Perfect thermal/night vision host

[scott123456789]

Curious what your opinion is for the perfect night vision/thermal host?

[Anon]

Depends on what your hunting.

[mkk]

Budget


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[BobbyJoe]

L3Harris GPNVG paired with an iRay Rico HD RS75

[Clay C]

Originally Posted by BobbyJoe

L3Harris GPNVG paired with an iRay Rico HD RS75

A man of means and fine taste.

[Clay C]

OP are you talking "host" as in gun setups?

[sahunter]

tagged

[imyomama]

ar platform in whatever caliber you feel is adequate ...

but if this thread is going to become another caliber pissing contest, then i'll just go with a GE minigun M134 and get it over with ...

[okrattler]

I think an AR is best for night huntin with thermal or night vision. For the simple fact that you can keep your target in the scope for follow up shots on pigs or lets say you miss a coyote, wound it or have multiple coyotes you need to keep track of. You never have to lose sight of stuff with an AR.

I'd go as far as to say it's the best choice for hogs there is.

[scott123456789]

Yes I assumed host meant firearm an optic rests on.

Say $1500 or so.

Yes I assumed semi auto would be the ticket and full auto better but even a transferable Ruger 556 is $15k.


Not as worried about the brand on AR but rather caliber, barrel length etc.

[Seatruckn]

That FNAR that’s been camping out in the classifieds…..

[BrianL]

Overall cost, bullet size, and accuracy I would lean toward the 7.62x39. CMMG makes a really nice one. It holds you under 150 yards or so, but usually with thermal you can close to that distance pretty easy. There are times I wish I had it on my 308, but when I get in a big group pigs and empty a 20 rd clip+, I'm glad it is on the 7.62x39.

[Gunnyart]

Suppressed Faxon boltgun in 8.6 BLK

[trophy8]

For hogs and varmints it’s hard to beat a well equipped AR10 if you can handle the weight. 243 or 308

On the lighter weight side a 6.5 grendel or 7.62x39.

I’ve ran all these and the large frame guns were worth the extra weight for the additional power you gain in knockdown. But it does get old carrying them lol.

If shooting single animals the AR15 is what I’d recommend. Lighter and you can take your time.

If shooting large groups of hogs I’d go AR10. When they get to running you’ll appreciate that extra thump the bigger guns offer.

Running suppressed or not is another part of the decision. Bigger guns bigger boom. Run a can and it doesn’t matter.


In short…. run an AR10 suppressed on a quality tripod and be happy.

[scott123456789]

Before I just into my first suppressor the AR 10 was perfect for hogs. However, after throwing an extra 1lb on the end plus the weight of a night vision optic I bailed and got the 300blk pistol.

[Black Ice]

I’ve got a wilson combat AR, Hyperion k suppressor, and Thermion 2 XP50 that I like a lot.

AR is 6.8 SPC. I wanted something lighter than the AR 10’s I had and more grains than the .223.


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[Clay C]

Different for everyone.

I like short, lightweight rifles that hold lots of ammo. So I like the AR15. Short, light guns are just easier to move around inside a vehicle, walk with and shoot offhand with. Especially under low light or NODs. Since I'm a fan of the .223/5.56 that's what I choose.

I'm personally not a fan of the AR10 or it's clones. I do like the idea of the Ruger SFAR and will probably be checking one out before too long.

[Jethro]

Perfect thermal host, for doing what? The animal you are chasing and the country you are chasing it in has an awful lot to do with it. Calling coyotes nothing wrong with a good accurate bolt gun in a varmint cartridge. Hammering big pigs an AR-10 sure has some good attributes. Just for all around, general purpose doing some of both I personally feel a fairly short, light, accurate AR-15 in 6.5 G or 6.8 SPC is pretty hard to beat. Something like that will handle about anything you throw at it pretty well.

[geezer56]

My thermal lives on a 7.62x39 AR 15. I've tried a Grendel, and a 5.56, they don't possess enough posterior to anchor pigs as fast as I want. Tried an AR 10, but I didn't like carrying a truck axle. The Commie caliber works great with the 154 gr steel cased soft points. The 350 legend now has my interest, I may try that next.

[Chase4556]

Get that new Ruger small platform AR10 thing they came out with. 308 is a solid performer on piggies. It’s lighter and smaller than a traditional AR10. Think it has a 16” barrel which would be my choice when I’m putting a suppressor on it.

[Arrow-Tek]

Honey Badger topped with a Trijicon Reap IR

[ET8300]

I am running a 16 inch LWRC 6.8 A5 with a Surefire 300sps topped with an IR defense MKII. Put plenty of hogs, bobcats and coyotes down at our place. It is small and has plenty of power without all the weight of an AR-10. Got tired of carrying the AR-10 around the wheat fields at night in the panhandle.

[scott123456789]

Haven’t ordered yet but just about convinced myself to go with a 12” 6.5 Grendel. About $600 all on and already have the optic.

[HTOWN]

6.8 spc or 6.5 grendel. Then the 308. Not a fan of the recoil and heavier rifle.
The 2 rounds I mentioned allow u to stay on target easier and always put down what you hit.
No 300 blk
No 5.56

[Black Ice]

Originally Posted by ET8300

I am running a 16 inch LWRC 6.8 A5 with a Surefire 300sps topped with an IR defense MKII. Put plenty of hogs, bobcats and coyotes down at our place. It is small and has plenty of power without all the weight of an AR-10. Got tired of carrying the AR-10 around the wheat fields at night in the panhandle.

That’s why I switched and it’s way better.


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[ShoootLow]

Originally Posted by Chase4556

Get that new Ruger small platform AR10 thing they came out with. 308 is a solid performer on piggies. It’s lighter and smaller than a traditional AR10. Think it has a 16” barrel which would be my choice when I’m putting a suppressor on it.

Took my SFAR .308 out for its maiden voyage this weekend. Unfortunately I had some issues that will require a trip back to Ruger to get sorted out.

When I sighted in at the range it functioned properly (8 rounds) until the last round, then the bolt stuck in the receiver and had to be coerced out. I had noticed it was a bit stiff when I cleaned it and oiled prior to shooting (yes - I cleaned it, so it wasn’t manufacturing debris), but guessed it just needed to be cycled a bit to loosen up. Got it home, broke it down, cleaned it again and lubed well. Cycled smoothly and I thought all was well. After 3 rounds this weekend the bolt locked up again, and this time we can’t get it freed up. Took it to my local shop today, will have an update tomorrow if they can ID root cause.

[Bullseye07]

8” ar in 8.6blk with a can.


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