AMERICAN PIE! WHAT’S HOT AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST GUN SHOW FOR 2016?
X5 EXCELLENCE We test Swarovski’s latest long range scope
£3.99
VOL 19 | ISSUE 5 | MAY 2016
Pest Control Diary 0 5 771367 699077
GOOD WOOD
LITHGOW LA101 WALNUT RIMFIRE;
a class act from Australia!
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ISSN
1367-6997
GETTING A GRIP ON MINK
NG GETTTIED RAT E R S; AI R G U N Nal with how to deimate the ult vermin
NV Diary TOP TIPS AND STORIES FROM A PROFESSIONAL NIGHT VISION SHOOTER
WINNING COMBINATION BROCOCK’S COMPATTO IS HALF BULLPUP, HALF STANDARD PCP BUT ALL SHOOTER
SIMPLE PLEASURES
Chiappa Little Badger
The ultimate survival rifle? Maybe!
BEST OF BRITISH THE BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW ANOTHER GREAT SUCCESS
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The Need for Speed?
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If you think Britain stands alone as a nation who can’t own self-loading centrefire rifles then recent events have made me reconsider. I say this as a number of foreign and domestic companies have been looking at alternatives to semi-auto operation. Southern Gun Co in the UK make a series of what they call Lever Release guns (LR) where the semi-auto operating cycle is interrupted by the bolt locking back after each shot and having to be separately and manually released by the shooter. Clever and certainly Section 1 and not 5! At the IWA show this year I saw two more examples both from companies who offer a true self-loader. Robinson Arms has their own take on the FN SCAR that offers a similar interrupted system, but even more surprising is the Speedline from Verney Carron; a seemingly traditional French manufacturer of double rifles and bolt-actions. The concept is based around their single, sporting semi rifle and offers a large release catch on the right of the receiver. Browning for some time has offered their straight-pull Maral, which is based on their semi-auto BAR and I wonder if they too will go down this route? I get the impression that this is the way things are going with perhaps the more enlightened seeing the writing on the wall and being prepared to move forward and meet the challenge. We shall see!
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Pete Moore
AMERICAN PIE! WHAT’S HOT AT THE WORLD’S P30 LARGEST GUN SHOW FOR 2016?
We test Swarovski’s latest long range scope
P70
£3.99
VOL 19 | ISSUE 5 | MAY 2016
Pest P88 Control Diary 0 5 771367 699077
GOOD WOOD
LITHGOW LA101 WALNUT RIMFIRE;
a class act from Australia!
P76
9
ISSN
1367-6997
GETTING A GRIP ON MINK
6 NEWS ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Rigby Rising Bite rifle New Air Arms ambassador Howa Mini Action rifles Chiappa 1887 lever-action shotgun Tikka T3x
P42 G ETTIN
G D RATTE S; ER AI RG UN Nal with de to how timate the ul vermin
NV Diary TOP TIPS AND STORIES FROM A PROFESSIONAL NIGHT VISION SHOOTER
P18
WINNING COMBINATION BROCOCK’S COMPATTO IS HALF BULLPUP, HALF STANDARD PCP BUT ALL SHOOTER
SIMPLE PLEASURES
Chiappa Little Badger
P94 BEST P60OF BRITISH
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The ultimate survival rifle? Maybe! P12 THE BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW ANOTHER GREAT SUCCESS
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
36 PRODUCT
Best Fittings silencer adaptors
38 BROCOCK COMPATTO Graham Allen checks out a semi-Bullpup PCP and finds a winner
12 BSS 2016
42 AIRGUN HUNTER
Jules Whicker reports back from the best of British!
Pete Wadeson’s mate sorts out some rats
16 PRODUCT
44 AIRGUN WORKSHOP
Jack Pyke Spot Shot targets
18 NIGHT VISION DIARY P38
AIRGUNS
GENERAL
X5 EXCELLENCE
We welcome NV expert Graeme Kelly and his new series
22 PRODUCT
Viper Laser back packs
24 PRODUCT
Barrel cleaning part II – PCPs
46 GUNPOWER SHADOW Mark Camoccio finds a blend of simple practicality and military looks
50 HFT DIARY
Hornady Binocular Harness
ark Camoccio reckons he can M build a better mousetrap, with a little help from his friends
26 PRODUCT
52 FT BLOG
BH steel targets
30 SHOT SHOW Wheelwrite returns reports back from the world’s biggest gun show
J ames Osborne explains why he bothers with FT
54 SCOPE TEST
MTC Optisan EVX 3-12X44i
EDITOR
Peter Moore (01206) 525697 E-mail:
[email protected] [email protected]
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EDITORIAL ADDRESS
Shooting Sports, Aceville Publications Ltd, 21 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex CO2 8JY Website: www.gunmart.co.uk
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56 BENJAMIN TRAIL NP2 (WOOD)
84 GOOSED IN SCOTLAND
Mark Camoccio sees that Benjamin is moving
Bruce Potts takes on some big birds in harsh conditions
into pole position in the gas ram race
58 SECOND THOUGHTS PART II Terry Almond continues with his thoughts on Daystate’s Pulsar Bullpup
62 PRODUCT
Maxim Jacket and Bib & Brace Trousers
FIREARMS 64 BROWNING X-BOLT Pete Moore looks at the multiple options offered by the X-Bolt rifle
68 PRODUCT
Trinity Force Universal AR15 rail covers
70 SCOPE TEST
Swarovski X5 5-25x56 P
76 LITHGOW LA101 WALNUT Pete Moore looks at the latest addition to Lithgow’s rimfire family
Getting to grips with mink
92 PRODUCT
SGC, modular, QD, AR15 forend
94 CHIAPPA LITTLE BADGER RACKNLOAD checks out an unusual rifle from Chiappa that could be a jack-of-all-trades!
98 PRODUCT
Primos Trigger Stick Mk II & 2-point rest
102 PRODUCT
Tier-One Blaser R8 TAC rings with bubble
69 PRODUCT
88 PCD
Rebel 17 wet tumbler
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DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers
106 RELOADING
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Wheelwrite asks is reloading worth the effort? Well yes of course!
Copyright© Aceville Publications Ltd
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108 WILDCATTING
Aceville Publications Limited, 21 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex CO2 8JY
Bruce Potts sees what the old and still bold 300 H&H Magnum has to offer modern shooters
80 SCOPE TEST
112 CASE HISTORY
Pulsar Apex XD75 Thermal rifle scope
Ed Jackson (01206) 506243 E-mail:
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The 45 Long Colt
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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Graham Allen
22 - Northern Shooting Show_SHOOTING SPORTS 17/03/2016 14:58 Page 1
News
NEWS & PRODUCTS
Predator! Deerhunter has introduced its new Predator collection to their range of superior hunting apparel for 2016. Intelligently designed with an abundance of secure zip pockets, a comfortable elastic waistband, stretchable, breathable fabric and detachable braces, Predator trousers are manufactured to meet the requirements of the avid hunter. The jacket contains a dedicated rangefinder pocket and has been designed with unbeatable fit to allow flexibility while bow hunting. With a wealth of zip-sealed pockets, a rubber-reinforced antenna hole for radio, accurate fit and complete freedom of movement, the Predator Hunting jacket is ideal for hunters on the go. Combining comfort and practicality, the Predator anorak contains a
Long live Normanton Solware Limited was extremely proud to be a part of a recent shooting event to help Normanton Shooting Ground, which is facing closure or reduction due to noise complaints. So the Normanton Fund Raiser was born! The event was held on February 20th 2016, the prizes supplied by Solware, included an Armsan semi-auto shotgun, 1000 Eley Imperial Cartridges, £75 Shooting Accessory Bag, plus a few other small items. Suppliers were all extremely happy to assist and were willing to offer their support by the way of prizes. This included Highland Outdoors kindly donating a Webley & Scott shotgun which
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the club used as a high gun prize, and with great support from other suppliers also donating substantial prizes to make favourable raffle prizes. Other donations came from local business owners and regular members of the club, putting this all together; £4000 was raised on the day. Thanks to everyone who has supported this. Now the club has the money to hopefully fight the complaints and remain open as a friendly, well run professional shooting ground. Long live Normanton Shooting Ground! Contact: Solware Ltd, 0844 357 0306
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
Sweet; Howa’s new 1500 Mini Action
12%
Introduced in 2015 at the SHOT Show and now just in from the UK importers is Howa’s new Mini Action rifle. Essentially it’s a standard Howa 1500 short action, further reduced by 12% for a range of compact calibres. We have a 204 Ruger currently on test, but also on offer is 222 and 223 Remington and the latest is 6.5 Grendel. There’s a choice of barrel lengths and profiles 20” in both light and heavy and a 22” heavy. The mechanism is all 1500 but with a Legacy Sports 10-round box mag conversion, giving an enviable payload and ease of loading. A 20” Light less scope comes in at only 5.7 lbs! Rifles will be offered without a scope, or as a package that includes mounts, rings and a Nikko Stirling Panamax 3-9×40. Stocks are from Hogue in a synthetic sporter-style build in the following options - black, OD green, MultiCam and Kryptek Highlander. We can see a lot of interest in this new model and reckon the 6.5 Grendel will prove to be very popular for both fox and deer shooting. Contact: Highland Outdoors, 0845 099 0252 www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk
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Deerhunter’s new Predator collection looks the business
stylish angled chest zip, large front pocket, adjustable waist and cuffs, and secure pockets to store essentials. All clothing has been cleverly designed to withstand the elements with Deerhunter’s innovative Stormliner® membrane and water repellent surface to ensure water and dirt are kept at bay. Registered quality YKK® zip fastenings and 4-way-stretch fabric guarantee complete durability and flexibility for hunters exploring the great outdoors. The clothing is available in the all-purpose Timber shade or Deerhunter’s new IN-EQ in-depth camouflage pattern. Sizes run from Small to 3XL! Also on offer a range of accessories including a cap, beanie, facemask and gloves to complete your hunting outfit. Visit; www.deerhunter.eu
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Over Bite Air Arms clothing
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Air Arms have recently launched a brand new collection of stylish apparel that includes men’s and ladies t-shirts and matching baseball caps. Available in black, white and grey featuring their iconic red, grey and blue logo, the men’s t-shirts double up as an additional layer throughout the winter months or as a casual top during summer. Available in sizes S to XXXL, men’s t-shirts are comfortable garments that look smart at the shooting range or as part of a casual outfit. Featuring a trendy pink, grey and purple logo, the ladies t-shirts are available in a choice of black, white or grey. Whether you prefer a looser fit or a fitted Tee, Air Arms ladies t-shirts are available in sizes to suit all. There’s also a collection of matching baseball caps. Embossed with their legendary logo, shooters can complete their look with a comfortable, stylish baseball cap. Visit; www.air-arms.co.uk
Gun maker John Rigby & Co. unveiled the first new Rigby Rising Bite double rifle in 84-years at the IWA show this year. The custom built .470 Nitro Express was completed in December 2015. Named for its unique and strong - vertical bolt locking system, the Rigby Rising Bite is one of the most famous double rifles ever made. Increasing manufacturing costs meant that regular production at Rigby ceased in 1910, and the last custom order original Rising Bites left the factory in 1932. In 2013, Rigby decided to resume production and reverse-engineered an original version. After almost three years in production, the first of Rigby’s new Rising Bite double
Unique; Chiappa’s reproduction of the unusual Winchester 1887 lever-action shotgun
The model 1887 lever-action shotgun series from Chiappa Firearms will appeal to Cowboy Action shooters, collectors and historical firearms enthusiasts alike. A replica of Winchester’s first and only lever-action shotgun recreates the Wild West feeling in a modern designed firearm. Using the design of the original 1887 solid lever, the shotgun series includes an innovative internal safety design, comes in a 28”
Resurrected – once again; John Rigby & Co are producing their legendary Rising Bite double rifle after 84-yeras
rifles will be displayed to the public, before being delivered to its owner. A .470 Nitro Express, it features stunning engraving by Belgian master engraver, Roland Baptiste, inspired by historic Rising Bites in Rigby’s museum collection. Rigby’s gunsmiths are currently working on more than 30 Rising Bites, under the direction of the firm’s head of production, Ed Workman. Calibres available include .416 Rigby, .450 NE, .500 NE, 577 NE, and .600 NE. Prices start from £95,000 (excl. VAT).
