SRifle - May 2016

Your FAVOURITE shooting monthly – in partnership with
SPORTING RIFLE
SPORTING RIFLE
For shooters of calibre May 2016 No.128 £4.75
Where to
SHO T
guide
WAITING OUT
FOR FOXES
HOW TO GET
RESULTS
WIN!
GIVEAWAY
WORTH
MORE KIT
THAN EVER
BROWNING T BOLT
£828
DOCTER V6 SCOPE
WILLIAM EVANS RIFLE A CZ 557
CZ 527 .223
RIFLE
SPRING STALKING
May 2016
MAKE THE MOST OF MAY AYRSHIRE ROE HUNT SELECT THE RIGHT BUCKS TO CULL
Global Sport
AFRICAN WILDEBEEST ■ NZ RAM HUNTING ■
9 771748 873072
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Cover: Andy Fensome
Contents
8 News
British shooters take to the warpath
against EU regulations, and more essential
74 Spot the difference?
It’s similar to a Schultz – but that just gives
WIlliam Evans’ rifle more appeal, says Byron
Editorial director: Pete Carr rifle shooting news
77 Take Aim
peter@petercarr.eu 12 Letters What’s new from Aimpoint? Chris Parkin
Deputy editor: Colin Fallon Win a bottle of the King’s Ginger treks to Diggle Ranges to find out
Assistant editor: Nicola Turner 14 UK Game Fair 80 Target news
Sub-editor: Jacob Barlow With just four months until the UK Game Fair, What’s new in target shooting, from
Design: Jonathon Hyland we report on its latest announcements international events to have-a-go days
Advertising: Toni Cole
16 Select few 83 Interview
Advertising design: Matt Smith How do you select which roebucks to cull? We talk to Paralympic medallist Matt Skelhon
Art director: Chris Sweeney Dominic Griffith has the answers
Marketing manager: Will Hardy 86 The wildest hunt
21 Foreign foray Larno Rens hosts us in the Eastern Cape for a
Wildlife photography: Brian Phipps, Neutral on most things, the Swiss are
istockphoto.com, shutterstock.com chance at blue wildebeest
certainly positive when it comes to roe
Operations director: James Folkard stalking, as Chris Dalton finds out 89 Calibre hunter
Assistant publisher: Ruth Burgess Byron Pace profiles an iconic British
25 Time for T
Publisher: Wesley Stanton manufacturer of rifle rounds
Tim Pilbeam gets rimfire-tastic with the
Full UK 12-issue subscription rate: £69 latest iteration of the Browning T Bolt 90 Czech out the CZ
For overseas prices call +44 (0) 1926 339808 Mike Powell assesses the CZ 527’s utility for
29 Spring forward
David Barrington Barnes on why this is his fox shooting
A modern sporting rifle shooter favourite time of the sporting year 94 Counting sheep
is adequately equipped and Hunting the Arapawa ram in New Zealand
32 Foxing with the experts
experienced to despatch any quarry isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – but Thomas
Robert Bucknell has Charlie in his sights
animal, whatever species, with the Nissen gave it a go
least suffering possible 36 Competition
Win a CZ 557 worth £838 99 Foxing and filming
Andrew Evans-Hendrick Mark Ripley tests the Snipercam, an NV unit
40 Wait for it… and video camera in one
Blaze Publishing Mike Powell considers the benefits of staying
put and getting foxes to come to you 102 Trail beginnings
Lawrence House
Rudi van Kets on the first steps to take in
Morrell Street 45 Stalking essentials training a new deer dog
Leamington Spa A second instalment of Byron Pace’s
Warwickshire
preferred hunting kit… 105 Bookshop
Sporting Rifle readers get discounts on a
CV32 5SZ 48 Get kitted out huge range of books and DVDs
Tel: 01926 339808 …followed by our editorial selection of what
Fax: 01926 470400 kit you should be using this year 108 Rifles and scopes
What’s new in the rimfire, centrefire and
E: info@blazepublishing.co.uk 51 Brit winners
riflescope markets
W: www.blazepublishing.co.uk Byron Pace’s insider report from the British
© Blaze Publishing Limited, 2016 Shooting Show 110 Where to Shoot
Plan your next hunting trip today
55 Docter, Docter…
Chris Parkin gives the new Docter V6 113 Courses
riflescope a check-up Everything from DSC to PhD
59 Ask the experts 114 Almanac
Got a burning question? Ask our team of What to expect this May
resident experts now
118 Reader ads
65 The biggest show in town… Buy and sell your gear for free here
…or in Europe for that matter. It’s our no-
Sporting Rifle is proud to be a holds-barred roundup of IWA 2016 121 Coming soon
supporter of the Association of The June issue and beyond
71 New territory
Deer Management Groups Mark Ripley goes foxing in an entirely new 122 Hunters remembered
area, with all its associated challenges The life of Peter Hathaway Capstick
SPORTING RIFLE 5
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Comment: Save The Rhino
Humble thanks
Editor Pete Carr gives sincere thanks to all those who supported
Sporting Rifle’s Save the Rhino auction – but warns that we can’t
rest now, and lays bare the current perilous situation in Africa
T
he recent Save The Rhino auction in without doubt helped save Swazi rhino and
Sporting Rifle raised a very respectable protect their custodians in the field.
£21,300. Added to the previous auctions, It is the same story at Sporting Rifle’s other
the total figure has passed the £70,000 mark. Every adopted reserve, Borana in Kenya. As the newest
penny has gone to the anti-poaching units risking black rhino conservancy in Africa, Borana is under
their lives protecting rhino. It is humbling to see huge threat. While the preparation of infrastructure
the support given by the readers who bid, and and training of personnel has been ongoing for
the lot providers who have given so much to the years, a new conservancy will always be viewed
cause. I thank you all for this, and the unflinching as a ‘soft target’. The conservation of rhino at
support given by Blaze Publishing and Save The Borana is two-fold: the biological management
Rhino International without whom we wouldn’t and monitoring of rhino and anti-poaching. Both
have been able to do what we have all done – and require large numbers of trained and trustworthy
that, boiled down, is save rhinos. personnel. Long hours are spent among elephant, 80s and early 90s looks like a minor engagement
That said, the situation is still grave. South buffalo and other dangerous animals in the pursuit compared with the killings Africa has suffered in
Africa may have seen a decrease in rhino poaching of identifying and establishing the whereabouts the last decade. New horn markets in Vietnam
but the figure is still huge compared with the 13 and health of each individual rhino. and Laos have added to the demand in China.
killed in 2007. South Africa’s most famous reserve, The anti-poaching security team operates The security needed to protect rhino is vast
Kruger National Park, home to between 8,400 and almost exclusively at night in response to and expensive; it costs over $2,000 a month to
9,300 rhino, saw a marked increase in contrast to poaching trends. These dedicated men support a single rhino, which for many reserves is
the overall reduction. There were 202 poachers receive training from 51 Degrees (Kenya) and unsustainable. Thankfully Borana and Big Game
arrested in the park last year, and another 115 just the Endangered Species Protection Agency Parks are well managed, but their personnel need
outside it, but it isn’t enough. In 2013 the Park (Swaziland), private conservation-based security to be well equipped and continually up-skilled
appointed Major-General Johan Jooste to head its companies specialising in anti-poaching training. to meet the poaching menace that has limitless
anti-poaching operations, and there is little doubt The training covers specialised tactics, medical black-economy finance behind it.
that without his experience and input Kruger courses and regular commanders and cadres. The rhino reserves supported by Sporting Rifle
would by now be completely devoid of rhino. The rangers are skilled in first-aid, bushcraft, map- are afforded excellent support by the Kenyan
Swaziland thankfully lost none in 2015 – but reading, night tactics, aviation and evacuation and Swazi governments, which is perhaps not
this is tempered by the increase in neighbouring training, and operating with assault rifles, vehicles the case in other countries. What is for certain
Zimbabwe and Namibia. Swaziland went for 20 and dogs. They have regular refresher courses to is the continuous need to support the rangers
years without a rhino being poached until two avoid skill-fade. Some rangers are taught to handle risking their lives to save Africa’s rhino. I cannot
were poached in 2011 and a third in 2014. Now, bloodhounds and Belgian Malinois ‘attack’ dogs. thank Sporting Rifle readers, lot providers, the
with the exponential increase in rhino poaching Anti-poaching units are formed from selected gun trade and Save The Rhino International
in the Kruger, and the lack of law enforcement rangers and armed for the sole purpose of enough for your generosity. You have all helped
in neighbouring Mozambique, Swaziland finds protecting rhino against poachers. The anti- save rhino and made the rangers’ lives safer and
herself under threat. poaching teams at Borana are police reservists more comfortable. You can be, as I am, proud of
The reserves run by Big Game Parks are the involved in providing local law enforcement. BGP that fact. History has proven that hunters are the
only place you can find wild rhino in Swaziland. rangers implement the king’s mandate to enforce best conservationists – that may seem contrary
The area faces an increasing risk from ruthless the Game Act. This authority helps multi-agency to the anti camp, but it is an indisputable fact
poachers – all seasoned bush fighters – and the relationships, fosters goodwill with reserve/ nonetheless, and long may it continue.
cost to keep the reserves secure is escalating. park neighbours, and helps gain intelligence on
Poachers are increasingly probing these reserves criminal elements operating locally.
as an alternative option to the heavily patrolled We are engaged in a rhino war unlike anything
Kruger. The funds raised by Sporting Rifle have the world has seen. The last rhino war in the late Peter Carr, editorial director
006 Leader_Rev5.indd 6 17/03/2016 14:28

SPORTING RIFLE 7
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News: The latest issues
News If you have a news story, email

colinf@blazepublishing.co.uk
Airgun
licensing
comes
UK to keep closer
lead ammo? The Scottish government’s plans to
introduce a licensing system for airguns
continue to advance – and the system will
come in to force on 1 January 2017.
Airgunners will be able to apply for a
licence from 1 July until 31 December –
though it’s not yet been revealed how
much one will cost.
Existing firearm and shotgun certificate
holders have until their renewal date to
apply – though they don’t receive one
‘automatically’ by dint of their existing
licence.
For those who opt not to participate in
the licensing system but to hand in their
airguns, there will be no compensation.
Colin Shedden of BASC Scotland said:
“BASC opposed the introduction of air
Insider sources have suggested that DEFRA that anything other than an eventual phase weapon licensing in Scotland. Offences
is likely to rule in favour of lead-based rifle out of lead ammunition and phase in of the involving air weapons had been declining
ammunition and reject the Lead Ammunition non-toxic ammunition alternatives will do it.” significantly over the past seven or eight
Group’s calls for a phase-out of lead shot and Swift’s conclusion was followed by a public years and licensing was seen by many as
lead-based cartridges. break-down of the LAG group, with the pro- disproportionate.
No official response has been made to the shooting representatives walking out in “However, with the legislation now
LAG report, but the Independent has quoted disgust at the process and going on to submit in place, and certificates to be made
a source inside DEFRA as saying there are no their own alternative report to DEFRA. available from July, we will do all that
plans to ban lead shot in the UK. At the time, then Countryside Alliance we can to help the many legitimate air
The source said: “There’s no appetite chairman Barney White-Spunner – who had weapon users in Scotland adapt to the
from Liz [Truss] and George [Eustice] to do represented shooters on the group – said: “John new licensing regime. The six-month ‘lead
anything like that. This review was one of the Swift circulated a draft Lead Ammunition in’ period (before a certificate becomes
last acts of the Labour government and was Group Report in April, which the majority of the a legal requirement) is shorter than
hijacked by anti-lead ammunition groups. group had no part in drafting. That document we had anticipated and may present a
“We’re struggling to find time to work out is very far from a reflection of the LAG’s challenge to Police Scotland staff, who will
when we tell the world what we’re going discussions and draws incorrect conclusions administer the new regime.”
to do, which is nothing. It will get parked from that evidence which the LAG has agreed.
somewhere. No action will be taken.” More seriously, many of those conclusions are
The official text of the LAG’s final report to based on evidence that the LAG has simply
the government has yet to be revealed but is not agreed and were presented to the rest of
understood to be widely critical of the use of the group as a fait accompli.
lead shot in the UK. A letter from LAG chairman “The LAG was intended to put a consensus
John Swift to the secretary of state, sent in view to DEFRA. It has manifestly failed to
June 2015, said: “Lead is a highly toxic hazard do that. I do not think DEFRA can accept a
and presents risk at all levels of exposure. It is report that is so procedurally flawed and from
especially dangerous as a neurotoxin for both a group of which the majority of members
young people and for wild animals. have resigned.”
“If it is decided that the risks to wildlife and DEFRA’s response was initially expected in
human health need to be better addressed, December 2015, but now is unlikely to appear
there is no convincing evidence, yet available, until at least April.
008-010 News_Rev2.indd 8 17/03/2016 17:15

News: The latest issues
conservation and employment which is

being created from field sports and fishing.
“This cannot be understated, particularly
when we have problems in oil, challenges
in farming and job losses and dropping
margins in aquaculture.
“Not only is our work providing economic
benefits, it is keeping the landscape and
rivers in such a way that brings people to
Scotland. It keeps jobs in our hills, glens
and straths. Each year, new children and
shooters are families are being brought up in these

places and skilled opportunities are keeping
‘indispensable’ to those families there.

“Last year, in five scattered Glens in
the community Angus, one grouse season saw £1m going

directly to households in wages. It created
57 full-time jobs, seasonal work for 512
Scottish gamekeepers have been reminded other industries that could match what beaters – and over 900 businesses benefited
of fieldsports’ “indispensable” contribution is delivered for Scotland in these fragile from trade directly with estates, to the tune
to the economy and employment at the 2016 areas without dipping increasingly into of £4.7m. That was in only six of 20 estates
Scottish Gamekeepers Association AGM. taxpayers’ pockets. surveyed in one region. What other type of
Making the keynote speech, SGA He said: “One thing that stands out like business at 1000ft and above could generate
chairman Alex Hogg said there were few a sore thumb is the amount of investment, that for Scotland?”
EU fight escalates
New firearms laws emanating from Europe “Many people who shoot have written to
could have a wide range of unintended their MEPs to raise their concerns about the
effects on legitimate shooters. These Commission’s proposals. I know that British
include damage to training in the safe MEPs are keen to protect the lawful interests
and responsible use of firearms, the of their constituents. BASC wished to assist
blocking of moves to improve public safety, by summarising in an easily accessible way
reducing pest control with implications the risk of unintended consequences. We
for the environment and food prices, and will continue our work with our MEPs as
the destruction of world famous collections the Commission reviews its proposals and
of firearms. MEPs table amendments for votes which
BASC has highlighted these dangers in a are likely in June.”
new infographic, now being disseminated
WINNER!
to MEPs and other decision makers.
The infographic highlights that proposals
to ban access of under 18 year olds to Congratulations to Geoffrey Williams,
firearms will damage training in safe and the winner in Sporting Rifle’s Browning
responsible use; Proposals to restrict giveaway first printed in the September
licence length could block UK moves to 2015 edition and then in attendance at the
free up resources and improve public safety Midland Game Fair last year.
by introducing 10 year licences; and trade, He wins a Browning X Bolt Hunter Eclipse
heritage and culture could all be restricted and chose the calibre .243 to take home.
as a result of the move. Congratulations, Geoffrey – it was one of the
BASC’s Richard Ali said: “BASC has most oversubscribed competitions we’ve
been working with British MEPs and other had, so you’re a lucky hunter indeed!
UK and European shooting organisations Keep checking these pages for more
to ensure that Commission proposals to competition winners – or if you can’t wait
combat terrorism and organised crime do to win for yourself, enter this month’s
not damage legitimate shooting. competition on page 92.
SPORTING RIFLE 9
008-010 News_Rev2.indd 9 17/03/2016 17:15

News: The latest issues Science
backs muirburn
Heather burning on the moorlands is
backed by science – it’s official. A recent
paper, set to be published in the Royal
KENT PCC gets it wrong Society’s journal, says the damaging

effects of heather burning cannot be
BASC has taken Kent’s police and crime supplied by the police for the average cost proven – and has told antis to lay off the
commissioner Ann Barnes to task over of firearms licensing. If the amounts paid to “unhelpful hyperbole”. The paper also
comments she made online about the cost of Kent police fall far short of the costs they incur called out journalists for relying on press
gun licensing. providing licensing, then it shows that their releases about the issue from campaign
Writing on the Kent PCC website, Ms processes are inefficient compared to police groups, without reading the original
Barnes called privately owned guns “a real performance nationally. research or consulting an expert. The
public safety risk” and criticised the fact that According to BASC’s figures on licence GWCT said it was time to accept that fire
“Kent Police is having to spend more than application and renewal times, Kent is is a vital part of moorland management
£300,000 subsidising the licensing of them.” proportionately one of the worst performing and we should focus on learning how to
She went on to criticise “taxpayers’ money licensing teams in the country. do it well.
being used to subsidise someone’s hobby.” BASC’s firearms operation director Gary
BASC was quick to point out that the Ashton said: “Ann Barnes is charged with
Purdey Awards open
increased shotgun and firearms licence fees, securing the maintenance of an efficient and
Purdey has invited entries for the
implemented last year, were based on the effective police force for Kent. Inefficiency in
2016 Purdey Awards for game and
principle of full cost recovery once a host of firearms licensing… is her responsibility and
conservation. Entries are welcomed from
efficiency measures, including e-licensing, the buck stops with her. Seeking to blame
any type or size of shoot and entries are
were introduced. lawful firearms owners and screw more
judged on how its work has improved
A BASC spokesperson said: “When money out of them to cover up failures is an
the shoot and biodiversity. For more
fees were set, they were based on figures evasion of Ms Barnes’ responsibilities.”
information on entering, go www.purdey.
com/shooting-life/purdey-awards, or
email purdey.awards@purdey.com. The
closing date is 16 May 2016.
Microchipping –
last chance
You have until 6 April – just a couple of
weeks after this issue of Sporting Rifle goes
on sale – to ensure your dogs over eight
weeks are micro-chipped. Microchipping
involves injecting a chip the size of a grain
of rice under the skin; the chip contains
a code linking to details of the dog’s
owner on a database. Breeders will be
required to microchip puppies before they
are rehomed. Dogs Trust is offering free
microchipping at events at their re-homing
centres and is also working with vets to
increase the uptake of microchipping
before the deadline.
Thomas Jacks moves NWCU goes on

The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)
Thomas Jacks, the UK distributor of time lighting will allow the testing and has won funding to support its work for the
night vision and thermal imaging brands demonstration of night vision equipment at next four years. The specialist unit tackles
including Pulsar, Yukon and Guide, has now any time of the day, while a balcony with
wildlife crime across the UK and was set
moved in to new offices in land adjacent to long-ranging views provides an excellent
to close at the end of March. However,
their previous HQ. vantage point for demonstrating thermal
environment minister Rory Stewart has
Although only a small move in terms and day optics equipment.
confirmed the government will provide
of distance, the new larger purpose built Thomas Jacks’ new address is: Apex
funding of £136,000 a year for the next four
premises gives almost four times the House, Timothy’s Bridge Road, Stratford
years while Defra will provide an additional
space, allowing for further recruitment of upon Avon, CV37 9BF. Other contact details
£29,000 a year for the same period to tackle
staff and increased storage space. And an remain the same: 01789 264100, www.
online wildlife crime.
indoor dark tunnel with accurate night thomasjacks.co.uk.
008-010 News_Rev2.indd 10 17/03/2016 17:15

SPORTING RIFLE 11
011.indd 11 16/03/2016 14:42

Letters: Readers’ views
Mailbag
Send us your letters – or email
colinf@blazepublishing.co.uk for
a chance to win a great prize
star
24-hour fieldsports people letter sCopiNg out the optioNs
Dear Sporting Rifle, Dear Sporting Rifle,
I just wanted to let you know I’m a fan of the magazine, and highlights for me include articles
that miracles do happen. On Friday like Hunters Remembered and Calibre Hunter. Can we add Scope
5 February I dropped a variation Hunter to the line-up, please? I’d like comparisons between
form and my FAC in at Cheshire Meopta and IOR riflescopes, or comparisons between Victory
Police HQ. Amazingly, at lunchtime Diavari and Victory HT riflescopes – also advice on mounts and
on Monday 8 February Sarah Batt magnification best suited to what role you choose your rifle for.
from Firearms Licensing rang to Is a 24x mag worth paying extra over a 16x, and what do you
say that my variation was done and lose in terms of field of view?
certificate ready to collect. That is a A series on scopes would benefit everyone as you cannot
24-hour turnaround if you take the shoot what you cannot see.
weekend out. Cheers, Andrew Nicholls
How things have changed with
Cheshire from years gone by. Let’s
hope it continues. I am sure this
must be due in some part to the
hard work done by Mike Eveleigh
and the team at BASC.
Regards, Clive Rowland
CroCodile ComplaiNt
As a Briton living and working in the United States, I was rather
surprised by Peter Carr’s ‘Crocodile Tears’ article. I am not sure I
have read such a poorly researched, naive and superficial piece in
your magazine. Describing ‘nearly all’ US presidents as ‘gung-ho
kick-arse types’ is patently a nonsense. I also struggle to see any
form of pattern that emerges from the study of Jackson, Nixon,
Johnson and Clinton. Furthermore, using Fox News and the NRA
to support his case is about as balanced as a Peter Mandelson and
Alistair Campbell character reference for Tony Blair.
Carr saves his most crass statement, however, for last. WiN Each month, the best letter wins a bottle
American politics has many faults, but ‘cash for questions’, the of King’s Ginger – the ideal drink for after
expenses scandal and an honours system that blatantly supports a cold stalk. For more information, visit
and and sustains cronyism hardly holds up British politics as a www.thekingsginger.com
paragon of virtue to be proud of. Carr should stick to subjects he
is both familiar and comfortable with; he is clearly out of his depth
discussing serious politics.
Morgan Williams, Arlington, Virginia
SPORTING RIFLE 13
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News: UK Game Fair
UK GAME FAIR
22-24 JULY
There’s been a whole host of new announcements from the
team behind the UK Game Fair, taking place at Stoneleigh
on 22-24 July. We take a look…
O
rganising country sports’ new for fieldsports fans, with guns returned to the be attending the UK Game Fair – all of us at
flagship event looks like a whirlwind heart of game fairs and a high-quality offering Ladds are looking forward to supporting this
of a task. No sooner had we gone to from a very focused exhibitor base. new event and helping make it a success.
press with the last edition, containing a host That’s not to say it’s small – there are We’ll be attending with our full range of new
of news about the UK Game Fair, than the some true giants on board. Beretta, which and second-hand guns, including Beretta,
organisers revealed another host of attractions, is possibly the world’s best known name Browning and Blaser, who we are now a main
innovations and exhibitors. in guns and is also behind rifle brands Sako dealer for."
The best thing about the UK Game Fair is and Tikka and optics including Steiner, is And Martin Perkin of the Gunshop Rugby,
that it’s very focused on fieldsports in all its to take a flagship presence – as is Viking which operates two retail premises as well as
forms – which means if you’re solely a rifle Arms, which brings Merkel’s wildly popular a shooting ground, said he would bring up to
shooter, you’re not going to find your chosen straight-pull rifles and Meopta optics in 300 guns. “In rifles, we’re very big dealers for
sport sidelined. There’s plenty on offer that’s to the UK. As Sporting Rifle went to press, Sauer. We’ve got the Sauer 404 and also the
got specific interest to Sporting Rifle readers – organisers announced that Swarovski was Blaser R8 – another premium rifle.
we’ve got a selection of it here… coming on board as a key sponsor. And all “We have optics, which we’ll probably take
these fieldsports giants will be supported by to go with the rifles. We’re a key account
GUN QUARTER a whole host of prominent retailers. holder for Swarovski – we’ll bring a lot of
The UK Game Fair’s Gun Quarter is shaping up Mike Ladd of Ladds Guns, one of the show’s those, including the new Z8 range. We’ll
to provide an unmatched shopping experience most recent signings, said: “We’re excited to take the X5 and Z6 too. We also keep a lot
014-015 UK Game Fair_Rev6.indd 14 17/03/2016 17:17

News: UK Game Fair
GET YOUR TROPHIES

MEASURED AT THE UK
GAME FAIR
The British Association for Shooting and
Conservation, the British Deer Society and
Sporting Rifle magazine will collaborate to
offer a full trophy head measuring service
at the UK Game Fair on 22-24 July.
Situated on the Sporting Rifle stand,
the measuring centre will see members
of the BASC and BDS team offer trophy
measuring and scoring on site. Covering
of other manufacturers like Nightforce – the purchase. There will also be Meet The Artist all areas of the UK, the team includes
premium scopes.” sessions during the fair, allowing visitors to renowned measurers such as Dominic
Richard Lukeman of Marsh Farm said discover what inspires these exceptionally Griffith, John Thornley, Paul Childerley
it would have a wide variety of guns and talented individuals. and Chris Dalton, and sees its latest heads
clothing: “We do Browning, Beretta, Caesar Red Spot Artists member Owen Williams published every month in Sporting Rifle.
Guerini, everything in between… We do all said: “I have sold my sporting watercolours at Now the biggest measuring scheme
the big names. You name it, we do it. All the the CLA Game Fair for over 30 years, so like in the UK, the tripartite BASC, BDS and
rifles as well – CZ, Sako, Tikka. many of my fellow artists, I was shocked to Sporting Rifle service received 338 heads
“We are very big in clothing. We do learn that the CLA no longer planned to run in 2015 and produced 13 platinum-medal
absolutely masses – all the big names. this unique and much loved event. The game roe and muntjac heads as well as 77 golds
Deerhunter, Seeland, Harkila, Ridgeline… all fair was not only an opportunity for me to across seven species.
the sporting brands. Very often we have a lot show my latest work, but also to meet up with It’s become a regular sight at major
of good deals on clothing.” many friends and customers and participate game fairs on the BASC and BDS stands
in an event that celebrates country sports. – now, boosted by sponsorship from
SPORTING ART “I am pleased that the organisers of the UK Sporting Rifle, it’s set to have its biggest
If you’re a follower of the works of Iain Game Fair have recognised the importance ever presence at the UK Game Fair at
Greensitt, Rodger McPhail, Martin Ridley and of sporting art. I’m delighted to be exhibiting Stoneleigh.
their contemporaries in sporting art, you can’t my paintings and bronzes in The Sporting Art BASC deer officer Sam Walker said:
afford to miss the UK Game Fair. Gallery and look forward to meeting many of “The BASC, BDS and Sporting Rifle trophy
Among the fair’s most recent my customers and friends there.” service is bigger than ever, with more
announcements is the Sporting Art gallery, Martin Ridley, one of the UK’s best than 300 trophies measured last year and
which will see works from leading British known wildlife artists, said: “After the CLA forecasted for even more growth this year.
fieldsports and nature artists exhibited cancellation caused disarray, you can now Responding to demand from the stalking
together. An extensive exhibition area will return to your calendar and mark up the UK public, we are attending more game fairs
see original works from the country’s most Game Fair dates for sporting art. than ever, and the UK Game Fair forms
famed sporting and wildlife artists – including The organisers have seized the initiative by a key event in the measuring team’s
Martin Ridley, Iain Greensitt, John Trickett launching a Sporting Art Gallery. The exhibit calendar. With a heavily fieldsports-
and members of the Red Spot Artists’ Group will bring together many of the well known focused audience set to attend, we’re
including Owen Williams and Rodger McPhail sporting art names as well as promoting looking forward to a busy three days of
– on display. Visitors can expect to see all new talent deserving of a larger following. measuring at Stoneleigh.”
forms of artistic media, including watercolour, A dedicated exhibition space where the
oil, illustration and sculpture – and both organisers have a personal interest in the
originals and prints will be available for genre is going to be well worth a visit.” ■
SPORTING RIFLE 15
014-015 UK Game Fair_Rev6.indd 15 17/03/2016 17:17

