Flashlight + scope on bolt-action rifle

[30mag]

Does anyone have a scope and flashlight mounted on the same bolt-action rifle? If so, how did you do this?
I have heard that if you don't mount the flashlight correctly, it can do more harm than good. I still don't really understand how. Should you mount a sunshade on your scope?

 

[375shooter]

I believe there are mounts made for mounting a flashlight to the underside of a rifle barrel. It would probably effect the rifle's zero, but shouldn't matter too much because the shots at night will likely be at close range. You shouldn't need a sunshade because the flashlight beam will be pointed away from the scope lens.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

You could always try one of those Badger mounts that go on the end of your forend and mount a light to that, probally be your best bet while retaining all of your accuacy.

 

[tkopp]

Burris Ring Top Just mount the flashlight to the top of your scope!

 

[regal]

I've got a savage .22LR that I've been wanting a flashlight plus scope, thats for the link. Possoms beware here I come.

 

[Art Eatman]

Mount it to the stock, not the barrel. A problem can be light-scatter. This will mess up seeing through the scope. Any sort of home-made tube on the front of the flashlight will work.

I've had success with a hand-held Streamlight SL-20 alongside the forearm, and when I've held a Q-Beam alongside I've had success with a cardboard tube to prevent scatter. No big deal.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Just opinion but wouldn`t irons be a better choice for use at night with a flashlight? The flash won`t light up any target that is passed normal irons range say <100 yds and a scope is not going to be much help at shorter ranges especially under 25 yds.

 

[Gelgoog]

well I have a flashlight plus optic mounted to my grizzly customs 336 if that counts.

 

[WNTFW]

Ol Joe,
Scopes help you see at night in low light conditions. Normal scope, some light, the scope helps. No light and the scope won't help. The bigger the objective and tube the more it helps.
Take a scope off a rifle and play with it outside at night. I can see better and in more detail.
Also illuminated reticles can be seen from the front of a scope.

I have seen picatinny rails added to the stock and uses to mount light.

 

[30mag]

Just opinion but wouldn`t irons be a better choice for use at night with a flashlight? The flash won`t light up any target that is passed normal irons range say <100 yds and a scope is not going to be much help at shorter ranges especially under 25 yds.

I don't have iron sights. I do however have a rifle with a scope and a flashlight.
Iron sights are expensive to put on a rifle compared to a little clamp, or rail etc.

 

[Art Eatman]

Ol' Joe, with a scope, all you need is some light on the target. It doesn't matter if the source is from you or from anywhere else. With irons, you'd need to have them lighted somewhat, as well.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

I suppose I've just never conceived of shooting at anything outside, at night, with a scoped rifle before. That sounds like good hunting.

 

[30mag]

I suppose I've just never conceived of shooting at anything outside, at night, with a scoped rifle before. That sounds like good hunting.

I would elaborate on my reasoning, but it always seems like every time I explain WHY, I'm always accused of doing something illegal.

 

[CraigC]

Just opinion but wouldn`t irons be a better choice for use at night with a flashlight?

Not really, I'm a huge fan of receiver sights but for night time use with a light, a low powered scope or red dot is much better. Then, as Art said, all you need is a little light on the target. I went so far as to build a rifle specifically for dealing with midnight marauders. When you raise chickens and have feed stores, everything you can imagine comes out at night for a free meal. I took my trusty Ruger 10/22, mounted it in a Tapco T6 stock with vertical foregrip, added a picatinny rail to the side of the forend with a three cell TacStar combat light in a Daniel Defense offset mount along with a Millett 1-4x with illuminated reticle, among other things. No telling how many coons, possums, foxes and feral cats I've killed with it in the last two years. Along with the occasional bonus armadillo.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Many a poacher has done this and many state game laws expressly forbid the use of a mounted light on a rifle during big game season.

However many "predator and varmint control" posses, acting within the law have done this time and again. With the new generation of LED lights.. I'd bet zapping burrowing critters off your Levee at flood stage is going to get easier, as is spotlighting nusiance animals like Nutria. I'd go for a mount with an extra rail for a light or a stock with a rail built it.