If you like to hunt early in the morning or late at night, your success relies on how good your shotgun flashlight is. A high-performing shotgun flashlight helps in low-light conditions without making any noise. You get a clear view of the animal and see exactly where your bullet(s) hit.
This article from Klapstar, your favorite outdoors partner, will teach you what a shotgun flashlight is, how to use it correctly and which models our test revealed to be the best ones on the market.
What Is A Shotgun Flashlight?
A shotgun flashlight is a source of light that hunters use to improve their aim and shoot with more accuracy in the dark. They attach it to the shotgun barrel with a shotgun mount. This way, you can see your target and follow its movement from left to right, etc.
Many shotgun flashlights have adjustable beams, making them suitable for use with different shotgun models and shotgun calibers.
The best shotgun flashlights are made from very light materials such as aluminum or polymer to make them easier to attach and give you better agility.
How To Properly Use A Shotgun Flashlight?
When you buy your shotgun flashlight, you need to know that a shotgun flashlight is different than regular ones. You don’t just attach it to the shotgun barrel with a gun mount and start using it immediately.
When you’re hunting at night, there are two ways you can use your shotgun flashlight:
- Attach the shotgun flashlight to the shotgun barrel with a shotgun mount. Point it at your target(s), so you can see them. Then shoot in the direction of your target(s).
- Point the shotgun flashlight into different directions before shooting so you have an idea of where/how many targets are available for hunting. Then shoot in that direction.
The shotgun flashlight effectively improves your accuracy while hunting, but you still need some experience to be good at it. Another popular shotgun flashlight technique is called ‘flash lighting.’ With this technique, you turn on the shotgun flashlight very quickly, right before shooting.
This way, the shotgun light will illuminate anything that moves or makes noise in front of you and your shotgun, so you can shoot it right away and improve your chances of hunting successfully.
Which Shotgun Flashlights Are The Best?
Shotgun lights come in different shapes and sizes, but not all shotgun flashlights are effective. Only a few shotgun flashlight models on the market help you see clearly while hunting in low-light conditions.
Our shotgun flashlight reviews cover the best shotgun flashlights for hunters on the market. We’ve also added several buying tips to help you find the shotgun light that’s best suited to your shotgun and hunting needs.
1. STREAMLIGHT 69260 TLR-1 HL 1000-Lumen Weapon
The STREAMLIGHT 69260 shotgun flashlight is the best shotgun light for hunters. It’s made from aircraft aluminum and weighs only 4 ounces (without batteries). This shotgun flashlight also features a bright LED (Light Emitting Diode) which generates 1,000 lumens of light and reaches up to 400 feet.
The shotgun mount of this model fits all pistols and rifles with Glock-style rails. The STREAMLIGHT shotgun flashlight comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
If you’re looking for the best shotgun flashlight on the market, go with the STREAMLIGHT 69260 shotgun light. It’s affordable and very reliable.
2. STREAMLIGHT 69601 TL-Racker Forend Light
The best shotgun flashlight for the money is the STREAMLIGHT 69601 shotgun light. This one is very affordable and offers excellent value for your money. It’s just as bright as the other shotgun flashlight models, with 1000 lumens of light generated by an LED (Light Emitting Diode).
It attaches to all shotguns with a shotgun mount compatible with Beretta®, Benelli®, and Remington® shotgun models. The shotgun light is made from sturdy aircraft aluminum to last you for years.
It’s not the best shotgun flashlight, but it comes very close to that title. If you’re looking for an affordable shotgun light, go with the STREAMLIGHT shotgun flashlight.
Conclusion
Shotguns are handy weapons, but attach a shotgun flashlight to its barrel if you want to extend the shotgun’s capabilities. Shotgun lights let you see potentially dangerous targets before they get too close for comfort. They also dramatically improve your accuracy when hunting or shooting at night.
There are many shotgun flashlights on the market, so it’s essential to find one that suits your shotgun and shotgun mount needs. If you’re looking for the best shotgun light for hunting, go with the STREAMLIGHT 69260 shotgun flashlight. This model from Streamlight is designed from aircraft aluminum, can generate 1,000 lumens of light, and reaches up to 400 feet.
