What is Your Favorite Camo Patterns?

[junglehunter87]

So onto the breaks. There is no poll here just lots and LOTS of personal opinions.

The only rule of thumb here is that you are allowed only 5 camos you can choose to talk about. The format should be the name of the camo and why you like it.



For example-

US Woodland-
blah blah opinion blah blah.


So without further adeu. Let us begin!





Original Tiger Stripe-
This is a camo that has always caught my attention. It was the pattern's origins in the Vietnam War also helped my liking it. I haven't used this camo to hunt yet.
This year will be the first. But its pattern with its dark stripes that help give the eye some fake depth perception makes it a great camo. Still widely used by US special forces today. It has many other variations but the nothing beats the original. nothing.


Realtree Advantage AP-
This camo is widely used in the hunting circles. Namely because it works. I have used this camo from Squirrel hunting to Turkey hunting and it has never failed me.


US Woodland-
Although I like the British variation of this camo(DPM). I have to go with it as it is the trademark of all camo patterns. I use it more as a fashion thing than for hunting.


Mossy Oak Break Up-
This camo IMO doesn't get the credit it should. It is extremely effective in the fall hunting seasons and can blend in to really any background.

Flecktarn-
I haven't yet used this camo for hunting. But from what I've seen it looks like it could blend in EXTREMELY well in a fall forest environment.

[E-Stalin [Orthrus]]

Now this brings back nostaliga, I haven't hunted for far too long. We finally got decent optics on (Been sticking with irons before) but haven't bothered to zero them, so I haven't set foot in the great outdoors long enough to make me itch. Tsk.

Anyway:

1. Flecktarn. Out of personal experience, this is flat-out one of the most revolutionary, historic, and downright superior camouflage patterns in existence. As far as I'm concerned, it is the very definition of disruptive patterns. Even modern US Digital camouflage is based off this concept, just set in a micro-square pattern.
As it is, the modern flecktarn is what I most usually wear for general woodland environments, especially places where there're browner or dead leaves, and the Russian Flecktar-D version is like an invisibility cloak in greener, lushier areas. I'd highly recommend it.

2. KLMK-

This is a Soviet era camouflage, and there's generally two versions you'll see: one lush green, and one brown/yellow. Summed up, in a light green, decidious like forest, it beats flecktarn.
It's not as versatile as flecktarn in terms of environments it'll work great in, but seriously, if you're in those wet/green/lightjungly like areas, I'd take this over Harry Potter at my side.

I've never had the chance to wear Berezka (Birch, the brown/yellow one) KLMK, so I can't stand up for that, but I have no doubt that it'll work equally well for it's color range. As a disruptive uniform, it's great.

3. Flora Camo.

You can consider this the Russian equivalent to Flecktarn. It has an equally effective disruption pattern, but instead of the German splotchy style, works more with longer, tiger-stripe like patches. In short, I love it the exact way I do Flecktarn, and even prefer it because I find it slightly more versatile than the splotch pattern; it works well in slash-terrain along with blotchy deciduous areas.

4. DPM

This is the last one, and I'm only throwing it in as "Best of the worst" in my opinion. In short, while it's an interesting pattern, the disruption just fails. I've only worn it a few times, and no matter where I stand, shape became blatantly obvious. I'm not sure if it's the color range, or the pattern itself, but out of all the patterns I've worn (Just these? ) this ranks the lowest.

[junglehunter87]

Now this brings back nostalgia, I haven't hunted for far too long. We finally got decent optics on (Been sticking with irons before) but haven't bothered to zero them, so I haven't set foot in the great outdoors long enough to make me itch. Tsk.

You should. Hunting is a great experience as you know. It's hitting Fall Turkey and Deer Season here in Missouri. So I'm readying my ole shotgun for it.

For me its always been a bitch to sight scopes. I don't know why, it just is. I stick with irons when turkey hunting . But with deer I choose to ad on those fiber optic sights, as the need for camo is less and deer are ( supposedly ) color blind. So far I believe it as I have bagged more than a few deer with these sights and they didn't seem to notice the bright colors on the rifle.

[E-Stalin [Orthrus]]

Aug 13, 2009 15:41:16 GMT -5 junglehunter87 said:

Now this brings back nostalgia, I haven't hunted for far too long. We finally got decent optics on (Been sticking with irons before) but haven't bothered to zero them, so I haven't set foot in the great outdoors long enough to make me itch. Tsk.

You should. Hunting is a great experience as you know. It's hitting Fall Turkey and Deer Season here in Missouri. So I'm readying my ole shotgun for it.

For me its always been a bitch to sight scopes. I don't know why, it just is. I stick with irons when turkey hunting . But with deer I choose to ad on those fiber optic sights, as the need for camo is less and deer are ( supposedly ) color blind. So far I believe it as I have bagged more than a few deer with these sights and they didn't seem to notice the bright colors on the rifle.

The vast majority of hunts we've been on have been small game, so I must say that I'm far more experienced with a shotgun than a rifle, but I look forward to a deer hunt like nothing else, probably because so far we've sucked at it.
Zeroing for us has always been third-world style: crude and simple trial&error. We just get a bench-rest, put a group downrange, then adjust as necessary. We once used a bore-sighting high tech optic tube grid system thingy, and my conclusion was that it sucked. Took longer, wasn't at all satisfying, and I'm not sure I trust it

I've never used fiber-optics or anything similar. Hell, we pretty much have Russian bolt-actions and a carbine, not exactly your modern-day accessory system. Anyway, do they help at all? I might check one out for dim-light, but is there really any advantage beside that?

