New Pig and Coyote Solution

[Red Leg]

For several years, I have been defending our pecans with a 5.56. Originally unsuppressed, the latest carried a suppressor. Both used a dedicated best quality ATN thermal sight and worked. Though the 5.56 was fine for an undisturbed initial shot, it was not the best for a second when a sounder exploded or the second when one of a pair of coyotes took off. I decided to move to a 150 gr bullet from a .308 and to upgrade to a thermal that is the most amazing thing that I have ever mounted on firearm of any type.

The rifle is a Ruger AR in .308. It is accurate and has a remarkable trigger for a current production Ruger. I mounted a Leica 2.5x10 ERI on it for general purpose daylight use. I then purchased a Leica Calonox thermal and a Rusan adapter to fit the ERI scope. The combined unit is incredible. One sights the rifle in normally without the thermal. The adapter is threaded onto the Calonox and then slid onto the scope objective. The resulting thermal image is incredibly clear, and one has the full magnification range of the variable scope. Unlit crosshairs are perfectly visible not even necessitating the illuminated reticle. It is far superior and far more practical than the ATN.

I have no idea why this system has not really caught on here in the States. With it one can turn a daylight rifle into a superb thermal equipped pig or varmint rifle in seconds.

 

[Lone Star Bluegrass]

The Calonox is a great piece of kit, I was at Gordy & Sons the first week they were stocked and have been a fan ever since. I think a lot of folks put their hands on the bottom shelf products and when they’re inevitably unimpressed or let down by them they just abandon thermal altogether.

 

[AimSmall]

...and 308 hits harder, for sure

 

[wesheltonj]

Which one Calonox did you get. I’ve been thinking about the Calonox Sight.

 

[Red Leg]

I have the first model, which, assuming you can find one, are going at a discount. The critical path are the adapters which are even more difficult to find.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

the ruger SFAR does look interesting for sure. I believe POF has one similar. My thermal is on a 223 and sometimes wish it were more.

 

[Sabre]

For several years, I have been defending our pecans with a 5.56. Originally unsuppressed, the latest carried a suppressor. Both used a dedicated best quality ATN thermal sight and worked. Though the 5.56 was fine for an undisturbed initial shot, it was not the best for a second when a sounder exploded or the second when one of a pair of coyotes took off. I decided to move to a 150 gr bullet from a .308 and to upgrade to a thermal that is the most amazing thing that I have ever mounted on firearm of any type.

The rifle is a Ruger AR in .308. It is accurate and has a remarkable trigger for a current production Ruger. I mounted a Leica 2.5x10 ERI on it for general purpose daylight use. I then purchased a Leica Calonox thermal and a Rusan adapter to fit the ERI scope. The combined unit is incredible. One sights the rifle in normally without the thermal. The adapter is threaded onto the Calonox and then slid onto the scope objective. The resulting thermal image is incredibly clear, and one has the full magnification range of the variable scope. Unlit crosshairs are perfectly visible not even necessitating the illuminated reticle. It is far superior and far more practical than the ATN.

I have no idea why this system has not really caught on here in the States. With it one can turn a daylight rifle into a superb thermal equipped pig or varmint rifle in seconds.
View attachment 659979

How easy is the thermal to remove and install to the scope? Can the adapter stay on the scope and use the scope as a normal daylight scope? I guess at the heart of my questions is wondering if the thermal is a quick detach type setup.

Would you feel comfortable giving a cost breakdown of your optic setup with adapters, thermal, and scope?

 

[Inline6]

I'm assuming you stepped up from a 384 to a 640. If so a big difference in picture quality. Have looked through a few of these, that unit should serve you well. The people I know that have them really enjoy them.

That is a nice setup you have, if you ever feel like you need something a little faster due to unknown distance. Check out a gasser in 6CM or 22CM. Little less recoil to contend with and still packs a nice punch. If that is to new for your liking (I know the CM line is frowned upon on this site) you could also go 243 or 260. Just food thought.

100% agree with your observations, 223 even with 62gr tsx does not slow the bigger ones down as fast as I would like. Most of my shots are inside of 12 yards. Have moved to 300BO. That works better, it is not going to win the distance race. I'm shooting 115 @ 2350fps. (Underwood Ammo).

As far as your question why that system has not taken off. You have a lot of options, some are set up differently. It appears yours is rechargeable, most serious hunters want to be able to change their battles out on the fly. They hunt all night long in cold weather. Alot of guys that are serious have dedicated scopes with built in range finders. We have come a long ways in the NV world. (That’s just a few, I'm sure your question was more rhetorical).

 

[mark-hunter]

and a Rusan adapter to fit the

Glad to hear a Croatian product, finds itself accepted and distributed on American market.
I have several of their products, and they work well.
A friend of mine uses similar if not the same adapter for his clip on thermal on 300 win mag + Swaro scope, for years.
Basically for same purpose, night boar hunting.