Fieldcraft Object size known averages for range estimation

[daybreak1199]

Ranging measurements

I have a small list of some known measurements of common objects, these can help estimate range.
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"

 

[Killer Spade 13]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

MG Midget ???

 

[daybreak1199]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Killer Spade 13</div><div class="ubbcode-body">MG Midget ??? </div></div>

Per your request...

1972 MG Midget III

Length 137.6"
Width 54.9"
Height 48.6"
Ground clearance 5"

 

[louboyd]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

This thread is the best argument for using a laser rangefinder I've seen. Nothing listed so far is likely to be anywhere near anything I might want to shoot.

 

[daybreak1199]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

What if the batteries die? And what do you mean nothing you would shoot at, so the Sherman Tank isn't common where you shoot? j/k. I just posted a lot of common everyday items you may or may not come in contact with. If someday you have to mil some range and all you have is a Sherman Tank maybe you'll think back and remember a known measurement of it...hey, I remember daybreak said a Sherman Tank was 8 feet tall, now you have your known object size. In my opinion the vehicles are more realistic, knowing the width of an average car or truck would probably be more useful than the tank...just added for a little levity

I will say my data book has a lot of notes on items I measure, just in case one day I need that for reference.
V/R
Jason

 

[louboyd]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: daybreak1199</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What if the batteries die?</div></div>

My laser range finder, my scope reticle, my gps, my Kestrel/horus calculator and my NV scope all require batteries. I carry spare batteries. If those all fail I go home.

Do you carry a spare Sun so you don't need batteries after after twilight?

 

[daybreak1199]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lou Boyd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: daybreak1199</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What if the batteries die?</div></div>

My laser range finder, my scope reticle, my gps, my Kestrel/horus calculator and my NV scope all require batteries. I carry spare batteries. If those all fail I go home.

Do you carry a spare Sun so you don't need batteries after after twilight?

</div></div>

I have been in situations were we had catastrophic equipment failures, back ups to the back ups failed. For you it is easy, if your batteries die, you just go home, for others sometimes its not that easy. They may still need to continue on. I suppose I posted this information because I have often found it an area of interest, and I thought someone else might find it interesting also. all I can say about it is YMMV.

V/R
Jason

 

[THE MGD]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimatio

Any objects for hunting scenario? Perhaps tractor tires, round bail hay, any game animal constants?

Good info to jot down yourself is feeder dimensions, traps, cut a notch or break a branch to your height in area baited.

Ive rollotaped (rolling tape measured all my hunting areas) there jotted on a notepad I carry. Memory hasnt failed me but thats my back up.

 

[THE MGD]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimatio

According to TX parks and wildlife a whitetail deers ear spead from outside tip to outside tip is approx 13" so (and I understand these are difficult reads to say the least)

Mils -> approx range

3.6 = 100
2.4 = 150
1.8 = 200
1.4 = 250
1.2 = 300
1 = 350

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimatio

Don't need batterys for maps and I never go afield without a map and compass.

Don't have to worry if your target is average or not.

If you're in town, such as a LE Sniper/Counter sniper go to the county and get a plot map of the city or area you are working. They are to scale and you can get a dern accurate reading from building 1 to building 2.

Also with maps and city plot maps you don't have to worry about computing angles.

Laser sights are gun to play with, but batteries always seem to go tits up when you need them most. They really suck in the winter.

 

[B3dlam]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimatio

Here is a list I put together for work a while back.

10 foot Container
Width: 2.67 yards
Height: 2.84 yards
Length: 3.31 yards

20 foot Standard Container
Width: 2.67 yards
Height: 2.84 yards
Length: 6.63 yards

40 foot Standard Container
Width: 2.67 yards
Height: 2.84 yards
Length: 13.34 yards

AK-47 (Standard Wooden Stock)
Length: .95 yards

RPG-7:
Length (Unloaded): .71 yards
Length (Loaded): 1.04 yards

Stop Sign (standard):
Width: .83 yards
Letter Height: .28 yards

55 Gallon Drum:
Width: .64 yards
Height: .96 yards

Exterior Door:
Height: 2.22 yards
Width: 1 yard



Ship Load limit marker:
Width of circle: .33 yards
Length of line through circle: .49 yards

 

[citation04]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

Guys, this thread is excellent for a jotting down a lot of standards. But as those of you who run guns for a living will probably agreee, anything that your using with the word average, specifically the height of your average miliatary age male, is never gonna work.

With no frame of refernce its very difficult to get a height that is accurate enough to range off of, same goes for any other 'average' sized item.
just something to htink about.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: citation04</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Guys, this thread is excellent for a jotting down a lot of standards. But as those of you who run guns for a living will probably agreee, anything that your using with the word average, specifically the height of your average miliatary age male, is never gonna work.

With no frame of refernce its very difficult to get a height that is accurate enough to range off of, same goes for any other 'average' sized item.
just something to htink about. </div></div>

All true. But if one learns to read a map, then you don't need all that "jotting down" and carrying a ref. of everything which would mean a trailer just for the note books.

Get a USGI 1:24000 map. Get a plastic protractor with 1:24000 grids. Mine has a scale that breaks the the grid to 100 meter squares, then 10 meters. Lay the scale on a line between you and your target location, you have your range.

A map, compus, pencil, and protractor needs not batteries, they are light and easy to use.

I'm not saying to leave your GPS, Lazer Range finder, etc. home. I carry them. My Range Finder is 8X. I carry it in leu of binoclars or spotting scopes. It the battery's gone, I still have my binoclars (or mono in my case). I also carry a GPS, I've had GPSs crater, I've been in the Big Horns in cloud layers where you don't get satalites. (Use to kid and say I was so far back the satalites couldn't find me).

