Equipment Upgrade for 23'-24' Season??

Kino M

Kino M

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Staff member
So who's considering upgrading or adding thermal or night vision equipment this year??

I sold my backup/loaner scope this past spring so I gotta replace it and it definitely will be the Nvision Halo XRF or the new clip on they are releasing soon. I bought a new Halo XRF last summer and its been flawless with no issues so its hard to look elsewhere.

I'm also looking to add a helmet mounted thermal to run in conjunction with the PVS-14 I already have. I may end up with a NOX 18 but the Armasight Sidekick definitely has my attention, especially being American made and a great price.


No caliber changes this year or different guns but I did work up a 55NBT load that is smoking fast and shoots small groups so I'll definitely give it some trials. Reloading components and ammunition is much better than it was last summer but honestly I have no dire need to change.
 
Everything will stay the same for me. I did add a Superlative Arms piston drive kit last fall which has worked flawlessly and runs much cleaner with the suppressor.
 
I just finished my 22 Creedmoor rifle. With its 26” barrel the plan is to shoot either 62gr or 69gr Hammer bullets.

Im also waiting to see N-Visions new clip on and if that doesnt work out I will be looking at Pulsars Thermion 2 XG50. The ballistic software should be really cool.
 
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I worked up a good load with 58vmax which the verdict is not in yet——-l need to practice shooting, have had a couple runners Also bought an Icotec nightstalker+ which l really like but need more practice with the remote so l don’t have to look at it to operate.
 
kino i see that sidekick is running on a cr 123 battery can,t believe you would want that they say 4 hr, you will be lucky to get 2
 
Lots of new stuff for me this fall. I will be adding a Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro and a Ruger Predator 243 win in a chassis along with a chassis for my 204 Ruger.
 
2023 .. keeping the all same that works . re-barreled this year same Caliber for the AR that been using last 6 years. same thermal scan. same NV clip-on . it all works great for me, so if not broken.. then don't fix it.
EXCEPTION to the Rule --> I changed E-call this summer . I used the same ( still works ) Horn-speaker, FP Hellfire for almost 9 years . So I went and got a new FP Shockwave . this is my 5th e-call setup.

Shockwave.. The Remote is an improvement. has Good sound for it's call size . also the Fox Motion is a plus . but most the rest of the inboard extra features, I got no need for.
Also got my reservations about the Shockwave and water resistance ? . The battery box lid on backside is not sealed at all, also you can look right threw the (large hole) on backside wall of battery box that goes into the call .
Shockwave NOT look as good weather sealed, as a FP Horn Speaker call. Horn speakers are pretty sealed down to rain water issues in my NW. AO .
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Originally Posted By: duckkino i see that sidekick is running on a cr 123 battery can,t believe you would want that they say 4 hr, you will be lucky to get 2

Duck it comes or has an available extension so you can run 16650s which is a nice rechargeable that is much better than the cr123. Its not an 18650, I wish it was but I think they was trying to trim down the weight as much as possible. The 16650 will be a decent power supply and my charger will charge them.
 
Originally Posted By: DoubleUpEverything will stay the same for me. I did add a Superlative Arms piston drive kit last fall which has worked flawlessly and runs much cleaner with the suppressor.

Owen i was strongly considering that piston kit last year but I couldn't find one single person that used it on an accurate AR so I was skeptical, I'm all about accuracy and I wasn't willing to risk it. DI guns shoot but if that piston is as accurate as the DI stuff I may try one.

Did you happen to do before and after accuracy test/groups by chance, really curious to hear your experience?
 
I built an AR in 243 to use instead of a 243 BA, and upgraded from a Trail XQ38 to a Thermion XP50 Pro.

I bought a Bushwhacker® 46 Can and a RA Ranch in 450 BM which I already developed a 395gr Subsonic load for hunting predators where shots are limited to 75yds and in.

I'm buying a smaller e-caller unit. I bought a 2023 Tacoma 4x4 for hunting too.
 
Kino, remember now that I'm shooting a 223 Wylde chambering. I would say that I might have had a slight degradation in group size, but it was very slight. I never felt it hampered me in any way. I had kills at 334 yds. and 294 yds. which would have been about my limit of shooting anyway with the 223. Can't say how it might be with your 6x6.8 or an AR10.
 
Adding a Ruger Ranch Rifle in 223 as a backup and alternate night hunting rig. Wanted a handy bolt action along side the AR
 
Changed the Trail 2 XP 50 LRF to the Thermion 2 XP50 LRF this winter and still am scanning with the Helion XP28 and Helion 2 XP50. Tried a iRay Zoom RH 35 which worked very well but did not like the picture as well on low power as my 28 so sold it. It does give you the benefits of both the 28 and the 50 in one package though and at high power the image was probably better that the 50.Still running the same .223 18" suppressed AR with 55 grain Vmax a little hotter than Hornady's Supperformance. Sighted in 1 1-4" to 1 1/2" at 100 and I'm good out to 300. Using the Foxpro X24 and Lucky Duck Rough Neck from Rick Pallet. Tip on the X24: if you are close to a cell tower don't expect much range from it.
 
I gotta admit, I just picked up an Nvision Halo XRF and I’m not as impressed as I thought I was gonna be. It’s definitely a great optic, but coming from my Bering Super Yoter 50 I was expecting a $5k better optic but to my eyes it feels like a $2k better optic. So the XRF was my upgrade for the season so we’ll see if I keep it after it’s over or not.
 
I think I will try to upgrade my mindset, hunt areas and tactics. I think if I can get some new ground and not repeat them same mistakes that got me busted will put more fur in the truck, as opposed to spending more money. I want to remain teachable and approach my stands as "I don't know what I'm doing - I need to figure this out" will help me keep from making sloppy stands.
 
No night hunting in my areas, so nothing new there. Same old rifle and gear. The big change is our addition of a Polaris Ranger to the stable. Should make covering ground between stands faster, smoother, and easier on the trucks.
 
Originally Posted By: Infidel 762I think I will try to upgrade my mindset, hunt areas and tactics. I think if I can get some new ground and not repeat them same mistakes that got me busted will put more fur in the truck, as opposed to spending more money. I want to remain teachable and approach my stands as "I don't know what I'm doing - I need to figure this out" will help me keep from making sloppy stands.

Sage words from a bona fide coyote killer.
 
Originally Posted By: DoubleUpOriginally Posted By: Infidel 762I think I will try to upgrade my mindset, hunt areas and tactics. I think if I can get some new ground and not repeat them same mistakes that got me busted will put more fur in the truck, as opposed to spending more money. I want to remain teachable and approach my stands as "I don't know what I'm doing - I need to figure this out" will help me keep from making sloppy stands.

Sage words from a bona fide coyote killer.

Amen! Shot HP rifle competition for over 25 years. One of the most common mistakes made by many came in the form of trying to "buy" success, 2nd was competing against other shooters rather than competing against yourself. Good equipment is necessary to succeed on the range or in the field, but at some point, practice reigns supreme.

Regards,
hm
 
Can't agree more to what DU and hm said with regards to infidel-- a stone cold killer for sure and a great writer of prose.
 
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