Thermal - what base magnification?

D

dave3006

Active member
When you start calling, what base magnification do you like to start the stand with?

Do you ever increase it when you have a coyote coming to the call?

I have an AGM Clarion 640. So, I can start with 2.5x or 3x depending on the lens I choose. Of course, I can always change it digitally too.

The issue for me is that when I have one coming in I never change anything. I am so focused on the coyote, I forget to even hit record. So, what I start with is what I finish with.

If you called in semi thick desert areas, what would you chose?
 
Coyotes I prefer large base mag (4-6x), hogs 2.0-2.5 base mag since I can literally walk up on them to about 50 yards.

Follow up shots on a 4-6x can be difficult for newbies but don’t use a high recoil cartridge and you’ll be fine.
 
I have the Rattler 640, set mag to 2x and focus @ 100 yds so I get a good ID on the 'target' - maybe change mag if needed. Don't have a caller but never had a yote or hog come so fast I couldn't adjust mag. Not sure what you call thick desert. Mesquite and brush like west/south Texas?
I assume the focus doesn't change when changing the lens? It's a multiple lens system - toss a secondary lens behind the first.
 
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I run an original xg50 Thermion 3-24. Always on base mag for FOV focused for about 2-300 if I can see that far. I don't really care if the target is out of focus cause as Alf puts it, I am shooting for "minute of coyote". I also ALWAYS aim with the PIP set at 12x or 15x-again not caring about focus. The reticle I use can be used as a generic range finder for 200 and 300 yds with the hash marks spaced 9" for the 2nd one down (200y) and 300y is the first one down at a 9" spacing from the main xhair. This reticl acts as a FFP and stays the same no matter the zoom.
 
dave3006 said:
When you start calling, what base magnification do you like to start the stand with?

Do you ever increase it when you have a coyote coming to the call?

I have an AGM Clarion 640. So, I can start with 2.5x or 3x depending on the lens I choose. Of course, I can always change it digitally too.

The issue for me is that when I have one coming in I never change anything. I am so focused on the coyote, I forget to even hit record. So, what I start with is what I finish with.

If you called in semi thick desert areas, what would you chose?
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My IRay bolt has a base Mag of 3.5. I usually have Picture in Picture turned on and that is twice base mag , so 7 x. I hardly ever change a thing .
 
Adder v2 50x640. 3.5 base i think. That works for a sub 100yd shot. If I'm shooting say 350, we are going be zooming in. Generally leave the rifle on base, and zoom when necessary. Prefer to hunt with 200yd visibility minimum. Some sets have 1/2 mile visibility.
 
My Trijicon IR Hunter 35s are 2x and the other 1.75x and I keep them at base.
Most spots, long distance visibility is rare so by the time they are in range they are under 200 yards anyway, so depending on situations like multiples I'll keep magnification as low as possible to get on the other coyotes.
My Nox scanner is 1x.
 
I wish all came with a 2x, or at least the ones I want, lol. They need to have an East version and a West version. 200yds here is gonna be a poke unless you’re hunting from an elevated position and even then getting a clear shot on a coyote or cat is gonna have to take a lot of luck with the amount of brush we have.
 
Scanner is a 2.7x base mag, while scope is a 6x mag (Hik micro SH50L) this can be a little high when you get a fox charging in but I can live with it.
 
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