Roebuck: Cull
Selection dilemma
How do you select which roebucks to cull, and is ‘shoot
the first one that comes along’ really such a bad strategy?
Dominic Griffith investigates
P
eople frequently ask me what the selection could have everything to do with, you aiming to make a reduction in the
criteria should be for shooting or not for example, how hard you have worked population of that particular species? Or
shooting a buck, and I wish I could for the cull or even how hungry you are. are you trying to manage and conserve an
give them a simple answer. The answers Selection under those circumstances existing population to its highest potential
are there, but they will change according could reasonably be based on simple time and quality for its own and your long-term
to circumstances, and I suppose the first constraints or even the suitability of that benefit? If either of the former then the
question that needs to be considered is, ‘What particular buck as a source of food. decision to shoot may be based purely
are the objectives of this particular stalk?’ For most, however, the cull is part of a on where the buck is encountered, but if
For some the stalk will not be relevant plan, though that plan may in itself have the latter then there are almost certainly
to any particular plan – the cull taken is a host of objectives. Are you simply trying benefits in stepping back and giving each
therefore simply predatory in nature, and to protect vulnerable crops or trees? Are choice of cull greater consideration.
Roebuck: Cull
By definition a cull is taken to remove an

unwanted surplus, which if ignored would
put pressure on the habitat and thence on
the deer themselves. Culls therefore tend to
be defined by number – you believe you have,
say, around 100 roe, and experience teaches
us that we will need to shoot about 30 to
maintain stability. Of those 30, experience
again teaches us that more than half should
be female (say 18) and less than half male
(say 12). A further refined understanding of
population dynamics suggests that of the 12
bucks available for culling, about half should
be from the yearling age class. Immediately,
therefore, the concept of a finite figure You’ll see a lot of bucks this summer – and every
within the cull plan will begin to suggest sighting is a choice. To shoot or not to shoot?
that selection within that cull plan has some
important significance. presented on each outing, and it is how to one with huge antlers, it might be one with a
That said, it is pretty much inarguable exercise that choice that has fascinated roe bizarre antler, but if a cull of entirely random
that simply achieving target numbers is enthusiasts over the decades. selection up to a predetermined number is
probably the most important factor within What is clear is that if you stuck rigidly to completed, it is likely that about half would
a cull plan. No deer manager has the time your cull numbers but otherwise completed a end up being from yearlings and the other
to be too selective within the doe cull, truly random cull – i.e. taking the first buck that half would be made up from a mixed range
except in so far as simply balancing the crosses your path every time until you achieve of the middle and older age classes. In these
number of adults shot to the number of the agreed total number – then it is unlikely circumstances a random cull such as this,
young. Within the buck cull, it is true that that any damage would be done. The first buck which takes a representative slice off all age
stalkers have more time available over the to cross your path is more likely to be a yearling classes of the population and pretty much
extended daylight hours of the long spring and, of the mature bucks, the first to cross your replicates natural predation, is likely to be no
and summer to take a relatively smaller cull path is less predictable. It might be an old or less successful than a deeply deliberated one.
as against the limited daylight hours of the sick one which is less aware, but it might be There is, however, one issue that
larger winter doe cull. This means that a the aggressive territorial buck challenging a undermines this argument. For those of us
greater potential for selection is clearly perceived intrusion to his territory. It might be who take a particular interest in the quality of
our roebucks, and put a lot of effort into trying
It is pretty to improve quality, there is simply too great a

risk in not taking particular care of our middle-
much inarguable aged bucks. Despite my assertion above that
the buck that walks past you might be from
that simply any age class, there are a number of reasons
achieving target why it is actually more likely to be younger

than older. It is the 2-4 year olds that are more
numbers is likely to wander and less likely to be territorial.
They tend to move earlier in the evening and
probably the stay out later in the morning. Old bucks, on
most important the other hand, tend to be more wary – that’s

how they got old – and tend to move later
factor within a and retire earlier. It is therefore true that it
usually takes extra effort to locate and cull old
cull plan bucks, an effort that will require self-control
in ignoring those middle-aged bucks which
appear en route. In this way the principle of
random selection is undermined and so, for
the part of the cull that targets the mature
bucks, it will reap rewards to apply additional
selection criteria.
Even taking the biggest heads may not damage As a general rule, older bucks grow bigger
the cull plan – if you stick to the numbers
antlers, or certainly heavier ones, and heavy
SPORTING RIFLE 17
016-018 Dominic Griffith_Rev3.indd 17 17/03/2016 14:39

Roebuck: Cull
an art which, if practiced conscientiously

and thoughtfully, can produce tangible and
rewarding results. It is the very fact that it is
not a science that makes it such a compelling
passion for many of us. ■
DEER MANAGEMENT
IN THE UK
Young bucks may be easier, but they are

not always the best choice for the cull
antlers are prized as representing the best of your choice towards that total number
quality. The old bucks thus represent the within the cull plan.
most valuable aspect of the cull, and many While I suspect that, within the older age
stalkers will aim to maximise that potential. class, selection is in practice frequently made
On the other hand the way to absolutely according to the size or bizarre shape of
eliminate that potential is clearly going to antlers, I am equally sure that it makes little
Dominic Griffith shows how to manage
be in removing them before they have the difference when compared with the influence
deer to their best potential in his book Deer
opportunity to get old. For this reason it of overall age class banding within the cull. In
Management in the UK, available now
makes absolute sense to spare the middle- other words even if you shoot all the premium
from Virtual Newsagent. This invaluable
aged bucks and, so far as is possible, to heads available on the ground, it will not have
guide demonstrates how a more gentle
target only the old. This, in itself, is probably a detrimental effect as long as each of those
approach has the benefit of an unstressed,
enough in terms of selection and any culled bucks are old. However, target at your
visible and truly manageable population
further consideration as to the individual peril all those premium heads if it turns out
of deer. The book concentrates mainly on
characteristics of a particular year’s antler that they all come from the younger middle-
roe and includes detailed case studies;
growth is probably largely irrelevant. aged age class. The aim must always be to
a modern approach to cull planning;
More important will be the many practical maintain a balance of age classes and it
collaborative management techniques,
considerations such as where on your patch becomes ever more important, as more and
plus 10 delicious venison recipes from
this buck lives – if it is by the road and in more ground is allocated a stalker, to avoid
3-star Michelin chef, Marco Pierre White.
full view of the poachers, it may well be a creating voids in the early age classes.
£21.50 01926 339808
as good a choice of selection as any other – It isn’t a science, although there are
www.virtualnewsagent.com
the important thing is that it counts as one some who would like it to be. Rather it is
016-018 Dominic Griffith_Rev3.indd 18 17/03/2016 15:10

SPORTING RIFLE 19
019.indd 19 16/03/2016 14:31

020.indd 20 16/03/2016 14:49

Swiss roe
Poor weather, reticent deer and a white lie about range

don’t stop Chris Dalton guiding a client from Switzerland
into a May roebuck
R
egular readers may recall an article who arranged in secret for her to come back days’ stalking after which we would return to
published in Sporting Rifle last in May this year to stalk with me. This surprise Ayrshire for the rest of the week.
October involving two guests from was revealed to Alexandra as a Christmas gift, I had explained that lightweight summer
Switzerland: husband and wife team Mark rather nice I thought (to my lovely wife, if you gear would be fine with the odd fleece, as
and Alexandra, who visited Garryloop for a are reading, please note that I would really evening high-seat sessions can be cool after
week of stag stalking and a fishing trip. During like to hunt some of the big New Zealand sika the warm days, and a lightweight waterproof
that week Alexandra saw some of our South stags). Flights were booked, and I collected in case it rained. I was kitted out with the
Ayrshire roebucks and enthused about their Alexandra from Glasgow airport in early May latest summer stalking gear from Deerhunter.
quality and size, a fact not missed by Mark and continued up into the Angus glens for two So we were all set; I left the airport with
SPORTING RIFLE 21
Roebuck: Angus
Alexandra around midday in bright sunshine.

We would not be stalking until after 6.30pm
as we had light to around 9.45pm – plenty
of time to get a bite to eat and let Alexandra
have a rest before the evening outing. Now
I should know by know about ‘best laid
plans’ – the cloud gradually thickened as we
approached Perth and by the time we got to
the accommodation it was decidedly black.
This developed into a full-blown blizzard for
the evening and we had all but decided to call
it a blank and have an early night ready for
first light the following morning. However, the
Met Office app on the phone had the weather
clearing around 7pm so there was still a
chance that we might get out. We had coffee
and watched the weather, which did indeed
clear at the appointed hour, so out we went.
In view of the time and conditions – it was
still freezing cold in an easterly wind – my
initial plans were changed and I parked close A plan finally comes together
to a dense wood of mature conifers planted on a as Chris gets his client a buck
steep bank with a meadow in the valley bottom.
As this is an arable area there was stock in the trees. The further we got, the more interested which brought them marginally closer. My
field, which was bounded on both sides by and agitated Oscar became, and then he pulled concern now was that the three females had
winter barley. I was not aware of any further forward and went on point, a sure sign browsed to our side no more than 40 yards
good bucks here but I did know there were that we were close. I spotted the first roe, a away and would soon cross our wind, after
a couple of cull bucks, both two years old, mature doe which initially I thought was on her which the game would be up. Now Alexandra
which I had watched during earlier forays. My own – but after a while two more roe came into is an experienced hunter and very good shot;
plan was to drop down into the valley and lie view, all females. I felt sure that there would be I had seen that demonstrated on the range
up at a vantage point and watch the meadow, at least one of my cull bucks somewhere around and during our previous stag stalking. So I
reasoning that roe would probably want to get but we could not really go past this group knew the accuracy of the rifle and my guest’s
out in the better weather, hopefully emerging without alerting them, and any running off or ability and asked her if she was comfortable to
from the shelter and warmth of the conifers. barking would likely clear any other roe beyond take the shot. The roe selected was now 207
Alexandra had not brought her own rifle, them back to the safety of the trees. yards away exactly – this was the Swarovskis
primarily to save on luggage and hassle, so we We had no alternative but to gain a little repaying the expenditure. Alexandra asked me
were using my wife’s Tikka T3 in .243. So we more ground, move to the edge of the wood how far away the deer was, and I told her 160
kitted up and dropped down the steep banking where I could get Alexandra set up on yards. Yes, I lied. The rifle cracked and the deer
in the lee of the wood to the meadow; this the bipod in a comfortable position, wait dropped on the spot – job done.
approach kept us out of sight but we moved and watch quite a bit of the field, hoping a After we took the obligatory photographs, I
slowly as deer will often lie in the scrub on the shootable deer would appear before dark. came clean and confessed to my deception, to
banking. Oscar was just in front of my left knee, Before we got into position I could see which she replied that the deer had appeared
and my time was spent alternating between another roe around about the middle of the quite small through the scope. We finished
glassing into the trees below and to the side of meadow. A quick check with the Swarovskis the trip with four bucks but did not manage
us and watching the hound for any reaction. But revealed one of the cull bucks, but he was to catch up with the really large boys I had
with no deer encountered, we got to the edge of at 250 yards, and appeared settled browsing tried to find. The cold weather did not help and
the field 20 minutes after leaving the car. At this contentedly mid-field. most of the other stalkers in my area during
point Oscar started to get interested, indicating We got to a nice mound and I set the bipod. that same period all noted a lack movement
to our left. His nose was going, testing the air Alexandra was able to get into a comfortable of big roebucks. But maybe I should know by
– he was clearly picking up deer. I moved left, prone position to cover the cull buck. I now – you do not get to be a trophy roe buck
carefully working through the mature trees. whispered that we would wait and hopefully by being daft. Alexandra will just have to come
There was little wind here so breaking twigs he would work closer. Then cull buck number back next year for another try. She’ll probably
would not do – though the one advantage of the two appeared, next to the first one. I did not bring her own rangefinder. ■
wet grass was that you could walk quietly. see him walk in so can only assume he was For stalking opportunities Chris can
So we progressed, undetected, glassing each laid in a hollow and I could not see him until be contacted on 07710 871190 or www.
new vista as it appeared though the gaps in the he stood up. The bucks started a little playfight, ayrstalk.co.uk.
021-022 Chris Dalton May16_Rev3.indd 22 17/03/2016 14:56

SPORTING RIFLE 23
023.indd 23 16/03/2016 17:30

024.indd 24 16/03/2016 14:58

Review: Rimfire
Varmint virtuoso
Tim Pilbeam contracts ‘rimfire mania’ as he takes the
Browning T Bolt Varmint Stainless Laminated in .22LR
out for a spin
D
espite the T Bolt design being stainless steel finish and dark laminated across the middle of the bolt, at 90 degrees
originally launched in 1960, it was stock, immediately gives the impression of (hence the name T Bolt), locking it to both
the relaunch some five years ago in a quality rifle. The medium profiled barrel is sides of the tubular action. This results in a
.22 and .17 HMR that really made an impact 18in long and comes with a ½in UNF thread very solid lock up. When locked and ready to
in European rimfire market. In a nutshell, for a moderator. It has a recessed crown and fire, it does look very neat and compact. To
it is unique in two ways, the straight pull designed to be fully floating for it entire length. unload, pull back the handle and the locking
bolt system and the flush fitting double Moving back to the business end of the lugs are released to the right, allowing the
helix magazine. Back in 2012, I reviewed rifle, the action shares a similar matte finish bolt to move freely to the rear. There is also
the T Bolt Varmint furnished with a walnut to the barrel, made from once piece of steel a red cocking indicator on the top of the
stock in .17 HMR, which was responsible for and tubular in design. Weaver style bases are bolt, but this is not visible when optics are
reducing my post-harvest rabbit population included, allowing for a plethora of mounts fitted. The bolt handle is short with a smooth
on the farm. I was impressed with it speed to be fitted, without being too hard on the knob and angled back. To remove, push the
of loading, compactness with its 16in pocket, but it is the ‘T Bolt’ bolt design bolt fully forward and press down the small
barrel, and most importantly, the accuracy, that sets itself apart from all other rimfires. release lever, located just below the rear of
allowing me to confidently take head shots It is a straight-pull. No turning or twisting the bolt and draw back very slowly. The head
beyond 100 yards. As I am reviewing a T movements required, making it easier for has a simple and very effective twin extractor
Bolt in .22LR, my ethical killing range will the shooter to take quicker shots without claw design that also allows a firm hold of a
be very much reduced, but I am hoping for disturbing the sight picture, when compared new round as it feeds from the magazine.
a similar outcome in terms of build quality, to the traditional turn bolt. Some would say The magazine is so cleverly engineered.
engineering and shorter range accuracy. that this is the fastest action on the market. It hold 10 rounds but in a double helix
The model I am reviewing is the Varmint One thing for sure it is reasonably quick to configuration. To aid loading, there is
Stainless Laminated. As I lift it from the cycle, but how does it work? When the bolt a sprung gear that releases the spring
packaging, the combination of the matte is pushed forward, two round lugs are driven tension by using the thumb, but what is
SPORTING RIFLE 25
Review: Rimfire
Conditions for
testing were far from
ideal, despite several
visits to the range
most fascinating is they follow a figure of
eight path within the body. It is made of
translucent plastic with a aluminium back
plate to aid strength. Despite holding 10
rounds, it is flush with the underside of the
stock, a real advantage to most other 10-shot
designs. The release lever sits to the front,
and when pressed throws it some 12in, so
make sure you catch it!
In the past the T Bolt’s trigger has received
a little criticism for being too heavy, but
most annoyingly, it could not be adjusted
without a visit to a gunsmith. The gold
coloured trigger blade, is now adjustable
from 3.5lb to 5.5lb (measured by me), by
simply adjusting a hex screw, located to the
front of the trigger guard. It boasts a new
three-lever design, quick lock time and short
travel. It arrived from Browning at 3.5lb, feels
crisp with little creep or minimal over travel.
It is protected by a polycarbonate guard,
the same material as used in the magazine
well. The safety is on the top tang, forward
to fire and rear for safe, the latter setting still It looks like Tim has caught the .22 bug
allowing the bolt to open.
Lastly, the dark grey laminated stock is
smooth with a satin finish. The chequering
around the pistol grip and forend feels very
grippy, and the forend has a wider beavertail
maybe designed to accept the thicker barrel.
To the rear it has a Monte Carlo-style comb,
with its raised cheekpiece and to the rear
a solid butt plate. On removal of the stock,
I see that it has been nicely bedded to the
front and rear of the action with a small
recoil stop
I have, what seems the perfect rifle, made
up of a combination of stainless steel and
thicker profiled varmint barrel, supported
by a stiff laminated chassis that is also The safety catch and bolt The MAE mod matched
bedded to the action, but does it shoot release – an easy-to-use design the barrels perfectly
any better than the lower specification
rifles? For the test, I used Winchester performed, even though it is perhaps way I found the trigger crisp with no creep, much
40gn and 42gn ammunition, zeroed in at beyond the normal acceptable hunting improved from the previous model I tested.
50 yards using a MAE LR22 STS Stainless distance for a .22LR, resulting in a 2in and If this could be dropped to just below 3lb, it
Steel moderator supplied by JMS Arms. 2.5in group. The conditions for testing were would transform this rifle. Having said that,
Groupings of 0.75in and 1in respectively far from ideal, despite several visits to the most rimfires are of a similar weight and
were achieved and just for interest, I also range, so I would envisage these groups it takes no time to get used to it. The long
tested the rifle at 100 yards to see how it shrinking in more suitable circumstances. pistol grip was comfortable, my thumb able
Review: Rimfire
the action is nicely bedded to

the stock at front and rear
the t Bolt comes in many the superb double helix magazine housed an
guises – which do you prefer? assortment of Winchester subsonics for the test
to fold neatly over the stock when firing sight picture, as already mentioned, is
technical specification
and operating the safety was reasonably perhaps is easier to maintain, compared to
easy to find. Being a laminated varmint the traditional turn bolt. Browning T Bolt: Varmint Stainless
model, it is heavier than the standard The magazine was faultless in feeding Laminated
Calibres (.22LR on Test): .22LR, .17 HMR
Sporter, but it feels well balanced when shot the action, despite trying to cycling rounds
Weight: 5.65lb
freehand. If I was to own this rifle, I would as fast as I could when shooting moving
Length of Pull: 13.5in
shorten the barrel by 6in, making it ideal for targets. Moving the little gear wheel to the
Barrel Length: 18in
shooting from vehicles without making any rear of the assembly allowed the rounds Stock: Grey wood laminate
noticeable reduction in performance. That to drop in, with little or no resistance, Trigger: 3.5-6lb
goes for .22 and .17 HMR calibres. an advantage if compared to a straight SRRP: £595
As for the straight pull ‘T’ bolt design, I stacking design, not forgetting it does not Contact: Browning ■ 01235 514550
agree, it is perhaps quicker than a turn bolt, protrude from the underside at all. www.browning.eu
but it does require much more forward force With a SRRP of £599 it is £75-£100 more MAE Moderators: LR22STS
Material: 308 Grade Stainless Steel
to load a round. This is due to a combination than the Target Varmint with a wooden
Length forward of muzzle: 6.5in / 160mm
of the compression of the firing pin spring stock and blued barrel, which I feel is well
Diameter: 7.8in / 22.2mm
and the locking of the locking cross lugs. In worth the added expense, not forgetting Weight: 170g
a turn bolt, the firing pin spring is squeezed the more practical stainless steel. I would Design: Removable baffles for cleaning
on the final downward movement of the bolt imagine the .17 HMR would be a far more Comments: Costs more than budget
handle. So while it is perhaps faster, it does popular calibre, maybe maximising its moderators but the high quality stainless
require, in my opinion, much more effort, but superior specification at longer distances. steel material and cleanable baffles will
with use and practice, it will become easier Is it vastly superior in terms of accuracy to attract the shooter who demands the best
SRRP: £88
to cycle. After discussing this with my local other rimfires? Maybe not, but one thing is
Contact: JMS Arms ■ 01444 400126
gun shop, they reliably informed me they do for sure: those who have invested in a T Bolt
07771 962121 ■ www.jmsarms.com
free up after a short time. Once mastered, are not at all keen to hand it back. ■
SPORTING RIFLE 27
028.indd 28 16/03/2016 14:59

Stalking: Opinion
Spring sport
From roe to muntjac, foot-stalks to high seats, the sporting
opportunities at this time of year are endless, says David
Barrington Barnes
O
ne morning early in the 2015 He was clearly heading back to cover after quality. While April bucks are not in glorious,
roebuck season, I was stalking the an early morning patrol of his territory. As fox-red summer coats, the combination of
edge of Bluebell Wood in the rising he was approaching quickly I could not their rising activity level and the low cover
light. The wood was roughly rectangular so move, so shrinking back into the hedge as make for exciting stalking combined with
I started with the breeze on my left cheek much as I could, and ignoring the hawthorn doing the useful job of thinning out young
before turning into it on the long left face. spikes, I set the sticks and waited. and indifferent beasts before the rut. Those
As I sneaked along the margin I enjoyed The excitement of the next few minutes roe stalkers who wait for the rut miss out
the sign and sounds of woodland life at can only be appreciated by those who have on this spring stalking. This is a dreadful
this, the spring season’s turning. Of my experienced it. From the moment I spotted waste as hunting at this time of year is very
quarry, I saw absolutely nothing. Eventually the beast until the second I shot him, all special and quite different from stalking
my route brought me to a deep ditch and sorts of unforeseen events could have in the rut. I have experienced some of my
hedge, the other side of which was a occurred and deprived me of my quarry. happiest times when, after grassing my
discreet acre of grass greatly fancied by the My diaries are full of ‘no shot’ entries. This buck, I have taken time out on a sunny bank
local roe deer. I took great care to negotiate time, however, my luck held and the buck and enjoyed the moment. “Lucky to be alive”
the ditch quietly – no easy task as it was came on without clocking me. As he turned is the phrase that then comes to mind.
well brambled. to cross the grass and go into the wood, I This spring stalking is not limited to
On emerging from the ditch I could engaged him. I hardly heard the shot above roebucks. The ubiquitous muntjac is still
survey not only the grass but also the arable the beating of my heart. visible some of the time. In fact, as the
land beyond it. A slight, distant movement Early morning outings such as these cover gets higher and thicker, muntjac
attracted my attention and, on glassing it, I are the very stuff of spring stalking. They become more secure and less likely to take
spied a roebuck coming in. This buck had epitomise the phrase ‘sporting stalking’ fright. For a little while, until the cover gets
all the typical appearance and demeanour and provide the stalker with springtime too high, the stalker has an advantage over
of an early-season buck out on his rounds. stalking experiences of real and enduring these small deer. For example, the stalker
SPORTING RIFLE 29
029-030 DBB_Rev2.indd 29 17/03/2016 16:05

Stalking: Opinion
can turn a flailed game cover into his

hunting ground and, such is the draw of the
residual feed in it, revisit it regularly until
it is ploughed. Another diary entry reminds
me of how I stalked a flailed square of game
cover between two woods, shot a muntjac
buck and then, on report, a yearling roebuck.
That was a useful, unusual right and left
and made for some sporting moments with
my rifle off the bipod.
These spring mornings are a complete
contrast to the relentless grind of the
fallow deer cull in February. Here, in East
Anglia, we are engaged in our own deer
wars. While undoubtedly we have too many
fallow deer in places, we also have too many
people, many of them with a propensity to
trespass in the wrong place at the wrong
time. In some locations – National Trust
property for example – the public go where
and when they like, ignoring warning
notices and disregarding route diversions
and instructions. Their behaviour,
combined with the sheer weight of their
numbers, makes conventional stalking
risky. As a consequence deer managers
have to organise management culls in
which a large number of rifles participate.
Sport or work? Colonel Logan deals
Obviously, in order to reduce the risk of
with the gralloch on a big fallow at
shooting accidents involving either the the back end of the season
public or fellow stalkers, the rifles need to
be restricted to shooting from high seats. organised by the Forestry Commission
Invitations to participate in these through the Deer Initiative and their fellow
collaborative culls are prized, and rightly travellers such as the wildlife trusts, the
so, as the organiser needs participants National Trust and similar landowners.
who can prove that they are in all respects Many of these stakeholders have a
‘a safe pair of hands’. He has to run the perception that deer are a menace and
show with military precision with safety fail to appreciate that in many cases it has
concerns first and last. Even so the risks of been their own restrictive practices over
something going wrong appear to increase the years that have prevented the sporting
in relations to the number of rifles involved. stalker from addressing what they now see
I am aware of one incident in which two as a problem.
rifles have arrived at the same high seat In this respect the quangos that are
and others in which they have become lost driving the reduction war have similarities
in the woodland in the pre-dawn darkness with the New Zealand government, which
and wandered into the arc of fire of those for many years failed to recognise that deer
adjacent to them. are a national asset. As a serious sporting
Having been lucky enough to participate stalker, out every day and often twice a day
in these occasions, I will certainly not be in winter and summer I play a full part in
so ungracious as to decry them. However, managing the deer on my patches. In so
no one should mistake the intent of these doing I am driven by my enthusiasm for
collaborative culls. They are designed to deer stalking and am always conscious
reduce the deer population, particularly of the privileged position I occupy in
of fallow deer. This deer war is not driven managing deer, which are our national
by sporting stalkers, or those land owners treasure. This, in my view, is the proper With an early-season buck
grassed, David is a happy stalker
and other operators who provide it. It is approach for a sporting rifle. ■
029-030 DBB_Rev2.indd 30 17/03/2016 16:07

SPORTING RIFLE 31
031.indd 31 16/03/2016 15:01

Foxing: Lamping
Back to basics
Taking a break from the high-tech use of NV and thermal

imaging, Robert Bucknell heads out with white lamp and
day scope to see what he can find…
T
he hunt came through my farm went round after the rain and couldn’t find a whatever, will exist quite happily while you
recently and proved beyond doubt foxy-looking footprint anywhere on the farm. remove its competition.
that you’re never entirely fox-free no They must have been hiding somewhere, That’s one of the benefits of running a few
matter how hard you try. I was pretty sure though, because the hunt found them all snares, as many keepers do in addition to
they were wasting their time but before long right. There are always some foxes that are foxing at night with a lamp or night vision.
they had found and dealt with three – two more sneaky than the others. They’ll slip The keeper has to go home to bed at some
on my land and another that they flushed along the hedges and ditches, keep a low point, but snares are there 24 hours a day,
on a neighbouring farm and followed across profile and never stand out in the middle of a always ready to catch a fox that comes
six different farms before hounds eventually field where you can spot them readily. trotting through.
caught it. I should add that it was all above To me, that highlighted the importance No matter what you do, there are always
board – they stayed within the law thanks of using a variety of methods to control fresh foxes moving in to fill the vacuum,
to the use of a bird of prey, which they kept your foxes. If you only ever use one method, although they move about less at this time of
with them at all times. then all you’ll get are the foxes that are year. A lot come out of the towns now. They
I had a suspicion that one vixen might susceptible to that method. Any fox that’s may not be wise to the ways of the country,
have moved in to one of their favourite spots, immune, because it hunts at a different but some of them inevitably are more sneaky
as there had been a sighting, but the keeper time of day or is wary of lamps or calls or than others.
032-034 Bucknell_Rev2.indd 32 17/03/2016 16:09

Foxing: Lamping
Think foxes are completely gone

from your ground? Think again...
The keeper has © Nick Latus
to go home to bed
at some point, but
snares are there 24
hours a day, ready to
catch a fox
This time of year the vixens will be
dropping their cubs. It’s a difficult time to
find them, unless you have already located
the earth. They don’t move around much,
and give off very little scent. Obviously a Offering 24-hour fox control,
dirty great hole should be easy to spot, but snares are an effective option
vixens will often be happy to have their
litter anywhere with sturdy overhead cover. a few strands of hair. That makes them a lot of someone who had killed a vixen and found
Garden sheds are a favourite choice, but a harder to locate, at least until the cubs start her litter of just-weaned cubs living under a
rock, an abandoned vehicle or even a thick to come out into the open and create a bit bramble bush. It would have been easy to
bramble bush will be pressed into service. of noise and mess. kill the lot but instead they put a fox-proof
On light land you may see a footprint, but if It’s worth remembering that a litter of cubs fence around the area and kept throwing
you’re on granite then the only sign may be is a big draw to any foxes in the area. I heard food in. They provided the best possible lure
SPORTING RIFLE 33

