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.