Delving into the thermal optics hole

[Karlk]

Folks I find myself in need of buying a Thermal optic for a 300 Blackout Ruger American rifle, the optic first then the suppressor. After a few days of reading about this technology I have come down to the fact (in my head) that a Thermal will do very well for my needs, my normal ranges will be from 100 to 200 yards shooting from a tree line across open area to another tree line. Of course after searching online for information my phone and computer has been onfire with every thermal scope maker on the planet, oh joy, and more confusion! My budget is hoping to stay under 2K and of course I want the highest resolution yada yada yada for the least money, OK kidding there I know thats not possible. There are folks here with hundreds of times more knowledge than I have and if someone has good suggestions I am all ears to say the least and ready to buy! The urgency came up last week, I live in an area that always has coyotes, we have tons of deer so of course coyotes are part of that. Well last week I had a pack come through my side yard and normally is about 3 to 5 coyotes at the most well this was substantially more than that I am guessing it was more in the 15 coyotes and by looking at the tracks the next day I am going to stick with that number. I can deal with yotes but I like deer better and we have to get these yote numbers down, hence my urgency!
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience with someone who has far less!!
Karl

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[Tlock]

Check your local laws.....oregon has cracked down on thermals.

I only used the high end pulsar stuff and it was great

 

[Pete F]

Folks I find myself in need of buying a Thermal optic for a 300 Blackout Ruger American rifle, the optic first then the suppressor. After a few days of reading about this technology I have come down to the fact (in my head) that a Thermal will do very well for my needs, my normal ranges will be from 100 to 200 yards shooting from a tree line across open area to another tree line. Of course after searching online for information my phone and computer has been onfire with every thermal scope maker on the planet, oh joy, and more confusion! My budget is hoping to stay under 2K and of course I want the highest resolution yada yada yada for the least money, OK kidding there I know thats not possible. There are folks here with hundreds of times more knowledge than I have and if someone has good suggestions I am all ears to say the least and ready to buy! The urgency came up last week, I live in an area that always has coyotes, we have tons of deer so of course coyotes are part of that. Well last week I had a pack come through my side yard and normally is about 3 to 5 coyotes at the most well this was substantially more than that I am guessing it was more in the 15 coyotes and by looking at the tracks the next day I am going to stick with that number. I can deal with yotes but I like deer better and we have to get these yote numbers down, hence my urgency!
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience with someone who has far less!!
Karl

I just looked up the Sightmark website and they have a State by State list of what is legal for hunting with thermal sights. Oregon is a no-go for all animals including non-game.Thermal and night vision prohibited.

Washington is legal for coyote hunting outside of big game seasons.

 

[P7M13]

According to this map, in North Dakota, you're allowed night hunting and night vision. Verify your laws please.
if you want to keep it really cheap, get an IR laser and a helmet mounted monocular that you can see IR. Mount the laser to your gun, zero it at the distance you want. Illuminate the target with your laser, and pull the trigger.

I have an ATN X-Sight Pro and with a IR torch, I can see out to 300.

 

[TTSX]

Page 19 of the 2025 Oregon hunting regs. Your state may be different.

 

[TTSX]

I just skimmed the ND hunting regs and it looks like since 2016/17 the use of thermal imaging devices is perfectly ok for hunting coyotes.

With that said, if the need is urgent, I'd go find a local store and buy whatever is on the shelf. If it's slightly less urgent, I'd buy whatever you're looking for with overnight shipping or 2 day. If it's not really that urgent, I'd pass on the whole ordeal. Unless you've just seen a bunch of targets and it's more of a joy ride disguised as population control then you do you, boo.

 

[Tlock]

I just skimmed the ND hunting regs and it looks like since 2016/17 the use of thermal imaging devices is perfectly ok for hunting coyotes.

With that said, if the need is urgent, I'd go find a local store and buy whatever is on the shelf. If it's slightly less urgent, I'd buy whatever you're looking for with overnight shipping or 2 day. If it's not really that urgent, I'd pass on the whole ordeal. Unless you've just seen a bunch of targets and it's more of a joy ride disguised as population control then you do you, boo.

There is alot less expensive ways to kill coyotes effectively......but cool new toys always need a excuse. I had the latest and greatest stuff and it was fun! Killing bears in town, coyotes, cats and deer....the work very well

 

[TTSX]

There is alot less expensive ways to kill coyotes effectively......but cool new toys always need a excuse. I had the latest and greatest stuff and it was fun! Killing bears in town, coyotes, cats and deer....the work very well

And the neighbors yappy little dog, too.

 

[Tlock]

And the neighbors yappy little dog, too.

Haha!!! Thats prision time now days. I can say be sure to identify your target, after I left the feds there was 2 back to back mishaps. If it ever comes out to the public oregon will make the national news

 

[Karlk]

Thanks much guys I will be looking into the Pulsar stuff and see if any of it fits my budget, thanks again!

 

[dmack]

I picked up an AGM Rattler v2 25-320 from optics planet a month ago. While I've only looked through it and a friend's Iray, I will say I'm impressed, especially for the price. A friend has a 4 year old Trijcon, and he seemed impressed with my AGM.

The horse is about 50yds, and the deer about 100yds. Dark enough couldn't see either without the thermal.

 

[titsonritz]

Just IR NV here, I haven't taken the thermal plunge yet but I do see these in my future (one of these days)

FLIR Breach PTQ136 - Tactical Night Vision Company

Ultra Compact Thermal Monocular The Noisefighters MRX-PRO arm is included ($135 value) to provide the ability to mount the PTQ136 Breach to a dovetail helmet mount such as the Wilcox G24 Recommended Accessories: Rayvn Group Rayvn Rail BUY HERE Wilcox G24 - BUY HERE

tnvc.com

RAYVN RAIL - Tactical Night Vision Company

The RAYVN Rail for the PVS-14 and supported thermal devices is a lightweight, all-aluminum, fully articulating bridge system

tnvc.com

@Moderators could we a move down to the NV section. Please and thank you.