New Chiappa 1887 shotguns barrel length in blued or chrome finish and has a receiver designed for modern 2 ¾” cartridges ensuring positive ejection. It can be supplied as either a 2+1 shotgun or a 5+1 Section 1 version. Derek Edgar, Managing Director of Edgar Brothers, commented: “The Chiappa 1887 lever shotgun series is a highly accurate replica of Winchester’s renowned shotgun designed by John M Browning. Many
companies have tried to build a replica Model 1887s that could chamber modern shotgun cartridges but have met with little success. Chiappa’s version however will cycle today’s shells, is also fast, fun and safe to shoot and is built with Chiappa’s incredible attention to detail.” MSRP From: £1,258.95 Information; www.shootingsports. edgarbrothers.com
News
NEWS & PRODUCTS
THIS MONTH IN BRIEF SOUTH YORKSHIRE Swarovski and Leica have confirmed they will be at this year’s South Yorkshire shooting show and game fair @ Doncaster Exhibition Centre & Race Course on the 1st and 2nd October, Swilligton shooting supplies (one of the event sponsors) are now approved dealers for Swazi clothing and Sitka gear and will have all the latest gear from both of companies for sale on their stand at the event. www.southyorkshiregamefair.com SHIELD GETS ISO Shield Sights announced they have received the highly sought after ISO 9001:2015 certification. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established this certification as the newly revised international standards for Quality Management Systems and Environmental Management Systems. Shield Sights is one of only a few Red Dot Sight manufacturers in the world who is currently ISO 9001:2015 certified.
NEW LEICA Leica’s new Visus i LW riflescopes are a unique combination of fine engineering, classical style and modern technology. Traditional elements, such as paint-filled manual stylus engraving and specially developed surface finishes, meet state-of-the art daylight-readable illumination and the ultimate in optical design. Leica Visus riflescopes are available in gloss- or matte-finished versions. SWAROVSKI Z8 Hot of the press is Swarovski’s latest scope the Z8. They impressed us a few years ago with their then revolutionary Z6, which offered a x6 zoom range, so giving an optic that has a versatile magnification range that could be used for close-in driven hunting right up to long range shots. The Z8 picks up from there and has an impressive x8 zoom range and other improved features too!
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RBL Match
Air Arms’ Eddie Jones; the latest addition to their team of ambassadors
Air Arms welcomes
Eddie Jones With a solid background in air gunning and over 38-years shooting experience under his belt, Air Arms are thrilled to welcome experienced shooter Eddie Jones to their team of ambassadors for 2016. As a passionate shooter who has been enthused by air rifles from the young age of seven, he has learned all there is to know in regards to field craft and safety. He manages pest control through air gunning and currently shoots Air Arms Ultimate Sporter Carbine PCP, which has proved to be accurate and consistent. As Air Arms newest ambassador, Eddie is eager to get his hands on Air Arms TX200, TDR and the latest addition to the range, the Galahad Bullpup. Eddie commented on becoming an Air Arms ambassador: “To succeed in hunting quarry you need something to motivate and inspire you. Joining the Air Arms family and being part of their future as an ambassador has renewed my excitement and motivation to share technology, rifles and advice that will bring results in the field.”
There will be the 5th Annual Precision Sharp & Snap Shooting Match in aid of the Royal British Legion (RBL) on Saturday 3 September at Bisley. It’s primarily about raising funds for them but will doubtless be both fun and a challenging! Last year they raised just over £14,500. Attracting generous sponsorship from many companies involved in providing products and services to shooting sports a prize table is furnished with a variety of items that can be won in the draw held after the results and trophies are presented. Entry forms are being prepared and should be available in early April with 144 places up for grabs. Donations to the RBL JustGiving Page are already rolling in and gratefully received and the organisers hope to see the pot increase as the match approaches. Commercial sponsorship is being sought and several regular supporters have already committed and so far include: Dolphin Gun Company, BH Targets, Varminting UK, Desert Tech Europe, Black Rifle UK, AW Armoury, Beechwood Equipment, AMS Firearms, DJM Design, Vortex UK, LEI International GGG Ammo, Phoenix Tactical, North West Custom Parts and Calibre Innovations. Please support the companies that are supporting the event! More sponsors have been requested so please look out for more news letters and follow on Facebook. For more information; www.justgiving.com
Product improved – Tikka’s new T3x
Just launched at the IWA Gun trade show in Germany, the TIKKA T3x is the latest evolution of the class-leading T3 model. The updated design embodies several technological improvements while retaining the same meticulous degree of accuracy. These include; a new modular stock, improved grip, new recoil pad, redesigned ejection port and metallic bolt shroud, to name but a few! The synthetic stock has many innovative new features; interchangeable pistol grips, make it possible to modify the angle, thus allowing for multiple positions. A new asymmetric grip pattern and shape has been specifically designed to give
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
TIKKA T3x excellent hold in all conditions and a foam insert within the interior of the rear section lowers stock-generated noise. It also has an additional attachment point which allows you to change the width of the forend. Among the other features are; new recoil pad technology which reduces impact to the user so allowing them to fully concentrate on shooting. A robust metallic bolt shroud covers and shields the rear of the bolt body and the firing pin. An extra-strong steel recoil lug ensures minimal deformation, even with larger calibres. Finally, the receiver introduces a widened, angular ejection port that makes it easier to feed one cartridge at a time.
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It throws whatever you throw at it! ●
Throws standard, midis or minis in any combination from the same carousel
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Inserts quickly interchangeable
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No setting Required
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Uses knife splitter roller system to separate clays
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Available in 6 or 8 stack
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Comes complete with Tilt Base
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Comes with 2 inserts of choice
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[email protected] w bowmantraps.co.uk W J Bowman (1984) Ltd, High Street, East Markham, Newham, Notts, NG22 0RE
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call 01777 870243
Phoenix Trade Fair at the heart of Bisley OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Serving the competitor, trader and visitor to the Anno Domini and Phoenix for over 25 years
Bisley Pavilion Trade Fair FREE ENTRY AS ALWAYS
27th, 28th, 29th May 2016 Bisley Camp, Queens Road, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NY
Tel: 01483 489270
www.bisleypavilion.com -
[email protected] HOTEL RESERVATIONS: 01483 488488
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SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
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GENERAL |
THE BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW 2016 CADEX DEFENCE EMRR, 0844 567 2893
East Midlands Regional Range (EMRR) now offers both chassis systems and complete rifles from Cadex Defence. Their Remington M700 SPS chassis rifle is available in two formats: the OT, which leaves the receiver open-topped for a wider choice of optics mounting options, and the Field, which features an integral optics rail. Both are offered in .223 REM or .308 WIN, and you can also specify your rifle with Magpul PRS or MOE stocks, A2 or Ergo grips. Muzzle threading is extra.
Cadex Defence rifles from EMRR are based on Remington 700 barrelled actions
Strength to
RIFLES
Strength!
Jules Whicker rounds up the top rifles, optics and accessories from this year’s BSS
Offered in .243, .308 and 6.5 CM, Ruger’s Precision Rife is a fully-featured tactical/precision rifle for hunting-rifle money. Demand is definitely going to outstrip supply!
RUGER
VIKING ARMS LTD, 01423 780810 Hot news is the Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR), which offers a full tactical/precision (TP) package –alloy chassis, multi-adjustable stock, full pistol grip, detachable 10-round mag (DM), medium-heavy barrel, configurable rails and a choice of.243 WIN, 6.5 CM and .308 WIN chamberings- for the price of a mid-range hunting rifle. Needless to say, shooters everywhere can’t get enough of them, and neither can UK distributors Viking Arms!
SCHULTZ & LARSEN AND LYNX
ALAN RHONE LTD, 01978 660001
Bergara’s B14 bolt-action rifle is tremendous value and a DM version is now available
BERGARA
RUAG AMMOTEK UK WWW.RUAG.CO.UK One year on from its launch I saw Bergara’s B14 bolt-action rifle in its latest guise: wearing a green polymer stock. The B14 looks a bit like a Remy 700; I reckon their cover version is an improvement. The trigger is crisp, the bolt smooth, the stock stiff, and the price extremely reasonable.
