Night Vision D740/760 bullet drop compensation?

[mcmillanman5]

I only have experience shooting a D-760 at distances of less than 200yards. I would like to shoot further with one but have a couple of questions. To start with I understand what MOA and MIL are and how they relate to measure at a given distance.

That being said, does anyone dial the 740/760 to adjust for drop and is the unit built for this? I see the elevation knobs don't have any marks to see how many revolutions have been turned. Would holdover be the better solution and just use the reticle?

So how are you guys with D-740/760's compensating for bullet drop when shooting longer distances at night? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HTR707]

Re: D740/760 bullet drop compensation?

I shoot lots of hogs at night from various distances, most of which are unknown or estimated. I also shoot steel at ranges of up to 400 at night for training. I use D-740's for my personal rifle and on those I provide to my clients. They do have mil dot reticles but I never use the turrets to adjust for elevation or windage.

Consider this: most of the nights we hunt, we do not have time to use a rangefinder. It's even more difficult to see the turrets on the d-740 in total darkness, with starlight or even with some moon. It would be very difficult to see markings on the turret because such close focus would require capping a PVS-14, or using a refocus ring like that made by TNVC. None of this would make for an efficient stalk, and you risk giving yourself away if you use any light.

Even when I have time to "bench" the rifle on very long shots, I use the mil dots for holdover.

I recommend that you get to know the trajectory of your round at the velocity you're shooting it. A great example is the 6.8 using Barnes 85 TSX or 95 TTSX. Even with a 12" SBR, these rounds are fast enough that I can zero at 50/200, and then hold "dead on" out to 200. Once past that, you just need to hold over, and base the come up on your known trajectory. Of course this presumes you have a reasonable estimate of the range, which you still would need if you wanted to adjust.

So, if you are farther than 300, just get a little closer and you can hold on the animal ( or other target) with just zero hold or perhaps between the crosshair and first dot out to 300. Once you get to 400, it's pretty difficult to properly ID the target anyway. Resolution and Detail on a really good gen 3 D-740/760 is amazing, but 400 is nearing the limit of its capability. ETA: congrats for learning to shoot things at 200 and beyond in the dark. Very few people do this with any frequency. It's a challenge for sure.

Hope that helps

 

[mcmillanman5]

Re: D740/760 bullet drop compensation?

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate you taking the time to share your insight! I had kind of figured that the holdover for trajectory would be the best bet. Sounds like you have really put some time in and figured out what works well. I should have also said that I am only shooting at steel so its not nearly as much pressure as the things you are accomplishing.

The rangefinder I just got has a night vision setting so I thought it might be cool to try and shoot a bit further. Given that the targets are not moving and time is not really much of a factor I will see how it works. I can see where it would be difficult to employ for you.

Thanks again

 

[HTR707]

Re: D740/760 bullet drop compensation?

You're welcome, glad I could help

 

[the impactzone]

Re: D740/760 bullet drop compensation?

What range finder do you have? I jsut ordered a D760 and relize my range finder has no night cap

Phil

 

[mcmillanman5]

Re: D740/760 bullet drop compensation?

Phil,

I have the vectronix plrf-05. In the users manual it shows that it has a night vision compatible setting and even includes a picture of an NVD mounted behind the range finder. Actually trying it I was a bit disappointed with the results. After speaking with the company that sells the vectronix rangefinders I was informed that the plrf05 (terrapin) is not actually night vision compatible and that the manual is incorrect and that the night setting is just for low light use rather than with an image intensifier.

Vectronix does make some other models that from what others have said truly are NV compatible but they are substantially more expensive. Hope this helps.

 

[Ident]

Re: D740/760 bullet drop compensation?

I've seen a number of people use a PVS-14 behind a Lecia LRF rangefinder.

I've used it as well when I was comfortable that the targets (usually pigs)were going to say put. The LED readout is bright- really too bright for a NV image tube but its only for a couple seconds and I have never seen any history effects in my -14s or -15s. While not recommending using a rangefinder in this fashion its doable in a pinch when the only other alternative is a $6k+ rangefinder.

Ident-Karma

 

[the impactzone]

Re: D740/760 bullet drop compensation?

Thanks guys

I'm testing a proto for a local shop to see if they are going to carry them, I had readings out to 1345 yards with it and was able to get good readings on power poles that are 300 feet apart all the way out to 800 yards adn was +,- 2 yards at 800.

my suggestions to them was a tripod mount for it as hand held at 800 yards is tuff on a power pole and if the disply could be read at night or with NV