Red light vs Thermal Setups

[MannyMedeiros21]

I just had a quick question for all you who have switched from red lights to thermal. I am switching to thermal, and I am just wondering if the way you set up would be different from that of running a red light. While running a light, I would often just setup in a wide open field because once you pick an animal up they can’t see anything behind the light. I’m assuming with running thermal you would want to be more discrete and try to “hide”. Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Skerhunter]

Depends on how light it is! Full moon and snow, try to stay in shadows by cover. Most nights you can set up about anywhere, just make sure you aren’t sky-lined.

Don’t think I have ever been busted by them seeing me at night. Usually its sound that make them nervous (crunching ice/clanking gear).

 

[Mattman215]

As doesn’t allow thermals or I would have made the switch years ago.

 

[weekender7]

Setup mostly the same, the brighter the moon the more I want background with the thermal

 

[Buckhead]

Have used both. Before I owned a thermal, used red lights successfully. I think lights are more effective in an open setting. The land I have access to is wooded with most shots under 100 yards. About a year ago, bought an AGM Rattler and have really enjoyed it. In addition to hunting coyotes, have taken several raccoons, beavers and armadillos with it. Amazing how active critters are in the dark. Have it sighted in on a bolt .223 and a .22 mag.

I haven't had a coyote spot me with the thermal, however, I am careful about my setups. Usually get situated in a direction that I anticipate the coyote coming from. Be careful about wind direction. Usually, don't bother to call unless I hear them sounding close by. That makes their approach more predictable.

Where I hunt, coyotes are nomadic. I usually get one or two per year. Eastern coyotes are challenging.

 

[MannyMedeiros21]

Have used both. Before I owned a thermal, used red lights successfully. I think lights are more effective in an open setting. The land I have access to is wooded with most shots under 100 yards. About a year ago, bought an AGM Rattler and have really enjoyed it. In addition to hunting coyotes, have taken several raccoons, beavers and armadillos with it. Amazing how active critters are in the dark. Have it sighted in on a bolt .223 and a .22 mag.

I haven't had a coyote spot me with the thermal, however, I am careful about my setups. Usually get situated in a direction that I anticipate the coyote coming from. Be careful about wind direction. Usually, don't bother to call unless I hear them sounding close by. That makes their approach more predictable.

Where I hunt, coyotes are nomadic. I usually get one or two per year. Eastern coyotes are challenging.

Just wondering how well your rattler holds zero moving it from one gun to another. Any issues?


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[Buckhead]

No issues holding a zero so far, but most of my shots are under 100 yds. When I switch rifles, I double check things and fire a couple of test shots. The crosshair profiles are generally spot on, maybe a slight tweaking. It isn’t like you can get target grade accuracy. My Rattler is a 25/384 with a 1.5 base magnification.

 

[E.Shell]

Just wondering how well your rattler holds zero moving it from one gun to another. Any issues?

I have an AGM Rattler TS35-640 and move it between a suppressed 10/22 and a .223 bolt gun. It has been within an inch or so at 50 yards with both rifles when returning.

The Rattler has a choice of 5 zeros (meaning it can be zeroed for five rifles or five ranges or five loads) and the throw-lever rail mount has adjustable tension. I have one zero for the .22 and another for the .223 and as long as I do a minor adjustment on the rail mount tension to keep it very tight, I'm happy with the repeatability/return to zero.