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SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
New rifles from S&L including tactical/precision barrelled actions
Alan Rhone’s imports the Schultz & Larsen range of switch-barrel stalking rifles in several styles from the entry-level Classic, through the Victory, to the Ambassador series- with a choice of wood grades and left-hand options throughout. The Legacy is a lightweight version for .222 REM, .223 REM and .300 AAC Blackout. There was even a pair of Tactical barrelled actions on show! Steve Beatty of Ivythorn Sporting carries the S&L range and has a test range, so for once you really can ‘try before you buy’. Also on show was the Lynx range of straight-pulls from Finland. There are several Lynx models and all are impressively well made. A TD15 take-down version with a grey synthetic stock (a proper one) was the latest model on show, and very fine it looked too.
BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW | GENERAL LITHGOW ARMS
HIGHLAND OUTDOORS; WWW.HIGHLANDOUTDOORS.CO.UK
All dressed up… and nothing to shoot! We’ll only find out how good Savage’s B-Mag is when Hornady’s .17 Winchester Super Magnum rimfire ammo arrives
New is the fullbore Lithgow LA102 Crossover. Chambered in .223 REM, .243 WIN and .308 and the rimfire LA101 version in .22 LR, .22 WMR and .17 HMR. Both versions are available in L/H and a choice of walnut, polymer and laminate stocks. A hammer-forged threaded barrel, a trigger that’s adjustable down to 0.7 lbs, a M1913 optic rail and CZ-compatible magazines complete this attractive package.
CZ AND SAVAGE
EDGAR BROTHERS, 01625 613177 CZ’s 557 Varmint has a striking stock as you might expect. The short-action receiver has standard 19mm dovetails but is equipped with a M1913 rail and accepts CZ’s 10-round magazines. The barrel has a heavy, tapered profile, and at 26.5” long. Next Winchester’s .17WSM super-magnum rimfire cartridge has certainly been slow off the blocks. However, chambered for it was Savage’s B-Mag Target with laminate thumbhole stock. Whether it will succeed remains to be seen!
The MVP LC from Mossberg builds a capable and affordable tactical/precision rifle around MDT’s LSS chassis
Lithgow Arms’ LA102 centrefire and (T) LA101 rimfire (B) rifles are now available with walnut as well as laminate and polymer stocks
MOSSBERG
YORK GUNS LTD, 01904 487180 Mossberg, have fitted their DM-ready MVP action with a fluted, heavy-profile barrel, and equipped it with a tan, LSS chassis from MDT plus a CTR Adjustable stock, MOE Pistol Grip, and 10-round P-Mag from Magpul, and called it the MVP LC (Light Chassis). It also comes with a threaded/capped muzzle, a removable Saker Trifecta brake and a Harris-style bipod. Calibre choice is .223 REM or .308 WIN, 6.5 CM would be a good idea!
OPTICS
SCHMIDT & BENDER
WWW.SCHMIDTUNDBENDER.DE Schmidt & Bender had prototype PM II High Power models -boasting a huge 9X zoom factor- in 3-27x56 and 5-45x56 formats, and also a prototype of their Digital ocular bell. It will enable the shooter to view data from external sources in their FOV. As well as wind data and ballistic information. Also present were 3-12x54 and 4-16x56 in the PMII Ultra Bright series, which offers an extraordinary 96% light transmission. Information is power. Schmidt & Bender is developing a digital ocular module that can display data from external devices
Kahles have sophisticated high-power scopes for tactical, F-Class and FT shooters. Note the parallax ring on the elevation turret and the turn indicator button on top
KAHLES
RUAG AMMOTEK UK. WWW.RUAG.CO.UK Kahles never seems to receive the recognition it deserves. For 2016 they have some new Helia binos in 8x42 and 10x42, with distinctive mid-brown barrels and hand-made leather-and-loden ancillaries. Scope-wise my favourite is their southpaw-friendly K-624i 6-24x56 FFP/MRAD long-range model with its parallax ring mounted under the elevation turret and the option of a windage turret located on the L/H side. But the star this year was the K-1050I FT, a super-high magnification 10-50x56 designed specifically for FT competition. It also has top parallax but a focussing range of 8m-60m, a SFP reticule and 1/8 MOA clicks.
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GENERAL | BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW VORTEX; WWW.VORTEXOPTICS.COM Vortex has recently one-upped their flagship Razor HD scopes with a Gen II range in 4.5-27x56, 3-18x50 and 1-6x24 formats, all with FFP reticules, 34mm main tubes and new L-Tec turrets. New were the Razor HD AMG 6-24x50 tactical and Golden Eagle HD 15-60x52 target models. Both are built on 30mm tubes. The latter offers 1/8 MOA clicks with 10 MOA per turn, and a choice of fine cross-hair or MOA stadia SFP reticules. The former has FFP EBR-7 Christmas tree reticules in a choice of MOA or MRAD flavours, and L-Tec turrets with 10 MRADs or 25 MOA per turn. Due to its slimmer main tube, the AMG weighs almost 6.5 oz less than the Razor HD, but its main claim to fame is that it is 100% American-made yet priced to match the GEN II alternative. Their new Defender flip up lens caps are well worth a look too. They flip up and can also be folded flat on top too. Plus you can send your drop data to them and they’ll print out a card that sticks in the rear unit... Vortex Razor AMG – Vortex’s top-end Razor HD AMG riflescope is 100% U.S. made, with a 30mm main tube that makes it almost 6.5 oz lighter than its 34mm counterparts
Tier One’s Blaser rings clearly indicate their correct orientation and pitch.
TIER ONE
TIER ONE; WWW.TIER-ONE.EU New from Tier One are their rings for Blaser saddle mounts. Precision milled from a single billet of alloy to be perfectly matched and true, and even the bolts/ screws are spec’d for maximum grip and durability and a level bubble. Also available is a 20 MOA version: perfect for Blaser’s R8 Long Range. Existing products are continually being enhanced too, so now all of Tier One’s standard scope rings incorporate a bubble level in the rear ring.
NIGHT VISION
NIGHTMASTER
NIGHTMASTER; WWW.NIGHTMASTER.CO.UK
NITESITE
NiteSite’s new R-TEK version has a focussing wheel to make it easy to get the reticle image pin sharp (nice); a screen dimmer (hurrah!), an SD card slot and a record button (excellent!); plus Wi-Fi connectivity with iOS and Android devices using their dedicated Niteplayer app. Best of all, there’s even a new rangefinding unit with a continuous scan function that displays its data on a rear-facing LED screen mounted alongside the main display, so you can instantly read off the distance. The rangefinder also has angle-compensation and is switchable for yards/meters. Existing Nite Site owners can upgrade to a recordable camera unit, and the rangefinder is a freestanding accessory, but full R-TEK functionality is only available with complete new systems.
As well as making their own products, like this great gun bag, Nightmaster sell a complete range of NV gear for airgun, rimfire and centrefire shooting
Nightmaster now have their supercompact Atom digital add-on in production, plus a very smart new gun bag. Presented in their black-andorange livery, it’s specifically dimensioned to take a night-scoped rifle with ease. Also new a kit for adding a rotary dimmer switch and IC LED to a standard NM800 or XSearcher torch. The rotary control permits rapid intensity adjustment, whilst the main switch –which has a neat glow-in-thedark button- memorises the last setting used, even after the torch is switched off. Also included is an IC LED of your choice: white, Red DEMON, Green ENVY or Infrared (850nm or 940nm).
THOMAS JACKS LTD
PULSAR. WWW.PULSARNV.COM
Pulsar Phantom 4x60 – Tubed night visión is still going strong, despite the digital revolution and thanks to affordable Gen 2 units like this Pulsar Phantom 4x60 from Thomas Jacks Ltd
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SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
Digital night vision devices have taken a big slice of the consumer market in recent years, but the Phantom is a reminder of why conventional tubed NV still reigns supreme in other sectors. The image from the big 60mm les and Gen 2 WP (white phosphor) tube is big, sharp and contrasty, but also subtly-shaded, and unusually for a tubed unit- monochrome rather than green. The Phantom is also surprisingly light, due to its rugged polymer body, and its power can be boosted to 6X using an optional 1.5X “doubler” lens. At well under £2K, it’s pleasingly affordable too.
BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW | GENERAL
RIFLE ACCESSORIES
RUAG
RUAG AMMOTEK UK. WWW.RUAG.CO.UK RUAG were showcasing a new range of sound moderators from Hausken of Norway. Both the sleeves and the baffles are made from high-quality aluminium alloy. The latter are milled from solid billets 35mm, 45mm, 55mm or 70mm in diameter, and the former are hard-anodised for durability. Available in both overbarrel and standard formats, they have a standard 18x1mm thread supplemented by a proprietary barrel-nut conversion system that enables them to fit all rifles.
From bipods to tripods. Spartan’s latest creation is the Kapita, an even more versatile rifle support that uses the same magnetic connector as their Javelin bipods
SPARTAN PRECISION EQUIPMENT SPARTAN PRECISION EQUIPMENT; WWW.JAVELINBIPOD.COM
A complete rifle from Riflecraft showing the MDT HS3 chassis and skeleton stock
Spartan has followed up their hugely-successful lightweight bipod with the Kapita tripod rifle support. At its heart is a head with a ball joint that connects to the magnetic mount used in the Javelin system. The legs are telescopic and made from carbon-fibre tubing. They are also removable, so you can fit a regular set for sitting/standing or a mini set for lying/sitting, fit two to use the Kapita as a pair of shooting sticks, or use a single detached leg as a trekking pole. Adapters to fit binos, cameras and spotting scopes are on their way.
MDT
FULLMARKS HUNTING
MDT chassis systems have proved popular, especially the LSS (Light Sniper System), which has been adopted and adapted by Mossberg and Savage, among others. Now they have a new lightweight chassis, the HS3, which comes with interchangeable polymer “skins” in black or flat dark earth (FDE) for extra protection, comfort and grip. Helpfully, MDT now offer their own alloy skeleton stock in FDE too, and magazines are available to match.
