During the man eater incident I had given Thor my Sticklite a magnetic device that had worked fine on my .404 but did not handle the recoil of Thor's .458

It actually proved to be a POS.

However we had a rechargeable Surefire R! Lawman and that proved it's weight in gold. Bright and very very long lasting. Better than a hand held spotlight.

Never liked Surefires but this one is a keeper.

Fairgame, I'm interested in your comment and some further clarification of how you used the Surefire light. I guide in AK and sometimes have to deal with bears in the middle of the night. I've tried lots of options for using a light and a rifle at the same time. I'm typically shooting either my .375 or .416 and have found that some headlamps are adequate, however, you have to practice with them while firing a rifle.

Your first statement about the Sticklite and a "magnetic" device caught my attention. Can you elaborate further on the use of the Surefire in this instance.

Andrew
I highly reccomend a Tacstar WLS 2000. It is actually a lyman product.

Comes with solid steel mounts to fit all barrel sizes and gives excellent light for close and far shooting.

Have used it on my 458 Lott and no problems so far.
You could also fit it to the double and mount it to give the front sight illumination without blinding you.
The only reservation I have is the batteries where you are. it uses 2 x CR 123 batteries which may be difficult to get. They do however last a hell of a long time.

The light comes with pressure switch or normal but cap switch.

nice work on the lions

quote:

Originally posted by Kambaku:
Fairgame, I'm interested in your comment and some further clarification of how you used the Surefire light. I guide in AK and sometimes have to deal with bears in the middle of the night. I've tried lots of options for using a light and a rifle at the same time. I'm typically shooting either my .375 or .416 and have found that some headlamps are adequate, however, you have to practice with them while firing a rifle.

Your first statement about the Sticklite and a "magnetic" device caught my attention. Can you elaborate further on the use of the Surefire in this instance.

Kambuku,

The magnetic 'Sticklite' simply sticks to the barrel. It's magnets are strong but obviously it has its limitations. Maybe it can be taped on to secure it?

Note the Surefire Lawman was held by hand as is a little too big to be mounted on a rifle. Thus the Surefire was used instead of a spotlight.

There is no good way to hold a torch and a heavy calibre rifle and probably a good headlight is the way to go?

fairgame

Their are plenty of mounts that can be used for connecting to guns and / or scopes.

Of course most are used on smaller cals so it
would be a case of testing them.

Re torches, plenty of torches smaller than
the Surefire Lawman that give just a good a light throw, either a good beam or a good flood
or a bit of both.

The problem is, with so many torches out there,
knowing which one is the key. Luckily have a mate who is into all things torches.

You can get some damn good one's quite cheaply from the deal extreme web site, including the mounts.

If you want more info plus what he suggested to me, send me a PM.

I am surprised that they do not manufacture a head band or shoulder harness that a torch can sleeve into?

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I am surprised that they do not manufacture a head band or shoulder harness that a torch can sleeve into?

Plenty of good head torches that work well enough.

Even cheap one's !

If needed, you could adapt a GoPro or similar
head harness for torch use, it wouldn't be difficult.

fairgame

What type of torch do you need.

Flood, Spot, bit of both, range ?

Does it need to be attached to the gun ?

Can you get away with a head torch and
a gun torch ?

Get an AR15 mount that clamps on the barrel and add a Surefire Fury in a good quality ring and it will work like a charm. The fury is tough, 500 lumens and projects a floodlight like pattern. It has about a two hour battery life. The light is about 5.5 inches long so it is very handy. It has an LED system so bulb damage should not be a problem. With a detachable ring system the light can be used as a flashlight till needed on the gun. The light can be had for about $110.
I believe Phil Shoemaker (458Win)has a rifle with a Picatinny rail epoxied into the forend that he uses for dark followup with big bears.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I am surprised that they do not manufacture a head band or shoulder harness that a torch can sleeve into?

You need a coon hunting rig.

quote:

Originally posted by LJS:
It has about a two hour battery life.

That sounds like a good set up.

The good thing about Regulated 18650 batteries
is being able to carry a couple of already recharged one's with you.

when I was a state game warden I carried a short barreled 12ga shotgun with a Surefire light clamped to the barrel, with a pressure switch to the forearm. The gun and light were regulated to the same spot. Point the light, pull the trigger. Dead on. No problems with 12 ga recoil.

I left it with PH Jim Mackie in Zim when I hunted with him in 05.

A Surefire X300 Ultra is an awesome follow up light. Can be mounted many ways and has several switch options.

The other light I am seldom without is a Surefire Backup. Very compact, one battery, 200 lumens of light and clips to your pocket.

There are a trail of these lights given to guides and trackers on my hunts.

