20 replies to this topic

[tenesee23]

I was just wondering how everyone records their distances when testing out a gun. I might want to do a write up on a gun, or something , but I can't see myself with a giant tape measure going to measure.

Also, is there any rule of thumb for a quick eyeball measurement. When, I shoot any of my guns, for my interest, I like to see there distance. However, I am often dreadfully inaccurate with my eyeball measurements.

[nerfspecialforces]

You eyeball by experience. I test in the same spot most of the time. My yard is 70' long. For long range guns, go in the street and start firing from a marked spot in the street. I use that spot every time I test ranges.

Measure it for exact, then, take note of about where 50' is, 60' is, 70' is, 80' is, etc.

[The Infinite Shindig]

I've found that range testing in the street is best. Typically what I would do is mark out distances in increments of 5' and stretch that out to about 85 feet. I would add more if needed of course. This is assuming you don't live on a busy street or have paranoid neighbors.

The one disadvantage to this method is rain takes away your ability to use the same marks for more than a few days. The noticable advantage is that you must then re-measure and mark out your distances, this eliminates the getting lazy and geussing factor.

[Langley]

Go to a football field when there isn't anyone around, and use the lines already painted on the field. Failing that, find a broomstick or a length of pipe and mark off five feet, and use it to make the 5' increments like shinny mentioned.

[okto]

You eyeball by experience.

NO. You absolutely do not do that, becasue that is how people get to thinking that their NF gets 80' and they saw a Crossbow shoot 200'.
Two words, I'll even bold them:
MEASURING.
TAPE.

Thank you.

[parmaster320]

My way is similar to the previous two methods but I use my driveway. I mark lines with chalk starting around 30 feet, and put a mark every 3 feet using a yardstick (make sure you are very accurate with your stick, I flip it end over end), and I label every other line with the appropriate foot measurement. Go out as far as you think you need to. Once you range test in the same place a few times, you start to get the hang of where key distances are at different landmarks (like end of my driveway is 105' and 130' out to the end of the road in front of my house). This method seems to work best for me.


EDIT: Noted, okto. Good point you got there.

Edited by parmaster320, 04 March 2005 - 04:52 PM.

[NerfMonkey]

I learned something interesting on NerfTech. I think you extend your arm straight out, point to the place (in this case the dart), focus on that point, so you see "two hands", see about how far the distance between the "two hands" is, then multiply that by ten. When guessing the distance between your fingers, think how much it would be on the spot you look at, not the actual distance in inches/centimeters. NerfTech explains it better, go there if you want to figure out what the hell I'm talking about.

[nerfspecialforces]

You eyeball by experience.

NO. You absolutely do not do that, becasue that is how people get to thinking that their NF gets 80' and they saw a Crossbow shoot 200'.
Two words, I'll even bold them:
MEASURING.
TAPE.

Thank you.

Those are battle situations. If your thinking about that, chances are that your going to have a welt between your eyes.

What I should have said is that you use the same spot each time you test and you develope a since of range. This is due to landmarks down range that you know their from your start point.

But seriously, I only estimate when I can't find a measuring tape or it does't matter that much.

[AirApache]

My cement driveway is cut neatly into 7-foot squares.

[cxwq]

The concrete walkway behind my building at work is laid in 7.5' sections for expansion gaps. Count 'tiles' then measure from the nearest edge with a tape.

[okto]

The hallway in my dorm has tiles that are exactly one foot square. I count tiles, then use a ruler. I also try to make sure I fire from the same level every time, measured against the cinderblocks of the wall, and measure from the point in the floor the muzzle is over.

[Talio]

I use measuring tape. They make them 100 foot long.

Talio.

[Bad Karma]

I measured my driveway and I used to have it tapped off every 10 ft...and then eyeball inches. But now I pretty much have it memorized.

Edited by Bad_Karma, 04 March 2005 - 02:32 PM.

[TheHaze]

I shoot down the street and use a 100' measuring tape. When I actually record my ranges I take 5 shots and use the average.

[NerfMonkey]

I don't really like to use hard surfaces to measure, because of the skipping of the dart. I test on grass, sometimes even in snow if I can't wait to measure. How about a rope? You could have about a 100' section of rope, then mark it every five or so feet. Is it hard to find that much rope? I use 'landmarks' in my backyard, in addition to my measuring method described earlier. For instance, there are steps in my back yard I know are 63' from where I shoot from.

[navy seal]

How about a rope? You could have about a 100' section of rope, then mark it every five or so feet. Is it hard to find that much rope?

Wouldn't be easier to just use a tape measure? I get a piece of chalk and mark where the dart is then when I'm done shooting I measure the chalk marks.

[Tinkerer]

I live in a complex of eight townhomes, they're each 20' wide, and I measure that way.

[MattPaintballer]

My cement driveway is cut neatly into 7-foot squares.

Same with mine, but there's only 3 rectangles...

NO.  You absolutely do not do that, becasue that is how people get to thinking that their NF gets 80' and they saw a Crossbow shoot 200'.
Two words, I'll even bold them:
MEASURING.
TAPE.

I agree with you on the measuring tape thing, but dude some NF's do actually get more than 75 feet, even though yours might not. I hate it when people say that somebody's ranges are inacurrate, false, etc., because usually they are just saying that because their gun gets less range than the posted ranges.

[AirApache]

I agree with you on the measuring tape thing, but dude some NF's do actually get more than 75 feet, even though yours might not. I hate it when people say that somebody's ranges are inacurrate, false, etc., because usually they are just saying that because their gun gets less range than the posted ranges.

My NiteFinder gets a clean 65-70 feet with stock darts and no bands.
(Trust me, I'm not bragging . And I'm not arrogant.)

AA

Edited by AirApache, 04 March 2005 - 11:56 PM.

[The Infinite Shindig]

I think a relevant point here is that measured ranges do not matter, unless if you can find a way to measure "effective distance." By that I mean, the distance where a shot is still guaranteed to hit provided there isn't faulty accuracy. I think it's safe to say that I stopped formally range testing guns long ago, and don't post my ranges. What I am concerned with is my effective range, and how well I can eye ball that in battle.

By the way, I do realize that sometimes you get lucky and hit someone at the ankle or foot, but I don't count on those shots.

[MattPaintballer]

By the way, I do realize that sometimes you get lucky and hit someone at the ankle or foot, but I don't count on those shots.

I wouldn't consider those "lucky" only because most of the time the person will start running or keep running and then deny he/she was shot there. Unless of course it was from close range, and it left a huge welt. Then it's funny because you say "Oh, really? Then what the hell is that welt doing there?"

Anyways, yeah you're right on the effective range thing.