Foxing: Lamping
A scan with the lamp reveals Just one fox on the ground, but the
the first customer of the night lamp still proved itself a worthy option
Before leaving I shone the light round one last time – and
there on the edge of the field was another fox
to draw in every fox in the neighbourhood – the other night, to a piece of land close to walk each way to the bridge where I can
they all came by to see the cubs. a large county town not far from home. It’s cross the river, so it was some time before
The theory is that any fox has a natural a lovely patch for wildlife, but it does suffer I returned to the truck with the carcase – a
urge to help look after a litter, even if it’s from foxes straying out of the town in search good, strong, healthy-looking dog fox.
not related to them, by keeping an eye of a change from the usual fast food leftovers. Before leaving I shone the light round
on them and bringing food. Maybe that’s Following my own advice, I decided to one last time – and there on the edge of the
what is going on, or maybe there is some ring the changes and use the old-fashioned field was another fox. This one appeared
other purpose to the visits – but there’s white lamp with a daytime Swarovski scope, to be curled up half asleep, looking lazily
no doubt that any fox will come and sniff which I recently fitted with Sportsmatch in our direction with one eye. I called and
around a young litter, sometimes bringing mounts onto my new CAM straight-pull .223 he perked up no end, running in towards
food. Perhaps they do that because they with a lightweight carbon fibre stock. These us. I tried to bring him in nice and close for
have no idea whether they’re related or not. days I tend to use my hand-held thermal James’s camera, but I pushed my luck just
Despite what the bunny huggers would like viewer and Photon night vision scope on a bit too far. The fox never stopped moving
to believe, foxes don’t mate up in pairs and most outings, so white light would be like long enough for me to draw a bead on him.
stick together. They are as promiscuous as going back to basics. It didn’t help that the angle was wrong for
anything, and a single litter may have several James Marchington came along to resting on the cab, and I was trying to juggle
different fathers. It’s nature’s way of giving film for The Shooting Show – watch that both lamp and rifle.
them the best chance of survival. channel to see the film when it goes up. I’ll catch up with that fox sooner or later,
Here’s another tip if you’re controlling We drove out across the pasture to a spot but it was a useful lesson. Not just that
foxes on your patch: just because you clear near the river, then I climbed on the back preparation is everything, but how much
one litter out of an earth, don’t assume and started calling. Before long a pair easier it is using modern high-tech kit. It
that’s it. I heard of one keeper who got three of eyes showed up in the lamp and I got doesn’t hurt to go old school once in a while,
litters out of one earth in a single season, ready to shoot off the top of the cab. The if only to remind yourself of the basics.■
one after the other. He cleared out the first, fox came hesitantly across the field behind
and another vixen moved in. When he got the cover of a bush, so it was only 25 yards watch online
rid of that one, another followed, completely away when it finally gave me a clear shot.
By the time Sporting Rifle goes on sale,
oblivious to the fate of the previous two. I had to keep the lamp skywards and shoot
Robert’s exploits with the lamp will be
Now as you’ve probably noticed, I haven’t with the very edge of the beam, so I don’t
documented on film by The Shooting
mentioned much shooting in this month’s think James’s camera caught much, but
Show. Watch the video at:
article. That’s largely because I haven’t had the fox certainly did. It went down very
www.theshootingshow.tv
cause to do much lately – but I did go out convincingly. Unfortunately it’s a 750-yard

SPORTING RIFLE 35
035.indd 35 16/03/2016 15:03

IN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN!
Winning Shots prize

Worth
We’ve got a real winner of a rifle to give away
to one lucky reader: A CZ 557 Sporter in .243 £828
C
zech rifle maker CZ makes reliable, additions – which makes us very proud
affordable rifles in a wide range of indeed to have one to give away.
styles, from tactical and laminate
models right on up. They’ve got a real on test
modern aspect to them – but of all their The CZ 557 test model has been in demand
models, perhaps our favourite is the CZ 557 at Sporting Rifle towers, and our resident
Sporter, which retains a classic appearance reviewer Byron Pace was the first to take it
and feel. out for a spin, both on the range and in the
The CZ 557 Sporter is an elegant, field. Here’s his verdict: “The Sporter model
American-style model, constructed from a of the 557 was fitted with a newly designed
simple beech wood stock, without sights. beech wood stock, offering a pleasing
Combining decades of firearms design finish with attractive chequering along the
and manufacturing experience, with a forestock and pistol grip.
user-friendly focus, and a drive to use
the best, and most advanced materials
and technologies. It’s a modern centrefire
rifle, with a refined, traditional appearance.
Available in a range of standard calibres,
we’ll have one in .243 to give away, perfect
for stalking or fox control. Retaining the CZ
550’s machined receiver, integral dovetails
for scope mounting and the all-important
cold-hammer-forged barrel, it’s a rifle many
will recognize while still incorporating new
“The rifle handled well. Manoeuvrable and

well balanced, I could see it being at home
as a woodland stalker.
“Over the years I have tested a great
number of CZ rifles, personally owned
and as test rifles. I am yet to find one that
shot outside what I would consider an
acceptable hunting group. This rifle was
no exception, punching consistent groups
dancing around the 1in mark with almost
anything I ran through it.
“There are many options to choose from
when looking for a rifle, and it can be very
hard to narrow it down. We tend to think
that the more money we spend, the better
the rifle, but that is not always the case.
There are a number of rifles on offer tipping
the cash scales in excess of the CZ 557 that
wouldn’t win a head to head.”
Get more information on the 557 Sporter
and the entire CZ range: 01625 613177,
www.edgarbrothers.com
036-037_competition_Rev2.indd 36 17/03/2016 17:44

N! Competition: CA
EntEr thE May coMpEtition

to win a cZ 557 SportEr in .243
Enter now for free
To be in with a chance of
winning a CZ 557 Sporter
in .243, just circle the five
differences in the right-hand
of the two pictures below.
Name
Address
Postcode
Country
Telephone
Email
Post your entry to: May Competition,

Sporting Rifle, Blaze Publishing, Lawrence
House, Morrell Street, Leamington Spa,
Warwickshire CV32 5SZ. Or email your
entries to competition@blazepublishing.
co.uk, quoting ‘Sporting Rifle May
Competition’ in the headline and being sure
to include your full name and address. The
first name we pull out of the editor’s hat on
31 May will win the prize. Blaze Publishing
would like to keep you informed of other
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Please tick here if you would NOT like to be

contacted by post or email
SPORTING RIFLE 37
17/03/2016 17:44
REAL FIELDSPOR
22-24 JULY 2016 STONELEIGH, WARWICKSHIRE
HUNTING AIRGUNS GUNDOGS FISHING
SR 05 May 2016 - UK Game Fair_REV1.indd 38 17/03/2016 17:34

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SR 05 May 2016 - UK Game Fair_REV1.indd 39 17/03/2016 17:34

Foxing: Shooting from cover
Static Shooting
Mike Powell outlines the best strategy for a stationary
shooter looking to take a problem fox
T
his article’s title might be increased, not the wide open spaces where times when I hunt on the move, but more
misleading, as virtually all shooting change has not been so great. and more I spend time waiting for the foxes
is done from a stationary position!. In my early days it was much rarer for to come to me.
What I’m referring to in particular is foxes to be found near habitation. We have Let’s take a typical situation that crops
finding a suitable spot to stand and wait, encroached on vast areas of the fox’s territory up time after time in my area: A phone call
rather than belting round the fields in a and he in turn has learned to live in far closer comes in to say a fox has taken poultry.
4x4 or traipsing through the countryside in proximity to us than he did in years gone How do I set about getting the raider? The
pursuit of fox or rabbit. by. Foxes have become far more tolerant of first move is to visit the site of the attack
Like most fox control, it really isn’t rocket human activity. The majority of the humans during the day.
science. Put in enough time and you will they come across present them with no I always ask the person whose stock
almost inevitably get a fox, however a bit problems, so they treat them with less respect has been taken to leave things as they are,
of planning goes a long way towards better, than they did years ago. Foxes that at one especially any remains or kills. The reason
quicker results. time would turn and run from us will now I do this is that a fox will very often return
In my time my fox control equipment has stand for a moment, asses the situation and to the scene to pick up anything that was
changed out of all recognition and so has make off at a trot, often stopping to look back. left behind. This can be quite soon after the
the countryside. I am referring to the parts As time has changed foxes’ attitudes so raid has taken place but more often it will
of the country where human habitation has I have changed my methods. There are still be the following night.
040-042 Mike Powell - static shooting_Rev2.indd 40 17/03/2016 16:08

Chicken remains show

the direction the fox
started out in…
…and a few feathers

give a clear indication Portable high seats can be a useful tool,
of where it went giving you safe shots all over your ground
Having verified the raider was a fox and not

a badger (not always easy) the next step is
to try to work out the direction of the fox’s
approach. It’s not guaranteed, but usually
a fox will head off in the same direction it
came from.
A look around the area will often give a
few clues: the remains of a chicken; a trace
of blood in a flattened patch of grass; a
feather caught in the run through a hedge,
all will give an idea of the fox’s escape route.
If it went off in that direction then there is
a good chance it will return the same way.
Having ascertained roughly where it came
from, the next step is to sort out a vantage
point to wait for the predator’s return.
A number of factors should be taken into
consideration. First and foremost: safety.
Barns and houses, roads and footpaths,
all these look obvious in daylight but on
strange land, in the dark everything is very
Fox or badger? In this case
different. View the area. Choose a spot the culprit was the latter
where your arc of fire is completely safe and
protected by a decent backstop. Hedges silhouetted against the sky. If you’re near a Thermal imagers show you fox behaviour
can appear impenetrable, but unless there road, take care that headlights won’t light and reveal how often hunters are spotted
is an earth bank involved a bullet could you up. These may be minor points but before they realise there is a fox present. I
pass through, so check carefully. both these things have caused me to lose recall sitting in a high seat waiting for a fox
Hedges can make good backdrops to foxes in the past. soon after thermal imagers first appeared.
stand in or against. If you are wearing dark Gloves and a face veil are essential, the There were two people out foxing on
clothing then on dark or overcast nights, latter particularly so when using night neighbouring ground that I could see quite
just standing still should be good enough vision. Most forms of night vision will clearly from my perch. Some days later I
protection against being seen. Ensure that throw light on your face. This can be clearly bumped into one of them and asked how
wherever you place yourself, you are not seen by a human, let alone a fox. they had got on. He said that they had
SPORTING RIFLE 41

glimpsed of just one fox, in the distance. He

was surprised to learn that I had spotted at
least five foxes that had either shadowed
them from a safe distance or fled when they
came near.
Shoot from one spot and you should, with
care, be able to remain totally unseen. A
lot of folk think that foxes picking up your
scent plays a big part in proceedings. I
am not so sure. I have shot foxes up and
down wind and have never really found
that they winded me. Only recently I was
waiting out for a fox. When it arrived on the
scene it curled up in a hedge no more than
a dozen paces from me to eat the remains
of a chicken. The gentle wind was blowing
directly from me to him. Circumstances
prevented a shot, but it was close enough
for the fox to hear the click as my Pulsar
thermal recalibrated itself. I could clearly Using a vehicle as a hide
can yield impressive results
see its ears twitch as it heard the faint
sounds. After five minutes or so it slipped
away through the hedge and was gone.
More than anything it’s movement that
gives you away. When deer stalking and
even when after rabbits it’s often a matter
of taking a few steps, then stopping to see
if anything is moving. You just don’t pick up
movement if you yourself are on the move.
If you watch foxes hunt you will see that
they too stop frequently to see what’s about,
so unless you are completely concealed
always try to move as little as possible.
Having settled on the best place to wait,
the last thing to do is to rangefind certain
obvious points within your shooting arc.
Guessing distance in daylight is difficult, If the fox won’t come in by other means,
but after dark it’s nigh on impossible. A few a caller can turn the tide in your favour
reference points committed to memory will
serve you well. No calls of any sort are made. People often If cars are parked near the scene of a fox kill
You’ve chosen your spot and evening ask why, and my reason is quite simple: I it is ideal to use your vehicle as a mobile
is approaching. When is the best time to am after the killer, so the last thing I want hide. Again, a veil and gloves are essential
start? Years ago I would leave it late, but to do is draw in another passing fox. In otherwise if there’s a moon any movement
not any more. A decade of night vision use the past I have shot a fox at the scene of a inside the car will be spotted. I shoot a
has taught me a lot more about foxes than I raid, only to learn a few days later that it’s lot of foxes from my 4x4, not only in and
ever learnt in the half-century before. happened all over again. around habitation but in the fields as well.
Foxes are on the move as soon as the How long do I wait? As long as it takes! The more I watch foxes the more I realise
light goes. It’s their breakfast time and More often than not the culprit will appear that they are aware of our movements but
they’re hungry. If they know where there’s fairly early on. During the winter most of have become accustomed to them. After all,
a meal secured by the previous night’s foxes I take this way are dealt with by 9pm to a fox 150 yards seems a fair way away
hunt they will be up and about before full after starting around 6pm. If after forty- from danger – which it is, except when
dark, so I get to my spot early, set up my eight hours the fox hasn’t returned I go there’s a .223 poking out from a car window.
sticks, settle down and wait. back to calling. That’s all you can do. Static shooting is an effective way of
Remember this is the procedure for a There are often opportunities to shoot dealing with specific foxes. Master a few
specific fox that has killed poultry and will from a vehicle. Many foxes are not too wary simple rules and with patience it can get
likely be returning within forty-eight hours. of them, having seen them on a daily basis. you a lot of success. ■

SPORTING RIFLE 43
043.indd 43 16/03/2016 15:04

044.indd 44 16/03/2016 15:05

Review: Kit bag
What are
you packing?
Hitting pause on his rifle reviews, Byron Pace takes a look
at some essential hunting accessories
Vorn Backpack from quieter, stronger, soft touch material I would like to see is a waterproof rifle cover
I haven’t had this backpack for long, but I was with increased waterproofing. Vorn have also for when the heavens open.
impressed from the moment I broke open upgraded the release tab to a simple pull ring. The rucksack is yet to arrive in the UK at the
its packaging. Originating in Norway, it’s It would be difficult to explain here. Check out time of writing. We are informed it will only
designed from the ground up using robust, their website to see how it works. be a matter of weeks. Currently there are two
hardwearing materials throughout. Apart from for woodland hunting, the Vorn sizes: Deer (42lts) and Lynx (12-20ltrs), with
I am not one to care about a name, but Vorn backpack is pretty much all I use now. The another option coming. Colours will be drab
have got their branding and look spot on. I can convenience of carrying your rifle is enough green and realtree. Prices to be confirmed.
see this becoming the sexy must-have label reason to have one on its own. The only thing www.vornequipment.com
for hunters who care about such things. That
doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s possibly
the best rucksack on the market to provide
rifle carriage. It stores a rifle conveniently
and comfortably in a side pocket, releasing
it instantly into your hands by an ingeniously
simple mechanism.
The first rucksack I received had little to
criticise, but Vorn wanted to make an even
better product. Within months a new version
was delivered. It is this rucksack that will
Sexy pack? Byron thinks so
shortly be available in the UK. It’s produced
SPORTING RIFLE 45
Review: Kit bag
The first time I saw their scopes used in anger

was in Africa, more years ago than I care to
remember. They were the optics of choice for
the Czech clients we were with, who put their
faith in this equipment during the pursuit of
dangerous game. Their choice made sense as
Meopta optics are made in the Czech Republic.
I can’t wow you with the intricate working
details of their factory and processes, because
I haven’t been there to witness it. I could tell
you that the lenses have extra low dispersion
and two part fluoride coatings, or that the
scope tubes are ELOX anodised in a non-
reflective finish, but you can look this up
yourself. If you want screeds of details, check
out Chris Parkin’s regular optics reviews in SR.
The Featherlight clothing will come into Making comment as a hunter I can say
its own as the weather gets warmer that I have been impressed with the quality
their riflescopes and especially their spotting
Browning scope. With an iPhone adapter it allows one
Featherlight clothing to watch down-range strikes in slow motion.
It has been close to six months now since I have wasted far too much ammo on long
this kit arrived on my doorstep. I’ve long range targets doing just that.
worn one of their lightweight jackets as Their MeoPro 3.5-10x44 scope has been
part of my smart loading attire during the fitted to my .17 HMR for the last 5 months,
season. I was eager to see how the new replacing a much higher mag, bulkier
Featherlight range faired. optic. I’m quite taken with it, especially the
Browning is more commonly associated simplicity of the BDC reticle, which provides
with shotguns and rifles, but to overlook all one needs for the calibre. My only criticism
their clothing would be a mistake. Well Waterproofing a central feature
is that it is fairly long.
designed in terms of cut and options, of the Featherlight range With the provision of a 30-year
they are smart, quiet and 100 per cent transferable warranty and the recent
waterproof. This waterproofing is achieved Meopta Glass accolade of a Grey’s Sporting Journal Best
by lamination on the inside of the material. Meopta has been building a good reputation award for their B1 15x56 HD binos, Meopta
Over time this will undoubtedly give in here in the UK. Distributed by Viking Arms, have a lot going for them, especially once
places, as with any jacket made in such a they were on full display at the British you look at the price point. ■
way. Given the impressive value for money I Shooting Show where I had a chance to catch The MeoPro scope range starts under £500.
don’t see this as an issue. Some jackets cost up with their latest products. www.vikingshoot.com
four or five times as much.
All seams are tapped and sealed, with
zips sporting a coated outer to keep water
out. Even the body warmer is worth
mentioning. It’s comfortable and practical,
and has become a daily jacket for me.
The entire Featherlight range can be found
on Browning’s website. It would take too
long to go over it all. The Featherlight parka
jacket starts at £159, and the Typhoon version
seen here can be picked up around £169. This
is more practical as a stalking jacket. Both
represent good value for money. I have been
content to wear the Parka version, teamed
up with thermal layers, for my entire bird
shooting season. Definitely worth considering
when looking for a new jacket. The Meopta spotting scope is a
highlight of the range
www.browning.eu
045-046 Byron Kit_Rev3.indd 46 17/03/2016 17:19

SPORTING RIFLE 47
047.indd 47 16/03/2016 15:07

Kit: Stalking Gear
Gear for deer

Get your roe stalks off to a flying start by investing in some of this top-
notch stalking clothing and footwear
Harkila Shooter King

Lady Pro Hunter Deerhunter Crusto Forest fleece vest
Harkila’s reputed Pro Hunter series is Whenever you’re stalking live quarry, Ideal as a mid-layer on dawn stalks – and then
popular among all crowds of rifle shooters concealment is essential – so you need an outer layer if you remove your coat in the
– and it’s also available in a range of female some good drab or camo gear, such as the middle of the day – the men’s Forest Fleece
cuts. Here’s the Lady Pro Hunter jacket, with new Crusto set from Deerhunter. Sporting Vest is made from a Polartec fleece with 320
all the features that make the men’s version a combination of Deerhunter’s own grams of tough fabric giving you warmth
so excellent – such as two-layer Gore Tex Innovation camouflage and Timber-coloured without weight and bulk. It’s water repellent,
lining, two-way front zip and adjustable fabric, it blends in when you’re waiting out making it a comfortable jacket in any weather
sleeve hem to ensure a good fit that keeps for woodies but looks neutral enough to be conditions. It has an invisible chest pocket,
you dry, and waist and bottom drawstrings. worn elsewhere too. It’s a practical garment which is perfect for a mobile phone or radio,
You’re well equipped for pockets, too: there as well, with three front pockets with and also has two lined side pockets using
are handwarmer pockets with snap button hidden zips, two inside pockets, a water- YKK zips, all complemented by an adjustable
closure, large front pockets with drain holes, resistant finish and Thinsulate protection. drawcord at the hem. Impressively affordable,
radio pocket, game pocket and inner pockets. Price: £99.99 the fleece is available in a full range of sizes
Price: £399 Deerhunter from XS-5XL.
Harkila 07887 997788 07766 323683 Price: £79.99
www.harkila.com www.deerhunter.eu Shooter King www.shooterking.co.uk
Woodline Booster Jacket

A new brand to the UK, Woodline is set to take Sporting Rifle, Tim Pilbeam said: “I find it very
on the top end of the market with jackets such comfortable, thanks to the stretch panels,
as this Booster model. Crafted with an M-Tec and it kept me warm when the temperatures
membrane for wind and water protection, the dropped at night. Testing it in wet weather, I
jacket has stretch panels across the shoulders, experienced no leakages. There is no doubt
away from the elbows and down to the that the Woodline range is built to last.”
cuff. It’s also got a GPS pocket, radio/phone Price: £349
pocket, rear game pocket, chest pockets and Hammond Sporting 07765 465174
double front pockets. Testing this jacket for www.hammondsporting.co.uk
17/03/2016 17:20
Kit: Stalking Gear
Ladies Wolf Jacket

and Trousers
Pinewood has developed a unique collection
of hunting garments for women. Traditionally
moss green, this jacket and trousers comes
combined with Realtree AP Pink trim.
Pinewood AB donates 50 per cent of the
profits of the pink product range to research
into the fight against cancer.
Jacket £245
Trousers £160
As a set £384
Black Pinewood www.pinewood.eu
Islander Forest
These extra-thick boots are made with 2.4mm
leather for durability and comfort, yet weigh
just 850g. Waterproof, breathable, and with
Thinsulate linings for warmth, they are ideal
for soggy conditions. High rubber randing
protects your toes and a soft padded leather
collar will keep your feet cosy.
Price: £219.95
Black Islander 01349 877770
www.blackislander.co.uk JahtiJakt Classic
Ideal for cold weather or high-seat hunting,
this versatile, adjustable suit is 100 per cent
waterproof thanks to the Air-Tex membrane.
Featuring a waterproof hood, the shell fabric
is resistant to soaking, and stays durable
and quiet even in wet conditions. The jacket
features a protective lining side pocket,
Napoleon pocket, breast pockets, and roomy
pockets with flaps at the front of the jacket.
The trousers boast a thigh pocket, a roomy
rear pocket flap and side pockets.
Price: £189.95
Arctic Outdoor 08453 890370
www.arcticoutdoor.co.uk
MacWet gloves
Ridgeline A necessity for any dawn or dusk stalk when
the temperature drops, MacWet makes
Warrior EXP beautifully crafted gloves to your size
The new Warrior EXP Boot is the next step and specifications. You can pick from
in extreme wet weather protection. Made four designs suitable for shooting, and
with full grain wax leather with Hydro guard a host of colours – be sure to
membrane and Thinsulate liner, this boot is check your glove size on the
weatherproof even in horrendous conditions. website for the perfect fit. You
Extra grip is given by the Hyper Grip rubber can use tablets and smartphones
composite sole, which offers secure and without removing them, and they
positive foot placement. aren’t fiddly when loading cartridges
Price: £189.99 into your rifle.
Highland Outdoors 0845 099 0252 Price: From £27.99
www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk MacWet 01902 701219 www.macwet.com
SPORTING RIFLE 49
048-049 stalking gear_Rev2.indd 49 17/03/2016 17:20

050.indd 50 17/03/2016 15:24

Event Report: British Shooting Show
Best of British
Sporting Rifle’s Byron Pace reviews highlights from the
panorama of products at the British Shooting Show
T
he British Shooting Show was a big Howa alpine
deal for me this year because it saw It may not seem like an obvious choice, but
the launch of a new hunting series one of the rifles that really stood out for me was
that I’ve been working on with my brother. the new Howa 1500 Alpine. Howa have been
With a trailer on the big screen and a full around for a long time and little has changed
premier episode airing on the Vortex Optics in their 1500 series – a few stock options and
stand it was a career highlight. most recently the provision of a cerakote finish.
That aside, there was a lot of fresh kit to The Alpine remains true to the original rifle,
fondle including the worldwide premier of but has been re-machined to make it sleeker,
the new F16 shotgun from Blaser. There was lighter and better looking. Combine this with
smoke and flames and loud music, adding the new stock, milled out bolt handle and
a touch of American style extravagance No.1 profile barrel, and the Howa 1500 which
never seen before in a UK shooting industry had always been hiding finally comes to light.
product launch. Howa make a great rifle. The grumbles 08 Rem and .308 Win. It’s not clear if all of these
My biggest problem putting this article concerning metal corrosion have been will be brought into the UK, but I hope the 6.5
together was winkling out the gems from addressed, and the design is as strong as any and 7mm make an appearance. I think a few
the hundreds of pictures I took over the on the market. The new rifle weighs 6.2lb, is simple changes have been the perfect revamp
three days. You’ll have to forgive me if your fitted with Howa’s adjustable trigger and will for Howa. A full review will come soon.
favourite product misses the list. be available in .243Win, 6.5 Creedmore, 7mm- www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk
SPORTING RIFLE 51
Winchester Ammo
Here we see exciting developments from
Winchester, both in the rimfire and centrefire
departments. Their .22LR ammo is much
loved by gamekeepers, and one of the most
popular available in 40 grain subs. While
most moves and developments see bullets
being made lighter and faster, Winchester
have now introduced a 42 grain version. I
will be reviewing these in detail shortly.
Unlike the rimfire ammo, the new
centrefire Extreme Point has been in my
possession for more than six months. I’ve
been sworn to secrecy while testing it pre-
release to the UK and European market. I will
have a full review of this ammo next month
so will give only minimal detail here. The
premise of the design is simple. Most modern
bullets are fitted with a tip to improve their
external ballistics. Winchester wanted to
harness this tip to provide improved terminal
performance. They approached this from a
fresh angle, markedly increasing the size of
the front cone. By doing this they altered
the terminal behaviour of the bullet to
achieve maximum energy transfer while still
giving good penetration. Having used it for
Lithgow Arms the entire hind season I can tell you that it
Still a name yet to gain traction over here, certainly works, and is certainly accurate.
we have already seen this Australian rifle www.browning.eu
maker advertised in these pages with
their Crossover rimfire rifle. Distributed by
Highland Outdoors, their all-new centrefire
rifle is an exciting addition to their wares. I
was only able to look at it briefly during the
show, but it ticked enough boxes for me to
know it will be one to watch out for.
There are three stock options: polymer,
laminate and the walnut version that I Wildgame
handled at the show. It’s initially available Innovations 360 camera
in only .308 Win, .223 Rem and .243 Win – Available exclusively through Scott Country
calibres that would be most appropriate International, this is the first motion camera of
for a short action. Despite this the rifle its kind. Normal trail cams are limited to being
only comes in a long action, suggesting set in a particular direction. This camera will
further calibres will follow. The trigger is detect motion in a full 360 degree arc. Rotate
adjustable and on dry firing I found it to be the camera and you capture either a still 12MP
exceptionally crisp. The metalwork comes picture or a 720p video up to thirty seconds
cerakoted and the action has an integral long. Angle of detection is no longer an issue;
0MOA Picatinny rail. the camera can be placed in central areas for
The rifle seems to pull design features total coverage with no black spots. Having
from different rifles around the market, from not tested it in the field I can’t comment on
the Tikka based magazine to the Sauer 101 detection range, but the Innovations 360
bolt knob. It it’s an exciting addition to seems well made and comes with an after
the UK centrefire market, especially in the sales service from Scott Country. It certainly
competitive £1000 region. looks like the next evolution of trail cams.
www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk £219.99 from www.scottcountry.co.uk
051-053 Byron BSS_Rev3.indd 52 17/03/2016 18:35

LeUpold VX-3i
Globally the Leupold brand is as strong as
ever, but it has faced tough competition
in the UK market in recent years. That
doesn’t change the fact that they make
some excellent scopes. Famously backed
by the respected Jim Shockey as their brand
ambassador, at the BSS Leupold had their
newest VX-3i riflescope on display.
The VX-3i is yet to hit the shops, but the
online dollar price suggests it will be less
than half the price of Leupold’s top end VX-
6. The new scope sports Leupold’s latest
coatings and an improved, scratch resistant
Diamond Coat 2 finish. The scope is designed
specifically for low light performance,
although it doesn’t have any illuminated
reticle options. A number of models do allow
for the addition of a BDC reticle (the Custom
Dial System), making it one of the sleekest
scopes on the market to allow easy elevation
adjustment. The VX-3i comes with the
renowned Gold Ring lifetime guarantee.
www.gmk.co.uk
Westley Richards century Birmingham gun maker to still have

