Night hunting lasers? flashlights?

[JohnC]

Anyone here got any recommendations for a decent usuable flashlight or laser sight for scope mounting so I can hunt at night.

Seems things have moved on since I was night hunting 20 years ago, the scope mounted light I had back then was huge, weighty and very clumsy to use, so much so that I ended up using a mini-Mag light velcro-taped to the underside of the barrel. This rig actually worked very well for close up night hunting for rats.

Obviously things have moved on somewhat in 20 years.

I like to use it for varmint night hunting, Rats and possum mostly. Are they easily removed for daytime hunting or are they more of a permanent fixture once mounted and scoped in?
The ranch I'll be going to in 3 weeks for a 3 day weekend hunting/camping fishin trip, seems prime for some nightstalking, and i was considering putting out a bait/feeding station for a week or two prior to the trip. Or do you think hanging a dimly lit lantern by the feeding station as a better option than the laser/light? Of course that would mean no new toy to play with!

Price is not really an issue, but I'd like to keep at $100 or under.


Thanks in advance guys

[longislandhunter]

I have my .22 cal Talon set up as a night hunter using a laser/light combo I picked up at either Cheaperthandirt.com or Sportsmansguide.com (can't remember which on it was).  The setup came with the laser, light, 2 pressure switches and a mount that fit on a 1 inch scope tube.  The entire setup cost me less than $50.00 bucks and it works well.  The light gave me enough shooting light out to about 25-30 yards  and the laser worked great.  

I added a second lite  using a small tactical light that I picked up at Home Depot and used a standard scope mount that I modified.  The small tactical light I got is absolutely incredibly bright and throws a nice beam which makes night shooting a breeze.  I made a post with pics in the "Airgun Gate" entitled "Talon night hunter" if you're interested in seeing what the set up looked like.  

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=11241&posts=5

There are plenty of places online to obtain laser/light setups and there are a few GTA members who have rifles set up for night hunting so I'm sure in no time you'll have plenty of information and options to choose from.  Ed (AKA  "shadow") has a couple of rifles set up for night hunting and he does quite a bit of that type of hunting.  I"m sure he'll chime in an give you a ton of info....

Jeff

[shadow]

That's a perfect setup that Jeff has on his baby and I also obtained a laser/lamp setup from CheaperThenDirt and have added different lamps since then. There's a few members here that have real good info on lamp's that throw out some light, it all depends on how much of the night do you want to light. From what I've read up on and experimented with is that amber colored lenses work the best for not spooking the nocturnal critters, red works ok but once you add the red cover you loose some light. If you check the ALBUM section of our forum and check my ALBUM you can see some of my nught hunting setup's. Ed

[only1harry]

Good info.  Do you guys really use the Laser for hunting?  How do you look at it?  Isn't the scope in the way?  I can see where it would be easy to hunt or aim & shoot using a laser if you have open sights on your pistol or rifle, but with a scope on it what do you do? Tilt your head to the side to try and get the laser on your quarry or find it?

I would like to get a bright lamp or flashlight too, nothing big, but one that mounts directly on the 11mm rail (without a ring) of the Condor under the barrel or on top of it in front of the scope.  The scope is elevated so it shouldn't be in the way.  I guess I 'll have to start doing my research but if anyone knows of a strong light out that is effective to beyond 30yds, that mounts on 11mm dovetail without a ring, please let me know.

[JohnC]

Good info guys, do you have model#'s on the ones your using now?

Seems to be quite a few out there, i'm trying to avoid buying the lemon.

One other question, I've not used a laser before, is it worth it or do you mostly just use the flashlight, also do you look at the laser beam through the scope or with just your eye?

Shadow you mentioned other lamps that you've added? any clues on them?


Thanks for the replies!

[shadow]

The lasers on my night hunters are set so that when I look through my scope the laser sits dead in the crosshairs. Even with lamps it's easy to loose the crosshair's at night unless you have illuminated crosshairs which I do but use only as a backup if the laser go's south on me at night. I have a lamp setup on my CFX which is called the MOONBEAM. and for the life of me I can't remember where I got it,I think  Bass Outdoor World but could be wrong hehehe. It put's out a perfect circle of light to about 30yrds , a blue light just like the light the the moon puts out. I really like it since it doesn't overpower the night with light and the critters do not seemed alarmed by it. Ed

[JohnC]

I've looked all over can not find the Moonbeam anywhere.

Is the BSA combo worth while?

[shadow]

Some like em some don't, I'm happy with mine. John you might want to check out the post in the Airgun Gate (About Flashlights) good info. Ed

[longislandhunter]

My laser is set up just like Shadows,,, when I look through the scope the red laser dot shows up right in the scope crosshairs at 35 yards.  As the target is moved in closer the laser dot appears lower but still in the vertical line of the scopes vertical crosshair wire,,,, by comparing the location of the laser dot with the mildots on the scope I can determine the range to target extremely accurately.  This is a big advantage as one of the challenges to effective night shooting is accurately judging distance.  Judging distance is much more difficult in the dark than during the daytime and my laser setup helps me a great deal.....

Jeff

[JohnC]

I've read the flashlight post but it doesn't mention  lasers. I'm interested in the laser for exactly the reasons you mention, having it help guide you for zeroing in at distance.

Thanks guys, I think I may take the plunge on the BSA

It's been a long time since I was on a nightime hunt, back in the day, most of my rabbit hunting was done after dark.
I always did enjoy the still of the night.

This airgunning is becoming quite nostalgic for me!