions people put in their log are variable. For example, a traffic cone might be 24", 30", or 36" tall, depending on the model. Jersey barriers/K-rails might be 32" if they are the standard concrete variety or 36-42" if they are plastic. Fire Hydrants, trash cans, wheel, tire sizes and many other items on the shooting voodoo link an earlier poster mentioned all vary significantly by make and model.

I'm just starting my target dimensions log but here's what I have so far. I figure these are standards (in inches HxW) and I have confirmed all of them except for the 55 gal drum/cinderblock/clay pigeon which I took from wikipedia.

US License plate: 6x12
100% ISPC Steel target: 30x18
1 Gal Milk Jug: 10x6
30 cal ammo can usgi: 7x10.75
50 cal ammo can usgi: 7x11.75
Clay Pigeon 4.33"
55 Gallon drum: 35x23
20lb propane tank common for Rving, bbqs, etc: 18x12
Spray paint can: 8x2.5
5 Gallon paint bucket: 14x12
Cinder block: 7.625x16.625
US 12oz Coke can & beer bottle: Waiting to go to the grocery for this one!

Anyone up for a field trip to home depot or lowes? Bring your tape measures...

 

[kill_zone67]

Tag for later

 

[citation04]

YA MY MDM has about 600 items listed in placards that I made into a small flip book and attached to the back.

Quick word of advice for those who may have find themselves glassing bad guys in a far away land one day. At any of the reach out and touch somebody ranges 500+m its nearly impossible to be able to estimate a random persons heigh or dimensions to a degree of accuracy that is high enough to be able to get an accurate range. nearly anything in their vicinity that is something of somewhat standard size is a muhc much more accurate target to mill.

You are correct in your stated assumptions about standards and the answer is yes to all 3 of your questions. Most data books will give you the generic measurements for an E-type target ( height and width) based off of an "average" man from feet to top of head, crotch to top of head, shoulder width front as well as profile. Here is a short list that I've collected from various places, I haven't verified all of the vehicle data.Keep in mind these are "estimates" and doing an actual confirmation in the field is crucial. I do know there is one for animals out there on one of the bigger hunting sites on everything from ground hogs to elk if you are looking for more hunting centric charts.



Reference only, items are rough averages.

Average Height:
Mexico – male 65.5” female 59.5”
China – male 66” female 60”
Iraq – male 65” female 61”
Turkey – male 68” female 62”
USA – male 70” female 64”
Iran – male 67” female 62”

Average human head width:
5.9 to 7.0 inches or 15 – 18 cm

Average adult male shoulder width 18.3”

Average exterior door width USA 36”

Average bedroom window 36” x 48”

Average vehicle width 6' or 72”

Average length by category:
Sedan Compact 1990 – 176”
2006 – 177”

Sedan Midsized 1990 – 191”
2007 – 190”

Sedan Large 1990 – 209”
2007 – 206”

SUV Compact 1992 – 176”
2007 – 187”

SUV Midsized 1995 – 179”
2007 – 187”

SUV Large 1999 – 220”
2007 – 208”

Average Wheel Diameter USA 16”

Average Car Height USA 51.2” to 59”

Vehicle windshield width by make

Hummer H2 2002 60.25”
Hummer H3 2005 44.75

Mercedes Eclass 2005 44.75”
Mercedes Gclass 2005 50.00”
Mercedes Mclass 2005 43.50”

Jeep Cherokee 2003 44.20”
Jeep Liberty 2003 41.75”

Ford Superduty 1999 51.00”
Ford Taurus 89-99 36.25”
Ford Taurus 2003 41.13”
Ford Explorer 200 43.00”

Dodge Ram 2009 48.00”
Dodge Dakota 2011 42.00”
Dodge Charger 2006 42.00”
Dodge Stratus 2004 37.70”

Chrysler Sebring 2008 40.50”
Chrysler Crossfire 2006 36.50”

Chevy Full size Van 2002 53.60”
Chevy Tahoe 2002 47.00”
Chevy Silverado 2007 48.00”
Chevy Impala 2008 42.00”
Chevy Camaro 2010 44.00”
Chevy Camaro 82-92 41.00”
Chevy Avalanche 2002 48.00”

BMW 318i 39”
BMW 323ci 37”
BMW 325is 38.20”

Buick Regal 1978 41.25”

Acura NSX 2005 32.5”

Standard US STOP sign 36" x 36"
White upper case letters stand 10"

Standard US YIELD sign 48" x 48"

Standard US ONE WAY sign 36" x 12" (skinny)
Standard US ONE WAY sign 30" x 24" (squarish)

Standard US NO Right Turn sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO Left Turn sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO TURNS sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO U TURN sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO MOTOR VEHICLES sign 24" x 24"
Standard US NO VENDING sign 24" x 24"

Standard M4 Sherman Tank Dimensions
Length 19' 2"
Width 8' 7"
Tall 8'


Toyota Corolla
Height 57.7"
Width 69.4"
Length 179.3"

Toyota Tacoma
Height 65.8"
Width 72.2"
Lenght 190.4"

Toyota Tundra
Height 75.6"
Width 79.9"
Length 228.7"

Toyota Land Cruiser 40 series
Height 78.8"
Width 65.6"
Length 151.2"

Toyota Land Cruiser 50 series
Height 73.4"
Width 68.3"
Length 184.1"

Toyota Land Cruiser 60 series
Height 68.9"
Width 70.9"
Length 184.1"

Toyota Land Cruiser 80 series
Height 73"
Width 76"
Length189"



Ford Ranger 2011
Height 66.2"
Width 69.3"
Length 189.4"

Ford Ranger 1999
Height 64.9"
Width 69.4"
Length 107.3"

 

[LawnMM]

Impact Data Books has a whole set of pages with illustrations and sizes of common objects you can order for a few bucks