I have used the Surefire LED verion, better battery life that the original by far. I have a great rubber clip which I can slip onto the barrel. I then tried the LED lenser, pretty good, good battery life. I am now testing some of the JetBeam products which are great.

quote:

Originally posted by 500nitro:
I have used the Surefire LED verion, better battery life that the original by far. I have a great rubber clip which I can slip onto the barrel. I then tried the LED lenser, pretty good, good battery life. I am now testing some of the JetBeam products which are great.

What rubber clip? Make?

there is a rubber clip that is shaped like the letter H. top part of the "U" attaches to the barrel and bottom part of the "U" holds the torch shaft. a velcro strap on both sides secures the torch, clip and gun barrel together. it works will with light recoil but i doubt it would work with a heavy kicker, except for the first shot

There are some VERY powerful headlights available right now.

Wouldn't that be more useful than one mounted on a heavy rifle?

I have some which I am taking on Safari this year - especially ones from LIGHT & MOTION.

jdollar

This is probably it.

http://dx.com/p/universal-nylo...hts-and-lasers-12000

http://dx.com/p/universal-nylo...hts-and-lasers-12000

Re headlights I was told this is also the best way to shoot at night with open sights. I have not tried myself but the advise came from experienced PHs.

quote:

Originally posted by 505G:
jdollar

This is probably it.

http://dx.com/p/universal-nylo...hts-and-lasers-12000

http://dx.com/p/universal-nylo...hts-and-lasers-12000

yep, that's it. works very well for lower powered guns- not sure about others

Might work with a small torch but
anything with any weight is probably
going to be "launched" with the the
recoil !

Some good torches on that web site,
although you have to sort the wheat
from the chaff, which as explained
earlier on, luckily I have a friend
who is good at torches !

If you get a barrel mount that has a Picatinny rail on the bottom, you can use two rings to hold your light secure. Much less likely for the flashlight to move than the scope.
You can also get a Streamlight gun light that clamps on the rail and provides 600+lumens. It can also be had with the built in laser. Light only is about $130 and with laser $265. I have one on a 1911 in my nightstand!

What about for doubles?

fairgame

Most of the shotgun attachments seem to be for single barrel shotguns.

Apart from a head lamp, don't know of any other
method of using one on a SxS gun of any sort.

Using a head lamp can work however, it takes practice to get the light positioned correctly on your head so the light will shine where your guns is pointed.

If that head lamp is in the center of your forehead when you mount your gun the light will not be shining at the same spot your barrels are pointed.

I would not try using one on following up wounded dangerous game.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
What about for doubles?

Duct Tape

Or the african equivalent...strips of inner tube.

It's not difficult to make a clip according to the diamaeter of your torch and measurements of your barel (or scope). Then you can use the torch without much hassles and it's easy to attach it or take it of.

For hunting at night I would also consider to get a cable switch for the torch. Then you can swith the torch on and off without taking yor hand off the stock.

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:
For hunting at night I would also consider to get a cable switch for the torch. Then you can swith the torch on and off without taking yor hand off the stock.

A very good point.

They work well.

Enjoy the night and the candle light and leave the torch at home.If it is too dark then stay in bed.

quote:

Originally posted by Ongwe:
Or the african equivalent...strips of inner tube.

I may have to go home and try a version of this with my synthetic stock bolt gun and a surefire. In my head, it seems that it might be pretty simple to leave the band on all the time, and slide the light into it if necessary.

I remember seeing in an AR catalog a short section of Picatinny rail that clamped on to a swivel quick detachable stud. That would be a great way to go. All I have to do is try to remember where I saw it.

Fairgame,

For $450 that Surefire R1 had BETTER be worth it's weight in gold!

It does look like a really good flashlight though.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
Fairgame,

For $450 that Surefire R1 had BETTER be worth it's weight in gold!

It does look like a really good flashlight though.

It was brilliant mate. We recharged once during the night. It also comes with a spare battery pack. Best torch I have owned.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Fenix headband

Thanks Saeed.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Enjoy the night and the candle light and leave the torch at home.If it is too dark then stay in bed.

that's a great idea. you can lay in bed and listen to the joyful sounds of hyenas as they destroy your client's trophy. another wonderful idea from the Montreal Moron. why didn't i think of that( because my IQ is greater than that of turnip??)??. once again, you can't fix stupid

I found the attachment to the swivel I remembered. It is a TufForce MT-AS5 Sling Swivel Stud Adapter. If your gun has a swivel stud in the forearm this should be slick. It will provide a short section of Picatinny rail to hang a light on. I found it on Amazon for $17.

LJS

That is a damn good idea.

Thanks for posting.

U and H. Aren't these two seperate letters with two different shapes? Just asking?

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
there is a rubber clip that is shaped like the letter H. top part of the "U" attaches to the barrel and bottom part of the "U" holds the torch shaft. a velcro strap on both sides secures the torch, clip and gun barrel together. it works will with light recoil but i doubt it would work with a heavy kicker, except for the first shot