I spent a lot of time in the field in the Arctic sub temps. Carrying spare batteries does nothing because cold gets to spars like it does primary batteries.

Use your GPS and Range Finders. But learn to use a map and compass/protractor. It just might save yor life. It has mine more then once.

The time to learn is now, not after you're in the mountains and batteries give up the ghost. Take your GPS and range finder to the field NOW, with your map/compass, let the GPS and Range finder help you learn to use the maps.

Just takes time.

We didn't have GPS and range finders in SE Asia. We had maps, we got damn good at estimating range.

By the way, electronic devices suck in the jungles also.

My advise: When using a GPS or Range Finder. Take a map and compus with you, use them both. You'll end up being better with both.

You can get USGS maps at the USGS web site for $1 a piece. Get one for every area you consider hunting, camping, or hiking in.

 

[citation04]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

this is tucked under there somewhere as well

See Sir, I've been practicing for my Junior G man badge for a while!

 

[citation04]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

I didn't mean to mislead you, I am just a civilian but after Med School it is my hope for an oppurtunity to practice Military Medicine as a Doc on the Green side.

Unfortunatley, I don't think that your Fraternity offers has much room for people who would be in my position

 

[TheLlam]

Re: Object size known averages for range estimation

I don't think that the OP meant that this was a replacement to maps and/or electronic devices. I'm taking it as information that, if I happen to remember it, may or may not be useful. So, thank you.

That being said, I'm a well above average American man. But not in terms of the measurements listed above.

 

[Pathfinder-7]

I know that it's been a couple of years since this thread has been written, but It is a good one, and it's still active. So here you go. I can appreciate the info that has been shared. I am one in the camp that understands the need to know average measurements for any given situation. I understand that some in the thread had mentioned that a lot of the info given is not really relevant, but it is. Take the size of a stop-sign. If you make a conscious effort to implant in your head the image of a stop-sign (by the way, you can do this by just waking up and being aware of your surroundings), you can relate it to various objects in your given scenario. If you picture the stop-sign in the woods and relating to what's around it, you can at least take an educated guess of the size of the objects in your target area. Additionally, nobody is going to know the actual size of a living target; being LE/MIL situation or hunting. Really, if you are doing this for work, are you going to stop your mission and run down to your target and take a measurement? Are you really going to know if that dude is 5'11", or 5'10" or 6' at 600m or 800m? I think not. (well if you had the right intel you would...personally speaking...but making a realistic point...)
Someone back in the thread mentioned that nothing here is relative to what they are actually shooting. Well, go out and take some measurements! Don't just sit around and wait for someone else to do your work for you. You are the one that lives where you live, and shoots where you shoot.
We are humans. The smartest animals, with the ability to reason and problem solve. Take what you have and use it to your advantage. And unfortunately, I don't mean all the gizmos and electronics. They are great to use as an addition, but you should use your brains. Take your D.O.P.E. (from actually shooting), take whatever data you get from your ballistics computer, etc., and make the the most educated guess you can and pull the trigger. If you get down in the woods (of your data), and try to be as precise and down-to-the-closest-mm as possible, your target will be gone by the time you figure out what your are wanting to do.
Someone asked about sizing of game animals. i don't remember where I got it, and I don't intend to plagiarize, but this is what I have in my book (which is a FLIGHT CREW CHECK LIST book that I print my info on 5 x 7 index cards, and slip into the sleeves of the book)...
"Common Measurements of North American Game Animals" (measured top of back to bottom of brisket)...
Pronghorn Antelope 14"-15"
Small Deer 14"-15"
Medium Deer 17"-18"
Large Deer 18"-20"
N. Amer. Wild Sheep 20"-22"
Mountain Goat 22"-24"
Caribou 24"-26"
Elk 24"-26"
Moose 30"-36"
Good luck! Best thing to do is to step away form this website and your computer, and get out and shoot! Practice at known distances and take notes. Adjust your D.O.P.E. and trust it. And remember the old saying...
You know what they call a person who graduated 1st in his class at med school? ...Doctor!
You know what they call a person who graduated last in his class at med school? ...Doctor!
You know what they call a hit center of a 12" x 12" steel target at 1000 yds? ...A hit!
You know what they call a hit on the lower left edge on the same steel target at 1000 yds? ...A hit!
You know what they call a hit center mass of kill zone on a game animal? ...Dinner!
You know what they call a hit low and to the left in the kill zone of a game animal? ...Dinner!
Get it?
Quite trying to figure it all out, and just go shoot! Your 're not shooting in a vacuum. Go out and learn your rifle and optics and have fun!

 

[Pathfinder-7]

Just one other thing while I'm here...
I crunched numbers and evaluated the data I have for my rounds...got me thinking.
I find a lot of shooters talking about getting into Long-Range shooting for hunting reasons. It is common to find posts of someone stating that they want to shoot out to 900+, even beyond 1000 yds for hunting purposes.
I don't want to insult anyone. And truly it is possible to make a legitimate kill at these distances, but we must be realistic and look at the data of the round we are using.
For example, a common bullet used for hunting is .30 cal. Generally speaking, 1800 FPS at impact is needed for proper expansion. What the bullet is designed to do for a legitimate kill.
With basic data and generic programing, that puts a 168gr., .308 round with just above 2700 fps muzzle velocity, at max effective range of around 650 yards. A responsible hunter would keep this in mind.
Up in the hills, where I am here in Colorado, we find many animal remains due to gun-shot-wounds. A lot of this is due to hunters thinking that they can down an animal at big distances with what they have, and it doesn't happen. And no knowledge or will to pursue the animal when it is NOT instantly killed, and bolts.
I don't care what your politics are , or what you you think you should be allowed to do when you hunt, the reality is, your hunting practices affect future regulations. Be a responsible hunter. If you don't like it....PLEASE stay out of Colorado.