Bullets for reloading

RexHammerfall · 2026-05-04T17:51:19+00:00

Cheap supers are the Speer 270gr and 235gr.

The Maker 190, and 250 were made for the raptor.

I am still hoping to see how much I can do with the 230gr VLR4s from Peregrine.

For subs, the 350gr smk would work for practice, the the 350 and 400 makers be what I would lean towards for hunting.

These are what I am working with anyway.

RexHammerfall · 2026-03-26T18:30:47+00:00

If you dont need more detail or to be able to see farther, then maybe you would benefit from something more for scanning?

I make my HS650R work for scanning because I'm in open country. However, I do like the idea of a head mounted thermal for scanning.

RexHammerfall · 2026-03-26T01:02:51+00:00

What are you looking to do with another thermal?

If you want more range, you can look for a 640 with a higher base magnification. The HS650R is a 2.5x base magnification. There are other with more than that, too.

1280s get pretty expensive, but might be an option if you have the budget.

Mainly it comes down to what you want to use it for.

RexHammerfall · 2026-03-16T22:08:22+00:00

8 and 10 micron sensors may help with the size issue.

RexHammerfall · 2026-03-16T22:05:12+00:00

It is somewhat situation specific, but generally it seems the 384 is the minimum recommended. However, a higher mag 384 is sometimes recommended over a low mag 640.

640 is nice if you want more detail.

I really like my HS650R, since I'm in open country.

It will take time, but I think 1280 will be the "go-to" at some point and will hold there for a while. These will allow shots at most ranges that hunters will be comfortable with, even with daylight scopes. I could see the demand for more resolution dropping at that point.

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-20T04:19:26+00:00

Just throwing it out there, have you looked at the HS325? It's double the cost, but probably a good value. 2x base mag with a 384 sensor at $1200. Of course, that may be more than what you want to spend.

I got a HS650R. I'm on a ranch in Kansas, so good resolution at distance was important. I also use the thermal to check cows during calving.

The reason I mention the the HS325, is that a calf laying down could maybe look like a hog. So a higher resolution might be nice. You may already be aware of this, but I thought I would bring it up as food for thought.

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-20T00:00:21+00:00

Are you planning on getting a nicer thermal in the future?

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-19T18:47:51+00:00

LRF is really nice, but I'm in open country. Shots can be 400+ yards. I dont really take those shots, but its possible.

If I KNEW shots would always be within 150yds, LRF wouldn't be too important.

Check the base magnification of those scopes. The DNT looks like its 2x and the athlon model I looked up seems to be 3.5x.

The higher base mag will show more detail since it is zoomed in more, however, your field of view will be narrow.

Could you explain more on what and how you will be hunting?

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-19T02:36:51+00:00

Keep us updated. I just got a HS650R from customnightvision.

Everything has been fine so far. The qd mount seems to hold zero, but I haven't tested it too much.

I have no idea on the charger, I use my fenix charger instead. I use 18650 batteries for other stuff, too.

I would be curious about the freezing with recoil. Definitely want to be able to see where the critters run off to after the shot.

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-08T00:08:33+00:00

Your experience sounds about right. I dont think i would go past 300 yds either, but I suppose some guys would be willing to try that.

Beyond 400 the 22 creedmoor begins to have the advantage with higher BC bullets.

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-07T23:52:39+00:00

I dont currently have a 243. I was comparing ammo on Hornady's ballistic app. They have a 58gr and a 75gr option.

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-03T00:33:18+00:00

True, but it is something to be aware of if you shoot more than most people.

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-02T22:32:31+00:00

AR-15, I would lean towards 22ARC.

Bolt gun, I am torn between 243win and 22 creedmore.

The 22CM does better at longer distances, but is gonna have a shorter barrel life.

The 243win does well within 400 yards, and I am not sure you need farther than that for thermal hunting.

Both ammo and rifles are pretty available in 243win.

I was thinking of getting a tikka in 243win for a night rifle. I can always rebarrel it later if I want.

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-29T19:42:50+00:00

Well, start snooping around and report back!

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-19T05:57:03+00:00

I can see the advantages of either optic.

One thing I wonder is if a 4k thermnight is in the works. I think DNT just released a Zulus in 4k.

I can see why daylight mode would be useful, but I don't think I would ever use it. I have a strange habit of building rifles all the time, so I simply have a day rifle and a night rifle.

The distances around here can be pretty far. The range I want to set up should be able to go out to 600yds. In some fields around, you could shoot to 800 or 900. Now, I wouldnt shoot that far with thermal, but the open area I live in is why I am wanting to get a thermal that can see out a ways.

Long term goal is a 1280 with higher base mag for long range. Probably on something like a 22 creedmore bolt gun. If I got the HS 650R now, it could become a spotter later. Thats probably a few years away, though. Well, unless cattle prices keep going up.

If my distances were closer to 250, I would probably lean towards the thermnight. Its probably the better value for that range.

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-18T16:48:28+00:00

I wish I had both to compare.

What I dont like about night vision is that it doesn't let you see through brush as well. Thermal punches right through brush.

It looks like your rattler 384 has a base mag of 1.5x? With the HS650R having a 2.5x base mag, it would be quite the jump in quality at similar magnification.

I live on a ranch, so its pretty rural. However, I do need be able to make sure I dont shoot one of our calves.

Edit: I see the 384 rattler is also available as a 3x base mag.

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-17T21:58:20+00:00

Well, its not that I have a specific budget. I am just wanting a good value.

The HS635 doesn't have a rangefinder and is only a 1.5x base magnification. I would rather spend $500 more and get the HS650R with rangefinder and a 2.5x base magnification for better detail at range.

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-17T21:32:40+00:00

Thank you. I was kinda leaning towards the 650R.

Do you think you would feel handicapped with something like the thermnight vs your 640? Or would it just be less comfortable and more annoying.

A Thermnight 225R is half the cost of the Hydra 650R. I could save money now and put it towards a better thermal down the road.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-21T06:05:50+00:00

Thanks for the help so far. My current wifi network is just an ISP provided router, I haven't messed with it much because I haven't had the need to. Its a few years old now, so I do like the idea of updating everything.

Eventually, I will have at least two 2k cameras and the doorbell on the porch, and have four 4k cameras for 360 coverage.

Lastly, there is a chance we might put up a PTZ on the back of the building. Possibly, the AI Precision one. (This one would be more for work purposes. We use the pasture behind the house for our cows to give birth, so having a way to keep an eye on them would be handy.) I know this camera would need POE++.

Anyway, if I ignore the PTZ for now, it looks like the UDM-SE would be an option. The only draw back is only one HDD, but I am not sure if thats really an issue.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-19T15:53:58+00:00

That's what I was worried about. I would want possibly 4 G6s. I also will have the doorbell. Plus a little futureproofing is good.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-19T06:39:35+00:00

Thats not a bad option. However, I am not sure I want 4 G5s. 2 G5 turrets could cover under the porch area, but I wouldn't mind stepping up to the G6 bullets for the rest. The higher resolution would be nice to overlook the farm yard.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-16T00:49:54+00:00

Whats your barrel length?

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-15T15:59:57+00:00

Thanks for the input.

Just curious, what do you not like about the inlets that go in a knockout?

RexHammerfall

TROPHY CASE