Night Vision Advice

[hunta]

I have a kite that was used for spotting until I acquired a thermal. I also have a mount so I have mounted the kite on a rifle. Under most night time circumstances the image is bright and very good. However on the darkest nights, especially when in woodland, I could do with some IR. Has anyone got any advise on which IR torch would be most suitable for a kite. Also I can't mount a torch on the kite so I thought I might try a barrel mount. Needless to say the barrel mount will not foul the stock or the moderator. I did wonder whether it was possible to mount a torch on the front sling stud. Has anyone got any experience of using barrel mounts on rifles.
Before anybody says I would be better off getting this or that make of NV instead, I already have the kite so would like to give it a go. The rifle is an 8mm so has quite heavy recoil. It will be used predominantly for boar so ranges will generally be short. I will occasionally take it out for some vermin control just because I can. Any advise will be appreciated.

 

[Eric the Red]

For Boar ranges, something like an Evo 38 or 50 from Torch Factory - High power hunting lights for lamping and night vision will do you fine. You wont want too much light or wit will bounce back off foliage etc and make it more difficult to see, not easier.

Personally I would not barrel mount. I have seen some mount round the mod - but this makes it very front heavy - but is a more preferable option.

You can buy picatinny rails to fit sling mounts - Weaver Optics Picatinny System - Swivel Stud to Picatinny Rail Adapter - Optics Warehouse - which will work OK for a torch - you can then just use a simple 25mm ring - or something a bit more advanced as you wish.

 

[hunta]

Thank you Eric the Red. I quite like the idea of mounting from the front sling stud though would miss the sling. Mounting from the mod is a good idea if I could find suitable fittings. All shooting would be from resting or sticks so the weight wouldn't be a major issue. I have tried a few hand held IR torches in the past and agree that low power with a narrow beam worked best in woodland. Thanks for the links.

 

[nun_hunter]

Just be careful using a picatinny rail mounted to the QR stud if the rifle forend isn't perpendicular to the barrel. I did this on a CZ 452 and the angle of the forend made the torch beam shine up at quite a steep angle so next to useless. If you do go down this route you'd need an adjustable mount but they only have limited movement.

 

[Eric the Red]

Thank you Eric the Red. I quite like the idea of mounting from the front sling stud though would miss the sling. Mounting from the mod is a good idea if I could find suitable fittings. All shooting would be from resting or sticks so the weight wouldn't be a major issue. I have tried a few hand held IR torches in the past and agree that low power with a narrow beam worked best in woodland. Thanks for the links.

That rail should also have a replacement stud mounted, so no need to lose sling. A narrow torch bracket might allow a slim picatinny stud on as well anyway - or you could easily drill one into the block there.

 

[sauer]

Google
“ ant supplies”
& look through their torch mounts ... various options etc
Would say a T20 or T38 IR would suffice

Paul

 

[hunta]

n_h I have sourced an adjustable mount as the forend isn't parallel with the barrel. Not sure if I would have enough adjustment though.
EtR I checked out Optics Warehouse and was told that that particular adapter doesn't have a replacement stud. I have tried to find an adapter that would fit on the mod but no luck so far. Do you know where I could find one ? Could cobble something up but would prefer ready made.
sauer I had a look at ant supplies. Some good stuff there. I was looking at their barrel mount and adjustable ring. I do have slight reservations about mounting on the barrel though.
Thanks all for your replies.

 

[sikasako]

Andy,

If you have a Harris bipod (or similar) fitted, one option might be to fit an under slung barrel mounted torch system on the knurled section of the bipod and pack it out to suit the angle of your stock.
I have used this method previously to mount a night master illuminator to my rifle to avoid shine back issues from the moderator. Works well, but if you've got the rifle slung over you're shoulder the light can get in the way
Some pictures from previous post from 2016 on this topic.
Would have included a link to previous post, but not smart enough!

 

[fizzbangwhallop]

A few years ago David at the Shootingshed made me a replacement battery cover screw that incorporated a piece of picatinny rail screwed to the top with an O ring fitted to allow it to swivel into alignment.

Works well with the Pulsar L808 lasers that are nice and light.... nb not one of the later filtered L808S’s.

The only point to note if your making one is that the plastic ring on the thread on the underside acts as a stop to prevent over tightening pulling the brass insert out of the body..... superglue fixed that for me though.

Cheers

fizz

 

[jb1]

Just thinking outside the box here. But you spot with thermal,, so would it be possible to have a head mounted IR you shooting at probably less than 100yds most times. I'm sure it would be a wide enough beam not to worry about position too much. I'm thinking it can't be too difficult to change the pills over, bit of solder job done.

 

[hunta]

Many thanks for your advise and ideas.