Will low light scope work for night shooting?

[DanJ]

I posted this at "optics" it was recommended that I post here in "hunting"...

We have nutrias in our lake we are trying to get rid of. I got a gamo whisper air gun but the scope doesn't really work very well for night shooting. Most of my shots will be less than about 50 yards or so since I am usually shooting at a swimming nutria. Anyway, I am newb at any gun related items and was wondering about scopes. I really don't want to spend $500+ on one of the "true" night scopes so I figured I would ask folks here on the forum if a "regular" low light scope will work for me. I have found that there is enough light that I can see the nutria just fine with a small set of binoculars i have . Big difference between the binoculars and the as-delivered gamo scope. I was thinking i could probably purchase a lower-priced (less than $100) low light scope that might work…. Any help folks here can give me would be VERY much appreciated!

 

[Raden1942]

Can you mount a flashlight on your gun? If so any scope will work. 

 

[JimNM]

Be careful of lighted hunting. Check your local laws. My area only allows Raccoons to be taken with artificial light (visible or IR)

Check before you get wrecked.

 

[Nathan]

Not sure what you mean by “regular” as few manufacturers even dare claim low light capable for anything under $1500. Sorry dude, you’re looking at European glass with a 56mm objective, and those start at around 3k.

 

[Willie14228]

Get a laser designator it will focus down to a dot or expand to something like a foot diameter 

 

[JadedC]

Can you mount a flashlight on your gun? If so any scope will work.

+1 there’s slim to no chance a sub 100 scope will be able to perform in darkness. I’ve seen some people buy scope rings that allow one to mount an additional light. If I was in that position I would go that route. Hope it works out.

 

[harrymoreland]

A Night Hunter’s Guide to Light Color – The Nocturnal Marksman

Then you could get yourself a decent multi color (sic) torch to fit on your rifle for $50 (decent) that should cover you out to 50y.

good luck.

 

[Glenroiland]

Answered over in optics. Cut and paste my reply

My night time pesting….I absolutley need more than just a low light scope. My cheapest set up is my green light attached to the scope. Works great for me out past 50 yards easily for visibility. 

I don't have that scope anymore, but I still use the light…

The light cost around $25 with batteries, mounts, etc...

 

[markT]

Glenroiland is right.. All you need is a flashlight / scope clamp and a { cheap} flashlight..

Post some pics of kills when you get your rig going.

 

[Glem.Chally]

Yeah that would be the best option i think, green or red flashlight and your same scope. Lets see some Nutria kills!

 

[JungleShooter]

If it's pitch black, you'll need lights, or a night vision scope.



However, for urban and suburban hunting, there is often so much ambient light available, or you can set up a light in the general area where you expect your quarry to show up.



And in that case you might be fine with a scope that has

(a) a large objective lens (44, 50, or 56mm) and

(b) has more or less good glass (not the 4-digit dollar amount glass as mentioned above, but say $300).



On a typical 6-24x50 you'd turn down the magnification to say 16x or less to make the scope image brighter.

And you definitely would want a lit reticle with adjustable brightness.



My very first two game birds I got on a soccer field with a 6-24x50 (sub-$100) — no lights, but plenty of street lights around the field.



Matthias

 

[KatoKevin454]

I made my own night vision for about $120.00, got the Idea from youtube, DIY Night vision, or you could get the cheap one on Ebay or amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/BESTSIGHT-Digital-Hunting-Portable-Display/dp/B0768BHHFY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=night+vision+scope&qid=1594083977&sr=8-4

 

[Glenroiland]

I made my own night vision for about $120.00, got the Idea from youtube, DIY Night vision, or you could get the cheap one on Ebay or amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/BESTSIGHT-Digital-Hunting-Portable-Display/dp/B0768BHHFY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=night+vision+scope&qid=1594083977&sr=8-4

I have this set up, and love it. But, for ease of my shooting during the day, I find it much easier to remove the flashlight than that set up. Good suggestion.

 

[Bob_O]

I smoked three skunks last night with my non-illuminated reticle day scope. Using a green LED flashlight.

25 to 50yds.

 

[Glenroiland]

I smoked three skunks last night with my non-illuminated reticle day scope. Using a green LED flashlight.

25 to 50yds.

This.

 

[BlackICE]

I smoked three skunks last night with my non-illuminated reticle day scope. Using a green LED flashlight.

25 to 50yds.

Where was the shot location? And how many of them sprayed?

 

[Bob_O]

Vitals. They all spray. There are no guarantees. The only skunk of about 80 I've shot that didn't spray was a spine shot.

 

[csitas]

Double lung perfectly, no broken bones, NO spray either. I use this in yards all the time.

 

[BlackICE]

Vitals. They all spray. There are no guarantees. The only skunk of about 80 I've shot that didn't spray was a spine shot.

Bob, I've watched many of your excellent videos demonstrating your abilities and experience. I've only shot one in the lungs and it sprayed for only of fraction of a second. Edgun Leshiy on Youtube and others say that in most cases they don't spray with a lung shot. Maybe when they say skunks don't spray, they mean that don't spray much. Like in my case where it was for less than 1/2 second. 

I wondering should I give this one a pass for fear of spraying. I can move the target zone to a clearing with a 15' radius of clear dirt and 33+ yards away from any buildings. If I give it a heart lung shot at 33 yards with a JSB MK2 34g at 900 fps at the muzzle how far will it likely walk away and what is the chance I give myself and neighbors a smelly surprise? I don't want to have to track it down through the bushes during the night.

 

[qball]

Under 60 yards I say try hades, they seem to dump energy better and creates much bigger wounds. Also find the body but retrieve it in the morning when it’s nice and stiff so less change if leak! Or a coyote already taken care of it for you.