Far from the reach of most hunters, the their manufacturing base in that city.
Westley Richards stand deserves a mention Along with making some of the finest
if only because of its impressive centrepiece. bespoke guns in the world, Westley
The elephant skull, harvested with one of their Richards are also the UK home for a number
fine rifles, took pride of place on a lavish and of the most sought after big game hunters’
proudly British stand. Founded in 1812 and accessories. Of these, Courtney boots are
renowned the world over, today the name is probably most famous and were proudly
engrained as one of the great British rifle and on display. Possibly the finest hunting boot
shotgun makers. Having moved to a newly ever made, though I am a fan of Rogue.
fitted factory in in 2008, they are the only 19th www.westleyrichards.com
Swarovski
Spotting Scope STR 80
Swarovski is one of the benchmark names in
hunting optics. The Austrian company has
always jostled at the top of the tree, and for good
reason – they are one of the best. They built
their name around binoculars and riflescopes,
but recently their spotting scopes and draw for much more. The feature that makes across magnifications. When the reticle is not
scopes have gained popularity by catering for this scope different is the ability to turn on needed, it’s simply turned off and vanishes. It
a part of the market that has been neglected. In and off an illuminated reticle. Designed for can be used with Swarovski’s 20-60x or 25-
the UK we are more used to hunting with draw range measurement and point of impact 50x wide-angle interchangeable lens.
scopes than spotting scopes, but the new STR adjustment, it’s available in either MRAD or The body of the scope can be found at
80 offers incredible versatility. MOA graduations. With fifteen brightness around £2400. Eye pieces retail between
This unit has been made with the long- levels, the reticle is in the first focal plane £370-450 depending on model.
range shooter in mind, but could be used and keeps proportions fixed with the target www.swarovskioptik.com ■
SPORTING RIFLE 53
051-053 Byron BSS_Rev3.indd 53 17/03/2016 18:35

054.indd 54 17/03/2016 16:27

Review: Docter
Docter’s debut
The Docter will see you now! Chris Parkin gets a first test of a
new scope from an old-school optics brand. It’s the Docter V6
D
octer seems to have spent a few Well the V6 is parallax adjustable and after to use with very little flare, something only
years in the wilderness and with opening the box and having a quick twiddle, visible at maximum illumination in the
only a few new scopes popping up I found parallax correction and focus to work lowest light conditions.
here and there, often on the used market, it down as close as the 50 metres marked on
is a scope I had never so much as peered the left side dial. This dial revolves around
through at a show before. In due course I the physically larger illumination control
saw one at the British Shooting Show, and which clicks ‘out’ to turn on, rotating up and
made a mental note to follow it up. I had only down a few degrees to alter the intensity
been home for minutes when RUAG got in of the central illuminated dot in the reticle.
touch suggesting I might like to borrow one Intensity setting is retained when you turn
of the very latest V6 scopes. off and you can easily see if it is on or off as
2.5-15x56 is a great range for a sporting a red ring appears below its control knob.
optic with great versatility but the first thing Auto shut off is after three hours but there
I checked out was the exact specification. is no elevation/cant sensor to auto off when
Parallax error is always present on any the rifle is propped up or laid down. I don’t
riflescope when it is not precisely focused really see this as a weakness though as the
at the exact distance at which you view CR2032 batteries last a long time and the dot
a target or quarry animal, but when you will rhythmically flash when running out of
rise above 12x magnification, it is not only steam. It also blinks to indicate maximum
The reticle impressed Chris
there, it starts to get uncomfortably visible. and minimum settings and was pleasant
SPORTING RIFLE 55
055-056 Chris P - Docter V6 Scope_Rev3.indd 55 17/03/2016 16:11

Review: Docter
Fifty-six millimetres of objective lens allows

plenty of light to enter the tube and although
an unusual profile change in the tube is
noticeable before the saddle is encountered,
the finishing quality and anodising of the
30mm aluminium tube is exceptionally
deep and lustrous. The saddle is minimal
with windage and elevation featuring 10mm
@ 100m clicks, which are well weighted.
The indication collar is zeroed using three
tiny Torx screws which can be easily done
without tweaking anything accidentally. The
25mm diameter collar that sits below the
dial’s cap is large enough to place a tape
It’s not a big brand but it’s
around and mark your own desired elevation certainly a big performer
settings. I really liked the look, design and
feel of these dials sat under neatly knurled
aluminium caps. There are 50 clicks per
turn but the standard markings are a little
inconclusive visually, if very precise in
adjustment. Full parallax adjustment range
requires only 90-degree rotation of the collar
but it has two wings which greatly improve
control of its function. It needs a light touch
to get focus it perfectly crisp as minimal Full adjustment including parallax That 15x maximum zoom gives
travel means it’s easy to overrun your desired makes for a truly positive set-up you crucial versatility in the field
focal length. Again, on a sporting scope I
think it is all very well specified and utterly It’s so hard to get two identical scopes
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
functional with beautiful simplicity. Too alongside each other for a comparative test
many manufacturers try to overcomplicate but in diminishing light towards darkness, I Tube Diameter: 30mm
Magniﬁcation: 2.5-15x
these things and I trust this scope to dial used it alongside my own Zeiss Conquest
Objective lens diameter: 56mm
accurately for longer shots, just add you own DL. At a similar price point, it held up very
Waterproof: Yes
markings to the dial, the design of which is well. I narrowly favoured the Docter colours
Fogproof: Yes
perfect for this personal accuracy enhancing in daylight, but even with a 50mm rather Exit pupil diameter: 11.1-3.7mm
touch which I actually prefer to expensive than 56mm objective, the Zeiss did retain Field of view: 15-2.5 m/100m
customised products! a little more detail as darkness approached. Parallax range: 50m to infinity
Usual design styles are encountered at the As I said, it’s nearly impossible to Windage and elevation travel: 120cm @100m
ocular end with magnification controlled by a compare riflescopes like for like – the Zeiss Eye relief: 93mm
grippy knurled collar that rotates beautifully was a 12x magnification with ASV turrets Dioptre adjustment range: +/-3
Illuminated reticle: Yes
smoothly without any hint of noise of while the Docter, rising to 15x (though
Length: 355mm
grittiness. The fast focus eyepiece is likewise compared at 12x) was a better daylight
Weight: 750 g
and with +/- 3 dioptre adjustment, gives just a scope thanks to parallax adjustability and
Finish: Matte (notably superb)
little more range than many competitors. higher magnification, even if it lacked fast Colour: Black
The reticle is of my favourite design, adjust turrets. They made a fascinating Price: £1,260
light in weight to easily take advantage of trade off and despite the Zeiss’s big-brand RUAG ■ 01579 362319 ■ www.ruag.co.uk
its second focal plane position and easily heft I did warm to the Docter, for where
able to engage small targets at distance. It it lagged a few minutes behind towards
is honoured with a tiny red centre dot for darkness, I thought the image quality in
TIER-ONE 30MM WEAVER/
additional low light visibility and I greatly daylight was a real winner. It did need
PICATINNY SCOPE RINGS
enjoyed shooting with on my .223 at 400 careful parallax setup when using its Used during the test of the Docter scope,
yards, on a tennis ball sized target in the highest magnification as depth of field these rings offer superb precision with yet
sand traps at my local range. In the field it seemed a little more critical. another new design evolution to enhance
looks as well as a bubble in the rear ring’s
dialled accurately and was what I will term It’s nice when a modest name pops up
base to ensure you don’t cant your rifle.
a ‘boring scope’ it just worked quietly and and delights me – these days the big four of
Price: £110
modestly with little complication. Just don’t Zeiss, Swarovski, S&B and Leica really need
Contact: 01924 404312 ■ www.tier-one.eu
lose that tiny Torx key – I did! to watch their backs! ■
055-056 Chris P - Docter V6 Scope_Rev3.indd 56 17/03/2016 16:11

SPORTING RIFLE 57
057.indd 57 16/03/2016 15:13

058.indd 58 16/03/2016 15:14

Ask the Experts
ASK THE
Sporting Rifle’s Experts
EXPERTS
Our team of experts is on hand to answer all
Foxing:
Mike Powell
Professional
gamekeeper and
Big Game:
Pete Carr
Big game hunter,
author and editor
foxing expert of Sporting Rifle
your rifle shooting questions
FOXING
Q What are your thoughts on using a .17 HMR for foxes? I know some police aren’t
too keen on them and a lot of people say the round is too light and frangible.
A Mike says: I have had a .17 HMR since

they first appeared on the scene and
after being fairly sceptical about the calibre
hit and that dropped after 100 yards. It really
isn’t a fox round though and I restrict its use
for foxes where the shot is likely to be taken at
Rifles:
Byron Pace
Rifle reviewer
Legal:
Stuart Farr
Shooting lawyer
and experienced and partner at
I really began to warm to it. I use mine for close range, say out to 75 yards or so. This is hunting journalist Clarke Wllmott
rabbit control but it’s not unusual to come where I am after a fox in paddocks or close to
across the odd fox when out after the rabbits. buildings, or where disturbance must be kept
I would suggest 100 yards to be the very to a minimum.
maximum for the .17 HMR where foxes are Personally I really like the calibre, I know
concerned. I know there are those who will tell it’s had ammunition problems but they seem
you they have killed them at greater distances to be lessening somewhat, as I am told the
– I myself had one at 120 yards but that was ammunition manufactures have taken steps
under a particular set of circumstances. As to improve the situation.
Technique: Optics:
is the case with any rifle, no matter what To sum up, I would say that the .17 HMR Mark Ripley Chris Parkin
the calibre, good shot placement is essential is not in any way a specific fox calibre, but YouTube star and Shooting sports
(even more with the HMR). Having said that, used at sensible ranges and with careful shot extreme-range journalist and
I can only remember one running off after a placement, it will certainly kill foxes. foxer optics reviewer
GOT a quESTION?
Contact: colinf@blazepublishing.co.uk
or post your question to: Sporting Rifle,
Lawrence House, Morrell Street, Leamington
Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 5SZ
Though not a dedicated foxing calibre, the

HMR has its place in the pantheon of cartridges
SPORTING RIFLE 59
Ask the Experts
Rifles Rifles
Q I have been told my rifle isn’t

shooting well anymore because
the barrel is shot out. Is re-barrelling
Q I hear people saying that they zero high at 100 yards. What is the reason for this
and how does it work?
worth it?
A Byron says: It’s hard to answer this without

knowing the rifle in question. I think this
really comes down to economics and sentiment.
Does the rifle mean a lot to you? If yes, then it
would be a shame to replace it. If it neither puts
you up nor down, then simply do the maths and
decide how far you want to push the boat out on
a new barrel.
A good solid old action like Sako Finnbear, or
something that is no longer produced probably
warrants the time and money to restore its use.
On the other hand you, will probably find that
Clever ‘ballistic’ scopes are
re-barrelling a Bergara BX14, as excellent as they changing the way we zero
are, could cost more than buying a new one. That
said, a custom barrel allows you to customise
in ways you could never dream with an off-the-
shelf rifle. So in short, it’s about weighing up the
A Byron says: With more modern moves to
scopes with ballistics elevation turrets
this is becoming less common. The reason
yards, still hit your kill zone and extend the
distance your bullet will still fall less than 1.5in
below the point of aim.
options, your feelings and the money. for it traditionally is simple. It was a way to For example, a 100-yard zero equals a 1.5in
remove the guesswork for landing a successful drop from 100 yards seen at 180 yards. A zero
kill shot within a certain kill zone over longer 1.5in high at 100yds equals a 1.5in drop from
range than is possible with a 100 yard zero. 100-yard point of aim seen at 220 yards.
It works like this: If you zero at 100 yards, your This is a fictional example, as every calibre
bullet will continue to fall below your intended and bullet weight/type/make is different, but
and actual point of impact continuously after illustrates the concept. Zeroing high at 100
that. If you have a three inch kill zone (1.5in yards allows the hunter to point and shoot
from the centre of a circle to the outside) you while hitting a pre-determined kill zone over a
have wasted 1.5in of gain by zeroing at 100yds. longer distance without hold over, rather than
Like it or not, barrels do wear out
You could have zeroed your rifle higher at 100 zeroing bang on at 100 yards.
Technique
Q I’m looking to buy a scope for my .243 for lamping and I also want something I can
use for targets at longer distances during the day. What would you recommend?
A Mark says: First of all you want something

with a minimum of a 50mm objective lens
to allow as much light through the scope as
or mil dots for hold off is also very useful for
long range.
I’d suggest choosing a scope with a variable
possible when lamping. Also something with magnification too, as the lower settings are
an illuminated reticle is often useful. better for lamping and the higher magnification
For long range shooting you want a scope better suited to long shots.
with target turrets to allow you to easily dial Choice of brand will depend very much on
in on a target. As far as reticle choice goes budget. Top end scopes such as Swarovski,
the options depend on your chosen scope. Zeiss and Nightforce are excellent scopes
Here you may need a slight compromise, as but come at a price, unless you can find
for lamping its good to have a simple bold a good second-hand one. Other cheaper
uncluttered reticle that helps when making a brands such as IOR and Vortex offer some
quick shot on a wary fox, but for long range very impressive scopes at a good deal less A variable-mag scope means you’ll
find multiple uses for the one unit
a finer crosshair is better. Having hash marks and shouldn’t be overlooked.
059-062 QA_Rev3.indd 60 17/03/2016 17:25

Ask the Experts
Finer reticles have redefined

what’s on the market
Optics
Q Chris, do you have a preferred

style of reticle?
A Chris says: When I started shooting,

many European optics came with bold
no.4 reticles, which, though fantastic in low
It can’t be said enough: Cubs are a real
menace and should not be ‘left alone’
light and adequate in daylight on large quarry

like deer, were of little use when varminting FOXING
in daylight as the reticle obscured the target.
With a reticle’s centre subtending an inch at
100 yards, in the first focal plane, when zoomed
in to 16x you were ‘peeking around’ a crosshair
Q Have you any tips for dealing with older cubs, for example when they have just
started hunting with the vixen?
subtending 4in. Over the years I have noticed a

trend towards finer reticles, like the Zeiss no.60,
which has fine lines from the perimeter meeting
A Mike says: The subject of how to deal
with cubs crops up year after year.
Foxes, for a variety of reasons, cause emotions
actually out with the cubs then the vixen is
the one you will need to deal with. If you can
shoot her the cubs will hang around looking
a discreet central dot. This has appeared across that don’t appear where other creatures are for her and can then be taken out by waiting
many budgets, and offers an ideal solution to concerned. Perhaps because they are ‘cute’, near the body.
all light conditions when it is coupled with look a bit like our dogs and a host of other I have also heard that if the vixen’s body
illumination. On the original, the dot is fine reasons, orphaning or shooting them a hot is placed in a deep pit, the cubs will go to
enough in daylight that any small target can topic. Strange, really, as no one bothers much her and can’t get out. I suspect it could
be engaged at longer ranges, yet in lower light about rats, rabbits or pigeons. work, but digging a hole of that size in the
conditions or with heavy cover in woodland, the To answer your question, when cubs are out middle of summer really doesn’t appeal to me.
adjustable pinpoint illumination can be used with the vixen on their early hunting forays Personally, I would only go to these lengths
to highlight its position for immediate target/ they are certainly vulnerable. First you need to to protect livestock, pheasants or poultry, and
reticle alignment. The No.60 permanently locate area the earth is in; once this is known not use it as a normal method of control. I’d
changed my opinion of illumination for the you have a couple of options. You can wait till prefer to hang on a bit longer until the cubs
better, and I have since seen similar quality the vixen is away and take out the cubs one can fend for themselves but are still relatively
from Swarovski, Kahles and Meopta. by one, or if you can wait for the vixen to be easy to deal with.
SPORTING RIFLE 61
059-062 QA_Rev3.indd 61 17/03/2016 17:25

Ask the Experts
Technique OPTICS
Q I generally stalk deer and shoot

either from sticks or occasionally
from a kneeling position. Recently I had
Q Everyone says European scopes are the best, but with companies in every
market outsourcing so much to Asia these days, does it still make a difference?
a little go at target shooting prone, but

couldn't seem to get on very well with
it. Any tips to improving my groups in
A Chris says: Optics made in the US and
Asia have rapidly caught up with the
technologies in European brands, often
free lifetime guarantees and some only offer
two years. It reflects their confidence in the
products they make and their suitability to
this position? outpacing their marketing when it comes the intended task. The world is alive with
to newer mechanical specification choices subjective opinions, but factual knowledge
A Mark says: You don’t mention if you

were using a bipod or resting the rifle.
Assuming you are using a bipod, firstly don't
– but they aren’t quite there with the glass
yet. What they do offer is fantastic value for
money. Warranties are should be observed
has never been easier to research. Read
around the technical facts of the subjects
and then apply those facts objectively to the
extend the legs higher than need be – the carefully, as some companies offer quibble- optics you question.
lower to the ground you are the more stable
you will be. Also slightly leaning into the bipod
(loading) will help stop the rifle ‘skipping’
during recoil.
Position yourself directly behind the butt of
the rifle with your legs spread to the sides and
use your toes to push slightly forward.
Using a small rear bag under the toe of the
stock greatly improves the stability of the rifle.
Use your left hand (if you’re shooting from the
right shoulder) to grip the bag and squeeze
or relax it to rise or lower the back of the rifle
and adjust your aim. Then maintain pressure
on the bag until the shot impacts the target.
A good quality bipod such as a Harris or Atlas
bipod would be my recommendation, with a
leg length of 9-13 inches being, in my opinion, A scope of any price point should
be a well-researched purchase
the most practical length for most shooters.
Shooting from prone? A decent bipod

will make your life so much easier
059-062 QA_Rev3.indd 62 17/03/2016 17:26

SPORTING RIFLE 63
063.indd 63 16/03/2016 15:15

064.indd 64 17/03/2016 17:26

Products: IWA 2016
Best in show
IWA is the biggest gun show in Europe and invariably sees a shedload
of new product launches. Here’s what we sniffed out...
Merkel
German firearms company Merkel had several
new products on display at IWA 2016; of
particular interest to the UK market is the
news that the RX Helix straight pull rifle is
now available threaded with a moderator.
Bertram vom Quadt of Merkel said: “Our
idea was, let’s make it short and neat, and
well balanced. We’ve got a silencer here
which weighs 470-grams and is 20cm in
length. We’ve got a barrel which is 45cm, and
the silencer sleeves pretty much 12cm over
the barrel, so we’ve got an extension of only
10cm – still we’ve got a silencing capacity,
depending on calibre, of 20 to 29 dB.” The RX
Helix with moderator will retail for around
€3,512, with the UK RRP to be confirmed.
www.vikingshoot.com
Nightforce Flip Target FLIR

Nightforce Optics launched two new Flip Target has extended its range of FLIR was showcasing its range of thermal
riflescopes at SHOT Show in January – innovative targets for firearms and airguns imaging units at IWA 2016, and had the
and now they’ve come to Europe too. with the addition of the Unlimited Xtreme new Scout TK handheld device on display.
The first new addition is the SHV 4-14x50 3000. The 3000 uses Flip Target’s classic The Scout TK is remarkably compact and
F1, a first focal plane scope, billed as an design – upon shooting one of the target lightweight, weighing just 170-grams. The
affordable, mid-powered SHV. The second faces, the device then flips over, exposing interface is simple and user-friendly, using
new product is the Competition Fixed another target face, for uninterrupted only four buttons for quick single-handed
42x44 riflescope, designed specially for shooting without the need for resetting. operation. Images are displayed via a 640 x 480
short-range benchrest, rimfire and air rifle The new model is suitable for a wide range LCD screen with several video colour palettes.
competition shooting. The Competition of calibres, including .222 and .223. Made The unit also records video and still images,
Fixed scope’s light weight makes it ideal for from advanced ballistic grade steel, Flip downloaded via a USB port. Apart from its
these disciplines, weighing in at just under Targets promise great product longevity handy size and easy-to-understand controls,
560 grams. and the 3000 is an important extension to the Scout TK will be affordably priced, coming
www.nightforceoptics.com the range. in at approximately £420 plus VAT.
www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk www.vikingshoot.com www.flir.co.uk
SPORTING RIFLE 65
065-068 IWA products_Rev2.indd 65 17/03/2016 16:14

Products: IWA 2016
John Field Swarovski

Practical and stylish outdoor clothing Swarovski launched a whole new range Plus, the Z8 features an innovative ballistics
brand John Field was showcasing its new of scopes called the Z8i. With eight times system, as Neil Smith of Swarovski
collection at IWA, with a whole selection of zoom, these riflescopes feature improved explained: “The ballistics system is
jackets, coats, shirts, bags and accessories. optical quality and contrast, and will completely interchangeable, so the turret
One highlight was the Obelix body warmer, be available in four models, 1-8x24, 1.7- can be taken off and actually placed on to
a lightweight and breathable gilet available 13.3x42, 2-16x50 and 2.3-18x56. any of the other models.
in a range of neutral colours and sizes The illumination system has been given “It's a very flexible system – it enables
S-XXXL. Warm and versatile, it’s just one some improvements compared to the Z6 you to have several riflescopes and then you
of a host of new releases – check the John range, making it easier to use, and the can take the turret off and set it up on any of
Field for news as it breaks. number of clicks of adjustment has increased the other models.”
www.johnfield.eu from 50 to 70 compared to its predecessor. www.swarovskioptik.com
Schmidt & Bender Leupold Mayfair Engineering

If you like scopes with a high magnification All-American scope maker Leupold The Mauser 98 action is a hunting classic,
range, the Schmidt & Bender High Power offered a European exclusive at IWA: It’s and Mayfair showed us its latest after-
3-27x56 PM II is for you. Not just a tactical decked out the popular VX-3 scope with market action to really fine-tune it to
scope, it’s versatile enough for hunting use, with an illuminated reticle, christening this perfection. A number of options make
a field of view of 13m at 100m on the lowest new product the VX-3i. Seven levels of up the range – there’s a short action for
zoom setting. Parallax adjustment comes as illumination intensity are available, thanks classic UK calibres including .243 and .308;
standard, as do lockable turrets with double- to a redesigned, easy-turn power selector. a standard action for 7x57 to .30-06; and
turn elevation adjustment and single-turn side Totally waterproof, it’s a precision-made for those big-game calibres from .375 on
adjustment. Also on show was Schmidt’s newly scope backed up by a 30-year guarantee. up, there’s a magnum action too. Belted
extended Polar range, first mentioned in our Plans are afoot to bring an illuminated dot cartridge options are available, as are left-
British Shooting Show round-up last month. reticle to the VX-6 scope too. handers and three-position side safety.
www.schmidt-bender.com www.gmk.co.uk www.mayfairengineering.com

Products: IWA 2016
Deerhunter Grubs
Danish clothing brand Deerhunter had a new tweed jackets. Using Thinsulate lining and There were a number of new additions to
jacket on display – plus there’s news of two high quality fabrics, these tweed jackets are the Grub’s range, spanning the shooting and
tweed jackets set to hit the shops this autumn. waterproof and windproof and will be ideal lifestyle markets. Big news for shooters and
The Highland jacket, designed for game additions to the game shooting clothing gamekeepers was the Highline boot, with ‘go-
shooters, will be in stores by this September, range. With the jackets still in the product anywhere’ grip thanks to a Trak sole. Available in
and features large cartridge pockets with development stage, we can expect to see a classic sage green colour as well as mahogany,
magnetic flaps, vented back and spacious arms more tweaks and improvements before they the Highline also sports a full-height rubber
for unrestricted movement while shooting. The are given an official launch this autumn. shaft with securing strap to ensure a good fit.
jacket is also 100 per cent waterproof. “It’s so new we haven’t really pushed it yet,” The underfoot chassis has been reworked to
Lars Engel and Sean Leak also showed said Lars. “This is its first showing, at IWA.” give what Grub’s says is class-leading stability.
the Sporting Rifle team two new prototype www.deerhunter.eu www.grubsboot.com
March Scopes Nite Site Muck Boots

March are known as masters of the long-range Fans of night vision gear will be delighted to The classic boot-maker Muck is expanding
target shooting scope, but at IWA – amid a host hear that the eagerly-awaited R-Tek line from its range, moving into full-height hill boots
of high-magnification releases – they revealed a NiteSite is here at last. The R-Tek range’s as well as wellies. It’s got several options
scope with a spec suitable for hunters, too. Its camera unit enables you to record night in the range, clad in Realtree Xtra camo –
new second focal plane scope has a ten-factor vision footage direct to an on board micro SD but what particularly caught our eye was
zoom that takes you from 2.5x all the way to card or via Wi-Fi to a mobile phone or tablet one from the traditional range, the Pursuit
25x – versatile enough to handle just about any at the press of a button, while a new external Shadow Pull-On. An incredibly lightweight
type of live-quarry shooting. The side-focus dial focusing system ensures that your crosshairs boot, it’s no less durable thanks to a 5mm
can adjust all the way from 10m to infinity, and are always pin-sharp. Recording your hunting CR-Flex foam and warm fleece lining,
quarter-MOA clicks – with up to 100MOA of footage is a more popualr pastime than ever, rubber outsole with optimal traction, and
travel – gives you all the adjustment you need. so this is a well timed release. Spandura upper.
www.marchscopes.co.uk www.nitesite.com www.muckbootcompany.co.uk
SPORTING RIFLE 67

Products: IWA 2016
Tikka
Tikka unveiled the new version of its popular
T3 rifles at IWA 2016, called the T3x. A large
crowd turned out for the launch event to get
a look at the new redesigned product family,
incorporating no fewer than 19 variations.
The Finnish-made T3x rifles combine several
new improvements, such as an improved
grip, modular stock with interchangeable
pistol grips, and a new recoil pad. Plus the
bolt shroud, rail attachment and ejection
port have all been redesigned for better
quality and a more efficient, user-friendly
shooting experience.
There is an extensive range of models
for different shooting needs, including the
Lite with synthetic stock, Camo Stainless
with Realtree Xtra stock, and Battue for
fast target acquisition in situations where
quarry is moving at speed. The new range
will retail at the same or similar price point
as the original T3.
www.gmk.co.uk
Arxus Seeland and Harkila RWS Ammunition

Magnus Apler, founder of Swedish footwear Clothing brands Seeland and Harkila had RWS is offering a new test pack, which allows
brand Arxus, was on hand at IWA 2016 a sizeable joint stand in Hall 4, with an shooters to compare four different rounds. The
to talk us through the company’s latest impressive collection of new products for pack comes in one calibre, with four cartridge
innovations. The new Primo Canvas boot 2016. The Sporting Rifle team got a look types and a specially colour-coded target to
(pictured), features a brown canvas trunk at the Harkila Pro Hunter Wild Boar suit easily compare rounds. Cartridges included
with side gusset and strap, and makes use (pictured), featuring hard-wearing and are the Evolution, HIT, Evolution Green and
of Arxus’ innovative 5mm thick rubber, cut-resistant Techsteel fabric for superior UNI Classic.
greatly reducing the risk of wear and protection. The Wild Boar suit retails at “We have a test pack which we can give
breakage. Perfect for all kinds of outdoor €699 for the jacket, €649 for the trousers. to dealers,” said Mark Swift of RUAG. “It’s
use, the Primo Canvas comes in sizes 4-12. Over on the Seeland side of the stand, currently in the larger calibres because
Another popular addition to the range there was a selection clay shooting vests, they’re the most popular in Europe. We’re
was the remote control sole warmer – it’s including the Tournament vest with hoping that later on this year or perhaps
now available as an aftermarket extra reinforced right shoulder and flexible back early next year we’ll have some in .243 and
across the Arxus range, so you can add (retailing at €99.95), as well as the Skeet such, but at the moment the one that we’ve
electronic heating capability to your pair of vest and Skeet Lady vest, both retailing got is in .308 for our market.
Arxus boots. This certainly got the Sporting at €69.95. Prices for the UK are set to be “There are not many other companies
Rifle team excited and we can’t wait to test confirmed soon. that I can think of that have actually tried
a pair for ourselves. www.seelanduk.co.uk this. We think it’s a great idea.”
www.hammondsporting.co.uk www.harkila.com www.ruag.co.uk

