Spotlights mounted to rifles

Scopes, Range finders, Binoculars, Bipods etc etc. Discuss them all here!
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Ned Kelly
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Spotlights mounted to rifles

Post by Ned Kelly »

G'Day All,
I'm thinking about getting a rifle mounted light to sort out some foxes and rabbits, I plan to fit it to a .22lr as I need to be fairly quite (too many greenies near home who might kick up a stink if its on the .223!) as it will be a walkabout setup.

All suggestions most welcome

Also, please include any suggestions or tips on fitting the light to the scope/stock and pitfalls and experiences you might have had and adjusting the set up for walk about shooting. Pictures would also be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Ned
Peter O
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Post by Peter O »

Light force 140 with the mount kit and a red lens & the light force power pak or one of your own making will do what you want just make sure you fit a dimmer so you don't burn up your battery to quick.
I use an LED head lamp when moving around rather than the big light.
Cheers
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Ned Kelly
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Post by Ned Kelly »

G'Day all,
since my 22lr has an Anschutz front rail inletted to the forend, does anyone know of a means/adapters that allow fitting a maglite torch or similar to a rifle?
Any replies most welcome.
Cheerio ned
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Dr G
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Post by Dr G »

G'day Ned

I cant suggest a mounting method for your annie but my own thoughts are that this would make it an uncomfortable bitch to shoot as Maglites are not exactly light and it would pull the front down quite a bit.

the lightforce spotties mounted over the scope at least preserve some of the balance to your rifle and given that its going to be used as a walkaround you would probably appreciate this after a couple of hours
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kjd
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Post by kjd »

Spend the cash ned and get a lightforce they are the way to go!
cam_mackps2
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Post by cam_mackps2 »

I had the same problem almost 12 months ago.

My solution was a lightforce 170 handheld, with a screw-in dovetail mount that the gunshop had. It screws into the brass fitting in the handle and connects to a ring mount on the scope (included in the mount package). All up i think about $150, and the bonus is it can be used as a handheld aswell where the SCOPE MOUNTED model can't be use seperatly.

I have 2 12V 7AHr SLA batteries that i use for spotlight just wired up home style, but the lightforce ones sound good with the dimmer built in but i could justify the price tag.
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kjd
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Post by kjd »

cam_mackps2 wrote:I had the same problem almost 12 months ago.

My solution was a lightforce 170 handheld, with a screw-in dovetail mount that the gunshop had. It screws into the brass fitting in the handle and connects to a ring mount on the scope (included in the mount package). All up i think about $150, and the bonus is it can be used as a handheld aswell where the SCOPE MOUNTED model can't be use seperatly.

I have 2 12V 7AHr SLA batteries that i use for spotlight just wired up home style, but the lightforce ones sound good with the dimmer built in but i could justify the price tag.
Well it can its just not as comfortable to hold. Its doable though!
saladin

Post by saladin »

hey ned, how is the bunny and fox population looking around woodend? i do some shooting further up the road at malmsbury, and whilst the foxes are certainly about, the cotton tails are very thin on the ground. but i have heard that the rabbits are back in big numbers east of the hume.

also, i have a 452 varmint that i'm thinking of getting a light for. like you, i wondered if a mag light could be mounted. you would want to mount it somewhere that doesn't pressure the barrel, or accuracy will vary. i am likely to go with a lightforce setup, simply because the system has been tried and tested.
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Dr G
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Post by Dr G »

G'Day Ned

You may have seen it allready (given the speed of our local mail just about everybody would have by now) but their is a good article on homemade rifle splotlight mounts in the latest Hunter magazine

cheers
cat destroyer

Post by cat destroyer »

G'day Ned, I agree with the previous advice ,go with a Lightforce setup. Use a dimmer control to save power while walking around and turn it up while shooting. The red lens is a great idea, doesn't spook foxes or rabbits(or for that matter greenie neighbours) as much as a bright white beam. Another good tip is to use doubled sided tape to attach on/off switch to the forend of the rifle. (easier to locate if required)
I've used my Lightfoce 140 often over the past 10 years and found it very effective and great fun. Hope you enjoy your setup as much as I've enjoyed mine. Regards CD.
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siacci
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Post by siacci »

I have the scope mounted 140 on my 223. The setup came with some double sided tape with valcrow for attaching the switch. I love it. I use it out the door of my Disco over the Big Iron Shooting rest. Great unit. I have a red and yellow cover but I prefer the yellow as I can see better with it.

Dave
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Ned Kelly
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Post by Ned Kelly »

G'Day All,
many thanks for the info, it appears that the LF products are good value and popular, I'll have to go see what they have to offer!
Cheerio Ned
Davyd

Post by Davyd »

Ditto

- I am a lightforce 140 mostly with red filter but here the 170 is bigger but better. I have mounts on all my rifles incuding shotgun.

I alos found the support from lightforce when I had a problem to be remarkably good!

I have a dimmer but use a Standard Energiser headlamp (from Bunnings Hardware) set on a red led to walk aroudn then scan with the lighforce when in a likely postion (every 100m or two) - reduces th4e likelihood of scaring the bunnies before I am in range to shoot and alos extends the battery life and is easier than swinging the rifle around all the time. Alos a convenient back up light


Bunnies seem to be back - including up that way on a place I go to. But with the wet weatehr and the recoverd populations C might come through

I have the mounts to attach a maglite to a rifle scope but not done so I think the result would be too top heavy and not provide enough power.

Consider getting any spare batteries/chargers through Battery World (convenient and cheaper) and use a belt instead or in addition to the shoulder strap for the unit (shoulder strap alone swings around at inconvenient times).
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Ned Kelly
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Post by Ned Kelly »

G'Day All,
many thanks for all your input, I'll look into mounting a 170mm for the most flexible set up for rifle/ute use and yup the LF does seem to offer that flexiblity. But as I need it mainly for walking aound the house block by myself, the scope mounted light either the predator/140mm lights will do well.
Cheerio Ned
Davyd

Post by Davyd »

have fun - I and my lightforce are in demand for cleaning out a houseblock a little further out than you - I though i had done it but a new crop have come under the wire. Cheers

What the rain will bring Caliesy, mosquitos and a bit of grass if we are real lucky!
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