mick miller Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 So, having struggled with my Tactical Rapid in .22 (the loopy trajectory was driving me nuts having only shot with .177's before) I sought some sage advice. The upshot was that I'd be better off FAC'ing the rapid and for that there were only two options; Theoben's fastflow or a trip to Mildenhall and fit one of Ben Taylor's regulators and full FAC tune up. Ben did the business and tweaked the awful factory trigger (you could have written a book between first stage and second, nearly), fitted his regulator which even with the diminutive little 280cc bottle is giving me 50+ shots. He also shifted the barrel back a little as air was escaping as the probe was not giving a complete seal. The result is a rifle that gives 800fps with Bisley Magnums and just over 900fps with JSB Exact Heavy Diabolos. Superb. It's also fantastically quiet, I can see the .22lr taking a back seat for a while whilst I play with the new toy. I also took some advice on a bit of night vision; the rabbits wherever I shoot have inevitably become lamp shy, which has led to longer walks and smaller bags. I opted for the NS200 as it's going to sit on my rimfires and perhaps my centrefires too. Don't be put off by the nay-sayers, if you haven't tried one of these before it can take a little getting use to, but first night out I managed a stealthy bag of 11 rabbits and could have put more in the sack had it not been for my heavy footfalls as I stomped around one of the bits of ground I shoot over. The NS200 is a superb bit of kit, and whilst you cannot deny it needs a little tweaking the quality of the image and illumination it provides is fantastic. I admit at one point I just sat there and watched bush TV for a bit; muntjac strolling around, a badger on its nightly routine of invertebrate snaffling and caticus domesticus having a stealthy prowl down a hedgerow for a bit of something to supplement the kit-e-kat. Brilliant! It could become a whole new hobby in its own right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted February 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 If anyone is interested I've now replaced the rubber boots that come with the NS200 with a Cobra/Merlin DSA and the camera is now rock solid. No chance of knocking it off centre whilst mooching about. Not that resetting was that much of an issue but its just one less thing to worry about. Still can't get over how good the illuminator and image is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant.mass Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 if Cobra/Merlin DSA fits the NS200 maybe the Pulsar DSA will fit NS200 as like the envis the Cobra/Merlin DSA fits my envis but so do the Pulsar DSA so maybe you can save yourself £60 as use a Pulsar DSA is only £34.70 posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckytrigger Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 So, having struggled with my Tactical Rapid in .22 (the loopy trajectory was driving me nuts having only shot with .177's before) I sought some sage advice. The upshot was that I'd be better off FAC'ing the rapid and for that there were only two options; Theoben's fastflow or a trip to Mildenhall and fit one of Ben Taylor's regulators and full FAC tune up. Ben did the business and tweaked the awful factory trigger (you could have written a book between first stage and second, nearly), fitted his regulator which even with the diminutive little 280cc bottle is giving me 50+ shots. He also shifted the barrel back a little as air was escaping as the probe was not giving a complete seal. The result is a rifle that gives 800fps with Bisley Magnums and just over 900fps with JSB Exact Heavy Diabolos. Superb. It's also fantastically quiet, I can see the .22lr taking a back seat for a while whilst I play with the new toy. I also took some advice on a bit of night vision; the rabbits wherever I shoot have inevitably become lamp shy, which has led to longer walks and smaller bags. I opted for the NS200 as it's going to sit on my rimfires and perhaps my centrefires too. Don't be put off by the nay-sayers, if you haven't tried one of these before it can take a little getting use to, but first night out I managed a stealthy bag of 11 rabbits and could have put more in the sack had it not been for my heavy footfalls as I stomped around one of the bits of ground I shoot over. The NS200 is a superb bit of kit, and whilst you cannot deny it needs a little tweaking the quality of the image and illumination it provides is fantastic. I admit at one point I just sat there and watched bush TV for a bit; muntjac strolling around, a badger on its nightly routine of invertebrate snaffling and caticus domesticus having a stealthy prowl down a hedgerow for a bit of something to supplement the kit-e-kat. Brilliant! It could become a whole new hobby in its own right. Yes they certainly are an excellent piece of kit! Ive been using mine getting on for a month now and the image quality still impresses me every time i switch it on. Its been awesome for ratting and rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant.mass Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 better still safe yourself £500+ and make your own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted February 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 If anyone is interested I've now replaced the rubber boots that come with the NS200 with a Cobra/Merlin DSA and the camera is now rock solid. No chance of knocking it off centre whilst mooching about. Not that resetting was that much of an issue but its just one less thing to worry about. Still can't get over how good the illuminator and image is. The Pulsar one doesn't seem to be as good though (a bit wobbly/ flimsy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted February 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 better still safe yourself £500+ and make your own I'd rather save the weeks and numerous expensive cock-ups it would take me to get to the same end result unless you can email me detailed instructions along with part numbers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted February 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Yes they certainly are an excellent piece of kit! Ive been using mine getting on for a month now and the image quality still impresses me every time i switch it on. Its been awesome for ratting and rabbits. Brilliant for rabbits, yet to try it with the hmr although I think it will prove just as effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckytrigger Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Brilliant for rabbits, yet to try it with the hmr although I think it will prove just as effective. Used mine with sub 12ft lb air ,fac air, and my 22lr. really good on all three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 If anyone is interested I've now replaced the rubber boots that come with the NS200 with a Cobra/Merlin DSA and the camera is now rock solid. No chance of knocking it off centre whilst mooching about. Not that resetting was that much of an issue but its just one less thing to worry about. Still can't get over how good the illuminator and image is. hi mick what scope have you got it on, thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted February 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Oh, I'm embarrassed to say it's a duffer (nikko sterling mountmaster), it won't be on there for too much longer, it was a spare one lying around at home. Once my 22lr goes I'll be putting the Burris on instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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