Chris Redlich tests a winning scope-flashlight combo
I remember as a boy receiving an Eveready Dolphin torch for Christmas. For those who recall the good ’ol Dolphin you’ll know what era I’m referring to and how popular they were. Back then I thought they were the brightest battery torch around, yet look how far we’ve come since. If I looked hard enough I could probably find that old orange Dolphin buried in a box somewhere to compare, though it’s pretty clear modern compact flashlights are streets ahead nowadays.
A few years ago I’d the privilege on behalf of Australian Shooter to review a Nitecore MH40GTR flashlight and, despite it being one of many similar designs available, was blown away by the brightness and ability of its tiny little LED to light up my target hundreds of metres away. This time round I’ve managed to lay my hands on Nitecore’s latest MH25S torch, though this time it’s hitching a ride on the back of a new ZeroTech scope.
ZT Thrive 3-9×40 PHR3
My association with ZeroTech has been going since their first release back in 2019 and, after reviewing a few and buying a couple for myself, they’ve impressed me. The ZT PHR3 is one of a few configurations in their new Thrive range and the 3-9×40 would undoubtedly be the most popular for general hunting. Despite its 30mm tube and overall length of 350mm, it’s a tidy size. I mounted it on my wife Sue-Ann’s 7mm08 custom rifle using Warne Vapor rings and it shouldered nicely with non-critical eye relief of 91mm. The rifle’s 90-degree bolt throw didn’t foul with the scope despite the low-profile mounting.
Once I’d played with the dioptre my view (for a non-HD lens) was clear and sharp. The PHR 3 reticle dialled in nicely and at all magnifications, target acquisition remained precise. Interestingly, the PHR 3 inner crosshairs are broken into 1.1, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 MOA spacings, enabling the shooter to make a mental note of their chosen cartridge and corresponding holdover distances. Furthermore, ZeroTech are the only scope manufacturer I’m aware of who provide multiple reticle designs including holdover charts to record rifle and cartridge details. I for one enjoy plain-style (Plex) reticles though PHR 3 does have its merits, which I’m sure will suit many hunters who push the boundaries of long-range shooting.
Even though the scope gives flexibility of three-times zoom, I normally have the variable set on 3-6 power depending on close or open terrain. With the 40mm objective lens enabling field of view of 12.2m at 100m on low power, you’ve plenty of landscape to capture your quarry. Additionally, the lens coating which ZeroTech calls ‘Weathershield’ not only protects the lens from minor scratching, it promotes light transmission for excellent low-light performance. I won’t mince words but for an affordable scope made in China (under strict quality control by ZeroTech’s Australian engineers), the Thrive series punches well above its price category on low-light credentials.
After what I’d describe as a brief, almost boring sighting-in session, my rifle and scope combination were zeroed within a few rounds. Joking aside, I reckon when you burn less ammo on the range it’s a better day for your wallet and the Warne mounts combined with Picatinny rail provided a rock-solid and barrel-true fitment. Understandably, I was happy with the 150-grain Nosler Ballistic Tips landing a beautiful sub-MOA group at 100m and was ready for hunting.
My reason for mounting the Thrive scope to the 7mm08 was its suitability for pig control and, with the number of sightings we’d had lately, came a high probability of shooting some. My son Carl (now with trainer wheels off and finding his own way on hunting patches,) has been tracking active pig movements on a property not far from home. He borrowed my trail cameras and discovered not only an active track, but an accurate time window the pigs were working. With that window falling between the ungodly hours of 2-3am, I seized the opportunity to mount the MH25S flashlight to the Thrive scope.
MH25S and hunting kit
Based on a one-inch main tube, the MH25S is one of the smaller flashlights in the Nitecore range. It’s far more compact than my MH40GTR and not surprisingly one-tenth the size of that old Dolphin. It’s light output is an impressive 1800 lumens and the dual-fuel power source comes from a supplied rechargeable battery inside the watertight main tube. Dual-fuel refers to Nitecore’s design which enables the use of two non-rechargeable CR123A batteries (common in most rangefinder or thermal devices) to replace the original by sitting in a supplied tubular plastic cylinder.