[junglehunter87]

The vast majority of hunts we've been on have been small game, so I must say that I'm far more experienced with a shotgun than a rifle, but I look forward to a deer hunt like nothing else, probably because so far we've sucked at it.

Been there before with deer hunting. But you know what? I actually kinda enjoy sucking. It's the mistakes that make you better. Not to mention I just all around enjoy watching the animals themselves.

But I won't deny I don't live for a Buck or Gobbler on opening day.

Zeroing for us has always been third-world style: crude and simple trial&error. We just get a bench-rest, put a group downrange, then adjust as necessary. We once used a bore-sighting high tech optic tube grid system thingy, and my conclusion was that it sucked. Took longer, wasn't at all satisfying, and I'm not sure I trust it

Yeah, we kinda do the same thing. Cept that our scope tends to be off a few yards. By that I mean if I were to take out my Remington 8-81 Long Rifle .22 squirrel hunting. That previous distance error makes me totally miss a nice fat gray squirrel.

As for that High Tech Optic Tube you used abit, I've seen some people use them with mild success but like you I've never been convinced of it. If anything there "Success" is more blind luck IMHO.

I've never used fiber-optics or anything similar. Hell, we pretty much have Russian bolt-actions and a carbine, not exactly your modern-day accessory system. Anyway, do they help at all? I might check one out for dim-light, but is there really any advantage beside that?

Well, I'll try my best to give you some info from my own personal experiences with using Fiber Optics when target practicing and hunting.

Pros-

1. Seeing in the dark-

This is namely the staple of why many people get Fiber Optic sights. What the glowing parts do is illuminate the darkness around the shooter then taking this Illumination and drawing it into the eye. On many a hunt I have found this to be a God send.

As the traditional Iron Sights and less expensive scopes tend to hold a weary shooter into a submissive point when in a hardwoods setting in the early morning. Causing them to have to hold back there shot sometimes ( once in my case) at a 35 yard range. So with the help of the Fiber Optics it takes basically zero time to adjust your eye to the colors and your able to hit your mark in the dark.


2. Making the Day work for you-

The fiber optics aren't just these glow sticks as many hunters assume. They take any light and soak them up then direct them to your eye. Which helps in the day to make your shot more accurate. Whether your in a stand or against a tree. At day break or in high noon. Of course glare is still a factor but hasn't really effected me with fiber optics then it has with traditional iron sights. Where it would reflect off the metal. Also contrary to some peoples assumptions the Fiber Optics don't light up in the day to alert any deer or turkey.

3. Cost effective-

While they do cost allot there nowhere near the cost of a high tech new scope gizmo from any company out there. The front sight is usually all I go with on shotguns but with rifles I go with all three sights the front and the two pieces on the peep sight. All in all its not a bad deal.

Cons-


1. Contents under Pressure-

One of the biggest draw backs compared to some iron and allot of scopes is that the tiny glowing pieces used in the sights are REALLY easily broken. I mean if you walk through heavy brush and it knocks around some branches and twigs thats fine. But if you were to drop your gun some how or it knock against a tree it would break the glowing tubes in half or pieces ( the former for me) . but like the gun it is on it most be taken care of like it was a baby. So these situations can easily be avoided.


2. Some assembly required, batteries sold separately-

The only other draw back, which in my honest opinion is nothing but a minor draw back to a one up to most sights. You need to see a pro shop dealer or gun smith who can align the fiber optics to you. Some times ( like with my Mossberg 500 12 gauge shotgun ) the stock must be re-equipped to fit the shooter. Other than that it isn't hard to get used too at all.



Hope all that helped. On a side note I wonder what Hannibal's favorite patterns are. Something tells me Ghillie suit.

[E-Stalin [Orthrus]]

As for Hannibal, I don't think he even bothers with patterns. If you toss him in the desert he'll make a ghillie out of sand.

I don't know a thing about your Remington or western scope-mounts, but Maybe your scope just keeps losing zero. Have you tried having a shootfest on the range with irons, and see how well you do with that?

Anyway, thanks a lot for the advice on the fiber optics. The only illumination I'm consistently familiar with a scope-reticule we have (Which has been a god-send, I can tell you). Never had illuminated sights on irons like that, so I'll definitely check it out when I have the chance though, sounds like it might pay off.

[junglehunter87]

As for Hannibal, I don't think he even bothers with patterns. If you toss him in the desert he'll make a ghillie out of sand.

ROFL. ;D

Sadly, I could see him actually accomplishing that.

Ah, yes how awesome would it be to spring up on some random mofo with like a tranq gun outta the sand.

On a side note, its a shame we don't have many outdoors man on these boards or at least army enthusiasts who have a preferred pattern they like because of how it looks.

I don't know a thing about your Remington or western scope-mounts, but Maybe your scope just keeps losing zero. Have you tried having a shootfest on the range with irons, and see how well you do with that?

There meh, I mean if you can properly sight them they can get the job done. But they don't last long over time IMO. I don't mean that by saying all this high tech shit is better. I mean that it tends to become more or less none effective due to use in different weather conditions.

As for the Tip thanks, Yeah oddly enough I haven't really took the results of the two and spliced them to help better zero in the targets. Will try this weekend.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the advice on the fiber optics. The only illumination I'm consistently familiar with a scope-reticule we have (Which has been a god-send, I can tell you). Never had illuminated sights on irons like that, so I'll definitely check it out when I have the chance though, sounds like it might pay off.

Yeah, I've seen those. It's kinda like that but on irons. But the experience of one gizmo to the next is up for personal interpretation. Regardless IMHO you can't go wrong with Fiber Optics on Iron sights. Trust me. I know. lol.