SPORTING RIFLE 69
069.indd 69 16/03/2016 15:17

070.indd 70 17/03/2016 17:27

Foxing: Range and wind
Winning
on a Long Shot
Foxing is a tough job out on the downs, but Mark Ripley
isn’t down and out
W
ith the lambing season just cubs, as well as thinning out the local foxes, a pig farm to the other, fox numbers here
around the corner, I've already which will be quick to fill empty territories are high for the open terrain. In previous
been hitting the local fox as they arise. years the farmer has lost lambs to them. At
populations hard. The start of the year is a This year I've taken on another 450 one point he was losing a lamb every night
good time to put a dent in their numbers. acres of ground. It’s a little further from until the culprit was finally shot. There is
Dog foxes from neighbouring areas roam me than I would usually travel, but this also a small family shoot here a few days
further than usual, ignoring territorial ground is beautiful Sussex down land with each year. A reduction in foxes only helps
boundaries in search of a mate. This means the potential for some serious long range improve the numbers of birds flushed.
you stand a good chance of breaking up shooting. The ground is very hilly with The farmer himself shoots with a .17 HMR,
potential pairs and preventing litters of little cover. With a town to one side and controlling rabbits and the odd fox that is
SPORTING RIFLE 71
071-073 Mark Ripley_Rev2JH.indd 71 17/03/2016 18:06

The .243 X-bolt was ideal for shooting in

windy, exposed conditions
I squeezed the trigger and the thump that came

back told me all I needed to know
silly enough to sit within range, however night vision add-on is a simple yet clever across the hill. It was a clear, light evening
with such open ground he often sees foxes design which slots on to the back of your and I felt sure I would stand out with not
sat out on the banks, frustratingly out of scope. The addition of a Dragonfly Laser the slightest bit of cover. I finally managed
range of rimfire or shotgun. Illuminator from Starlight makes this unit to cover enough distance to be in with a
We ventured out on several occasions at effective out to around 250-300 yards. chance and got down on the bipod.
the end of last year. I was able to shoot several On our last outing before Christmas we Flicking on the Sniper Cam I could see the
foxes using my trusty .223 Tikka and Drone drove out in the farmer’s Discovery to the far fox clearly. It sat looking at me, or at least the
Pro combo, but it was hard going. Being in a end of the farm. We were hoping to catch up red glow of the laser. It was still a good 200
high, exposed area this ground catches strong with one or two wary customers we had seen yards from me and as I lined up on its chest
winds blowing in off the coast. With the longer about. After driving around for a while I caught it turned and began to trot away from me.
ranges I was coming up against I found that sight of something rather ‘foxy’ through the I wasn’t likely to get away with chasing it
the little 40-grain pills I normally use were thermal so we pulled over for a better look. across the hill in these conditions, especially
getting pushed around a lot by the wind. Sure enough out in the middle of one of the as it had now clearly decided all was not
Fortunately I had a couple of items on test fields was a fox working its way down into the well. I gave it a shout and it couldn't resist
which I was able to put to good use. The valley. We could only get another 100 yards in stopping to look back over its shoulder. I
first was a Browning X-Bolt in .243. This the vehicle before we reached the gate to the squeezed the trigger and the thump that
lightweight rifle is accurate with 70-grain field. From here I opted to quietly climb the came back told me all I needed to know.
ammunition and is ideal for lugging around. gate while the farmer patiently waited in the A look through the scope confirmed the
The heavier bullets are better suited to truck to save on noise. fox was down. A quick check with the range
shooting in windy conditions. I quickly headed out across the open finder showed 220 yards. Walking out I was
The other item at my disposal was a ground, watching the fox through the pleased to pick up a good sized vixen with an
Sniper Cam system from Nite Hunter. This thermal. I was half expecting it to take off equally good sized hole in its neck where the

takes few prisoners. Hitting just behind the

ribs, the bullet expanded well and caused
major trauma, dropping the fox on the spot.
I saw the round impact and new it wasn’t a
perfect hit, so I held off the crosshair slightly
and fired a second shot just to be sure.
Some people may feel using a 6.5 bullet
on a fox is overkill, but I don't think there is
such a thing. You can’t ‘over’ kill something,
dead is dead – you can't make it any deader.
A larger bullet not only has more knockdown,
but it will also buck the wind better for
longer range shots. That ticks two boxes on
my perfect bullet list.
I wandered down, collected a large dog
fox and left it by the gate for the farmer to
collect when he passed on his rounds.
The farmer here is lambing out on the
open hill this spring. I'm sure this is just the
start to a busy foxing job. ■
The open ground made for some

interesting long-range shooting
.243 70-grainer had struck. The farmer, who I trekked out before first light to get set up on
had heard the shot and the returning thump, the opposite side of the valley from where the
was also pleased to see a vixen in the bag. fox had been seen. I had a good view across
Suffering from a cold, the farmer decided the bowl end of the valley and could see about
to turn in for the night and leave me to carry 2,000 yards down the length of the rest of it.
on alone. I decided to try near the release A while after dawn I was beginning to think
pens in a small valley that often holds a fox. the chances of seeing anything were getting
On dropping down into the valley I bumped slim. Then I spotted a fox mooching about
into one quartering down the hill in front of on the bank above where I was expecting. I
me. I again dropped down onto the bipod. quickly set about lining up the shot and took
This fox stood broadside, in textbook fashion, a range of about 310 yards with my binos. I
100 yards out. The X-bolt proved its worth dialed in and chambered a round, becoming
again, dropping it in a heap where it stood. It more and more aware of the sound of a tractor
was another vixen. With two vixens down I coming along the track further up the hill. I With three foxes down, Mark predicts a
busy foxing job ahead
called it a night, pleased with the result. picked up the fox in the scope just in time
A few weeks later the farmer told me he to see it peer back in the direction of the
had seen another fox in the same area when approaching tractor and then dash into a RIPLEY’S KIT
he had been doing his morning rounds on nearby wooded area.
the quad bike. I arranged to pop over again Although the fox was spooked I felt pretty
a couple of days later. This time I opted for sure it would soon appear from cover. This
my .260 Rem and an early morning wait out tractor took the same route into the fields
on the hill. each morning. The fox would be used to the
disturbance. Sure enough, ten minutes after
the tractor had passed the fox was back out
on the bank in the same spot. This time I
was waiting for it and already dialed for the
range. I watched it wandering the bank until
Sniper Cam night vision add on
it paused to sniff the grass and rub its chin
www.nite-hunter.com
on the ground. I squeezed the shot away.
Dragonfly Laser Illuminator
The round arched across the valley and in
www.starlightnv.co.uk
doing so caught a slight crosswind, taking
Browning X-bolt rifle
the bullet slightly further back on the fox
www.browning.eu
than I'd intended. Fortunately a 140-grainer
SPORTING RIFLE 73

Review: William Evans
Déjà Review
Byron Pace finds that William Evans’ new rifle is more than
a little familiar, but no less appealing than its ancestor
A
t start of the year I reviewed the and hunting with the S&L Victory for a a stretched drop on the pistol grip in the
Schultz and Larsen Victory rifle, month. There were a few differences, but it traditional English fashion. It may seem a
distributed in the UK by Alan Rhone was obvious that I was essentially looking little uncomfortable if you haven’t handled
Ltd. It was and remains one of the best rifles at the same rifle. such a stock before, as it requires you to
on the market in my opinion. It offers a level Calling William Evans, a brief discussion stretch further than the more vertical grip
of engineering and precision that is hard to revealed what I thought I already knew. drops on modern stock styles.
find in any other off-the-shelf rifle, while at the The rifle was made by S&L and honed to
same time offering a tie to their 1889 roots. specifications requested by William Evans.
Every single component – even the screws Given that my lengthy review of the
– is made in-house, allowing total quality Schultz Victory model was printed only a
control throughout. The machining and care few months back, I will draw comparison
from the factory and distributor is world class. rather than repeating myself entirely here.
At the recent British Shooting Show their I urge you to go back to the January 2016
stand was continually mobbed by punters issue to read the full review and embrace
who were intrigued by one of the best looking every intricate detail of this excellent
rifles on the market. I was so impressed that switch barrel rifle.
shortly after that review my old Finnish 7x57 The differences were subtle, but enough
went on the market and a Danish Schultz took to be noticeable when compared to the
its place in 6.5x55 Swede. original Schultz Victory. The most obvious
By coincidence, a week later William change was the stock, which incidentally is
Evans also sent me their rifle for review. It still made by S&L. The William Evans classic Comfortably positioned, the bolt sits
polished against the rich walnut stock
was a case of total déjà vu after handling English stock is slimmer in the forend, with
074-075 Byron Pace - William Evans rifle Rev3.indd 74 17/03/2016 17:28

Review: William Evans
Fitted with an excellent two-stage

trigger as standard, it is fully adjustable
Sporting the famous William Evans name,

the action is drilled and tapped for bases
Every single
component – even
the screws – is Refined in every way, the old English style stock
made in house has finer chequering than other stock options
The chequering is notably finer and adds an pull weight before the final stage. Like the is finished in hand applied layers of linseed
edge of finesse to an already good-looking single-stage trigger, it’s as good as any of oil. It would be hard to find another rifle
rifle. It comes in grades from one to five, with the best European rifle makers’. Although I maker holding onto traditional methods so
the Monte Carlo option being the same as settled for the single-stage option, if I had tightly while managing to produce a rifle on
what was in the previously reviewed S&L. to say which was the better choice, I’d say par with any of the modern offerings.
The bedding, recoil pad, action and barrel the two-stage had the edge. The review rifle came in .308 Win and
are the same. Looking into the standard Schultz shot on par with my own 6.5x55 S&L. They
The William Evans version is based on options, I discovered that two-stage shoot tremendously well, and will tap out
the Schultz Ambassador model and doesn’t triggers can be requested, as too can the factory ammo groups around the 0.6in MOA
offer the proprietary S&L mounting system. Ambassador receiver and stock. As always, without too much effort.
Instead it’s drilled and tapped in the usual it’s recommended that adjustments are Being almost identical, the William Evans
way. Incidentally, S&L rifles are drilled and done by a trained gunsmith – and the two shares the same positive endorsement as I
tapped even if the receiver is machined for stage version is a bit more complicated gave the Schultz and Larsen. As I said then,
their own slide and lock mounts. The bolt to negotiate. But the bottom line is that the switch barrel system may not be as slick
handle also appeared to be more highly trigger-pull, sear engagement and the as a Blaser or Merkel, but it works and is as
polished than my own Schultz. second stage can all be adjusted to your consistent as the best of them. The biggest
The trigger had a pleasant upgrade. own preference. decision when looking at the William Evans
Fitted on the rifle previously reviewed – as As with the previously reviewed S&L, the version is deciding if the changes are worth
well as my own – was a crisp, single stage rifle boasts a barrel that is precision cut the higher price tag, which starts at £2,450. ■
adjustable unit. The William Evans, on the in a time consuming, traditional process For more information, contact William
other hand, has a two stage affair allowing few manufactures still use. More than that, Evans on 01483 486500 or www.
the shooter to take up 60 per cent of the every barrel is hand lapped and every stock williamevans.com
SPORTING RIFLE 75
074-075 Byron Pace - William Evans rifle Rev3.indd 75 17/03/2016 17:28

076.indd 76 17/03/2016 17:26

Optics: Aimpoint
Aim for the future

Chris Parkin samples the latest of what Swedish optics firm
Aimpoint plans to bring to the UK
M
ore and more UK shooters are rifle, not a string of pellets, so some ‘aiming’ where they creep ahead of more conventional
taking adventures into Europe is involved. Aim and point – and now we’ve optics in bad light, stress fire situations
to hunt driven game, particularly arrived at the subject of this article. and the simple fact it is easier to judge and
wild boar. To many of us who were brought up Aimpoint are a Swedish company who apply correct lead to a moving target with a
shooting only shotguns on moving quarry, the were the originators of red dot sights and more intuitive field of view, with an aiming
concept of tackling ground level game with a founded in 1975, employing over 150 people system that obscures less of it yet retains a
rifle is a great challenge. Riflescopes with large today. They have heavy involvement in both defined location. Distance judgement and
magnification ranges and 1x optical zoom civilian sporting and police/military areas and multiple target opportunities also become
are popular but for serious driven work, the these latter domains are where the serious more instinctive and the relative sizes of the
smaller physical dimensions of a red dot sight, durability and dependability of the optics animals, often charging in convoy, speeds
still with 1x magnification shows advantages are stressed to their maximum, designed up the maturity identification and choice of
as like the 1x scope, you can keep both eyes to withstand the most a serving soldier can which to shoot too. Seeing surrounding trees,
open to maximise your field of view but the throw, literally, at them. UK distributors Edgar and being able to pick your ‘moment’ is a
physically smaller external dimensions of the Brothers have been running range days massive advantage in heavy woodland too.
unit are less likely to obscure any peripheral across the country with the participation of The key advantage of Aimpoint red dot
vision and can give greater versatility for gun Aimpoint’s sales director Daniel Adolfsson sights over cheaper alternatives is that it
fitting. When it comes to pointing a gun, like and firearms instructor, Eric Ås. The day I doesn’t matter if your eye is misaligned from
a shotgun, gun fit and intuitive mounting is attended consisted of both training firearms the tube through which you are looking
critical to fast and accurate performance – dealers the advantages of the red dot sighting as there will be no parallax error on the
but you do need to place one bullet with a system over iron sights, and also key points subtended position of the red dot within
SPORTING RIFLE 77
077-078 Chris P - Aimpoint Range day at Diggle_Rev2.indd 77 17/03/2016 16:20

Optics: Aimpoint
Shooting with both eyes open is a huge Excellent tuition came courtesy of
advantage when engaging a moving target Aimpoint’s firearms instructor Eric
it. It is preferable to see the dot quickly stance and eye dominance questions, I will walk away from the day with and never
and intuitively as the gun is mounted, the to breathing control and perhaps most forget, is that the point of impact does not
intensity level can be altered to assist light importantly, target acquisition and applying move, no matter how careless you are with
conditions, background scenery and with the correct amount of lead to accurately your head position on the rifle, and this is a
either 2 or 4 MOA dot sizes available in all position your bullet on the target. Live fire breath of fresh air. Aimpoint supply a huge
models, the precision of your shot placement. exercises for both aimed and snap shooting variety of mounting systems, often unique
The 2 Minute of Angle dot covers 3cm at 50 at close range followed on from short to specific rifle designs and the whole
metres or 6cm at 100 metres and accounts for range zeroing where the accuracy of click product range from start to finish is utterly
90 per cent of the company’s sales. All lenses adjustments and fundamental pointability homogenous. When Eric removed a sight
are glass and precision cut to make sure of the red dot system were showcased. I from a rifle and physically threw it 40 yards
of the zero parallax error regardless of eye shoot with a lot of optics and will honestly down range, arcing it high through the air
position. The round, not oval or startling spark admit being slightly surprised at how easy and landing with a bump on the sandy range
like showers of light emitted from the aiming it was to shoot bug hole groups with great floor at Diggle, it was pretty impressive
point are relaxing for the eye. Intensity is consistency using Aimpoint’s own targets, to bolt it straight back onto a gun and
controlled with a large dial yet elevation specifically designed to simplify aiming and continue shooting exactly the same point of
and windage lay below small caps the size zeroing setup on a rifle. Now these sights aim, without rezeroing. We rounded off the
of 5p coins for initial setup. These dials offer aren’t for benchrest type accuracy, but the day shooting at Diggle’s 20m running boar
conventional adjustments but you need to ability with which precision aiming and target to test all the skills we had learned on
use the supplied tool or two pins protruding shot placement was possible under a zero and although I’m not a hugely experienced
from the dial caps themselves as they are not stress test was a delight. Adjustment clicks driven game shot with a rifle, I walked away
really finger adjustable. This is the minor price were precise, audible and very tactile and feeling more confident in my future ability
you pay for such a compact unit. As well as after my first three-shot group clover-leafed with hat I had learned and the equipment I
the H-1 and H-2 models most regularly seen, at yes, just 25 yards, I was pleased to add had used. Those Aimpoint Wild Boar Fever
we also had the chance to view the H30/34 three windage clicks and fire again, this time videos we see are no coincidence – it really
L/S ranges which have a more conventional moving the next three shots slightly to the is nice gear to use and I’m not surprised to
appearance to a scope user and fit into left and again, in a ragged single hole that see it attracting such shooting talent. ■
regular 30/34 mm scope rings. elongated the first one. It’s also a testament
Alongside Zoli rifles and copious amounts to the rifle and ammunition to be fair. CONTACT DETAILS
of Hornady ammunition, attendees got the There is no auto-off function on the
Edgar Brothers ■ 01625 613177
chance to not only try out and zero their electronic sight but the 2032 battery is
own rifle, but Eric gave us an hour lesson on estimated to last five years so a change
For more product information and targets;
techniques suitable for using Aimpoints on every season is hardly out of the question
visit www.aimpoint.com
driven game from correcting our shooting and being an impulse critic, the one fact that
077-078 Chris P - Aimpoint Range day at Diggle_Rev2.indd 78 17/03/2016 16:20

SPORTING RIFLE 79
079.indd 79 16/03/2016 16:21

News 80/81
Interview 83/84
Target news
Email your target news to colinf@blazepublishing.co.uk
MoD range
charges rise
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation
(DIO), who are the body responsible for
running military ranges in the UK, has
published revised charges for non-MoD
Gleeson and Parr users of its estate.The licence fee is

now £130 a year, while the lane fee on a
on top at BOAG
gallery range has increased to £36 a day
including a standard target.
For the Small Arms Ranges Targetry
System (SARTS), the charge per lane will
increase to £37. SARTS can now only be
operated by a Landmarc employee, and
clubs will bear the cost. The new charges
will come into effect on 1 April 2016 and
remain effective until 31 March 2017.
The NRA’s regional ranges manager
Nic Couldrey, said: “While any increase in
the cost of shooting will be a concern to
members, we understand the constraints
placed on the MOD and the need to
make more effective use of assets under
its direct control. The new charges,
particularly for the use of SARTS, provide
an opportunity for closer collaboration
and co-ordination among clubs to drive
economies of scale through shared
bookings to spread costs.”
Winners were crowned across all the airgun Sharon’s last shot of 8.5 dropped her into the Stewart, with Pavelas just one point behind.
disciplines at the British Open Airgun silver medal spot, and a solid 10.4 from Katie Shot 17 brought gasps, with Kristian scoring
Championships 2016, with the senior events won her the gold medal. 7.8, while Stewart and Pavelas scored 10.7 and
reported on below. The Senior Men’s Air Rifle final was another 10.3 respectively, as did shot 18 with respective
One of the biggest changes to this year’s close battle, with five shooters in medal scores of 8.6, 9.2 and 9.2.
event was the introduction of the Finals Hall, contention after 14 shots. At 16 shots Ken Parr Pavelas closed the gap on Stewart, but not
comprising eight lanes set up on the ground took a lead over Jack Bale, but there wasn’t quite enough to stay in the final – he won the
floor. The top eight from each championship much in it. Some nervy nines followed, but Ken bronze. However, Stewart was now just 1.5
have an elimination style shoot-off shortly after held on to repeat his performance of last year, behind. Shot 19 caused more gasps as Kristian
they complete their event. After a five-minute and take the gold with a lead of just 0.4. scored 8.0, just bettered by Stewart with an 8.1.
preparation period, the finalists fire two groups of On Sunday, roles were reversed with the Air Were nerves taking hold? Their final shots were
three shots, and single shots thereafter, but after Pistol Championships taking centre stage, while 8.4 and 9.3 respectively, so Kristian took gold
each pair is totalled, the person with the lowest the rifle shooters attended to their aggregates. with a lead of 0.5 ahead of Stewart.
aggregate is eliminated. For the spectators it Once again the women got the early start, and Full results available at www.nsra.co.uk.
was great fun, with on-screen scores meaning it was Gorgs Geikie who secured gold with a
they could follow the action closely,. 6.2 margin. The Women’s Confined event was
Senior Women’s Air Rifle was closely won by Victoria Mullin, with Alexandra Tucker
contested. At the medals stage, Sharon Lee held second and Coral Kennerley third.
a 1.2-point advantage over Hannah Pugsley and The Men’s Air Pistol was the last of the
Katie Gleeson, both of whom had held the lead finals, and had the crowd enthralled. Kristian
in the earlier stages. Hannah took the bronze, Callaghan took an early lead, with the silver and
leaving Sharon 1.3 points ahead of Katie, which bronze positions fought over by Stewart Nangle
she extended to 1.7 with her penultimate shot. and Pavelas Voitiukevicius. After 16 shots
All seemed decided, but there were gasps when Kristian Callaghan held a 4.6 point lead over
080-081 TS News_Rev2.indd 80 17/03/2016 17:11

TARGET
Target news: The latest issues SP RTS
Become an RCO
Sign up now for the NRA muzzle-loading
RCO course, taking place on 2 April.
This course is not designed to teach
about muzzle loading, however the training
will cover range management and all areas
required to enable current NRA RCOs to add
muzzle loading and black powder to their
qualification.
Attendees are expected to have a good
knowledge of all muzzle loading disciplines.
The course will involve both classroom and
practical range work.
NRA members enjoy a reduced rate of
£95 for the course, with a further 40 per cent
discount for under-25s.
Download the booking form and get more
information from the National Rifle Association
website – or email training@nra.org.uk.
Chinese champs in Bangkok TR skills course

Develop your target rifle skills at a basic
There was Chinese domination on show skills development course on 2-3 April. This
at the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup course is being run in conjunction with the
in Bangkok, with half of the 10 golds on Bisley clubs and the location for the course
offer going to a Chinese athlete. will be the London & Middlesex Rifle
Haoran Yang won the men’s air rifle, Association. Classroom and practical range
Fusheng Zhang topped the standings work will be involved. The course fee is £90,
in rapid fire pistol, Siling Yi was the which includes range fees, ammunition,
champion in the women’s air rifle, markers, individual coaching and all
Jingjing Zhang came first in the women’s required shooting equipment, for those who
25m pistol and Wenjun Guo completed do not possess their own. Download more
the rout with a win in the women’s pistol. details from the NRA website.
Also notable was Yang’s prodigious
finals score of 209.8, setting a new finals Sign to save lead
record for juniors in that discipline. The arguments for and against the proposed
The USA, Brazil, Denmark, Germany ban on lead ammunition continue and it is
and India picked up a gold each important that target shooters make their
elsewhere at the meeting. No British views known. A national petition has now
athletes attended this World Cup stage. amassed more than 23,000 signatures in
favour of keeping lead ammunition – sign
New NSRA manual it for yourself at https://petition.parliament.

uk/petitions/112165
A newly updated manual has been published For mail order, call: 01483 485511, fax: 01483
for member clubs looking to design a range, or 488817, or e-mail: sales@nsra.co.uk. BSW welcomes Gary
who require guidance regarding compliance in Cox
all areas of range safety and construction. Gary cox has joined Bisley Sports Wholesale
The 158-page manual is entitled NGB Advice as the new manager for the business and is
on the Design, Construction and Maintenance looking forward to the challenges ahead in
of Target Shooting Ranges and is now available his new role. An NSRA spokesperson said:
for sale online (at www.nsrashop.co.uk) or by “Gary’s knowledge and experience of the
telephone/e-mail at £35.00 plus postage and shooting sports industry will serve him well
packing. Alternatively, drop into the NSRA in the development and running of BSW. We
Shop at the Lord Roberts Centre, Bisley to pick wish him every success.”
up your copy in person.
SPORTING RIFLE 81
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082.indd 82 16/03/2016 15:24

TARGET
Interview: Matt Skelhon SP RTS
Paralympic promise
Eight years since his Paralympic gold in Beijing, Matt Skelhon is ready for
another. Colin Fallon gets his perspective…
W
hat’s Matt Skelhon’s crowning went to the Inter Spinal Games in 2006,” he “I went there confident that if I shot as well as
achievement? It’s an increasingly says, “and that’s where I found out about I’d shot at previous competitions, I was well in
difficult question, with a growing DTSGB and the competitive side of shooting. with a chance of winning a medal. But I didn’t
number of possible answers. If you asked the From there I found out about some local ranges expect to come away with a gold. It was the
mainstream press, they might say it was his in Whittlesey, and started shooting 10m air rifle. first time I’d ever shot a maximum score of 600.
sequence of noticeable hairstyles – but we Before long he was part of the GB set-up, A few times before I’d got to the last shot, and
know better. A more deserving answer, and receiving structured coaching with a view nerves had always got the better of me.”
until at least 2014 the obvious one, would be his to becoming a top-level athlete. Things only
Paralympic air rifle gold in 2008 – followed by continued to develop at this fast pace: “In 2007
two more medals four years later in London. But I got invited to a competition in France. I went
now there’s his IPC World Championship gold, there and shot a minimum qualifying score
won in spectacular style by setting a new finals for the Paralympics in my first international
world record. A World Cup silver followed in competition. So I was invited to join the GB
Fort Benning in 2015. There’s also his successful squad, and it escalated from there.”
transition from medal-winning airgunner to So far so good, but with only two years’
a medal-winning prone .22 rifle shooter. And, experience, he was still an outside bet to even
with the Rio Paralympics just a few months off, go to Beijing, let alone win gold: “I was a bit of a
he thinks there’s plenty more to come. wildcard. I was selected over a member of the
But let’s start at the beginning of his career. GB team who’d shot at a previous Paralympics.
His Paralympic success is well documented, The head coach of the team saw potential in
but what may come as a surprise to some is me – obviously I’d had this quick rise, and I
that he didn’t take up competitive shooting guess I had quite a natural talent for the sport, Matt’s hairstyles have
calmed in recent years...
until barely two years before Beijing 2008. “I so he gave me a chance and put me in there.
SPORTING RIFLE 83
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TARGET
SP RTS Interview: Matt Skelhon
There were
four or five months
when I was
thinking, ‘Well
I’ve done all that –
where do I go from
here?’
Matt’s maximum score in the mixed 10m
SH1 air rifle was matched by China’s Shang
Cuiping, but in the 10-shot medal round, he
shot a strong 104.9, enough to take the gold.
At 12, he was shooting cans in his back
garden with a Diana air rifle; at 24, he was at
the very top of his sport. But if you’ve already Suhl success: Matt at the 2014
IPC World Championships
a Paralympic champion – a lifelong goal for
many – how do you keep motivating yourself
for the rest of your shooting career?
Matt admits: “It was quite hard to start with.
There was a massive amount of media interest
– my red Mohican got me a lot of attention. It
carried on until 2009 and then it all dropped off.
I found it quite tough – there were four or five
months when I was thinking, ‘Well I’ve done all
that – where do I go from here?’
“But obviously there’s the European and
World Championships – so it wasn’t long
before I was thinking I wanted to win them
too. And there was London as well, which
had been the main focus when I started
shooting. No one had expected me to be
ready for Beijing!”
Matt medalled in London, too, but one
Matt shoots a Bleiker action and
of those goals – the World Championships barrel in an Anschütz stock
– wasn’t realised until two years after the
London Olympics. His victory in Suhl not only trying to keep ahead of the rest of the world.” going anywhere thinking ‘I’ll be happy with a
gave him an opportunity to set a new finals Right now, he shoots a Bleiker action and barrel medal,’ you’ll only come home with a medal.
world record, it was also notable as it was in in an Anschütz stock, with modified sights. You have to go there wanting gold every time.”
the prone rifle discipline, as opposed to his Matt Skelhon is now 31; given that Mick By that metric, even his silver and bronze at
previously favoured air rifle. His newfound Gault won a Commonwealth shooting medal the 2012 Paralympics will have been seen as
focus, Matt won gold in 50m prone at the at virtually twice that age, and Di Coates a disappointment. But that uncompromising
2013 European Championships and has competed in eight consecutive Paralympics, outlook, Matt says, is what you really need
been consolidating on that ever since: “My it’s safe to say we could see Matt atop a few to be a champion: “You have to have that
favourite discipline now is definitely R6, the more podiums yet. Of that, he’s determined: attitude. Every competition, you’ve got to go
.22 prone. I’m looking to start shooting three- “My aim for Rio 2016 is to go there and win the there to win. If you become a bit complacent
positions too – but the prone’s really good. R3 prone air rifle and R6 .22 prone rifle. I’m and you get too happy with second or third
“I’m still improving, definitely on the .22 side. definitely going there for two golds. place, then you’ll never be pushing that little
I started shooting that in 2010, and have been “The mental side of things is a big thing. bit you need to make the difference between
trying to improve ever since. Obviously you need to have the technique second and first.
“I’m always trying to find the best equipment, and the muscle control to have a good aim, “Sometimes people don’t understand why
the best ammunition – there’s always little but if you lose your head on the day, that’s I’m so annoyed when I don’t win sometimes,
gains to be made here and there. I’m constantly what’ll ruin it. You need self-confidence – but that’s the attitude you have to have.” ■
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SPORTING RIFLE 85
085.indd 85 17/03/2016 17:23