The USB recharging port for the 12v cord sits just behind the objective bell and, with every recharge, you can enjoy up to three hours of battery life on ‘high’ setting and tad less on ‘turbo’. The light source is via a single LED, brightened further by its high-quality reflector and lens and despite its 40mm lens diameter and tech jargon aside, it throws one hell of a beam.
Measuring only 157mm and weighing just 130 grams, it’s a negligible add-on to any rifle and included in the hunting kit are heavy-duty polymer dual clamps for fitting to your one-inch or 30mm scope tube. Boosting the flexibility this kit has to offer is the inclusion of a remote trigger. As with the MH40GTR, a remote trigger pad which connects to the base of the torch by a flexi-cord, can be stuck anywhere within reach on the rifle stock for fast light activation by the non-master hand.
Although a handy inclusion, I prefer not to use the trigger pad and activate the torch by pressing the rear rubber button instead, though Sue-Ann enjoyed the feature and used it with ease. The MH25S has five brightness settings, adjustable at the base of the objective along with strobe, beacon and SOS modes. The inclusion of red and green filters enables eye identification of varmints and game animals. I’m told pigs react to green light filters but being the simpleton I am, I prefer pure white light, though mates in the industry attest to the filters working for them.
Accompanying us on our pig hunt was my trusty old factory Sporter in .303 Brit and, complementing the Nitecore a little further, I mounted the MH40GTR flashlight to my old SMLE. With the .303 set up for Carl and Sue-Ann’s 7mm08 for myself, we were ready to take on those moonlight marauders.
The hunt
Taking me not totally by surprise, Carl knocked the bedroom door at 1am. I wish I could say I enjoyed his youthful enthusiasm but I’d be lying. Still feeling the after-effects of Covid from a few weeks earlier, my body needed the rest but my boy reckoned early morning pig hunting might be the best medicine. The destination wasn’t far from home and Carl thankfully took the driving honours.
On arrival a slight cool breeze in the face was welcome as we approached pig territory. With rifles and Nitecore flashlights at the ready, we remained calm as we advanced and the headache from lack of sleep began to fade. My pocket thermal picked up a couple of bodies in the blackness and what I originally palmed off as cattle turned out to be pigs. If my eyes weren’t playing tricks, I could’ve sworn those shapes were too big.
Our suspicions were reinforced by an awful screechy squeal as a massive boar mounted his chosen female. As rehearsed, Carl and I instinctively raised the rifles with flashlights trained on our quarry. The boar looked stunned, as though he’d been caught in the act (which he had) and paused momentarily as both Nitecores lit up the lovers.
The sow wasn’t hanging around and before the boar could think about his own departure, Carl whacked him with a 150-grain round from the .303. Although dead on his feet, I hit him again with the 7mm08 as he attempted to sprint across our front. The big fella dropped on the spot and if ever we had a textbook situation for two product reviews, the result lay before us.
The flashlights performed flawlessly, providing us both with ample light to target the boar and in a situation like this (including varminting), are ideal for mounting to a rifle. Although the larger MH40GTR has a longer beam, I preferred the more compact MH25S which still has a practical 504m of light range. The little Nitecore has been rigorously used by myself and Sue-Ann on many an outing now and left me so impressed I’ll be asking for an invoice to buy it.
The ZeroTech Thrive 3-9×40 scope served us well during our loan time and remained rock-solid in numerous target sessions. Its glass provided clear viewing during many hunts and, with the zoom wound down low, we’d plenty field of view for targeting game on the run. At time of writing $349 is a very affordable scope possessing all the hunter needs for basic Aussie bush work. ZeroTech products are covered by their ‘any owner, any problem’ lifetime warranty to underline their confidence.
The MH25S Hunting Kit retails for $329 at time of writing and is covered Nitecore’s limited lifetime warranty. I can say from experience I’d be surprised if you’d ever need to use the warranty as I’ve found their products to be wholly reliable in the field. More at www.tsaoutdoors.com.au