This week on Rifle Roundup, we have a Franklin Armory Militia AR-10 in .308 Win, topped with a Sightmark thermal optic and an ATN thermal monocular
Franklin Armory Militia AR-10 (MSRP: $2399.99)
Franklin Armory is best-known for its unique trigger systems and unusual firearms like the Reformation, but they also make some first-rate firearms like the Militia AR-10.The AR-10 has always taken a back seat to the much more popular AR-15, but there is a lot to be said for this larger, more powerful platform. First off is that word: Power. AR-10s typically shoot .308 Win, although other rounds like 6.5 Creedmoor are starting to make an appearance on this platform.
The model we’re shooting has a 14.5-inch-long barrel with a pinned and welded Triumvir muzzle brake for reduced recoil. That barrel is shrouded in a lightweight, freefloat aluminum handguard that is covered with a Picatinny rail on top and M-Lok slots on the other three sides. There are Magpul folding BIUS sights to backup whichever optic you want to use, and there is a Magpul CTR stock on the end that can be adjusted as needed. The lower receiver has an ambidextrous safety and an Ergo grip. Inside, you’ll find a customized trigger that breaks at right around 3 pounds, according to my trigger gauge.
Sightmark Wraith Mini 2-16×35 Thermal Rifle Scope (MSRP: $1,499.97)
Low light optics are becoming more and more popular, and the Sightmark Wraith Mini 2-16X is a good example of an entry-level thermal optic. It has a 2X optical zoom that combines with an 8X digital zoom to give you up to 16X magnification. The optical zoom is a nice touch because it actually magnifies the image, rather than enlarging the input from your sensor. Speaking of which, the sensor inside the Wraith Mini has a 384×288 pixel resolution and an NEDT sensitivity of <40mK. The data from that sensor is displayed on a 1024×768 OLED screen, and there are five color palettes to help you see your quarry. The unit is powered by a pair of CR123A batteries, which means you’re not watching the clock as the power on your internal battery winds down, and it has a Micro-SD slot and a USB port for downloading the images and movies taken with the built-in camera.
A thermal optic like this is not meant to be a range toy, so the Wraith Mini is water and dustproof up to IP6 standards, and the unit can handle recoil up to .308 Win. One of the nicer features of a digital optic such as this is the ability to do a “one-shot” zero. The reticle that’s displayed on the screen is not etched onto the glass, rather, it’s a part of what’s displayed on the screen. This means you can move it around as easily as you move the cursor on your computer. To zero this rifle, you send a round into the target, then move the crosshairs so they’re centered on the whole you made, press a button, and the optic readjusts so that now your point of aim and point of impact are one and the same.
ATN Blazeseeker 207 Thermal Monocular (MSRP: $579)
In the electronics industry there is a law (okay, it’s more of a guideline than law) that says that the number of transistors on integrated circuits doubles roughly every two years. This doubling leads to increased processing power and lower costs per transistor, which in turn leads to lower prices on electronics across the board. Guns can’t take advantage of this law because there are zero electronic parts involved in making them go bang.
Electronic optics can take advantage of this law, however, which is why you can now buy an entry-level thermal monocular like the ATN Blazeseeker for about the same price as a decent 9mm pistol. The Blazeseeker 207 has a 1-8X digital zoom, an 800×600 OLED display with five different color palettes. There is a 256×192, 50 Hz, 12 μm sensor inside, along with 16GB of internal memory. The monocular can record video or take photos for downloading via a USB-C cord. The battery is internal and can last up to 8 hours in the field. The monocular is also extremely light, weighing just 9.6 ounces, yet it is IPX 6/7 rated, making it an ideal accessory for your next trip into the great outdoors.
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