South Africa: Wildebeest
Living like kings

It’s ‘Pace senior and junior’ on safari, as Byron Pace and
his father embark on a stalk for blue wildebeest guided by
Monapula Safaris’ Larno Rens
F
loating like fairy dust in the tar black Slamming hearty meat onto the braai, we professional hunter Larno Rens of Monapula
of night, all was slight as I nursed my laughed, joked and reminisced the time away. Safaris for our last days in Africa. For the
brandy and coke. The sharp tinkle Probably one of my most successful safaris most part I just wanted to catch up with an
of ice had long disappeared, replaced by to date from a hunting point of view, it had old friend whom I had shared some of the
a lonesome cricket chirping a song to the been the most significant, up there with my most significant experiences of my life with.
heavens. Gazing long into the rich embers of most memorable trips. This of course was Too many seasons had passed since we had
warmth, each flicker of the dancing flames in no small part due to the presence of my shouldered rifles side by side in the veld, and
told a thousand stories of all the hunters who father for the first time. After years of telling even this would be too short.
had come before, as they too had pondered my stories of adventure across the lands of I knew Larno had loose plans to hunt a
their lives as a hunter while looking through Africa he was finally hunting beside me. little for the few days, with a spot of fishing
a porthole of fire. After three weeks my heart We had made the journey south from thrown in, but I didn’t realise quite what
sat heavy. My time was never long enough the high mountains of the Eastern Cape he had in store for me. That evening, as we
and I repeatedly wondered why I ever leave. to more coastal reaches, joining friend and mulled over the end of our time, he casually
I thought on the friends I have made half a
world away, and the bond now shared. Some
may think it strange to have formed such
strong comradeship over what is a relatively
small period of time compared with the
friendship we build at home. It’s hard to
explain. Behind a rifle in the depths of the
wildness, where men retrace the footsteps
of our forefathers, the ties of brotherhood Giraffe are in abundance but
we just can’t spy a wildebeest
are never stronger.
086-087 Byron wildebeest Africa_Rev3.indd 86 17/03/2016 16:25

South Africa: Wildebeest
dropped in plans for a wildebeest hunt. I

smiled, poorly expressing my gratitude
with a cheers across the firepit. I truly was
blessed to have such generous friends.
This wouldn’t be my first, having been lucky
to claim blue wildebeest in South Africa and
Namibia, so I got to thinking. It would mean a
lot more if my dad was to have the opportunity
to hunt the classic African antelope.
Wanting it to be a surprise, I played along
that evening until having a quiet word
with Larno the following morning before
breakfast. As our wheels ate dirt with the
sun breaking the horizon my dad was none
the wiser, enjoying the fresh morning and
the prospect of joining the hunt.
Larno had a particular group of old cows in
mind. Beyond useful breeding age, it was an
ideal animal to remove and exchange from
life into biltong. This was no trophy hunt by Dropping on the spot, captured mid fall in this picture,
Byron’s dad added another first to the end of his safari
any measurement of scoring, but it would be
a trophy of experience as a first for my dad.
We had already located the small herd,
discussed stalking strategy and readied our
kit before I handed the rifle over.
“Dad, you’re going to need this.”
The confused look on his face told me he still
hadn’t registered quite what was happening.
“What rifle are you taking, son?”
“Well, I just need a camera, because you
are hunting this.” I grinned back at him.
Even now it took a moment to sink in as
he glanced over to Larno, beaming back at
him with contentment as the final piece fell
into place.
The wildebeest had been spotted in the
most open area of the farm, which had
made them easy to locate, but added its own
challenge for stalking in.
It took at least half an hour to cut the
wind in our favour, eventually placing The stalk started as a surprise,
ourselves favourably. It was slow, steady but it had a textbook finish
and calm, stopping, scanning and stalking,
inching the gap down. In the distance, the Noses into the wind the dozen animals all “Not more than 120 metres – just shoot when
towering figures of browsing giraffe clocked grazed steadily away from us, blissfully you are ready.”
our presence without concern, pausing for a unaware of our presence as the sun By the time the land fell silent the old girl
moment in a kind of acknowledgement they continued to climb. We edged forward, lay as motionless as the settled dust. The
were now watching. We were still to lock crouching to break the last thirty metres. wildebeest had dropped to a high shot, not
eyes on the wildebeest, which would have Raising simultaneously with sticks and rifle, even taking a step.
these bush giants equally hidden from view my dad slid the rifle into position waiting I love to hunt, but often I get far more
should they decide to take fright. for Larno to identify the animal he wanted from being able to watch others enjoy an
As we approached the final foliage of any to take out. experience I have already been lucky enough
significance, the first fresh sighting since “Ralph, can you see the one at the back to commit to the memory bank. That had
beginning to stalk confirmed they hadn’t on the right, almost side on,” Larno hushed never been truer than with this hunt. ■
moved far. Better still, if we could get a clear while peering through his binos. If you want to hunt with Larno Rens visit
shot they were within shootable range. “Yeah got it – how far is that?” dad questioned. www.monapulasafaris.com
SPORTING RIFLE 87
086-087 Byron wildebeest Africa_Rev3.indd 87 17/03/2016 16:25

088.indd 88 17/03/2016 18:30

Ammunition: Kynoch
The calibre hunter Byron Pace takes a step back from individual calibres to look
over the work of an iconic British cartridge manufacturer
T
heir distinctive yellow and red boxes
will catch the eye of any true hunting
connoisseur. Their status was made
legendary by the great hunters in the heyday
of big game. Even today their name carries
with it a prestige that goes hand-in-hand
with the great British rifle makers.
Kynoch was established in Birmingham
in 1862 by the Scottish entrepreneur George
Kynoch. At that time the company was
focused on the production of percussion
caps. After WWI most UK munitions
manufacturers were brought under Nobel
Industries, which later founded ICI (Imperial
Chemical Industries). In the late 1920s
Kynoch took on the mantel of producing
metallic centrefire ammunition while Eley,
which came under the same umbrella,
focused on sporting cartridges.
This carried on until the 1970s when the
worldwide decline in big game hunting
forced Kynoch to cease production. The
market for shotgun and rimfire cartridges
remained strong and helped Eley to thrive Hundreds of hours of range work have
during the same period. Today Eley has
been split, producing shotgun cartridges
been clocked
under the EleyHawk label and their Hundreds of hours of range work have In 2000 Kynoch moved production to a high-
famously accurate rimfire ammunition been clocked, including back-to-back tech factory with purpose made laboratories,
under their original name. tests with original 1960s ammunition, to workshops and humidity controlled storage.
Kynoch ammunition is now manufactured produce modern ammo that would not A three lane, hundred-metre range allows for
by Kynamco, although Eley still own the require old rifles to be re-regulated. These proofing, testing and customers wishing to
trademark. The mission of this refreshed classic ballistics have been achieved at shoot ammunition from their own rifles.
company has been to take the old British safer, lower chamber pressures and cooler There are few of the classic cartridges
calibres and bring production into the burning temperatures that will improve Kynamco don’t produce. Unconfirmed
modern age. Much of their work has been the life of your rifle barrel. reports suggest that in a world far removed
focused on matching classic ballistics using Given the use of these large, rare calibres from old English double rifles a number of
modern components. This will allow the the ammunition needs to be stored for long Special Forces use Kynamco loads when
great old big game rifles, with their pre-set periods and still perform. A recreational pursuing the most dangerous quarry. If that
and regulated open sight distances, to be hunter is unlikely to burn a hundred rounds isn’t an endorsement I don’t know what is.
used safely and correctly. The combination of 470NE very quickly. For this requirement The tie to hunters of old and wondering
is especially important with double rifle Kynamco worked with the Royal Ordinance stories of Africa makes Kynoch ammo one
regulation, for barrel grouping and correct Factories, subjecting the ammo to military of the most important names in production.
POI position. aging trials that simulate ten years of handling One day soon I hope to chamber a Kynoch
This meticulous work was undertaken and storage under conditions ranging from cartridge and knock a few species off the
in partnership with the Proof House. arctic to tropical (-60 to +60 degrees). bucket list. ■
SPORTING RIFLE 89
089 calibre hunter_Rev2.indd 89 17/03/2016 16:15

Review: CZ
527 foxing
Mike Powell checks out a Czech: It’s the CZ 527 in .223 with
a varmint heavy barrel, perfect for foxing
T
here is no doubt that today CZ is forend and pistol grip it was in exactly the right polishing would speed the process up. The
among the market leaders as far as place. Two sling swivel studs are provided in magazine is of all metal construction which
rifles of all calibres are concerned. the usual places. The butt itself is finished with is something I personally think all magazines
Take a look through the shooting websites a grey insert inside the soft rubber butt pad. should be and is held in place by a spring
and although most of these are riddled with The length of pull was 12in which fitted me lever on the right hand side of the magazine
controversy when it comes to choice of rifle perfectly. Starting at the muzzle end the 25.5in housing and although it works perfectly well
one brand inevitably gets excellent reviews varmint heavy barrel comes screw cut and the and is easy to operate I have to say it isn’t my
and that is CZ. This was not always so as crown like all CZs was nicely cut and finished. favourite magazine release system. Magazine
although the make’s accuracy has never The twist rate is 1 in 9in. capacity is five rounds.
really been in question the overall finish at The barrel is married to the usual classic On the top right hand side of the action
one time left a lot to be desired. Over the last Mauser action with a large single claw is the safety catch, this is the normal rocker
few years all that has changed. Not only has extractor. The bolt lift is quite high and forward and back type and can only be
their accuracy remained consistently good, it although the Bushnell scope provided by operated when the rifle is cocked when it
has if anything improved, but the thing that Edgars was perfectly fine I can imagine locks the bolt and blocks the trigger. On the
really has brought this make to the fore is the that certain scopes with large ocular lens left of the action is the bolt release catch.
overall finish and appearance. housings would sit a little too close to the bolt CZ has fitted the 527 with a single set
The quality of the woodwork for a rifle of when it was in the open position. The bolt trigger. In the normal cocked position the
this price is now excellent. The Turkish walnut itself in common with a lot of medium priced trigger on the test rifle broke at just under
used for the woodwork on the test rifle was of rifles was a little on the rough side when in than 4lb, which for general use was fine. To
good colour showing some nice graining. The operation. However from past experience set the trigger with the rifle in the cocked
laser cut chequering was not overdone, but of this make I know that with use they position you push the blade forward. When
was sharp, giving a good grip – and on both will ‘smooth out’ – in fact a little judicious ‘set’ the trigger pull drops to a fraction over 1lb.
090-091 Mike Powell CZ 527 review_Rev2.indd 90 17/03/2016 16:15

Review: CZ
Whilst the set trigger system certainly offers

advantages it really does have to be treated
with respect, I myself years ago almost got
caught out by setting the trigger when about
to take a shot at a fox. The fox moved off
before the shot could be taken and I carried
on my merry way not re-setting the trigger to
the normal position. Later a shot was offered
and forgetting I had set the trigger and my
brain programmed for the normal weight
pull, my touch on the trigger was too heavy
and off went the rifle long before I was ready!
Luckily I had it spot on the target, a sleeping
fox, because it never woke up. It was a rather
salutary lesson that under field conditions
unless you use a set trigger regularly it can
cause problems. Having said all of that, the
CZ trigger overall was excellent.
The overall weight of the 527 was 3.3kg
which considering it has the heavy barrel is
totally acceptable. The rifle comes without
iron sights which make total sense as I doubt Mike gets to grips with the set trigger
there are many people today who would buy
a rifle for foxing and not fit a scope.
Talking of scopes, as mentioned earlier
Edgars also sent along a Bushnell scope, the
Legend Ultra 3-9x50 to try on the rifle. I have
used a Bushnell scope on one of my FAC
rated air rifles for years and only very, very
rarely did I have to re-zero it. This was the
first time however that I had used a Bushnell
on a centrefire and was looking forward to see
how it performed. It had the Bushnell DOA
(Dead on Accurate) reticle which when using
a 100-yard zero give aiming references in 100-
yard increments. Of course many scope come
with reticles giving such aiming information
but clearly you need to see how these marry
up to your own rifles performance and the
ammunition you are using. However with
a flat shooting round like the 223 these
reference points are very useful. The scope’s
optics has Bushnell’s Rainguard finish,
which came in very handy when testing the
rifle in the somewhat damp December we The CZ proves its worth in the field
experienced last year! I thought the scope
offered good value for money and certainly Hornady 40gn V-Max ammunition, I changed
key info
allowed for accurate shooting over normal to this ammo about a year ago and find it an
foxing ranges. excellent fox round out to 250 yards or so, (my Calibres available: .222, .223, .204 Ruger,
.17 Hornet.
Zeroed at 100 yards, the 527 was soon maximum not the rifles or ammo).
Options: Various stock options available
printing sub-one-inch groups so I took it out As it worked out at the time of testing Verdict: A very good, well made accurate
for a few outings to see how it performed the rifle foxes were just starting the mating rifle that will give years of service
in the field. Having owned and tested quite season and were becoming very active a Price: £899.99
a few CZs over the years I have yet to find couple of opportunities presented themselves Scope price: £247
Contact: Edgar Brothers ■ 01625 613177
one that didn’t shoot well and the .223 was and the rifle didn’t disappoint account for two
no exception. As usual nowadays I was using in as many outings. ■
SPORTING RIFLE 91
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092.indd 92 17/03/2016 16:52

SPORTING RIFLE 93
093.indd 93 17/03/2016 16:52

New Zealand: Arapawa
Controversial
NZ pursuit
Thomas Nissen knows you should try everything once – so

he heads back down under to New Zealand to stalk the
arapawa-ram with outfitter Per Jacobson
I
t is late April, but it doesn’t feel like Finn Frederiksen glasses the terrain, I am of the conviction that you cannot
the middle of spring. That’s because initially to no avail. The low morning sun’s comment on anything – not even hunting –
we’re on the other side of the globe. reflection in the lens is not particularly without knowing about it. And the best way
In New Zealand, summer is now abating; favourable, certainly not when you have to get to know it is to participate yourself.
we are moving towards colder times. The to look in the direction of the sheep. Finn I have been travelling and hunting New
valleys below are covered in dense fog. The has to not only locate the cliff Per is talking Zealand for months – but I have never been
sun hasn’t reached down below the grass about, but also get the focus on the binos hunting in a so-called ‘game estate’ until
hilltops yet, but up here where we are, it’s correctly set. now. A game estate could be compared to a
just above the horizon. South African hunting farm. When Per invited
There are two Arapawa sheep down to A different hunt me to follow a hunt in the High Peak game
right of our position, below a cliff. Outfitter Per Too many people – and certainly not only estate, I was quick to agree. I did this partly,
Jacobsen of Viking Guides alerts us to their hunters – have strict, rigid ideas about because – as I said – I had never hunted the
presence. Per is quite sure that the brown things they do not know anything about. fence areas of New Zealand. Partly, because
ram with the double curls on the horns will This is a shame for many reasons. Ultimately, the hunt was on Arapawa ram, which is quite
be near the two entirely white sheep. they will miss out on a lot. controversial as a trophy species. Moreover,
094-096 Article - Arapararam New Zealand_Rev4.indd 94 17/03/2016 14:34

Remote pursuit: The unforgiving New Zealand

terrain would be a challenge to most hunters
as mentioned, I believe that one cannot We continue uphill. It takes more than half
Fact file: Arapawa ram
comment on anything before knowing it – so an hour to get back to the vehicle. Per wants
how could I refuse the chance to know about to try our luck elsewhere. For the rest of the The arapawa-ram is a subspecies of
this unfamiliar form of hunting? day, we walk up hills, down hills and along domesticated sheep. It is found wild on
The terrain is more rugged than I can hills. Lots of fallow deer, many big reds, a few the Arapawa island in the Marlborough
describe here. Every step puts strain on the wild goats and some huge wapiti are present Sounds. The sheep have lived isolated
ankles. Most muscle groups in the legs are – but we don’t see as much as a shadow of here since they were introduced in 1867.
called upon if we want to go silently forward. the Arapawa ram. Some believe whalers introduced it
We move against the wind. We prove our It is almost sunset, and we are spotting the even earlier as ‘food reserve’. However,
stalking skills as we pass two nice fallow terrain from a cliff. The red stag again starts although there are several theories about
at 100 metres without being sensed. As we to roar sporadically, and the sharp call from a when and how the sheep were introduced,
climb down the mountain to the two sheep, wapiti echoes far to the right. A minute later there is reasonable consensus that it was
which Per assumes the ram will accompany, Per sees some white spots at the same place introduced from Australia. Consensus
I am a bit disappointed. It is no more than – arapawa sheep. also indicates it was descended from
45 minutes since we left the primitive but The sun drops over the horizon. We are Merino sheep.
charming hunting lodge of High Peaks, and in position about 200 metres from the herd. The females have no horns, while the
we’re already closing in. This is far too easy. This time, two rams are in the flock. The ram gets turning horns that achieve a
As we move our heads over the last cover, ram to the right is the one Finn is down to length of a metre or more. The horns can
we see the sheep. take. For more than 25 minutes, we wait for grow more than two turns. Arapawa is a
“Where is hell is the ram?” Per whispers. “I the ram to come free of the group for a shot, bit of a ‘hippie-sheep’ – The wool is thick
and completely full of curls resembling
can’t see it anywhere.” but without success. Bushes cover him; he
dreadlocks. Predominantly found in dark
A string of expletives follow as Per glasses stands in front of or behind another animal;
variants. some individuals have white
furiously. From under the grey blanket of he steps out but remains in motion. When
markings, primarily in the head. Arapawa
fog in the valley floor, we hear some of the ram finally comes completely free, it has
are also available in an all-white variant.
the area’s impressive deer. They give the become so dark that he only shows as a
Arapawa hunted in a game estate may
following minutes an eerie atmosphere. The dark lump in the sight picture. Finn does not
have been put out for hunting. If you want
stags’ roars mark one of the last days of the have any real idea where on the animal he’s
an Arapawa trophy on the wall, you have
outgoing rut. drawing a bead – he opts not to shoot.
to make up your mind whether you want
to hunt in a fenced area. Ask the provider
about the origin of the individual animal.
Buy the hunt with a provider/outfitter
who is honest about the hunting area.
A hunting experience on Arapawa can
be really good – a statement I can give
Another stalk begins after
a blank on the first day through practical experience.
SPORTING RIFLE 95

The hunters encountered many of the

big stags New Zealand is known for
It has been a long day, with many physical Finn takes down the largest of the three might be a little too easy. And admittedly,
hardships in the field. Yet we spend most rams in the group. It’s not the huge ram with a hunt on a game estate is ultimately not
of the evening in front of the crackling double turns that Per previously has seen on as challenging as a hunt in the West Coast
fireplace or at the dining table below the High Peak, but still a representative trophy, Mountains. Despite that, it was clear that
chandelier made of cast horns. The cosy taken on a really nice hunt. Finn had a great experience during the hunt
cabins are available to all visiting hunters Before this hunt, Finn had spent some for the beautiful Arapawa-ram.
in High Peak. We are calm as we turn in, as time free ranch hunting, exploring the The hunt took place in a fenced area
we know where the animals can be found impressive mountains of the South Island – a very large area, I hasten to add – but
in the morning. west coast. He flew into the mountains I personally wasn’t too bothered by
by helicopter, and stayed in a primitive this. Ok, I would never dream of paying
New day, new chance tent camp and hunted tahr and chamois. thousands of dollars to take a large stag
It does not take long to find the herd again It was an unforgettable hunt in fantastic inside such a hunting fence. In my opinion,
the next day. We also see other bunched of conditions. After that hunt he had a there wouldn’t be enough of a hunting
white spots further out. Per weighs up the few days to spare. He took, as I did, the experience in this to justify the price. But
opportunities and concludes that the best bet opportunity to try something he had never a hunt for something cheaper, such as an
is to go against the herd we were near before tried before. Arapawa-ram, definitely gives you a good
sunset yesterday. After a long stalk, finally I sensed before the hunt that he, like I, New Zealand hunting experience. ■
we are in range. Without major complications, had wondered if a hunt on this game estate tln@jagtrejsefeber.dk
high-peak
High Peak Game Estate is owned by
the Guild family. The farm as founded
in 1856, and has been run as a game
estate for 40 years. Over 1,800 hectares
it offers Arapawa, red stags, fallow bucks,
elk, goats and wild boar. High Peak was
one of the first New Zealand farms to
see the opportunity to make a business
out of visiting trophy hunters. The Guild
family places great importance on a
good hunting experience tailored to the
individual hunter’s desire. At the same
time, accommodation can be arranged
in relation to the individual hunter’s
preference and budget.
Read more about High Peak: www.
After more than 24 hours of
hunting, Finn finally takes his ram huntingredstag.com

SPORTING RIFLE 97
097.indd 97 17/03/2016 17:21

098.indd 98 17/03/2016 17:19

Review: Sniper Cam
L ights,
camera, shoot
Foxing and filming at the same time? It’s possible. Mark
Ripley puts Nite-Hunter’s new Sniper Cam through its paces
‘T
he simplest ideas are often the holding the camera, attaches to the rear of Like most night vision devices an infrared
best’: this phrase was what sprung your scope and has focus and zoom levers illuminator is required for use after dark
to mind when I first looked at the on its underside. These are used together (although at dusk this unit worked well
Sniper Cam system from nite-hunter.com. with your scope’s parallax to fine tune without any additional illumination). For
This bit of equipment is more than just a the image viewed. The upper tube holds this purpose I tested the Dragonfly Laser
night vision add on; it’s also an effective the MPR and acts as the viewer. This cuts Illuminator from Starlight.
means of recording your hunting forays, down the light shining back on your face A word of caution on this illuminator:
night and day. during night shooting, which is otherwise the instructions state that the supplied
Nite-hunter have been producing shooting a potential downside to this type of system.
related products since 2000. The Snipercam The Sniper Cam can be used as a
was first produced in 2012. This particular handheld spotter/recorder and can then
simple idea uses two main parts housed be attached in seconds to your riflescope
in a purpose-made unit. A small bullet- to take a shot. The whole set-up will run
style camera views the image through your on the MPR's compact, five-volt battery,
standard day scope, which is then relayed to however a 'Pebble' long life battery pack
an HD quality Mobile Player-Recorder (MPR). was also sent to me for the test. This
The MPR displays the image, complete with proved more than enough to last through a
crosshair, on its built in screen. Targeting long night's foxing.
is achieved using this screen rather than Various tube adapters are available to
viewing directly through your scope, similar attach the Sniper Cam to your scope. By
to the NiteSite brand of night vision add-ons. inserting the correct size tube into its body
The housing for these components is two and tightening the thumb screws on either The Sniper Cam can be attached and
detached from the scope in seconds
tubes, one above the other. The lower one, side the unit is held securely in place.
SPORTING RIFLE 99
Review: Sniper Cam
the Sniper Cam will have you shooting

and filming out to 250-300 yards
What grabbed me about this device was its ability to

easily record, day or night
filter must be fitted to meet British eye safe Before long a large dog fox bounded into centrefire rifle is effective on foxes to around
regulations, but the unit is much brighter the caller and I gave it a shout to stop it at 250-300 yards. This makes the Sniper Cam
when used without. The brighter option is 80 yards. Sniper Cam and rifle performed as a serious competitor considering its clear
for export purposes only. Without the filter, expected and the fox – visible as clear as day image and attractive price tag! ■
looking into the IR will almost certainly through the scope – dropped on the spot.
damage your sight. I couldn’t advocate I decided to see how well the Sniper Cam Sniper Cam SpeCifiCationS
ignoring the manufacturer’s instructions, would perform in daylight. I dropped the
Recording, shooting and spotting device
but either way, the results are impressive. supplied IR filter for daylight use into the
suitable for use day and night
What grabbed me about this device was end of the unit and went out onto the hill for
Handheld or scope mounted
its ability to easily record, day or night. On some target shooting. The image through
Extends the scope by 70mm
the top right of the unit is a button, which the scope became a little white at longer
Power supply: Rechargeable, five volt
you hold down for a couple of seconds to ranges, but I was still able to snipe small
bring the thing to life. On the rear of the unit, bits of chalk at over 700 yards! battery (long life, rechargeable power pack
just below the power button, is the record The unit recorded sound well, picking up also available)
button. One touch and it starts recording, the impact on some closer range hits. I was Sensor: 480TVL CCD (700 TVL also available)
displaying a clear red 'REC' symbol on the able to enhance the colour of my recordings Memory: 16 GB SD card
top left of the screen. Press it again and the on the YouTube editor once it was uploaded. Warranty: Two years full coverage
footage is saved to a 16GB SD card, ready This resulted in some impressive shooter's Zoom: 1-8x mag
to be transferred to your PC. The card is view footage not only of target shooting Dimensions: 130x120x110mm
capable of storing eight hours of footage but also of a couple of foxes I bumped into Weight: 680 grams
and over 200,000 photos. around the farm. Footage can be viewed on
Price: £600 + £15 UK delivery
The first night I took the unit out I slipped my YouTube channel, 260rips.
Supplier: www.nite-hunter.com
it onto the back of my .260 Rem and sat For the final test I put the Snipercam on a
out with the FOXPRO caller going. I didn't Browning X-bolt and took to the hills again.
need to check the zero as this device has I managed to account for several foxes with Dragonfly
no effect on your day scope’s settings, but I this set-up at ranges from 100 to 230 yards, infrareD illuminator
thought I'd test it out on a rabbit to be sure. proving its worth.
Price: Full kit £249.99
After easily dropping a 170 yard rabbit I felt Used at night with a high power
Torch only £199.99
confident I could take any fox that came IR illuminator like the Dragonfly, the
Supplier: www.starlightnv.co.uk
within a few hundred yards. combination of the Sniper Cam and a
SPORTING RIFLE 101
101.indd 101 17/03/2016 18:03

