A New Era Dawns - Some Pics Added!

[Acuspell 329]

I have been on a lucky roll just recently. I was asked by my pest controller friend if I would do him a favour and take care of a rat infested feed mill. This was not going to be such an easy task, the last pest chap hadn't been in since July, so the rats had a free reign for 6 months. They have become huge, both in size and in population numbers and because there is so much feed around, they won't take bait - he has tried at least half a dozen different types, but they just don't need it, so don't take it. The effort required is going to be more than the job is worth to him, hence why he asked if I would help out - and he has even provided me with a night vision sight to use for doing it. That is my payment, it isn't brilliant, some old Russian outfit with a maximum range, even in infra red with the lazer designator turned on of about 35 yards, but good enough for what I shall need.

This evening I went to collect a rifle I bought to make a dedicated night vision outfit- a Daystate Air Ranger that I saw for sale the other day. Dave gave me a hand to fit the night vision, as the socket screws were funny sizes, but he had the right size Allen keys in his box of tricks and we got it set so it was suitable for eye relief and cleared the magazine. We got it all sorted out and the deal was done with a few little extras thrown in.

I had to sight the night vision in, of course, so I called in on my brother-in-laws farm yard and set up a target at 20 yards. It took me about 20 shots to get it shooting where I aimed, but I got there. I then loaded the magazine again and went to have a poke about the yard where I have shot the rats before. The pile of barley is going down, there are dry cows in the covered yard across from the cubicle buildings which has shifted one warren. Before I even got in the yard I heard a rat moving and flicked the switch, a beady eye shined back at me and I dropped it to christen the new rifle with the first shot in anger. Things were looking up. I spent the next couple of hours as happy as a pig in a mire.....I ended the night when I ran out of air, the rifle was only on about 100 bar when I picked it up...I shot it down to around 50 or 60bar and had over 30 rats to show for it. Two shots stand out from tonight, one was an off hand shot at 30 yards, the rat was straight on to me and I hit it square so that it just rolled forward off the muck heap. The other was a running shot, I led the rat and just stopped it dead in its tracks. What a difference the PROPER night vision makes over a filtered lamp. I can see my old Deben tracer being retired after its 20 odd year reign. Tonight was definitely a passing of an era and the dawning of a new one.

Air Ranger in .22 and night vision - a Jedi tool for sure!

Edited February 23, 2013 by Acuspell

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

nice shooting on the runner. im not confident to take shots like that with my springers nowadays.

a few years ago i took a few squirrels with shots like that with my old AA S410K .22 when they just wouldnt sit still

[woodcote1 88]

What night vision is it?

[secretagentmole 1,701]

Proper NV is a revelation after using a torch or a lamp. Just make sure you know your permission though, amazing how many holes you can find that you never knew existed when using NV!

[Acuspell 329]

What night vision is it?

I haven't a clue and I have searched for some pictures of it...just typed Nv into the google bar and trawled the pictures that are posted. I didn't see it there at all. It is a "round" lens housing, not a square one. I phoned the NV guys in N. Iren and tried to describe it to them for ID purposes, because I have no idea where to put a new battery! UNLESS it runs off the 3v cell that goes in the infra red illuminator. The Lazer designator/illuminator has its own 3v cell. I can't find any other "hole" to put a battery into. The guys at the NV place said to take some pictures and they would ID it for me - the serial number I quoted led them to believe it would be made in Belarus.

 

I will get some pictures of the outfit soon - I didn't take a camera with last night because I was really only popping up to fetch it, but I couldn't wait to get some time in withit. I am glad I did! I can see me not getting much sleep for a few nights, it is addictive when you can see rats sat there and they have absolutely no idea of your presence. Brilliant, if you have never used proper night vision - and I don't mean a TV screen strapped to the back of your daytime scope, that isn't night vision that is a mickey mouse toy - have a go with one. I guarantee you will find the money! I am already thinking of upgrading it, it is fine while I save up, but having tried it, if I didn't have this I would beating a path to a shop to buy one today.

[Acuspell 329]

As promised, some pictures - if anyone recognises the night vision, as to make and model, please tell me - so I can find out about batteries and stuff! The guy who gave it to me has lost the paperwork and there is no name on the unit.

 

 

 

A TRUE ambidextrous thumbhole stock - even the cut out for the bolt to be swapped over!

 

 

 

 

 

Next time I go I'll try and get some pictures of the results.

[j j m 6,626]

nice outfit bud

[Daz 7 563]

If You like that out fit Bud You'll Wet yourself with the N550,

Can design your own Reticle and it's just like shooting with your Day scope,

I'm the Same hate the NS50 & NS200 with that screen on top

Prefer to shoot through scope.

 

atvb Daz 7.

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

Nice stock there mate

[risingfriend 1,042]

nice bit of kit mate ATB Aaron

[ftm 3,357]

beautiful rifle mate but how long can you keep it scratch free? -billy