I’d not heard of Fullmarks Hunting before the show, but I tracked them down after spotting someone carrying one of their fold-flat shooting benches. With a steel frame, a motorbike-style seat, what looked like a parcel shelf from a hatchback and a rifle support that could easily do double-duty as a rod rest, I was initially more impressed by its ingenuity than anything else. But when I sat down and felt how comfortable and stable it was, and when I realised it was the same price as my rather-disappointing MTM Case Gard shooting table, I almost took one home with me. No, it’s not an immovable monolith, but it is ambidextrous, and easy to get into the car!
RIFLECRAFT LTD; WWW.RIFLECRAFT.CO.UK
WWW.FULLMARKSDISCOUNTHUNTINGSUPPLIES.CO.UK
GRS
WWW.GRSRIFLESTOCKS.COM UK: HIGHLAND OUTDOORS
Oscar Haugen, CEO of GRS Riflestocks with his new Berserk polymer stock. GRS goodness for just £350!
GRS have a new stock in a new material! Called the Berserk, it’s available in to fit Tikka, Howa/ Weatherby, Remington and Savage rifles. For just £350 you get a black synthetic, flex-free, pillar-bedded build with push-button adjustable length-of-pull and comb height, ergonomic contact surfaces with rubberised inserts and QD sling swivel sockets.
BH TARGETS
WWW.BHTARGETS.CO.UK I’ve been using BH steel targets with the greatest of pleasure for a couple of years now, and over that time I’ve seen the range continue to expand and good designs tweaked to perform better. Get a few targets, tuck them away in suitable places on your ground and shoot as necessary. You’ll go through more ammo, but you’ll also have fun, get useful practice, and become a more confident shot.
Heath Robinson pulls it off! I was impressed with these original fold-flat shooting benches from Fullmarks
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GENERAL | PRODUCT TEST JACK PYKE SPOT SHOT TARGETS CONTACT: Jack Pyke, 01234 740327 (for nearest stockist) www.jackpyke.co.uk
Spot On! See Your Shots: Track your exact impact with these target stickers
J
{ } TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
“They come in a variety of packs too, with sheets of stickers available with either 2 or 6” roundels”
Jack Pyke Spot Shot targets z Prices: 2” - 10 sheets (90 stickers) £6.95. 6”- 10 sheets plus patch-up dots £6.95. 6” - 100 sheet plus patchup dots £57.95. Mixed pack 6 sheets of 6”, 4 sheets of 2” plus patch-up dots £6.95 z Contact: Jack Pyke, 01234 740327 (for nearest stockist) www.jackpyke.co.uk
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ack Pyke’s Spot Shot Targets bring a level of excitement to any type of shooting. They are double-printed with a bright, vibrant undercoat of fluorescent yellow, overlaid with black. As the shot tears through the paper, it removes the top black layer, leaving a clearly visible yellow ring around the shot. Instant feedback is guaranteed, also being stickers they are easily applied to a FOR backer! They come in a variety of Transforms packs too, with sheets of stickers shooting sessions with available with either 2 or 6” roundels. sticker versatility The latter come with round patches to AGAINST cover previous impact holes so it can be re-used. Whether zeroing a rifle, More expensive than ordinary stagingRIFLES a competition, or just enjoying 16 - Edgar Brothers 17/03/2016 10:56 Page 1 paper targets1.2_JACKSON some informal practise, this style of VERDICT target is hard to beat. Jack Pyke Spot Shot Targets are available from all Fun to shoot with instant feed back good gun-shops.
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GENERAL | NV DIARY
NIGHT VISION DIARY
The
Hunter
Graeme Kelly is a dedicated night vision shooter and is now contributing a regular column to the magazine, this month he introduces himself
F
or me, becoming a professional fox controller was completely unintentional. When looking back on how I got to where I am today, it’s been a case of a lot happening in a relatively short space of time. I think it all started as a young lad growing up in Fife when my father (John Kelly) was doing a bit of vermin control on an estate up in Perth with his friend Jerry. They were helping an old Gamekeeper who I can only remember as Dick. I remember being in Dick’s house, seeing all his taxidermy and tools of the trade, and it made me think about how a Keeper’s life was so different to mine. Those memories and stories have been with me for 35 years or more.
dear carcass hung in the garden shed, ready for my dad to take off its jacket. At the time, I remember thinking there was no way I could strip and clean those dead animals, and thought I should feel bad about what was happening to them. Although, as I got older, I
WHY? Some of my earliest memories include seeing fox skins getting taken to the tannery at Kinghorn in Fife where they would be cured. After a couple of weeks they were back in the house; one draped over the back of the couch, the other on my parents’ bedroom floor. That was my first experience of seeing a dead fox and I remember wondering to myself, why? As well as the foxes, I also experienced dead pheasants, rabbits, hares and a roe
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Graeme un-boxing a Pulsar XD75 thermal weapon sight
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
realised that there was a difference between game shooting for sport and vermin control.
GETTING THE URGE Once old enough, I started playing around with an old Webley air rifle at my Uncle Sandy’s place. He also introduced me to his Crossman MkII pump-up air pistols, which I absolutely loved. That’s when the shootingbug really started for me; that feeling of squeezing the trigger and trying to place the pellets inside a red dot. Uncle Sandy passed away a few years ago and he left me the two matching pistols, which are still in as good working order today as they were when I was using them more than 30-years ago! Not long before he passed away I had purchased the new Daystate Mk4 and took it to show him. He tried to work out the velocity of the gun by firing at a Yellow Pages phone book and counting how many pages the pellet had traveled through. Even at the age of 80 this old eccentric science teacher was still using old school methods on what was a state-ofthe-art air rifle. It brings a smile to my face every time I think about it. At around the age of eight my family holidays consisted of traveling up north to a caravan on the remote Orkney Island’s. As
NV DIARY | GENERAL Graeme shooting off a hay bale with the Pulsar XD75 thermal sight; he’s come a long way since his old Crosman pistol when he was a kid!
you can imagine there was not a lot to keep an 8-year old entertained, so I spent the long summer days shooting tin cans and waiting patiently to try and maybe get a shot at a rabbit. But I think the rabbits were much smarter than I was! That’s when I realised there must be a certain kind of skill to hunting, because I wasn’t considering wind direction, noise or sight. But, like any other skill, it developed over time from what I read in magazines and from listening to my dad.
was going to two or three shoots and spending a lot of time helping the keepers and lamping foxes at night with them, which I loved doing. That’s when I knew I had to apply for my firearms certificate (FAC). Then, after what seemed like an eternity, my ticket to shoot landed on the doormat, so it was time to go out and purchase my first rifle, which ended-up being a secondhand Tikka .243 rifle from a gunsmith in Dundee.
FIRST DOG
Everything registered and above-board, I made my way to the estate where I helped out. This time I was in the passenger seat with my .243, ready to pull the trigger on the first fox that would stand for the big lamp that was mounted on the roof. The Keeper drove through the first field, but there was nothing to see. Into the second we spotted three pairs of eyes; from two ¾-grown fox cubs and an adult. I quietly got out of the truck, extended the bipod legs and rested on the bonnet. Within seconds I had accounted for two cubs and took a shot at the adult, but it dropped low. The Keeper said the distance on the adult fox
Graeme’s uncle Sandy teaching him how to shoot a Crossman MKII pistol
Dick the keeper at his farm in Perth
s
All my life I was around working dogs, because my father had Labradors for his shooting. So when I was old enough to leave the family home for a house of my own, I decided to get a dog. Fortunately for me, a good friend of mine and keen shooter, Mark Wallace had ten new Labrador pups, which were keeping him busy. After calling in on him to see them I was back down the road with my first dog a black Labrador bitch that I called ‘Brae’. With some training she was picking-up at my very first pheasant shoot, which was also my introduction to the sport of game bird shooting. After a couple of seasons I
FIRST FOXES
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GENERAL | NV DIARY s
Graeme and Brae at Wellwood spotting for foxes with the Pulsar XD38S thermal spotter
Graeme’s dog Brae as a pup
had to be at least 250 yds, so I should have compensated for that, but there was time to improve with experience. That was my very first night as a fox shooter and I was well and truly hooked! After helping out a lot on the estates and getting out foxing, I started looking around for my own permission, so as not to rely on anyone else. Then I could go out whenever I wanted to and also alone. Why? Because you can’t beat a solo mission; first thing in the morning, tucked in behind a wall or up in a high seat waiting on that old wiley fox making a heart pumping, adrenaline inducing appearance. So I jumped in the Landy and knocked on a few farm doors. It soon became apparent that getting my own permission was going to be more difficult. Although, I stuck with it and kept looking. The knock-backs were understandable though; why should anyone let me, a stranger, loose on their ground with a high power rifle?
NV is Graeme’s passion!
was doing, then come to the burger van and ask me to shoot their land. When you’re out four or five nights a week getting results, the word soon spreads that you’re not mucking about. Over the past year or so I have been lucky enough to start working with Tony Jones who owns Night Master. He’s seen
how serious I am about fox control and how much land I shoot for farmers and keepers. He’s helped me to take foxing to a new level by supplying the latest night vision and thermal imaging equipment. Recently, I’ve found that some keepers and farmers in Fife prefer the more covert methods of controlling foxes, rather than shining a lamp around the fields and disturbing neighboring farms or people in the estate houses. Night Master has supplied me with the new Pulsar Apex XD75 thermal weapon scope, the Pulsar XD38S thermal spotter and the Pulsar N870 Digisight night vision scope with their Xsearcher infrared lamp - so absolutely no lamps involved. Over the coming months I’ll be writing my foxing stories and giving advice on the methods and equipment that I find most effective for the tricky world of foxing.
CAN I? At that time, I had started a business with a burger van in Kinross, Perthshire. The area was surrounded by farms, which meant lots of hungry farmers! There’s wasn’t a single person in overalls or a Fendt hat that left the burger van without being asked the question, “Do you have anyone controlling your foxes? If not, can I?” With the regular chatting at the van, a lot of them gave me a chance and that’s when I started collecting my own permissions. It grew from there. Neighbouring farmers would hear about the good work I
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Graeme and his friend Mark Wallace after a pheasant shoot at the East Wemyss
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For telephone orders and enquiries please call (01246) 810353 Mon-Fri 10.00am-2.00pm
OVER 18’S ONLY
MUCH more to see on the website We take most major credit and debit cards 128bit Secure Server
www.BLADESANDBOWS.CO.UK
GENERAL | PRODUCT TEST VIPER LAZER DAYPACK, LAZER V-PACK, LAZER RECON PACK AND LAZER SPECIAL OPS PACK CONTACT: Thatchreed Ltd 01234 740327 www.viperkit.co.uk
Pack it in Pete Wadeson checks over a selection of backpacks from Viper and discovers a diverse range of options.
