What rifle do you guys like to use for spotlighting?

In Africa we used a M700 bolt gun in 223 with a big surefire taped to the top of the scope.

Was thinking a good bolt gun or AR with a big 3.5-10x56 or 3-12x56 iluminated reticle scope would be ideal.

What are your thoughts?

I use a CZ 527 varmint with the H&S kevlar stock in 222rem I use it at night alot of the time, go and buy one, you won't be dissapointed

d99

Nightforce has a 12 volt 55 watt model. I believe allpredatorcalls.com is a distribtor. I have the optronics 350 yd 6 volt model.
GWB

Ne45No2 uses a Blaser Drilling with an ITT integrated day-night scope...now that's a night scope set up!

Lots more spotlighting done (for vermin control) in Australia than most countries .
Most of us prefer heavy barrelled bolt actions and did prior to the ban on semi autos . Choose a sporter if you will be walking . Most popular spotlighting calibres here now are .223 thru .243 . In days gone by the .17 Rem. was very popular amongst pro fox shooters as it caused minimal pelt damage.
Lightforce are the most popular spotlights with the SL240 being the most effective model if shooting from a vehicle .The smaller SL140 is better suited if you want a scope mounted light . Lightforce make a quick release mount and battery pack which are designed for the purpose.
Illuminated reticles aren't popular for spotlighting and aren't needed if you have a half decent light . Best to choose a good quality scope with a 50mm objective or larger though . European scopes such as the Kahles Helia S 8 x 56 were very popular some years ago when many people shot foxes for the fur market. This is obviously due to their superior low light performance .

I use this baby. It is a 222rem. It has around 70 fox kills in 2 years to it's name.

Scope is a Swaro 8x50.

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
I use this baby. It is a 222rem. It has around 70 fox kills in 2 years to it's name.

Scope is a Swaro 8x50.

So what is your baby,and what is that thing on the end of the barrel for?

JB, sorry, the rifle is a Steyr Mannlicher. The thing on the end of the barrel is a sound moderator (aka "silencer").

With the can hanging on the barrel, this rifle makes about the same noise as a .22lr shooting HV ammo.

Brian,

Nice stock!

I wish we could do the moderated rifle thing here. You can but most states won't let you hunt with it.

8x56 is nice too!

I have started using a T/C youth carbine in .223 with a 16" barrel. It sure is a handy truck/spotlight gun.
At the moment it's wearing a Nikon 6-20x42 which is fairly good, only thing I don't like is the AO paralax ajustment. Accurate little bugger too.

Here in Italy we have smaller vehicles, I have a Landrover Defender 130, and the cabin is surprisingly small.
This is not a problem you would have in the US, so longer rifles aren't going to be such a hinderance.

The AR's ability to make a quick follow-up shot on doubles makes the Bushmaster Predator in .223 Rem. w/4.5-14 Burris FFII my ultimate spotlighting rifle.



For daylight I like the 243 WSSM w/Burris 4.5-14 Tactical scope for longer shots and wind bucking ability.



Regards,
hm

Killed a load of stuff with a HK 300 22 mag. One of my "bestest guns of all time"

Ed

a friend growing up, actually his father had an HK 22 mag. that was one heck of a rifle. doe killer extraordinare.

Before semi auto center fire rifles were banned here (Australia). They had to given in to the Aussie government who allegedly destroyed them.
My two all time favorites were a mini 14 223 with a 4x Pecar for roos and anything smaller and H&K mod 770 in 308 win with a 6x Pecar.
Its never been the same since the ban. I hope you guys in the US do not experience the same "treatment" now you have your new change government. Over 10 years later I still miss mine.

Like the can on the Steyr, what about an Aimpoint w/ a 3x magnifier?

quote:

Originally posted by hm1996:

hm

What brand is that spotlight attached to your scope ?? looks good....

Any other brand/model to recomend ???

Thanks
Lorenzo