Range Estimation

Alternate Methods of Range Estimation

A Sniper team is required to accurately determine distance to properly adjust elevation on the sniper weapon system and to prepare topographical sketches or range cards. Because of this, it is critical that the team is skilled in various range estimation techniques.
 

M3A

Factors affecting range estimation
 

a) Nature of the target

1) An object of regular outline, such as a house, appears closer than one of irregular outline, such as a clump of trees.

2) A target that contrasts with its background appears to be closer than it actually is.

3) A partly exposed target appears more distant than it actually is.

b) Light conditions

1) The more clearly a target can be seen, the closer it appears.

2) When the sun is behind the observer, the target appears to be closer.

3) When the sun is behind the target, the target is more difficult to see and appears to be farther away.

c) Nature of terrain

1) As the observer's eye follows the contour of the terrain, he tends to overestimate distant targets.

2) Observing over smooth terrain, such as water, sand, or snow, causes the observer to underestimate distant targets.

3) Looking downhill, the target appears farther away. Therefore looking uphill makes the target appear closer.

Range estimation formulas

METERS

1.     width or height ( in inches ) x 25.4  divided by number of the mils of the target as seen in the M3A = range in meters

OR

2.     height in meters  X  1000 /divided by the mil size of the target  = range in meters.

OR YARDS

1. Height of target (yards) X 1,000 = divided by target size in mils = Range (yards)

OR

  2.     Height or width (inches) x 27.77 = divided by target size in mils = range in yards.