A
lthough they’ve always had a good selection of militaryoriented backpacks, tactical kit specialists Viper has recently added their Lazer range. The prefix refers to their Lazer Cut Molle system. This allows the user to customise by adding components to expand the capability of the pack. It uses 600D Cordura material, cut out using laser flatbed machines and reinforced with tough, lightweight webbing sown onto the reverse.
FEATURES All packs use external, two-way, heavy-duty zip fasteners with paracord pull tabs, with all strap adjusters and buckles being ABS. Internally, all compartments are either PVC or Nylon-lined to prevent water ingress, plus padded Ventex system back panels afford ‘ventilation and comfort.’ On the last three packs featured this is also applied to the inner sides of the shoulder straps. The outer also has 2 x large clip opening/fasten ABS V-Locks and a full swivel attach, lower D-Lock plus a Velcro ID panel is positioned top side. All packs and utility pouches are available in V-Cam, Coyote, Green or Black. The 13.5Litre DayPack measures 17 x 7½ x 8” and features two outer
FOR
Build quality, modular design and comfort
AGAINST
Not a Lot
VERDICT
Hunters and shooters will find a model to meet their requirements Good prices and good kit
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The reverse of a small utility pouch – both sizes have strong loop straps with press-stud fasteners for attaching to the Lazer Cut System
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
compression straps, while the main compartment has an internal mesh pocket, roomy enough to accommodate a small hydration bladder and there’s also a hydration/ coms outlet point. A generously sized front pocket adorns the bottom outer rear. On this model, the harness is practical if basic, with Q/R buckles on the shoulder straps. Next is the 25Litre V-Pack, which is wider at the top! Measuring 10” above and 7 ½” below at the padded and reinforced bottom, it’s 18 ½” tall. It features a spacious clamshell opening main compartment, plus an internal zipped pocket. Extra stowage is accommodated by three, external pockets. The harness comprises of adjustable sternum and shoulder straps and a generously sized Paracord grab handle for easy pick-ups. The 35Litre Recon Pack measures 17 ¾ x 9 ¾ x 13”, it has three compartments, so making it ideal for light to heavier generalpurpose use. The main compartment has an internal mesh hydration sleeve and zip-close pocket. The middle has a selection of mesh pockets to keep items separate and there are two outer pockets – laid out in a small over larger pocket configuration. Multiple compression straps enable you to adjust it to the amount you are carrying and the adjustable padded shoulder straps also hold a captive ABS D-Ring apiece, plus there’s an adjustable QR fastening waist strap and grab handle. Finally, the larger, 45Litre Special OPS Pack, which measures 20 x 15” wide at the base and extends to 9 ½” when full. It features three compartments, front, middle and main - the latter also contains a hydration system pocket with a concealed ‘feed tube’ hole at the top. It features compression straps, two padded shoulder straps with D-rings, plus the waist and sternum straps have Q/R buckles too.
The Viper Lazer Daypack is just the ticket for short sessions when a minimum amount of ancillary kit is required
The Viper Lazer Recon Pack gives the user an overall 35Litre carrying capacity from its ‘three-compartment’ build, making it a prime candidate for light to heavier general-purpose use
{ } TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Viper Lazer Daypack, Lazer V-Pack, Lazer Recon Pack and Lazer Special OPS Pack z Price: SRP£32.95, £39.95, £45 and £59.95 respectively. z Small & Large Utility Pouch £8.50 & £13.95 respectively. z Contact: Thatchreed Ltd 01234 740327 www.viperkit.co.uk
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GENERAL | PRODUCT TEST HORNADY BINOCULAR HARNESS Prices from
£21.99 CONTACT: Edgar Brothers, 01625 613177
FOR
Security and comfort Easy to adjust and put on over bulky jackets
AGAINST
Not a lot
VERDICT
A most practical system
Hang Time Having trouble with your Binos then Hornady has the answer!
S
mall compact binoculars that fit in your pocket are a joy to carry but larger models crammed with other features can get pretty heavy! The single neck strap is seeing the end of its days in these conditions and combined with easier crawling and versatile manoeuvrability, Hornady’s Binocular Harness is a fantastic product. With a simple square panel on the back sporting the legendary Hornady Logo in red against the buff/coyote coloured material, four straps loop around and over your shoulders to clips that will quickly fasten onto any unit, holding it both close to your chest and distributing its weight. A secondary benefit is the adjustable, elasticated straps, adds extra
support and stability to your binos when used. When walking and climbing it leaves your hands totally free and if leaning over, ensures you don’t have the weight swinging around or likely to disturb foliage or get the lenses scratched either! The light weight and strong yet breathable materials used minimise overheating and it’s so easy to slip on over your head, you won’t look back again!
“A secondary benefit is the adjustable, elasticated straps, adds extra support and stability to your binos when used”
www.gunmart.net/facebook
“We’re not the types to go rushing into all that social media malarkey here at the home of shooting, but finally we’ve capitulated to the demands of the modern world and are pleased to announce that you can now all come and make our friendship official on Facebook! Please like us and then feel free to Like and Share all the gun goodness we post. Expect to see all the latest news, views and reviews on everything from airguns to shotguns to firearms to militaria and, of course, all the latest kit box essentials.”
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GENERAL | PRODUCT TEST
The roebuck target as it came from BH. Note the support bars that keep it stable but require even ground
air-gunners have done for years: shooting to confirm zero/point-of-impact prior to engaging live quarry. All this builds confidence and promotes success!
CHOICES, CHOICES
Abusive
Relationship
Jules Whicker sent all manner of projectiles down range but BH Targets kept coming back for more!
I
’ve been using these targets for over a year and have walloped them with lots of different projectiles and at different distances. Which can’t be said about some other ‘steels’ I’ve used, which have been bent well out of shape, or even turned into Swiss cheese in a single session! A steel target really brings home what an immense challenge it is to stop the bullet dead and disperse all that energy. With BH targets, bullets are vaporised or pulverised, and the spray of hot, high-velocity debris carves a groove in the ground and shreds anything within a few feet of the impact. Consequently, in a year of testing I haven’t observed a single ricochet. This doesn’t mean you should use them without a safe backstop, of course!
The round-up included two life-size rabbits, a half-size fox, a 200mm x 250mm fox-head suspended from two pickets and a chain, and a muntjac-sized roebuck with an active kill-zone (KZ) for heart shots. Along with a 2/3rd wild boar, full-sized fox with active KZs for head, as well as heart shots, 75mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm and 300mm gongs, duelling trees, head-and-torso targets, sniper and hostage targets, plus midi and mini jacks for rimfire use. And if you want something different, just give BH a call and they’ll work with you to get it made. Targets are cut from 10mm thick sheets of AR500 steel. It’s a chrome-moly and boron-treated alloy, which is quenched and tempered to make it equally hard all the way through. The result; it’s highly resistant to impact and atmospheric corrosion and thus ideal for rifle targets that are going to spend a lot of time outdoors. A CNC plasma cutter is used to create the shapes. As the fox shows, it’s capable of producing complex forms with great precision and smooth, burr-free edges. The only downside is that it reduces the hardness of the metal along the cut. I don’t see this as a problem, but wear safety gloves to protect your hands when moving well-used targets!
BH Targets’ Bruce and Tracy Hutton sent me them for review, such was their confidence that they specifically asked me to put them to the test at much closer ranges and with as many calibres and bullet types as possible. This led me to discover the joys of centrefire ‘Field Target’ shooting at normal stalking and foxing ranges. With targets placed in sites with safe backstops around your ground, and even regular ambush spots, you can do what
LET US SPRAY
A quick spray with Hi-Viz line-marking paint and the fox-head target is as good as new. A more lifelike design is now available, as are round discs in a range of sizes
Splashed - Three hits from Barnes 110grn TTSXs in .308 (and three from Berger 25grn Varmints in .17RFB) at 120m. Those .308 screamers are seriously hard to stop!
The targets came painted in a range of colours: the roebuck and fox were blue, the fox-head white and the rabbits, grey, but they’ll need retouching in between sessions to enable you to spot new strikes. Most of the targets are supported by slotted stands, this simple solution proved entirely stable with the larger roebuck and small fox targets. However, the rabbits –
SERIOUS FUN My interest in steel targets began when I got into long-range varminting and wanted something that would register hits at ranges where even a top-flight spotting scope could no longer see bullet holes. However, when
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SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
PRODUCT TEST | GENERAL with their shorter baseline- were a bit prone to tipping over when hit unless the stand was dug into the ground. BH has since replaced the strip with a deep triangular ground spike. By contrast, the fox-head target was suspended by shackles from a heavy-duty chain slung between two steel pickets. Fun to shoot because not only does it rock and swing when hit but it also emits a resonant ‘clonng! so I’ll definitely be getting some more of these!
KILL-FLASH
The KZ roebuck target was arguably the most interesting. It has a circular cutaway in its chest, behind which a pear-shaped flap hangs. When it’s hit, the flap is knocked backward, flips up on its hinge, and shows momentarily above the roebuck’s back before falling back into place. As the KZ is only 75mm across, it really encourages you to ‘aim-small’ to achieve a ‘kill’. I found it best to paint the whole target face, including the front of the KZ flap, an ART 18/03/2016 09:19 Page 1 even matte brown, whilst giving the rear of the flap a coat of day-glow red/orange. This makes the KZ, and the deer itself, harder to see, but rewards a successful shot with a flash of colour.
THE SKIPTON GUNROOM
RESPONSIVE ADAPTATION BH have recently updated the roebuck target by changing the profile to a classic side-on shot, enlarging the KZ, moving it further back to represent a heart-and-lung shot, and re-aligning the hinge so that when hit the flap swings horizontally into view -in the manner of their hostage target- and shows in front of the deer’s chest. In this format, the size and location of the KZ are more realistic, a ‘kill’ remains apparent until the flap is reset, and a hit is more likely, thus helping to build shooter confidence. On balance, I think these advantages outweigh the instant-reset and the ‘aim-small’ mentality fostered by the original, and the redesign may also aid durability, as the hinge pin on the test target did bend a bit after repeated hits on the flap.
