Is it possible to see bullet trace under night vision? The only time I believe I’ve seen it is with a PVS7 behind a MK4 spotting scope with a full power illuminator. It’s was a black path that matched exactly what the bullet was doing in the day time.
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Night Vision Bullet Trace Threw Night Vision?
- Thread starter Calcium47
- Start date
I can attest it is definitely possible with Thermal ... used Mk3 60mm as spotter for UTC-x ... ran on 2x digital ... .300WM(24) with xtr2 5-25x scr-mill and utc-x in front heated steel, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 ... could see bullets arcing in towards target ... could see dirt splash of miss ... could see fragmentation splash on target of bullet hitting target ... trace, misses, hits. I was on the mk3 60mm and SB004 was on the .300WM ...
The mk3 60mm was on 5.56(10.3) carbine which was in PIG saddle on Manfrotto M190 tripod, was using SB004's camera head which had rotating knobs for fine adjustment in all 3 dimensions ... i.e. a good head for spotting ...
SB004 was on .300WM(24) prone.
For me, the primary role of the Mk3 60mm is as a long distance spotter for shooter on rifle with UTC-x in front of day scope. Also now have radius on the carbine so it can range as well as spot. Friday we were out ranging with SB004's 7.62(16) xtr2 3-15x scr-mil UTC-x with Radius on RRS ... I had 5.56(10.3) mk3 60mm + radius on 1 leg primos and we were able to index (azimuth and distance) critter groups out to 3000yds with both platforms. one of us provided initial data, the second conformed.
SB004 was on .300WM(24) prone.
For me, the primary role of the Mk3 60mm is as a long distance spotter for shooter on rifle with UTC-x in front of day scope. Also now have radius on the carbine so it can range as well as spot. Friday we were out ranging with SB004's 7.62(16) xtr2 3-15x scr-mil UTC-x with Radius on RRS ... I had 5.56(10.3) mk3 60mm + radius on 1 leg primos and we were able to index (azimuth and distance) critter groups out to 3000yds with both platforms. one of us provided initial data, the second conformed.
After talking with a friend, using the ir illuminator on my dbal mounted to the spotter is was gave me the ability to see the trace due to the added light spectrum. He explained that with just the 7’s behind the spotting scope or threw the PVS30 I would not have been able to. I did put the black dbal from the rifle on the spotter because it is a high power illuminator.
Yep, there is even a video on YouTube that showed it several shots in a row. I don't know if they realized it was on there because no mention was made in the video or description. Check out the video linked below, turn your screen brightness up and look closely. Each time, the bullet cuts right into the second zero in 400m. I believe this is with supplemental IR illumination, but don't know what kind since it is NOT my video. Watching bullets/trace at night is incredible.
NV video
Also, I've absolutely seen low velocity bullets (22 LR and 45 ACP) through the AN/PAS-13G LWTS thermal numerous times, you don't even have to look hard for that.
NV video
Also, I've absolutely seen low velocity bullets (22 LR and 45 ACP) through the AN/PAS-13G LWTS thermal numerous times, you don't even have to look hard for that.
I watched the video a few times and honestly couldn’t see any trace. It does look like the may have some kind of ir illuminator. Mine was a black arc (just imagine watching a trace but it’s black). I’m unaware of the spectrums of differences between night vision and thermal but if I’m not mistaken thermal can’t see ir correct? Could thermals be seeing glow instead of trace?
he didnt ask about thermal wig...
weve watched trace hundreds of times through nv/spotter or rifle set up. using illum is a must to see it. sometimes it is reflecting off the bullet in flight and others it creates a black vapor trail. just depends on how the illum catches it.
weve watched trace hundreds of times through nv/spotter or rifle set up. using illum is a must to see it. sometimes it is reflecting off the bullet in flight and others it creates a black vapor trail. just depends on how the illum catches it.
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Pretty sure I heard this mentioned during one of Franks podcasts about King of 2 Miles. Spotting is critical in that event obviously and some teams use very fancy thermals to help out.
We don't see "trace" at night but we do see the bullet.
Using a Leupy spotter with DBAL or MAWL in conjunction with a PVS 30 on the front, I can see almost all rounds when set up close in line with the shooter.
One of the issues is that almost all of the clip on NV has very short fields of focus so you aren't able to have the entire flight in focus most times.
Using a Leupy spotter with DBAL or MAWL in conjunction with a PVS 30 on the front, I can see almost all rounds when set up close in line with the shooter.
One of the issues is that almost all of the clip on NV has very short fields of focus so you aren't able to have the entire flight in focus most times.
That's an interesting distinction, and perhaps true for wigwamitus' thermal observation too -- neither are seeing the shockwave effect we normally call "trace", correct? Still, useful.
In my opinion, yes sir. And to be clear when I said "we" above, I meant me and my guys. Didn't mean to come across condescending and all inclusive meaning everybody on this thread.
On real trace, we are mostly seeing the wake of the bullet pushing through the air. If the light is right, you can certainly see the bullet during the day time as well but mostly we are catching the wake.
After dark, I do not think the electronics of a Thermal or NV unit can detect the wake with any usable resolution.
In my opinion, it is at least as useful as true trace if not more so.
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