Posted on 27 April 2012.
Every year, we head to the field to hunt and film episodes for SNTV. I often stop at camps to visit with other hunters or talk with them while in the field. It surprises me to see how many people I find without a rangefinder. Knowing the exact yardage to your target will eliminate a lot of future misses if you have done your homework at the range.
Leica, who has been known for high-end hunting optics for over a century now, has just launched the new 1600B which is a must have for everyone who shoots over a couple hundred yards or in terrain that will require steep uphill or downhill shots.
We were able to get our hands on one of the first test models and put it to the test. This compact rangefinder will fit in the palm of your hand and only weighs in at 6.8 ounces. It uses a 7-power magnification. This new rangefinder uses the Advanced Ballistic Compensation (ABC™) technology which will take into account the current air pressure, incline or decline and temperature in calculating the correct yardage or meters for your shot to target. The best thing about this new unit is its’ ability to give you the correct information for your rifle setup. You can choose one of three different setups. The first output is for those of you that have a standard rifle scope with either a fixed or adjustable power and a set sight in distance. With this output, the ABC™ will spit out a distance to the target in yards or meters and give you the precise holdover in either inches or centimeters. The second option fits those of you who use an etched reticle with known sight-in distances or a precut turret for known yardages. This option will give you true horizontal distance to the target taking. So, when you have a downhill shot at 560 yards, it will give you the correct yardage and reticle to shoot, say a 450 yard shot.
The third and final output option is for those of you who use a turret with Minute of Angle (MOA) adjustments. This option will tell you the correct MOA adjustment to put your point of impact on target. All of these adjustments and setups are based on 12 preprogrammed ballistic curves with three different sight-in distances (100 yds, 200 yds and 300 yds). One of them is sure to be close to your current setup, but you shouldn’t attempt to harvest game at long ranges without sufficient practice and validating the data. The Leica 1600B will give you accurate holdover and ranges out to 880 yards, which should accommodate the majority of long range shooters. Although the calculations only go out to 880 yards, the rangefinder still gives ranges to 1600 yards. We were able to get ranges at good reflective targets out past a mile (1850 yards) and ranges on deer and antelope out to 1550 yards. See our full video product review below.
This post was written by:
Editor - who has written 188 posts on Sportsmans News.
My name is Dan Kidder, I am Managing Editor of Sportsman's News Magazine. I am a former Marine who served with the Fleet Anti Terrorism Security Team Company during Operation Desert Storm. Prior to moving to Utah, I served as communications director for Georgia Congressman Mac Collins in his Washington, DC office. I am the President and CEO of On Target Defensive Training, offering firearms and unarmed combat courses to civilians and law enforcement. My students have included federal agents of the FBI, CIA, Secret Service, Border Patrol, ICE, local and state law enforcement, national celebrities, and the general public. My beat at Sportsman's News includes tactical firearms, personal protection, survival, first aid, camping, and hiking.
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