The roebuck target has a pivoting kill-zone plate that gives a bright red flash as it flips up when hit
PRICES:
n Rabbit (new type) £45 n Fox head (new type) £27.50 n Fox head (old type) £30 n Small fox £67 n Roebuck (new type) £350 n Chain support system (2 x pickets, chain, shackles) £48 Steel_SHOOTING SPORTS 16/03/2016 16:40 Page 1 more practical for n Contact: BH Targets,BH 01597 823731 Plain colours are obviously everyday use, but why not give your targets a n www.bhtargets.co.uk
more realistic paint job for special occasions?
UNIT 7, CARLETON BUSINESS PARK, CARLETON NEW ROAD, SKIPTON BD23 2DE 01756 792 630
Beretta 692 Black Action in Stock BERETTA/HARKILA/SEELAND/ RIDGELINE CLOTHING
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Zeiss, Leica, Leupold, MTC, Hawke, S & Bender, Redfield, Nikko Sterling Scopes in stock
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Open 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday inclusive and 10am to 4pm Monday & Saturday
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GENERAL | SHOT SHOW 2016
T A E R G E TH
X O D A PAR
at that k o o l e iv l intuit a u T Show s O u H s i S h – s n raditio te take i t r S w l U e Whe oder n great m
As always SHOT is a big show; get some good shoes!
T
he Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show has been the premier World shooting industry showcase for some 38-years and is currently ranked as the third largest trade event in the USA. While it originally alternated between ‘eastern’ and ‘western’ cities in the USA, it has now settled in Las Vegas, Nevada.
THE BRITS
SMALLER = HUGE! ‘Smaller’ is a term that deserves qualification, the main exhibitor area now occupying a net 660,000 square feet, or about 15 acres. Distributed across this massive area were almost 1700 exhibitors. As a measure of its popularity there are 970 companies in the queue for stand space. There is no doubt that the AR15 has taken on a life of its own and there’s the paradox. The continued mega-boom in domestic American sales of arms, ammo and accessories has much to do with a man who is happy to sell the idea that ‘AR’ stands for assault rifle, and wants to ban the lot. One Barack Hussein Obama II, unanimously voted gun salesman of the year’ for the eighth successive year.
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looking for more. An enterprising company called Sharpshooter 22lrReloader are now selling a .22LR reloading kit... bullet moulds, sizer die, crimper, chemical priming kit... the works. They’re shifting everything they can make.
There’s even a shortage of plinking .22LR ammo in many parts of the ‘States. Why? In the old days (pre-Obama) shooters would typically blow away a 50 rd box on the range. Now they burns hundreds of rounds at a visit, added to which they now have at least another 500in storage (just in case), and is
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
In common with others, the British Pavilion had suffered from the spacial demands of the Show. Their finite booth area had seen the organising body, the GTA; forego their stand space in favour of a table and chairs in a nearby snack area. Business was brisk. Unsurprisingly, Eley were on to a good thing, whilst Steel Core Designs gained valuable orders for their stunning Thunderbolt range of sniper rifles in .308 Win, .338 Lap Mag and .50 BMG. A smart move by David Brennan of Ardee Sports Company saw their prize gunmakers, Cogswell & Harrison exhibiting at the show for the first time. Give a thought to the poor folks of Denmark. Knives are only legal if they require both hands to prise them open... so much for the disabled! That edict lead to a design from Spyderco that met their needs. The DK series feature a nonlocking slip joint hinge and retains a vestigial thumb hole, insufficient to allow
SHOT SHOW 2016 | GENERAL use for opening the blade. Originally exclusive to Denmark they’re now available Worldwide. As a homily to the late custom designer Bob Lum, Spyderco have released the Lil’ Lum. A scaled-down version of their classic Lum Chinese, it features a VG10, leaf-shaped blade. It has textured black G-10 scales and a reversible pocket clip. Big and mean best describes the new fixed blade Benchmade Arvensis tactical knife. Black or plain 154CM Stainless and with a choice of plain or serrated edge, complete with Black Boltaron sheath. Their Monolock 928 Proxy also caught my attention, a Warren Osborne design combining Desert Tan G10 scales and solid titanium, with a 9.83cm CPM-20CV plain or serrated drop point blade.
Ubiquitous 300 Blackout is just one of the new ammo calibres from SIG
CLOSE VISION Blurred vision at Zeiss? That must have been from their German beer Happy Hour each afternoon. Central on the bar was their four model Victory V8 series. All feature an 8x zoom, from 1-8x30 to a massive 4.8-35x60 that would need taller mounts than any I possess! Leupold claim to have made significant gains in marginal light management with their new VX-3i range. No less than 15 new models from a modest 1.5-5x20 to a chunky 6.5-20x50 Side Focus built on a 30mm tube. All benefit from their new Twilight Max Light Management System and a Full Lifetime Guarantee. Getting closer to the horizon with Nikon is the task of their budget tactical style P-308. Built around a 30mm tube the 4-12x40 looks like good value at under $250.
FIRST FFP FROM NIGHTFORCE Nightforce announced their first SHV™ rifle scope built with a 1st focal plane reticule, the SHV 4-14 x 50 F1. It features intelligent reticules with illumination that turns off between each of 11 brightness settings, allowing the user to turn it off to preserve battery power, then restore it instantly. Proprietary Nightforce MOAR and MIL-R reticules are offered. It has an exposed elevation turret with Nightforce ZeroSet™, which provides the user with a
Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, this is the back door!
positive return to their zero point regardless of how many elevation adjustments have been made. S&B featured their PM II High Power 5-45x56 scope. Quoting 34mm tube, they make much of the significance of its 9x range of zoom, designed to meet USSOCOM demands. It was one of seven new models on show, with two of the PM Series, a 3-27x56 Digital BT and 5-25x56 Digital BT designed to accept wireless data into the field of view. SIG Optics; the range has grown to cover tactical and hunting scopes, red dots, range finders, spotters, binos and more.
TUMBLING PINS? Hidden in ‘New Products’ was a blue packed hand priming tool. Closer inspection revealed a neat die cast tool with an .001” adjustable seating depth A competitive new angle from Nightforce. This is their first 1st Angle offering
Cutaway of the new, non-melting, ELD bullet tip from Hornady
primer post, a pack of 12 of the most common shell-holders and a sturdy storage case. Lyman were proudly showing their new reinvention of the Thumlers Tumbler concept, a ‘side-on’ drum tumbler. They claim the Cyclone Rotary Tumbler takes brass cleaning to a whole new level. The timer based unit comes with stainless steel media in the form of tiny steel pins. The drum holds up to 1000 .223 cases and has a sound deadening rubber lining. Sifting screens are included in order to preclude the odd steel pin in your reloaded ammo!
IT MELTED ON THE WAY SIR!
31
s
New ‘non-melting’ bullet tips were the order of the day at Hornady - “Bullets With Heat Shield Tip”. Their new ELD-X Hunting and ELD Match bullets come with some impressive stats. The Extremely Low Drag Hunting pills have superb BC’s, match accuracy, extreme energy transfer and expansion. The key is the new tip material and its design. Lapua announced the Gen 3 range of their Naturalis copper solids. A claimed 20% more effective range is a huge improvement. However, I suspect that they’ve learnt the same lesson as Hornady with regard to polymer tip melt and introduced a revised valve design in a more thermally tolerant material. Lapua
GENERAL | SHOT SHOW 2016 s Laminate beauty from Boyd’s Gunstocks
new brass was also on show, 7x64 and 8x57 IS were a slight surprise but 300 Blackout was an obvious addition. The improved performance achieved by their reduced flash hole diameter Palma Match .308 Win brass has led them to extend the technology to two or three other ‘match’ calibres.
It’s all there!
NEW PROPELLANTS – IT’S THE LAW GUV! New release from Alliant was Reloader 16. Not unlike Reloader 23, AR-Comp and Reloader 26 it incorporates their new de-coppering chemistry and contains no DNT or DBP. For those unfamiliar with my Handloading rants, the various Safety Agencies around the first World are pushing forward bans and controls on ‘hazardous chemicals’... in the EU the ECHA REACH Controls apply to a small but significant number of the ingredients in both propellants and primers. A mile down the aisle were Hodgdon/IMR. Varget has become their next casualty, ‘replaced’ by IMR 4166, along with other newbies IMR 4451, IMR 4955 and IMR 7977 they’re part of the Enduron Range that already includes CFEPistol and CFE223. And that leads neatly to reloading data manuals. Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester had all the options covered with a couple of publications. Their “Basic Reloading Manual” was dated Oct 2015. Much bulker with some good reading and claiming 5000+ Loads was their 172 page “Hodgdon 2016 Annual Manual’ - that’s the one to get. A 120 page A5 size “2016 Reloaders Guide” paperback from Alliant was next to catch my eye. Data for their new four recipes is included. A separate data page was on offer for those wanting details of just Reloader 16. From Nammo Lapua/Vihtavuori was their 2016 Reloading Guide, a closely typed black and white 80 page paperback.
32
AMMO EVERYWHERE New ammo was everywhere. Browning had a raft of new products, starting with their BPR (Browning Performance Rimfire) range. The 22LR 40 is a high velocity 40-grain lead HP giving a claimed rifle MV of 1435 fps. The second is their 22LR 37, a 37-grain fragmenting pill of unspecified material(s) with an MV of 1400 fps. Both
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The new moulded bullets from PolyCase are offered in a range of pistol calibres
are transonic at around 80 yards. In centrefire, they have a new polymer tipped hunting series called BXR Rapid Expansion, with a 97-grain 243 Win, 134-grainn 270 Win a 155-grain .30 range in 30-30 Win, 308 Win, 30-06 Sprg, 300 Win Mag and 300 WSM. Finally, they’ve introduced their BXC Controlled Expansion Big Game range, comprising a 145-grain 270 Win, 155-grain 7mm Rem Mag, 168-grain 308 Win and 185-grain 30-06 Sprg, 300 Win Mag and 300 WSM.