Deer: Dogs
First steps
Inspired by a large number of queries, Rudi van Kets goes
through the initial stages in training a young deer dog
I
n response to my recent article ‘Training
debut,’ I got some questions about the
how and why of a trail. Perhaps interest
is growing from people who are thinking
about training a tracking dog. I am always
accessible to answer any questions – send
them to the editor of Sporting Rifle or directly
to me at rudi.van.kets@telenet.be.
Let’s start with the most important factor:
contact between dog and owner. During
the first weeks, this is of great importance.
A bond of trust starts with training. Some
start in the wrong way. One may think that
the puppy is too young and needs some time
to ‘enjoy his youth’ before starting work. But
during this time the dog adopts habits that
are difficult to unlearn later.
On the other hand, exaggerated training in
a short time span can cause the young dog
to lose his job passion. The owner will feel
‘cheated’ if the dog does not respond properly,
but ultimately it’s his fault.
You have plenty of time to train your dog, Train on a loose lead – give the
but it is up to you to spend this time wisely dog the freedom to work properly
and operate according to the rules of the art.
So let’s try to get a training schedule together. is no wind blowing in the direction of the dog. he needs to get used to it. The tracking belt has
At 9-10 weeks the dog arrives in his new The dog will not work with its nose to the a length of about nine metres.
environment. Remember, a young dog will ground at this stage, so the effects of the wind Before bringing the dog to the location of
soon conform to your habits and ways of will be exaggerated. the shot, examine it yourself first. Then let the
doing things – he won’t miss much. Only Do not forget to mark the trail, making it dog take in the smells of the skin you have
when you are sure he really feels at home easier to correct the dog if necessary. It’s laid. Make sure the dog does not head for his
should you lay the first trail. easy to think a trail is easy. Perhaps this is prize immediately – give him time to absorb
Take a rope and bind it to a piece of skin the case, but we cannot allow ourselves to the odours. Try to perform the same actions
or tripe. Personally I prefer skin, but it’s your make mistakes. every time: point to the crime scene, use the
choice. Make a simple drag of 40-50 metres. At It is important that your equipment is in words ‘show me’, command it to search.
the starting place, take the piece of skin and order. Tracking work relies heavily on ritual. Take the nine-metre-long leash loose in hand,
move it back and forth to create the location Your dog reacts to the equipment you use. I so the dog can follow the trail. Do not work with
of the shot. Next, take the skin your chosen certainly do not have to tell you that when a tight leash. This way the dog can quietly work
distance. To start with, leave it in plain view; you put on our boots your dog sees, he will in front of us, and we can exercise better control
later put it out of sight of the dog. immediately respond exuberantly, you are on the trail. It gives the dog freer rein to find the
Put the trail in a place where there are few heading out together. marks that have been left behind, for example
distractions. An area where wildlife is hardly The equipment of the dog is important. Let blood, pieces of bones and hair.
present is best in the beginning. An open the dog rest and replace the ordinary leash with If the dog leaves the trail, it is up to us to
meadow is a good choice. Also, take care there the tracking belt. This is wider and heavier, and intervene. Hold the leash in and try to get the
102-103 Rudi_Rev2.indd 102 17/03/2016 16:52

Deer: Dogs
Don’t rush through training – let the

Let the dog associate work with a reward dog gain confidence at every stage
In time you can bring in more difficult Enforce the same ritual every time
environments and ‘colder’ trails when coming to the end of the trail
dog back on it. If this is successful, encourage Perhaps there are readers who do not will run a trail made solely by the track shoe.
the dog. If the dog follows the trail at the right want to work with a trail and want to start Invest a lot of time and patience in your dog.
speed and shows joy in his work, encourage immediately with the track shoe. Personally In time, it will pay off.
him again. Positive reward is very important. I am not in favour of this. My opinion is that The use of the track shoe remains the best
Be aware not to overdo the orders – you could you should first build on the trail, and in time method to simulate a trail left by hoofed game.
end up distracting the dog, which is certainly introduce the track shoe. Evolve slowly on to After some time you can build up the ‘rest
not the intention. more difficult methods of training. time’ before you take on the track. You will
The trail comes to an end. When you get When you’re ready to start using the track notice that the dog fairly quickly can handle
to the end, first praise the dog for his work. shoe, take the necessary time. Start by making an overnight trail.
You must show the same enthusiasm and the location of the shot. This can start with a The most important thing during the
joy as the dog. This causes the bond between trail with skin – after a few metres, lift the skin training time is not to rush. Often I notice
dog and owner to get stronger. Furthermore, and go the next few steps with the track shoe. that people want to go too fast. When the dog
give the dog plenty of time – it needs a After a few metres we can use the skin again, has followed a trail, the owner automatically
chance to examine the found skin. This is an and so we move on. Do not forget to lay down assumes it can follow a longer and older track
important component for the future. The dog the skin at the end of trail. equally well. Take your time increasing the
will learn how the game behaves in life or My experience tells me that many dogs difficulty – try to minimise mistakes. These
death. Afterwards, the dog gets his reward. experience difficulties in a sudden transition errors can return later at crucial moments.
The dog will quickly make the link between from trail to trail shoe. Gradually, we build off Practice correct building calmly, take your
remuneration and finding the piece of game. the trail, and after a lot of practice the dog time. Work on results. ■
SPORTING RIFLE 103
102-103 Rudi_Rev2.indd 103 17/03/2016 16:53

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Rifles & Scopes
If you’re after something new, there’s plenty of new releases on the
market to catch your eye – whatever quarry you’re after
RIMFIRE CENTREFIRE
£749
£3,528
CZ 455 Thumbhole
In .22LR or .17 HMR, this popular rimfire is an Blaser R8 Professional
TBC
award-winner – and Chris Parkin thought so when Success left-hand
he reviewed it for Sporting Rifle last year. The thumbhole stock of the
Edgar Brothers ■ 01625 613177 Browning X-Bolt Professional Success is now available
www.edgarbrothers.com Eclipse Varmint in a left-handed version. Now
Price: £749 The new X-Bolt is equipped with a southpaws can benefit from its stellar
SuperFeather Trigger with its short, levels of shooting comfort.
£659 crisp and direct action. Available in .223 Blaser Sporting ■ 0207 6222116
Rem, .243 Win, 6.5x55 and .308 Win. www.blaser-sporting.com
Browning ■ 01235 514550
www.browning.eu
Savage Model 42 Price: TBC
TBC
Here’s something unusual: A .22LR or .22WMR rifle
and .410 shotgun rolled into one. You need both a Winchester XPR
shotgun certificate and FAC to own one! £1,045 This budget rifle doesn’t scrimp on
Price: £659 Haenel Jaeger 10 quality – it’s designed with features
Edgar Brothers ■ 01625 613177 Pictured here is the standard model of from the Model 70. It includes a button-
www.edgarbrothers.com Haenel’s impressive Jaeger 10 – but rifled barrel, creep-minimising 1MOA
there are actually seven new models trigger, a polymer stock and one-piece
£400
available. Contact Viking Arms for the trigger guard and magazine frame.
full spec. Browning ■ 01235 514550
Ruger American Viking Arms ■ 01423 780810 www.browning.eu
It might be an all-American rifle but it’s found www.vikingarms.com Price: TBC
popularity with British stalkers in its centrefire form. Price: From £1,045
Now, distributor Viking Arms says the American rifle
is now available in rimfire models.
Viking Arms ■ 01423 780810 ■ www.vikingshoot.com £538
Price: £400 £1,015
CZ 512 Semi-auto
Tikka T3X The CZ 512 has a hammer-forged
£880 The new generation of Tikka T3 is barrel, threaded for a sound moderator.
here – and it’s got a new modular The Beech stock and fore end are not
Sako Finnfire II stock, recoil pad and metallic bolt one piece and include front and rear
The legendary Finnfire has returned – and it’s shroud. Best of all, the price is the sling swivel studs.
available in .a choice of .22LR or .17 HMR. same. Edgar Brothers ■ 01625 613177
GMK ■ 01489 579999 ■ www.gmk.co.uk GMK 01489 579999 ■ www.gmk.co.uk www.edgarbrothers.com
Price: £880 Price: From £1,015 MSRP: £538
Kit: new releases
Swarovski Z8i
Integrating an eight-factor zoom into a 30mm
tube, this new scope is set to be a game-
changer from the Austrian optics masters.
Swarovski 01737 856812
EDITOR’S
£429.95
www.swarovskioptik.com CHOICE
Price: TBC
SCOPES £394 Yukon Jaeger 3-12x56

This waterproof, reinforced and shock-resistant
MTC Genesis 5-25x50 scope has a wide field of view and illuminated
Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof, this reticle for advanced optical performance.
£1,260
affordable scope from MTC is certainly up to Thomas Jacks ■ 01789 264100
the challenge of centrefire use. www.thomasjacks.co.uk
MTC ■ 08448 09929 ■ www.mtcoptics.com Price: £429.95
Price: £394
Docter V6 £775
A new line of six-factor scopes from Docter
promises an ultra-fine illuminated reticle £470
with auto shut-off, plus a large field of view
and state-of-the-art glass.
Price £1,260 Zeiss Terra
Ruag ■ 01579 362319 ■ www.ruag.co.uk A new line of premium optics brings the
Zeiss name to an incredibly affordable price
point – what’s not to like? Steiner Ranger
TBC Zeiss ■ 01223 401525 Steiner’s new Ranger series consists of two
www.zeiss.co.uk/sportsoptics compact models, the 3-12x56 and 4-16x56,
Price: £470 each offering a 4x zoom range.
FROM GMK ■ 01489 579999 ■ www.gmk.co.uk
£2,410
Optisan EVX Price: From £775
The replacement for the popular Viper series, Swarovski X5
the EVX range offers same specifications How about this: A first foray
in four models, but with improved light into the long-range and
transfer and optical clarity. target market from Swarovski. £110
MTC Optics ■ 08448 009929 Spanning target and hunting
www.mtcoptics.co.uk markets, it’s sure to do well. Wildhunter Lycan 2.5-
Price: TBC Swarovski 01737 856812 10x56E
www.swarovskioptik.com A large 56mm objective lens giving a good
Price: From £2,410 light intake makes this scope ideal for dawn
till dusk hunting and lamping, and the low
price is attractive to frugal buyers.
Wildhunter ■ 02081 234226
www.wildhunter.eu
Price: £110
FROM
£190 PRICE FROM
Aim Sports XPF £1,595
£42.99
An impressively affordable new scope,
the XPF 3-12x50 first focal plane scope Schmidt & Bender Polar T96
is milled from one solid piece of aircraft- Now finally available, the Polar T96 from Hawke Vantage
grade aluminium and allows for accurate Schmidt & Bender is billed as the first scope This brand new entry-level range of scopes
longer-range shots despite its super-low to offer over 96 per cent light transmission. focuses on performance and functionality,
price tag. It comes with a 34mm anodised aluminium with over 30 different options available. All
Viking Arms ■ 01423 780810 body and Posicon turrets. feature 11-layer fully multicoated lenses.
www.vikingarms.com Schmidt & Bender ■ www.schmidt-bender.com Hawke ■ www.hawkeoptics.co.uk
Price: £190 Price: From £1595.80 plus VAT Price: From £42.99-£229.99
SPORTING RIFLE 109

Where to: Shoot
Where to fenlAnd fieldsports Contact: Bob Connelly ■ 01250 881257
SHO T
Introduction to deer stalking, pre-DSC2 prep stalks, www.ashintully.com
introduction to pigeon decoying plus many more
sporting experiences. Assynt Crofters trust
guide
Contact: karl ■ 07960 256640 sport & GAme
www.fenlandfieldsports.co.uk Red deer stalking amid spectacular scenery. Come
to Assynt for excellent food and accommodation
hoCkhAm deer and enjoy a brilliant day on the hill.
mAnAGement Contact: Jeanette mcCarthy ■ 01571
Deer stalking for red, roe & muntjac. Novices 855298 ■ admin@assyntcrofters.co.uk
ENGLAND welcome. Estate rifle available. Also DSC2 www.assyntcrofters.co.uk
preparations and witnessed stalks.
ABs stAlkinG Contact: kerrie Jackson ■ 07894 833165 CorBieton
Excellent Hampshire roe stalking, some fallow and kerrie@hockhamdmg.co.uk Roe in Kirkcudbrightshire.
muntjac. A few medal-class beasts in cull plan. Alan www.hockhamdmg.co.uk Contact: 01556 660506 ■ www.corbieton.co.uk
Shannahan (UKAPDM). DSC2 approved witness.
Contact: 01276 850446 mArk Boulton Country serviCes
shannahan@hotmail.co.uk Driven boar hunting throughout Europe and Roe and red deer stalking available in Moray. DSC2
night shooting in Sussex. Groups or individuals. approved witnesses available within the outing
Various packages offered from day trips to France fee. Try Stalking – introduction to deer stalking
to six-day all-inclusive trips to Hungary. packages/vouchers – available starting from £99.
Contact: mark Boulton ■ 07854 985006 Contact: John Allan ■ 01807 500282
markthedeerstalker@hotmail.co.uk 07833 535060 ■ j.allan121@btinternet.com
www.stalkingschool.co.uk
prostAlk
Prostalk UK undertakes all aspects of deer CrAkAiG And West GArty
management. We provide expert advice on subjects Red stag and hind stalking in Sutherland. Situated
such as damage assessment, limitation and between Brora and Helmsdale Rivers. Sea front
prevention. Deer censuses are carried out annually cottage accommodation on site. Estate rifles
and management plans set accordingly. Research available. Argocat and pony extraction.
work is also undertaken. Prostalk is committed to Contact: robbie milne ■ 01261 838112 or
the humane and effective management of deer, 07880 702460 ■ robertmilne1@btinternet.com
ACorn deer mAnAGement with emphasis on safety at all times. Management www.highlandhunting.co.uk
One-on-one guided stalking for Chinese water deer, is carried out in full accordance with the wishes of
fallow, and roe deer, cull or trophy animals available. landowners to achieve the desired results, while
Everyone welcome, from novices to inexperienced complying with legal requirements.
stalkers to experienced stalkers, we can also act as Contact: derek ■ 01458 851519 ■ 07771 802642 or
approved witnesses for DSC2 candidates. Bob ■ 01769 560515 ■ 07973 189447
We have still available openings to stalk silver, www.prostalk.co.uk
gold and platinum CWD in Bedfordshire, for this
season ending March 2016, and for 2017. stAlkinG in dorset
Contact: 07944 959380 ■ www.acorndeer.com Sika and roe in the beautiful Dorset countryside. Very
friendly B&B. Novices welcome. Estate rifle available.
Contact: trevor ■ 01258 817499
kris ■ 07936 595756 Creeside stAlkinG
Quality red, roe and fallow deer stalking, in
yorkshire deer stAlkinG woodland and open hill in south-west Scotland.
Roe deer stalking in north-east Yorks. AW status. We cater for the complete beginner with rifle
Good stalking and high seat opportunities. All training, butchery courses and stalking, estate rifle
stalking is accompanied. One outing or several. available, to the more experienced person with
Novices welcome. Sport to suit all tastes. accompanied outings with a professional stalker.
Contact: John robson We provide assessments and training for DSC level
www.yorkshiredeerstalking.com 1 and 2. Syndicate places sometimes available on
separate ground. Comfortable accommodation.
SCOTLAND Contact: Jim mc erlean ■ 07774 860484
jim@creesidecot.freeserve.co.uk
hiGhlAnd forest sportinG
Good quality sika stalking in the Scottish peter sWAles
Childerley sportinG Highlands. Hind outings from £51 per rifle. internAtionAl
Chinese water deer and muntjac specialist. Also Contact: 07876 556504 Many years’ experience providing red, roe and sika
fallow, sika and quality roe. Trophy and cull hunts hfsporting@outlook.com stalking in scenic areas of Scotland. Quality driven
for individuals or groups. Estate rifles available. www.highlandforestsporting.co.uk bird shooting, rough shooting and wildfowling.Your
One-to-one guided stalking or from high seats. one-stop for great sport, fantastic accommodation,
Novices welcome. Ashintully CAstle estAte transfers, guides and other services.
Contact: paul Childerley Roe stalking in the Perthshire hills. Single days or full Contact: 07771 695494 ■ peterhswales@gmail.
07715 638934 ■ paul@childerleysporting.co.uk weeks available on hill or low ground. Resident stalker com ■ girlboots@btinternet.com
www.childerleysporting.co.uk and estate rifle with cottage accommodation on site. www.kiltarlity.com
110-111 Where to shoot_Rev1.indd 110 17/03/2016 16:58

Where to: Shoot
Superior accommodation,well stocked, 25,000

acres, incredible landscape, malaria-free, 20 species
including sable all at highly competitive prices.
Contact: h.gaskin@folkesholdings.com
www.glensafaris.com
Mankazana Safaris
Hunt the spectacular Mankazana Valley with
more than 30 species of free-roaming game.
Hunting is conducted strictly on foot in one of
the most scenic areas of South Africa. Vegetation
varies from indigenous forest to open grass
plains and riverine thicket. Offers top quality
staff and facilities.
South Ayrshire Stalking Contact: bussiahn@telkomsa.net
Primarily roe with some good woodland and 07425 806017 ■ beukes9@aol.com
hill red. Stay in comfortable accommodation www.mankazana.co.za
in South Ayrshire, all facilities, beginners’
courses, butchery and rifle training along with Mugaba Safaris
accompanied stalking and training to DSC1 Specialist big game and plains game safari
and 2. Syndicate ground sometimes available. outfitter offering bow and rifle hunting safaris
Approved witness among others. South Africa’s number one Childerley
Contact: Chris Dalton ■ 07710 871190 Cape buffalo and lion hunting outfitter operating Sporting Europe
chris@ayrstalk.co.uk ■ www.ayrstalk.co.uk in the Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo andM Bespoke hunting in Europe in some excellent
pumalanga provinces. hunting areas in Croatia, France, Germany,
Reraig Forest Contact: Patrick de Beer Romania and Spain. We can organise all-inclusive
Trophy stags in Wester Ross, come and stalk a info@mugabasafaris.com trips for red, fallow, roe deer and specialise in
stag worthy of your wall. www.mugabasafaris.com mouflon, chamois and driven wild boar hunts.
Contact: Colin Murdoch Contact: Paul Childerley ■ 07715 638934
01520722876 ■ reraigforest@yahoo.co.uk Peter Swales paul@childerleysporting.co.uk
International www.childerleysporting.co.uk
IRELAND Many years’ experience providing unforgettable
safaris throughout Africa. European Hunting
Irish Deer Services Contact: 07771 695494 Invites you to hunt various species of big game
Quality sika stalking in County Wicklow. We also peterhswales@gmail.com and birds across Europe. Specialising in wild
have occasional syndicate opportunities. www.kiltarlity.com boar, both driven and static hunts. These are
Contact: 00 353 8310 16021 great value annual trips offering ‘all-in’ with no
www.irishdeerservices.com Prostalk trophy fees. We cover Croatia, Bosnia, Bulgaria
The Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely and Scandinavia. We can also offer bespoke
Munster Wild Deer populated province of South Africa. Larger than hunts for boar, wolf, mouflon, moose and other
Services Ireland Germany, it is renowned for its wide open spaces, game species.
Deer stalking: red deer and fallow deer. Hunting colourful wild flowers and black maned lions. Contact: Sue ■ 01377 255868
consists of stalking and waiting in hides. Situated in the tranquil Northern Cape bushveld, robsonsusan96@yahoo.co.uk
Rough shooting: wild pheasant, wild duck, snipe, near Kimberley, Prostalk is a family-run outfitter with
woodcock, wood pigeon, rabbit and hare. over 20 years’ experience. The unique property is Prostalk
Contact: Michael ■ 00353 87 3949323 set on privately owned land steeped in battle history Prostalk have managed to secure wild boar
from the Anglo-Boer war. With 16,000ha of pristing shooting in Germany near the cities of Berlin and
bushveld and 10,000ha of dedicated hunting land, Frankfurt. Berlin is approximately eight hours’
AFRICA this lodge offers a more than thrilling hunting safari. drive from Calais, Frankfurt five hours.
Contact: Derek ■ 01458 851519 The party will be 25-30. For those who
Andrew Denson 07771 802642 or Bob ■ 01769 560515 wish to fly, there are regular flights to Berlin
Taxidermy and safari and hunting agents. 07973 189447 ■ www.prostalk.co.uk and Frankfurt from Bristol airport and others.
Special offer packages for 2016 – visit the Contact: Derek 01458 851519 ■ 07771 802642
website for further details. EUROPE or Bob 01769 560515 ■ 07973 189447
Contact: 01282 778459 ■ 07766 663758 www.prostalk.co.uk
www.andydenson.co.uk A1 Decoy
Driven Wild Boar in Serbia, Bulgaria and Croatia. Wonderhart Hunting
C&S Farrell Monteria in Spain boar/deer and Namibian Safaris. We organise tailor-made, all-inclusive hunting
Colin and Sarah Farrell. Please contact by email Contact: Mark Curtis ■ 07860 657990 trips to Hungary and Transylvania. Individual
for any enquiries. colin@deer-stalking.co.uk www.a1decoy.co.uk and group tours. Big game hunts (wild boar,
Contact: 01340 820397 ■ 07770 903043 roe, red, fallow deer, mouflon, brown bear, wolf,
www.worldwide-hunt.com Artemis Hunting lynx, chamois etc.) and small game shooting
Boar, bear and deer in Croatia on any of 20 estates. (pheasant, duck, goose, hare etc.) No hidden
Glen Safaris Prices for four nights and three days (eight to 20 costs; traditional and unique.
Game reserve in Eastern Cape offering exciting guns) shooting driven boar range from £900-£1,200. Contact: Tom Takacs ■ 07598 121574
and challenging hunting packages. Representative Contact: Tomo Svetic ■ 07795 084055 info@wonderhart.co.uk
and management hunts. www.artemis-hunting.com www.wonderhart.co.uk
SPORTING RIFLE 111
110-111 Where to shoot_Rev1.indd 111 17/03/2016 17:24