26, 28, 30 - BINGO! Nosler’s 28 has added another twenty-four thou’. Growing the same parent case they’re blown the neck out to 30 cal and introduced us to their 30 Nosler. They claim that it eclipses the velocity of the 300 Weatherby, headspaces like a 300 RUM, has an efficient powder column like the 300 WSM and the same standard length action of a 300 Win Mag. Federals’ American Eagle brand has been extended to include the ubiquitous .300 Blackout. More of a surprise was the
SHOT SHOW 2016 | GENERAL
“This was an event for theother boom firearms indAumerican stry” The Browning “Sweet Sixteen” is back. The calibre is obvious... the legend lives on
The Spyderco DK. Designed to comply with Denmark’s ‘two handed opening’ legislation
Platinum, Heritage, and Pro Varmint designs. Also added to their range were some visually stunning stocks for the Remington 710 and 770 Models, including an amazing Coyote finish thumbhole.
A $700 SAUER! Sauer & Sohn were making a lot of noise about their new ‘budget’ rifle, a sleek matte black model. ‘About the same price as a Savage’ boasted one rep on the booth. The 100 Classic is their ErgoMax ‘Tupperware’ Schnabel-stocked range, featuring a 3-lug 60° bolt, 3 position safety, ambi stock, adjustable trigger, double stack 5+1 mag for standard calibres and 4+1 for magnums. American retail is sub $700 for just about every popular calibre in the book. If they make a lefty version then I’m in the queue.
PULL!
addition of a couple of .264 based rounds with a 120-grain 6.5 Grendel and a 140-grain 6.5 Creedmoor. Do you use ammo by the bucket load? Well, Remington have read your mind, now offering a Range Bucket containing 350-rounds of 9mm and a Freedom Bucket containing 300, 223 Rem.
TARGETING THE ACCESSORIES More novel ideas from Birchwood Casey. Expanding the range of Shoot-N-C hi viz targets are their new Handgun Trainers, great for LBR and wrist brace revolver. The 12x12” and 12x18” targets are divided into nine sectors, each with printed advice as to the possible causes of the spread of shot. Spare patches come with the target. Lefties simply invert the target. Their interestingly named Donkey Gong is a 15½” diameter, ½” thick yellow painted steel plate, supported at an angle to deflect the ricochet downwards. With handgun use from 25-yards and rifles from 100, the clang is audible beyond 200 yards. Unlike a Pepper Popper, the Gong remains visible for successive shots.
The powerful 1000 Lumen Surefire P3X Fury has been around for a little while, but the latest iteration has a sensor that detects the ambient light level and adjusts output accordingly thanks to their new Intellibeam Technology. Green technology. Hardwood stock makers Boyd’s were making much of their recently introduced adjustable comb laminate stocks, available on their Classic, Prairie Hunter,
Browning’s scaled down Auto 5, the ‘Sweet Sixteen’, originally made from 1937 to 1975 is back. Now with their Invector choke system and fibre optic front sight, the rest of the spec keeps to the old tradition. Mossberg were making much of a patented recoil reduction system being introduced in a number of models, whilst CZ had a very ‘English’ looking and balanced O/U, the Redhead Premier on display, complimenting their standard Redhead range. This was another boom event for the American firearms industry. Given that makers can sell more or less everything they make, it was a pleasant surprise to see so much new and inventive kit. However, with an impending change in the occupancy of the White House it remains to be seen whether the good times will continue to roll. My pedometer was binned after the first day but extrapolating the figure added up to about 25 miles over the four days, as near to a marathon as I’m ever likely to get!
Airsoft is one of the fastest growing areas – this is the beautiful Dan Wesson from ASG
33
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AIRGUN | PRODUCT TEST CONE PELLET CATCHER Price: SRP £13.50 plus 10pcs Paper Targets (100 Paper Targets £5.50)
Slug trap JP’s target holder is just the thing for all airgunners!
M
CONTACT: Jack Pyke of England, 01234 740327 www.jackpyke.co.uk
FOR
Well thought out, robust and practical design
AGAINST
Not a Lot
VERDICT
One of the better pellet catcher/ target holders available Well worth a look!
BEST FITTINGS SILENCER ADAPTORS Price:
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Inc. postage for adaptor shown.
CONTACT:
Best Fittings, 0845 4561185 www.best-fittings.co.uk
FOR
Very compact, adding little extra length over the silencer
AGAINST
Not much
VERDICT
Precision made, well finished and lightweight
36
“You could for example have it on your shooting land for a quick bit of practice or a check zero, or at the club!”
etal, paper target holders act as a backstop cum pellet trap, but some can be prone to the occasional ricochet. Not so Jack Pyke’s Cone Pellet Catcher! The trick is in the cone-shaped design that directs spent pellets to fall inside the housing. Made of galvanised steel the front face measures 5 ½ x 5 ¾” including the inward formed lips that holds most commercial paper practice targets. The shape then angles in for 5” so forming the cone shape. All sides are welded to a 4 ½” piece of 1 ½ X 1 ½” box section steel. The rear is pre-drilled with a large hanging/attachment hole for screwing to a suitable backstop or post. The build is strong and it’s small enough to be easily carried so you could for example have it on your shooting land for a quick bit of practice or a check zero, or at the club! It comes supplied with 10, large bull-type paper targets, which JP also sell separately in packets of 100.
Adapt and improve! Precision made silencer adaptors from Best Fittings
B
est Fittings is a specialist engineering company based in Dorset, which supplies and manufactures dedicated airgun accessories, all with a view to making our lives easier, which they certainly do! Whilst they specialize in clever charging adaptors and precision parts, they also now produce and supply a range of dedicated airgun silencer adaptors, for a wide range of makes and models. The one shown is for an Air Arms MPR, and supplied in matt black anodised aluminium, although much the same style is used for other makes. These adaptors can also be supplied in polished alloy, and some designs are made in brass. The model shown just slides on over the barrel and tightens up with small grub screws. Any silencer with a female ½ x 20” UNF connection can then simply be
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screwed into place. When no silencer is fitted, a protective knurled collar just screws in place. This is an ideal solution from an increasingly popular brand.
“These adaptors can also be supplied in polished alloy, and some designs are made in brass”
SS05.16/55/d
AIRGUN | GUN TEST
Half
Pup
Brocock’s new Compatto looks like it’ll win a lot of fans; Graham Allen tells it like it is…
W
hen I first saw the Brocock Compatto PCP at last year’s Midland Game Fair, I was very impressed by its handling, style and features; I was even more impressed when I found out it was going to be under £600! Sounds great, especially if the production versions were as good as the prototype, then purchasers would get a lot of gun for their money and now, after actually spending time with one, I think my initial impressions were correct!
BETTER AND DIFFERENT I guess I must start by saying that the Compatto is more a semi-Bullpup. That may seem like splitting hairs but true Bullpups like the Daystate Pulsar or FX Wildcat are butt-less with the receiver/ action doing that job. As can be seen, the layout is quite conventional but still offers a compact build and the near, midpositioned cocking bolt may possibly be preferred by a lot of shooters as opposed to it being rear-mounted as on the majority of true Bullpups!
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Daystate and Brocock are actually sister companies, both owned by the Diana Group, and there’s obviously been some crosspollination going on behind the scenes. At the heart of the Compatto’s action is the patented, Slingshot hammer system, it increases shot count and consistency by reducing ‘valve bounce’ and it’s nice to see this technology being used on a more affordable PCP. However, every other part of the Compatto is new. The alloy breechblock features a right handed, stainless steel cocking bolt, which is grooved for added grip; it both indexes the magazine and cocks the hammer. The bolt travels in an L-shaped slot and to cock and load the rifle, the bolt is first pulled up, then back, then forward and down, just like a fullbore rifle.
CLEVER MAG The magazine may look like Daystate’s but it’s actually a completely new design! The black anodised alloy housing has a bronze coloured, 10 shot rotary wheel enclosed and pellets are held in place by an O-ring. The indexing mechanism is a complete departure
GUN TEST | AIRGUN
Detail of the grip, trigger, cocking bolt, the power adjuster is just forward of the mag well
The long and short of it; the new, semi-Bullpup, Brocock Compatto; could be a winner!
from the norm; as the bolt is cycled, a ridge on the back of the pellet probe activates a small catch in the rear of the mag body and this allows the rotor to turn when the bolt is withdrawn. I guess I’m a bit sad, but I sat there with a big grin on my face when I realised how clever this mag is! Once filled with pellets, it’s inserted from the left and is held securely in position by a sprung loaded ball on the front of the outer housing. The breechblock is nicely designed and machined and I wouldn’t be surprised if Brocock end up using it on all of their PCPs in the future; it’s also good enough for a Daystate! A reach-forward scope rail is bolted to the top of the action; this allows for the scope to be mounted sufficiently far forward to obtain the correct scope/eye position. If Brocock do use the block on conventionally styled PCPs, this rail won’t be needed.
WALTHER TUBE
sound suppression. There’s a ½” UNF male thread on the end, protected by a screw on collar and this can be used to mount a secondary moderator if required. Fitting a moderator will alter the point of impact though, (due to the extra weight) so it’s best to use the Compatto as it comes or with a silencer fitted and not chop and change! The air reservoir is aluminium alloy, which helps to keep the overall weight down; if you’re more used to steel air reservoirs on PCPs, don’t worry about the choice of material, as it’s plenty strong enough, with the added weight loss too. A filling port is at the front of the reservoir and charging is by an O-ring sealed probe, a rotating collar keeps dust and foreign bodies out of the internals. An air pressure gauge is on the front of the cylinder; I’m not a massive fan of this position, preferring them to be fitted to the underside of the action. You don’t have to look at it end-on, which always feels a little odd if you do, even when you know the rifle is in a safe condition. But a sideways glance is all that is needed to see the pressure that is still in the rifle.
The 10-shot magazine in place, note the red dot that signals the last shot; clever!