ADVERTISE HERE
CALL TONI
01926
339808
112.indd 112 17/03/2016 18:31

Shooting: Courses
Stalking in the Scottish Borders

with Liddlesdale Stalking
Shooting If you’d like your course listed here for

free, email colinf@blazepublishing.co.uk –
courses
Acorn Deer Management
Stalker training and firearms
safety, guided training outings for
DSC courses with Tony Marsh in
Somerset.
Contact: 01934 824382 or
and send a photo!
Game Conservancy predation
control days. £400 in total
per day. Covering legislation,
North Highland College
Gamekeeping + DSC1 and 2 for
college students.
LANTRA-recognised stalker
training programme consisting
of five grades, each carrying its
Survival School
Learn bushcraft and how to track
animals in Devon, Staffordshire,
anyone wishing to experience a 07801 736139 methods, corvid control, fox Contact: Richard MacNicol own particular restrictions and Wales, South West Scotland and
deer stalk, through to candidates Catton Rifle Sport snaring, mink raft and tunnel 01847 889000 privileges in the club. E = entrant,
North West Scotland.
wishing to complete their DSC 2 Full day’s zero and practice trapping. Minimum of 10 people. www.northhighland.ac.uk D = novice stalker, C = trainee
Contact: www.gct.org.uk Contact: 0871 2227304
certificate. Training courses from facility available all year at two Northern School stalker, B = qualified stalker and
£80 per 3-4 hour outing, with the locations around the sporting Greenlee Deer Part of the University of Central A = instructor. www.survivalschool.co.uk
possibility to take a cull animal. estate of Catton Park, South Courses in Northumberland Lancashire, it offers courses in Contact: www.sthubertclub. UK Deer Services Ltd
Approved witnesses to the DSC Derbyshire. Ranges fom 450 for DSC levels 1 and 2 with gamekeeping and wildlife. apt-sites.com Monthly DSC1 courses and DSC2
2 certificate. yards down to 50, practise accredited trainer Jon Snowdon. Contact: 01772 892400 SCAET preparation courses. LANTRA
Contact: 07944 959380 or on metal reactive targets and Novices welcome. www.gamekeeping.org.uk The Scottish Countryside meat hygiene courses, DMQ-
www.acorndeer.com paper animal images. High seat Contact: 01434 344067 or Olde English Pest Control Alliance Educational Trust is a accredited witnessing.
Ashgrove Wildlife Services practice, range and woodland 07889 843522 Based in Kent. Learn the whole charity established in 2003 which Contact: 01963 210060
Stalking courses. walk shoots. www.greenleedeer.co.uk countryside experience from supports education and training
Hampshire Deer Centre www.dmqtraining.co.uk
Contact: 01255 670094 Contact: Carl 07809 721869 longnetting to eel catching, mole for rural employment.
www.ashgrovewildlife.com www.cattonriflesport.co.uk Deer stalking course in catching to hawking. Learn to Contact: Nicola Chalmers- WMS Firearms Training
Bangs, Bucks & Bullseyes Compton Estates Hampshire and the New Forest. grow and forage for your food. Watson 0131 335 0200 Renowned rifle shooting training
Improve first-shot accuracy, DSC Level 1 courses over DSC1 and DSC2 training and Contact: 01233 640681 www.scaet.org.uk and instruction by Andrew
long-range accuracy and four days at Castle Ashby, witnessed stalking along with 07790 532420 SCSTG Venables on a range of shooting
multi-positional shooting Northamptonshire. a large range of complimentary Orion Firearms Training Excellence in Country Sports areas in mid-Wales. Bespoke
with Keith Poyser. One-to-one Contact: Les Galley courses and workshops. Orion is at the cutting edge of Customer Care courses from the one-to-one and small group
and group tuition with a fun, 07970 054723 Contact: www. rifle training in the UK. Whatever Scottish Country Sports Tourism training for stalkers and hunting
relaxed, medal-winning and lesgalley@btinternet.com hampshiredeercentre.com your preferred discipline – Group. preparation our speciality.
published instructor. 100-1,200 D&G Consultants Hartpury College professionals, stalkers, target Contact: www.
Agriculture and conservation Contact: Andrew Venables
yards, with wind, bullet drop DSC1 courses in Hampshire. shooters or new to shooting – our countrysportsscotland.com
and position coaching. Come Contact: 023 9246 7236 BSc hons/foundation degree, unique rifle range facility based SGS – Sawmill Game Sport 01974 831869
away with a tailored distance www.deerland.co.uk countryside management in Wales is the place to come. Next course for level one: Oct 09. wmsfirearmstraining.org
table for your rifle and round. Delta Deer Services foundation degree and game & Contact: 01686 412113 www. Courses for MVQ 1. Preparation Woodmill Shootings
Accompanied stalking also Deer work training for dogs fishery management National orionfirearmstraining.co.uk courses and training for MVQ Four and five-day beginners’
available. with Daniel Sumpter in Diploma in Gloucestershire. PJP Wildlife 2. Novices welcome. Assessor- courses. Two accompanied
Contact: www.bangsbucks- Northamptonshire. Contact: 01452 700283 For all your wildlife training accredited witnesses. Including stalks. Located near Lindores,
bullseyes.co.uk Contact: 01536 761978 www.hartpury.ac.uk needs. BASC-Approved accommodation. Can make up Fife.
BASC www.deltadeerservices.co.uk Jelen Deer Services: Eastern Trainer, DMQ Assessor and packages.
Region Contact: Steven Wade
BASC offer a wide range of rifle, Deermanagement.co.uk Verifier. Courses: DSC Level Contact: www.
DSC1, DSC2 courses, LANTRA- 01337 810428
shotgun and airgun courses A variety of courses throughout 1; Intermediate Deer Stalking sawmillgamesport.com
alongside DSC1 and DSC2 the country. approved courses in humane Courses; Carcass Preparation; South Ayrshire Stalking woodmillshootings.com
nationwide. For information Contact: www. animal dispatch, advanced DSC Level 2 Accredited Witness; Caters for the complete novice Wulfrun Select
please see our website www. deermanagement.co.uk deer management, urban Dogs For Deer Courses; Practical and can train and All types of training.
basc.org.uk or telephone 01244 Deer & Wildlife Management deer control, live capture and Firearms Courses; Vertebrate assess for the DSC Levels1 and 2. Contact: 01902 781703 or
573018.Borders College Services immobilisation. Also pre-DSC2 Pest Control leading to NPTC Accommodation provided. 07720 207277
Located in the Scottish Borders, Help and advice given in training and park culling qualification. Contact: Chris Dalton wulfrun_select@hotmail.com
it offers National and Higher creating new wildlife habitats courses. Contact: 07989 423147 07710 871190 Wykeham Deer Services
National certificate courses in and pest control – fur and feather. Contact: Adam Godley info@pjpwildlife.co.uk www.ayrstalk.co.uk. DSC1 and DSC2 courses,
game and wildlife management Contact: Howard Heywood 01264 81155 www.pjpwildlife.co.uk Sparsholt College
Firearms training/awareness
as well as the vocational option 07849 643961 adam.godley@jelendeer.com Prostalk Based in Hampshire, a
SVQ/NVQ 1,2,3 (part time). Delta Deer Services Take DMQ DSC1 courses range of game and wildlife courses (preparation for
Kingsplot
Courses are constructed around Offering introductory weekend in Somerset, DMQ DSC2 management courses including DSC1), carcass handling courses
Rabbit control training. Based in
a work placement on sporting courses for novices. Somerset. preparation courses also in game meat hygiene courses (preparation for DSC2). BASC
estates throughout the year. Contact: 07850 380923 Contact: 01458 241201 Somerset, wild game meat approved by LANTRA, National approved instructors/trainers,
Contact: 08700 505152 info@dkspestcontrol.co.uk www.kingsplot.co.uk regulation courses, assessor and Apprenticeship Scheme in DSC2 accredited witnesses.
www.borderscollege.ac.uk Donington Deer Management LANTRA accredited witnesses for DSC1 gamekeeping, BSc honours DSC1 weekend courses Friday
British Deer Society Castle Donington, Derbyshire/ A charity rather than a and 2. Basic firearms safety degree, foundation degree, BTEC pm to Sunday pm.
DSC1, DSC1 online learning Leicestershire. DSC1 and DSC2, government agency, it provides courses are also available. national diploma, national award
Contact: 01723 871417
course, DSC2, BDS deer BASC-approved trainer. the framework for others to carry Contact: 01458 851519 or and first diploma.
Contact: David Stretton Contact: 01962 776441 www.wdeerservices.co.uk
management course, BDS deer out courses, including NVQs 07771 802642
awareness events/courses, 01332 810757 ukdeermanagement@ www.sparsholt.ac.uk Yorkshire Dee Management
and SVQs in game and wildlife
ammunition reloading courses, Eskdale Wood and Wildlife management, the game and hotmail.com SRUC DSC1 courses run Friday evening
range conducting officer courses. Management wildlife management Modern Riflecraft Scotland’s Rural College, to Sunday afternoon.
Contact: 01425 655434 Based in Fingland, Eskdalemuir Apprenticeship framework and Rifle shooting, deerstalking and formed by the merger of Barony, DSC2 accredited witness
www.bds.org.uk and in association with the North others. safari courses. Based in Eye, Elmwood and Oatridge Colleges. Sporting rifle techniques
British Deer .co.uk Highland College, Thurso. DSC1, Contact: www.lantra.co.uk/ Suffolk. Courses in ATV operation, Introduction to deer stalking day
DSC1 online training, practice DSC2 and specialist conservation game Contact: Robert Stone. Argocat operation, DSC1, DSC2, Emergency first aid for stalkers
question sets and deer species courses. Liddlesdale Stalking 01379 853745 first aid, pesticide application,
Contact: Jamie Allen
recognition. Contact: 01387 373216 Stalking in the Scottish Borders. www.riflecraft.co.uk game meat hygiene, vermin
Contact: www.britishdeer. www.eskdalewildlife.com Rodbaston College control and more. 07896200730
DSC1, DSC2 witnessing, pre-DSC
co.uk Fenland Fieldsports First Diploma in Countryside Contact: 01387 860251 or www.yorkshiredeermanagement.
and introduction to stalking.
British Pest Control Training Introduction to deer stalking Contact: Jonathan Management, National 01334 658800 co.uk
Rabbits, moles, squirrels, rats and £200; pre-DSC 2 prep stalks £110; 07908303622 Certificate in Countryside www.sruc.ac.uk Yorkshire School of Reloading
even cockroaches. introduction to pigeon decoying liddlesdalestalking@hotmail. Management and National Stalking in England (Norfolk) Complete basic metallic
Contact: 0870 609 2687 £100; plus many more sporting com Diploma in Countryside witnessing, pre-DSC1 and cartridge reloading courses
www.bpca.org.uk experiences. www.liddlesdalestalking. Management in Staffordshire. introduction to stalking course. for beginners, or our advanced
Burrage & Associates Contact: Karl co.uk Contact: 01785 712209 DSC2 prep and first aid for course for the experienced
Based in Norfolk, offering training 07960 256640 www. Mid Wales Rifle Club www.rodbaston.com stalkers.
reloader. Also we can offer tailor-
in deer management. Courses fenlandfieldsports.co.uk Rifle accuracy course, St Harman. Roebuck Deer Management Contact: Mark 07788 961838
available: Deer Management Fordbank Country House Services www.stalkinginengland.co.uk made ammunition for your rifle.
Contact: Mike or Shirley
Qualification DSC1 and 2; Hotel Atkins 01597 870388 Jan Andrews’ DSC1 & DSC2 Stalking School One-day course.
LANTRA-approved wild game Level 1 & 2 DMQ training Minsterley Ranges preparation courses, LANTRA Based in Morayshire, Scotland. Contact: Frank Reynolds
meat hygiene level 2; meat packages in Galloway, including DSC1 courses at Minsterley, meat hygiene course, DMQ2 DSC level 1, intro to deer stalking 01422 327645
inspection/carcase handling/ accommodation. Shropshire. accredited witnessing (three £99; DSC level 1 and level 2 Prep yorkshireschoolofreloading@
butchery; rifle tuition; DMQ- Contact: Stuart Contact: 01743 791858 AWs). Dorset and Hampshire. £599; one-day level 2 gralloch gmail.com
accredited witness. Courses 01988 402346 www.minsterleyranges.com Contact: 01258 840003 and lardering £190; sporting rifle Firearms Training UK
run on either an individual or www.fordbankhotel.co.uk National Gamekeepers’ rdms@jan-andrews.com techniques and ballistics £75; Delivering the full suite of Lantra-
group basis. Accommodation is Galloway Country Sports Organisation Sparsholt College butchery and venison craft £150.
accredited firearms and shotgun
available. DMQ level 1 courses in South- Gamekeeping and meat hygiene Game, wildlife and countryside Contact: 07833 535060 or
Contact: Mark Burrage West Scotland. courses. management courses. 01807 500282 training courses.
01508 483814 Contact: Jim Stewart Contact: 01388 665899 Contact: 01962 797563 j.allan121@btinternet.com Contact: Ian Millward
www.wilddeer.co.uk 01988 402390 www.nationalgamekeepers. www.sparsholt.ac.uk www.stalkingschool.co.uk/ 07831 644838
Castle Deer Game Conservancy org.uk St Hubert Club stalking3.html firearmstraininguk.co.uk
SPORTING RIFLE 113
113 Courses_Rev2.indd 113 21/01/2016 15:38

Calendar: Where & when
Almanac
April
1-4 April
DSC 1 Course
Greenfields, Sherborne, Dorset
www.basc.org.uk
W
2 April
ith spring well under way the
Pre-DSC 1 Course
countryside will once again be
Humberside Shooting Ground, Yorkshire
coming to life. Stalking aficionados
www.basc.org.uk
will be out in force – May is truly the month of the
7 April
BASC Rifle Club Range Day roebuck. Most bucks south of the border should
Bisley, Surrey be out of velvet by now and from what I have will increase a little. In my own area their
BASC members and FAC holders only seen in they are in excellent condition. There numbers are at an all time low and this
Contact: BASC South East Office have only been a very few frosts hereabouts and has meant that I have been far more to do
01306 631378 as a result food has been plentiful and wildlife controlling foxes than usual.
www.basc.org.uk has thrived over the winter period. Talking of foxes, May will see some of the
14 April As always, vermin are at the top of many early born cubs showing above ground for the
Talking Stalking Evening
shooters’ lists. In particular the corvid tribes first time. This will get the adults taking chances,
Cirencester
need sorting out. Over the past decade picking up easy prey to feed the growing
Contact: BASC South West
there has been a considerable increase of youngsters. I have little doubt that this already
07500 609162
these birds, with crows, rooks and magpies hectic fox control year will only get busier.
southwest@basc.org.uk
www.basc.org.uk showing up in ever increasing numbers. There have been some country shows,
16-17 April Rooks, although they do a lot of good with the South West Game Fair already
BASC Gamekeepers Fair removing such pests as leatherjackets, also almost two months behind us. It looks like
Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire predate on ground nesting birds. This month this will be a very interesting show season,
01283 810910 is the time when, for a very short time, the the UK Game Fair at Stoneleigh on the 22-24
www.bascgamekeepersfair.co.uk young “branchers” present an opportunity to of July being at the forefront.
23 April get the numbers down. May is one of the best months of the year
Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading Course
Young rabbits have been around since the to be out in our countryside; make the most of
Lisburn, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland
start of the year and hopefully their numbers it! Mike Powell
BASC members £80, non-members £125
www.basc.org.uk
Sun and moon rising and setting times in BST – May 2016
2 May 9 May 16 May 23 May 25 May
May Sunrise 05.32 05.18 05.07 04.58 04.50
5-8 May
Sunset 20.24 20.37 20.48 20.58 21.08
DSC 1 Course
Moon rise 03.32 07.47 09.47 22.14 02.05
John Bradshaw’s Gun Shop,
Moon set 14.44 23.39 00.32 06.27 13.43
Cambridgeshire
www.basc.org.uk
7-8 May Moon Phases – April 2016
The Northern Shooting Show New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter
Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate 6 May 13 May 21 May 29 May
www.basc.org.uk
19 May
Deer dates
Pre DSC 1
Marford Mill, Wrexham, North Wales England/Wales Northern Ireland Scotland Ireland
www.basc.org.uk Red stags 1 Aug – 30 Apr 1 Aug – 30 Apr 1 Jul – 20 Oct 1 Sep – 31 Dec
20-23 May Red hinds 1 Nov – 31 Mar 1 Nov – 31 Mar 21 Oct – 15 Feb 1 Nov – 28 Feb
DSC 1 Course Antlerless red N/A N/A N/A 1 Nov – 28 Feb
Thirlmere Recreation Hall, Cumbria Fallow bucks 1 Aug – 30 Apr 1 Aug – 30 Apr 1 Aug – 30 Apr 1 Sep – 31 Dec
www.basc.org.uk Fallow does 1 Nov – 31 Mar 1 Nov – 31 Mar 21 Oct – 15 Feb 1 Nov – 28 Feb
22 May Sika stags 1 Aug – 30 Apr 1 Aug – 30 Apr 1 Jul – 20 Oct 1 Sep – 31 Dec
Essex Young Farmers’ Country Show Sika hinds 1 Nov – 31 Mar 1 Nov – 31 Mar 21 Oct – 15 Feb 1 Nov – 28 Feb
Boyton Hall, Roxwell Roebuck 1 Apr – 31 Oct N/A 1 Apr – 20 Oct N/A
www.basc.org.uk Roe does 1 Nov – 31 Mar N/A 21 Oct – 31 Mar N/A
27-30 May Chinese water deer 1 Nov – 31 Mar N/A N/A N/A
DSC 1 Course Muntjac All year round N/A All year round N/A
Alice Holt, Farnham, Surrey Soay sheep All year round All year round All year round All year round
www.basc.org.uk Wild goats All year round All year round All year round All year round
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Free: Reader ads
Got an item to sell? Send in the

Free
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form below or email us and we will
include it in the next issue for free –
don’t forget to include a photo!
RIMFIRe FAC holders only. 150. £100 ono, pick up only. born 26 November 2015. Good Nightforce 5.5-22x56
Weihrauch 60J .22 rimfire, Steve 07702 085919 Assorted fishing gear, fly reels, working pedigree, docked and telescopic sight, as new, boxed.
13in barrel, walnut stock. Bushnell gonzo1506@yahoo. hard gun cases and other stuff. dew clawed, fully vaccinated. Only used sparingly, reticle
Elite 6500 2.5-16x42 side parallax. co.uk (Lancashire) Email for details. Mother can be seen. Work or NP2 illuminated. Also sunshade
Moderator. Tactical bag. Shot Philip Yendle 07754 790479 pets. Dogs £325 bitches £350. included. £900 ono.
approx. 200 rounds, mint. £800 ono. Steyr Prohunter stainless yappa.gundogs@hotmail. 01909 477356 Contact: David John Bloor
Peter Thresh 07748 068678 MK2 black stocked version. co.uk (Gwent) 07989 056593 01782 819541 (Staffordshire)
carolthresh@tiscali.co.uk 6.5x55 less than 400 rounds.
(West Yorkshire) Stalking rifle. Factory threaded Twelve editions of the Double Kahles 2.5-6x42 scope. 30mm
½, S&B 8x56 Hungarian scope, Gun Journal 1989-2010. These tube. £295 ono.
CZ 452-2E ZKM .22LR varmint T8 moderator available at extra are a must for anyone interested Contact: Brian Hall 01283
rifle with 5AK mod. 3-9x50 IR cost. Comes with 40 rounds in shotguns and rifles, fantastic
711535 (Staffordshire)
scope, 22in barrel, five-shot mag. factory 140gn Winchester Super in-depth articles with amazing
Fantastic buy, hard to part with. X. £850. photos. £120 plus postage.
Yukon Photon riflescope, no
Email for pics. £350. Ian 07856 239737 (Oxon) Philip Smith 01778 442246
prs_02@hotmail.com 70019373. Unwanted gift. Never
Stephen Hayes 07535 543372 used. £300 inc postage.
stephenhayes@hotmail.co.uk Remington 700 Police .223, (Lincolnshire)
new Walther stainless barrel Contact: Anthony Casswell
(West Yorkshire) 01988 500380 tonycasswell@
26in, 1 in 9 twist. ½ MOA or less. 80 once-fired .243 cases (mostly
Demonstration available. £900. Remington). £15 plus postage. Two beautiful Bavarian hotmail.co.uk (Dumfries &
CENTREFIRE
Simon Wyatt 01280 Paul Litten 07850 510732 Mountain Hound pups, 12 Galloway)
821675 07774 523975 aristida.litten@sky.com weeks old, from our proven sire
(Buckinghamshire) (Suffolk) Baxter (Gloucester Oak), sire Shotguns
of tracking champion Ballysloe Browning 425 Grade 5
Sauer 202 .25-06, fluted barrel, Two limited edition prints Oisin. Out of Ballysloe Holly, Prestige 20G 30 inch barrels.
Realtree stock, Apel one-piece base, from Malcolm Innes’ gallery. she is by Maurice of Meir of £1,950. Swarovski Z6i 2.5x15-56.
SL5 mod and reloading dies, bullets English partridge signed JC Ballysloe and our proven Dam £1,300.
Steyr Mannlicher .243 Pro
etc. £1,550. Harrison, £125. Rowing to the Ruby (Demecia Gotiles). IKC Contact: Tony Laughton
Hunter Synthetic, 2.510x50 scope,
Roy Hughes 07547 941277 Moor by John Isaac Richardson, registered with pedigree, fully 07702 843520 tonylaughton@
moderator and Harris bipods. This
(Wales) £125. Or £200 the two – both vaccinated and micro-chipped hotmail.co.uk
rifle comes with case and is in mint
framed. with great temperament and
condition, having only fired seven
Pedersoli Sharps cavalry Brian 01283 711535 well socialised. Caesar Guerini Essex 20-
rounds from new. Cost £2,200 new;
carbine. .45-70 cal. Fine condition. (Staffordshire) James 00353 5688 34404 bore, 28in barrels. Never
asking price £1,595 ovno. (Ireland)
Dies and cases. £550. Lyman Great fired. Four rosewood rods and
Peter 07748 250809 (Dorset)
Plains flintlock, very good condition. 2 Yukon Photon NV scopes one fittings, two chrome snap caps,
.50 cal. £250. six months old one nine months OPTICS two leather Brady cartridge
Brno .375 H&H rifle with Weaver P Beasley 07980 324479 old. £300 each. Have upgraded – Starlight Longbow day and
scope. Excellent condition. Has belts. £1,800.
p.beasley@virgin.net both as new. night scope with Firefly Contact: Mr F Gill 01642
taken buffalo, eland etc in Africa. (Nottinghamshire) Edward Wood 01531 821090 illuminator. In good condition.
£300. 315177 (Cleveland)
(Gloucestershire) New tube fitted by Starlight in 2014.
JFW Thompson 01946 MISC £2,500.
728491 jfwt43@tiscali.co.uk NIGHT VISION
140 rounds of Federal premium Daystate walnut stock for Mk4. Tony Price 07769 320058
(Cumbria) Pulsar LRF N870 Digisight
300-grain Bear Claw. £250 Immaculate, never used. £170 tawnyhilltony@gmail.com
including dovetail and Weaver
JFW Thompson 01946 inc P&P. (Kent)
mounts. As new with 30 months
728491 jfwt43@tiscali.co.uk J Birks 01782 316943 (Staffs)
(Cumbria) Swarovski Z6 5-30x50 reticle 4A warranty. £1,300.
DOGS riflescope, gen1, in mint condition, Contact: Gavin Davis 01395
RCBS reloading press, dies, Bavarian hound stud dog never fitted to rifle. Box included. 273720 (Devon)
weighing balance, powder etc. £100 required, colour not an issue. £1,090 plus registered postage.
JFW Thompson 01946 728491 Should be a direct European Peter Eaton 01259 840063 Archer day-night vision
Remington 700 .22-250 with jfwt43@tiscali.co.uk import or at least a first or 07745 543088 (Dorset) monocular, B grade, brand new.
Burris Eliminator scope. Only selling (Cumbria) second generation dog from MTC Viper scope matched to the
because I’m getting a .243 for deer European parents/grandparents. Optix ONS6 Firefly, Gen 3+. Archer, all fittings ready to go as
stalking. Zeroed to 100 yards within Larry 00353 876837569 (Ireland) Brand new, genuine sale. £4,000. new. £1,850.
an inch grouping, will deliver free For sale: 10-bore cartridges, Contact: Neil Smetson 07811 Contact: Peter 07884 460066
of charge within 80 miles of Wigan. mixed. Makes approx. 100- English springer spaniel pups 836954 (Essex) (Hertfordshire)
FIREARMS (AMENDMENT) ACT 1997 – MAIL ORDER

Advertisers and readers are reminded that, with effect from 1 October 1997, a ban was placed on the mail order transaction of certain categories of firearms and related materials. Firearms requiring certification under Section 1 and 2,
pressure bearing components thereof, ammunition and projectiles classed as “designed to expand” may only be transferred, purchased or sold on a “face-to-face” basis. An intermediary such as a Registered Firearms Dealer may, by
arrangement, be employed to complete the transaction on behalf of either party. Please refer to the Firearms Department of your local police headquarters if doubts exist as to the eligibility of any particular item or proposed method of
transaction. Items exempted from Section 5 under categories 7/1
Do you have something you want to sell? Fill out the form below and send it
to Reader Ads, Sporting Rifle, Lawrence House, Morrell Street, Leamington Spa, Item description (Max 50 words)
Warks CV32 5SZ or email it to: colinf@blazepublishing.co.uk
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Postcode/ZIP code Country Item price
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118 Reader ads_Rev2.indd 118 17/03/2016 17:06

Classifieds
Game Larders Gun Shops
Deer Stalking
Training
Hunting Abroad Accessories
SPORTING RIFLE 119
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Index: Coming soon
INDEX Coming soon in

Arctic Outdoor Clothing.................................119
BASC ..................................................................33
Blaser Sporting.....................................................7
The British Deer Society...................................27
Sporting Rifle
Browning............................................................11
Nightforce..........................................................24
Casstrom............................................................33
MTC Optics........................................................20
Deer Stalking Fair ...........................................115
Deerhunter ......................................................123
DPT Euro Ltd ....................................................24
DV Sporting .......................................................52
Edgar Brothers ................................................124
Eley Hawk .......................................................112
GMK ....................................................... 19, 37, 65
GDK Trading ......................................................59
Hannams Reloading..........................................52
Harold K. Gordon...............................................92
Highland Outdoors.............................. 13, 73, 120
HydroGraphics ..................................................48
Leica...................................................................69
T
Jackson Rifles....................................... 28, 48, 119 he months roll on and we rapidly ground with the aid of the Flextone Game
approach summer. It’s the June issue Caller. Meanwhile, Mark Ripley is on a
JMS Arms ..........................................................27
of Sporting Rifle, and we’re already mercy mission, heading out repeatedly to deal
Napier.................................................................79
thinking about those summer bucks. with a fox infested by mange – and expect
Tac-Light............................................................40
Top stalker Chris Dalton contributes more wisdom from the undisputed king of
Night Vision Gear..............................................66
his regular stalking article, considering how foxing, Robert Bucknell, too.
Nitesite Ltd........................................................28
June fits into the stalker’s calendar and On the sport abroad front, we’ll head
Ogdens Shooting Supplies................................92 relating the tale of a hunt with a guest from to South Africa with David Lucas for a
Orion Firearms Training....................................48 the Midlands. We’ll also have a stalking management hunt in the Eastern Cape
Reraig Forest......................................................79 story from Bedfordshire courtesy of Paul hosted by Mankazana Safaris. And Thomas
RUAG Ammotec................................................56 Childerley – and the definitive guide to how Nissen is on his global travels once more, this
Schmidt & Bender.............................................70 to make the most of this time of year from deer time heading to the United States on the trail
Scott Country.......................................................2 management expert Dominic Griffith. of pronghorn antelope.
Sentinel Deer Management .............................86 Expect the latest instalment of trophy heads Kit-wise, we can expect an optics review
Shooting Supplies..............................................33
from BASC and the British Deer Society as well. double bill, with the Minox ZP 3-15x50
Foxing is still going strong despite the riflescope and Redfield Rampage spotter
South Ayrshire Stalking ....................................92
shortening nights – and Mike Powell leads falling under Chris Parkin’s gaze. And Byron
Stalking in England...........................................79
the line, heading out to put Charlie on the Pace takes a light touch with the Sako
Starlight NV .....................................................117
Carbonlight rifle on test.
The Crown Hotel ..............................................86
Deer dog expert Rudi can Kets will
The Northern Shooting Show ..........................23
contribute, considering the use of the
Third Eye Tactical..............................................86 dachshund as a tracking dog, and we’ll have
Thomas Jacks................................................ 5, 55 an event report from Zeiss’s launch of their
Trail Camera.......................................................86 latest sporting optics.
Trophy Trackers Africa ...................................100 That’s in conjunction with the usual array
York Guns ..........................................................45 of news, opinion, competitions and events
Zeiss Optics..........................................................3 – including a look forward to the UK Game
Brattonsound.....................................................85 Fair, the fieldsports event you can’t miss
GT Shooting.......................................................85
this summer. Subscribe now and get it all
delivered to your doorstep – call 01926 339808
National Smallbore Rifle Association...............85
or visit www.virtualnewsagent.com.
SPORTING RIFLE 121
121 Coming Soon_Rev2.indd 121 17/03/2016 17:07

Back page: Hunters remembered
Peter Hathaway Capstick 1940-1996

Sporting Rifle remembers a modern hunting legend, whose
written works have done perhaps more than any other to
bring new hunters into the sport
W
ith his name mentioned in
the same breath as Ruark,
Hemingway or any of the other
legendary hunting authors, Capstick’s place
in history is secured – but he isn’t such
ancient history himself. His life takes place
somewhat later than many of the legendary
hunters remembered in this column – he
didn’t tread African ground until nearly
1970 and will have shared many years on
the planet with most of our readers (in
fact, some Sporting Rifle readers may well
have been before Capstick). It would be
easy to jump to the harsh conclusion that
his hunting achievements were somehow
lesser as a result – that Africa was ‘all
discovered’ already when he set foot
there. Not so – Capstick holds a justified
reputation as a man who experienced Africa
like no other white hunter.
Born in New Jersey and educated at the
University of Virginia, he started a career
in Wall Street that showed every sign of
being lucrative and successful – but while
still in his twenties he jacked it all in for
the life of a traveller. Africa wasn’t the first press, before 1977’s Death In The Long young Nimrods to seek adventure in Africa
place he headed, however – he spent time Grass established him as one of the world’s themselves. It is difficult to overestimate
in Central and South America hunting and foremost tellers of hunting stories. Death in the positive effect his works had on today’s
fishing, before returning to New York to start the Long Grass portrays the great killers of global safari industry.
a business arranging hunting trips. That the African bush-- not only the lion, leopard, Over a prolific writing career, Capstick’s
business led him to a position at Winchester and elephant, but the primitive rhino and other works included Last Horizons, a
Adventures of New York as hunting fishing the crocodile waiting for its unsuspecting compendium of his sporting articles,
director – and it was under Winchester’s prey, the titanic hippo and the Cape buffalo Maneaters, detailing the ultimate horror of
banner that he travelled to Africa for the first charging like an express train out of control. being eaten alive by lion, leopard or shark,
time, in 1968. Countless hunters, years since they read and The Last Ivory Hunter, a biography of
Before long he has adopted Africa as the book, can still remember the opening Wally Johnson. His legacy also lives on in the
his spiritual home, leading expeditions lines: “In four hot, still hours dawn will .470 Capstick, a hunting cartridge developed
through Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. hemorrhage like a fresh wound in the sky by A-Square, and the Peter Hathaway
His adventures were of the highest calibre over the eastern Muchingas...” Capstick Hunting Heritage Award given
– leading safaris through lion country, Capstick’s breathless, colourful writing annually by the Dallas Safari Club.
tracking man-eating leopards along style carried the reader effortlessly Capstick died in 1996 shortly after giving
tangled jungle paths, or running for cover throughout the wild and varied tales – he the keynote speech at the SCI Convention
as fear-maddened elephants stampeded in has faced many accusations of applying in Nevada. Flown back to South Africa
all directions. ‘literary licence’ to his hunting stories since after complaining of exhaustion, he was
It wasn’t long before Capstick was he wrote them, but it barely matters if he pronounced dead at midnight on 13 March.
combining hunting with writing – a prolific did. He was soon a global best-seller, and His ashes were scattered over the Chobe
number of articles published in the sporting furthermore, he inspired a new generation of River in northeastern Botswana. n
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Your FAVOURITE shooting monthly – in partnership with

For shooters of calibre May 2016 No.128 £4.75

EUROPE’S BIGGEST GUN TRADE SHOW

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News If you have a news story, email

008-010 News_Rev2.indd 8 17/03/2016 17:15

conservation and employment which is

shooters are families are being brought up in these

‘indispensable’ to those families there.

the community Angus, one grouse season saw £1m going

008-010 News_Rev2.indd 9 17/03/2016 17:15

KENT PCC gets it wrong Society’s journal, says the damaging

Thomas Jacks moves NWCU goes on

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014-015 UK Game Fair_Rev6.indd 14 17/03/2016 17:17

GET YOUR TROPHIES

014-015 UK Game Fair_Rev6.indd 15 17/03/2016 17:17

By definition a cull is taken to remove an

It is pretty to improve quality, there is simply too great a

achieving target why it is actually more likely to be younger

most important the other hand, tend to be more wary – that’s

016-018 Dominic Griffith_Rev3.indd 17 17/03/2016 14:39

an art which, if practiced conscientiously

Young bucks may be easier, but they are

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Poor weather, reticent deer and a white lie about range

Alexandra around midday in bright sunshine.

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the action is nicely bedded to

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can turn a flailed game cover into his

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Taking a break from the high-tech use of NV and thermal

032-034 Bucknell_Rev2.indd 32 17/03/2016 16:09

Think foxes are completely gone

The keeper has © Nick Latus

032-034 Bucknell_Rev2.indd 33 17/03/2016 16:09

032-034 Bucknell_Rev2.indd 34 17/03/2016 16:09

035.indd 35 16/03/2016 15:03

Winning Shots prize

“The rifle handled well. Manoeuvrable and

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EntEr thE May coMpEtition

Post your entry to: May Competition,

Please tick here if you would NOT like to be

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Buy tickets now!

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040-042 Mike Powell - static shooting_Rev2.indd 40 17/03/2016 16:08