POWER UP AND DOWN The designers obviously realise that most people who buy one will be hunters, so they’ve incorporated a handy power adjuster on the right side of the action. Maximum power is safely under 12 ft/lbs, the middle setting is about 10 ft/lbs and the lowest position will provide 6 ft/lbs. The lower setting is ideal for shooting rats and feral pigeons indoors; there’s plenty of power to humanely take down vermin but will negate pellet damage from a miss or pass through on the building’s structure. A 2-stage, alloy trigger is fitted and there’s normally a safety catch in front of the alloy blade. I say normally, as the factory got this test rifle to me prior to them becoming available, production models will have a switch-style catch. The trigger is adjustable and can be fettled via holes in the guard.
STOCK TAKING There’s no point having an action without a stock of course and the designers have come up with a stylish, synthetic and
39
s
An 18” long Lothar Walther barrel is used and has a fully baffled shroud to provide
The air pressure gauge is on the end of the cylinder, not my favourite position!
AIRGUN | GUN TEST s
ambidextrous thumbhole unit. The grip is quite slim with moulded-in ‘stippling’ and there are also similar panels on the bottom of the elegantly curved forend. A Picatinny rail, with five slots, is at the front of the forend and these can be used for mounting a torch, laser or bipod. It’s crying out for a dedicated extension though, housing a laser, which would really come into its own when ratting and would also extend the forend a little. The butt section has a large cut out to shed excess weight and looks good too. The cheekpiece aligns the head properly behind the scope and the rubber buttpad is adjustable via a single Allen bolt; there’s about an inch of movement, up and down, so it should keep everyone happy. The overall look of the Compatto’s furniture is rather elegant, especially how the contour around the trigger guard blends back into the lower portion of the butt. The Brocock name/logo is molded into the rear of the stock, which is a nice touch. All in all the impression and feel is rather pleasing; it won’t please those who don’t like bullpups of course, as some people seem determined not like these compact little rifles but each to their own I guess?
FOR
Clever, semi-compact design
AGAINST
Forward-mounted air gauge Bolt handle a bit aggressive
VERDICT
Nice gun overall Good to see Brocock still producing decent rifles!
CHARGING The comprehensive instruction booklet details the charging procedure but it’s pretty much a plug in, turn on and withdraw kind of affair! A slow fill to 200 bar doesn’t take long but it’s a good idea to remember to turn the dust cover collar back again, as it’s easy to forget, unlike a screw-on cover that you end up holding while you re-fill a PCP. Being at the bottom of the reservoir would make it quite easy for something to enter whilst on the range or in the woods, it’s just worth bearing in mind if you buy one. The mag is very easy to load and the more I used it, the more impressed I was by its simplicity and efficiency. I used a selection of quality pellets and I didn’t
The butt pad moves up as well as down
The 10-shot magazine is well designed, note the small catch that indexes the rotor when the bolt is cycled, pellets are Daystate Sovereigns
encounter any problems with any ammo types. I settled on Daystate’s own Kaisers but their Sovereigns were just as good, and I’d definitely recommend them both. Accuracy on the range was as to be expected, i.e. very good indeed and if there hadn’t been a complete absence of quarry at my farm shoot I’m sure it would have accounted for any vermin that came within range.
CONCLUSION
The Compatto is charged via an O-ring sealed probe, note the rotary dust cover
I couldn’t really find any faults with the Compatto; OK, I’m not a fan of the pressure gauge position but that’s not unique to this rifle and it’s just personal preference at the end of the day. The cocking bolt does feel a bit rough on the fingers after an extended range session, the grooves and ridges could be a little smoother- maybe I’ve just got overly soft hands?! A couple of small O-rings in the grooves would probably make it a little more comfortable and would look good too and contrast nicely with the stainless steel. Over the chrono the Compatto proved to be consistent and I achieved over 90-shots per fill, so a very usable hunting or range tool.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The Brocock Compatto would make an excellent, all-round rifle
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SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
n Model n Type n Capacity n Length n Barrel n Weight n Stock n Trigger n Safety n Calibre n Price n Contact
Brocock Compatto multi-shot PCP 10 (DM) 33 ¾” 18”, fully shrouded 6.3 Lbs Ambidextrous synthetic thumbhole 2-stage, adjustable Manual ‘paddle’ .22 on test, .177 available £589 Brocock. www.brocock.co.uk
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AIRGUN | AIRGUN HUNTER
Spoiled for
A
CHOICE
few issue ago I introduced a good friend of mine to these pages as an example to illustrate why I feel certain ‘firearm’ shooters can make the transition over to airgun hunting easier than others. Those who read that article will remember it was a one-time, die hard shotgunner named Graeme, who having shared a permission with me for quite a while, became a convert to hunting with the air rifle.
SPLIT PERSONALITY Not wanting to go over old ground, but for those that missed the piece, I detailed why I feel those used to shooting shotgun seem to have the ability to quite quickly become proficient in the use of a 12ft lb air rifle once they decide to try their hand at this challenging discipline. However, little was I to know my friend would soon be teaching me a few tricks to successfully target quarry that
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I’d previously had little success against. I suppose I could use the excuse it was largely a case of him being in the right place at the right time, but I think he’d agree at certain times of year having a variety of ‘guns’ to use and more species to target, means he can now find himself a tad ‘spoiled for choice’ in the quarry species he can target. That nicely leads me to relate the time he had a few days of good sport shooting rats that had taken up residence in a soil heap, in an area he previously used to build a hide to shoot woodies and crows when they descended to ravage one of the crop fields.
SOIL ’N’ SPOIL The situation presented itself when the farmer had put up a line of new fencing on the far edge of his land adjacent to the field. While doing so, he’d had to level out part of a corner of the field with the digger and the
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
earth removed had been unceremoniously dumped higher up the hill out of the way, as he intended to also dump spoilt grain on it. It’s common practice to do this as it can attract pest species away from the fields, as the spoilt grain is easier for avian pests such as woodies and crows to pick up and as the area is also quite secluded they feel safe feeding there. This works for a time but after the crops had been harvested, as he’d left the spoil heap in situ it quickly became overrun with rats, which in turn were attracting more than his usual share of local foxes. So a couple of problems had to be resolved – one, the rats needed evicting and the foxes that didn’t stop mooching around the heap would also need targeting with a suitable firearm. I’ve done some fox control here but the first critter I decided to target were the rats.
AIRGUN HUNTER | AIRGUN THE GAUNTLET!
Pete Wadeson tells a tale of shooting rats on a spoil heap, where someone he introduced and guided into the world of airgun hunting used a combination of tactics to score…
Being into my Night vision (NV) kit, I decided it’d be a simple job of waiting up within range of the ‘heap’ and target them as they emerged from the mass of holes they’d dug, leading to nests and areas of shelter. First night I watched in amazement through the NV sight as the rats rattled as fast as a speeding bullet from one hole to another or straight out of the heap to disappear into the undergrowth nearby. It wasn’t because they sensed my presence, rather they’d become twitchy due to the foxes regularly patrolling the heap during the night, so they’d ‘run the gauntlet’ to go wherever they did to find food and return back into their holes as fast as they left. I realised from that first, after hours visit, that I’d never catch them sitting around on the heap or scratching around, so at night a shot was definitely not going to present itself. For once I was at a loss to really think of a plan to target them, so went back to my usual seasonal shooting routine, which at the time was knocking over a few, fat, late season rabbits. However, the farmer walks his dog very early and passes that way on his daily route march and has seen rats aplenty and as bold as brass sitting around on the heap shortly after sunrise. He’d mentioned this to Graeme as he helps out on the farm, so obviously he sees him more often than I, so my friend wisely decided to have a crack at them – especially as he’d devised quite a nifty plan to make inroads into their unwanted presence.
MOBILE HIDE
Rats soon wise up to danger and on his fourth visit he only saw three but due to his marksmanship nabbed them all
Already knowing the time of day the rats were most active, Graeme only needed a shooting position within range of the spoil heap! But as there was little cover, and the target area being higher than most of the area surrounding it, he cleverly decided to drive his 4 x 4 onto the field and park up in the corner facing the heap and use it as a ‘mobile hide.’ It’s a trick I’ve used for shooting rabbits near hedge lines because although at times they’re
When in position, it was just a case of sitting still and patiently waiting for targets to appear
After he’d shot a few, he’d nip out with his rat grabber to ‘clean the area’, in case a fox came along and ‘spoiled’ his morning’s shooting
almost impossible to stalk up on – they’ll tolerate a stationary vehicle, as all quarry that inhabits the land around a farm is used to seeing farm machinery, such as tractors and the like. After arriving just before dawn, he’d even sussed out it’d be a ‘tempter’ to scatter some grain around, so that rats that did intend moving around would stop to pick up the seeds, meaning he’d get a stationary target. In fact, he’d used this ‘baiting up’ tactic for a few days prior to his initial session and bagged 15 rats within an hour and a half on his first visit. The shooting was a cushy number, as he’d simply sit in the comfort of his ‘motor’ and patiently wait for a rat to emerge or return and ‘pick them off’ with a well-placed shot from his BSA SuperTEN MkII in .177 calibre. I suppose the only credit I can ‘scratch’ from this tale is he used 10.7-grain .177 Bisley Magnum pellets. My favoured and recommended ammo for a job such as this, because the heavy little slug placed accurately in the kill-zone always sorts ol’ ratty good style.
NABBED & GRABBED After he’d shot a few, he’d nip out with his rat grabber to ‘clean the area’ – not because the dead rats lying around put any others off from appearing, more so in case a fox came along and ‘spoiled’ his morning’s shooting session. To digress a moment; I would never pick up dead rats with my bare hands and even with gloves on it can be dodgy. I say this as they carry all sorts of diseases, so a remote ‘rat grabber’ is by far the best and safest method, failing that a shovel, but just be careful! Disposal by burning is also recommended! I suppose if I have one thing to moan about, it is that I left it far too late to join in the sport, because rats soon wise up to danger. Also, and as you can see from his last session when I accompanied him, which was only his fourth visit, he only saw three, but due to his marksmanship ‘nabbed’ all of the scaly tailed rodents that appeared. In fact, not long afterwards the rats disappeared from the heap almost overnight, obviously to move to ‘safer’ pastures new. We always did wonder (not!) where they went to establish a new home but the farmer did keep mentioning he’d seen a hell of a lot more rats than usual around and inside the main barn for that time of year. Well at least we both had a lot of sport together afterwards!
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AIRGUN | CLEANING AIR RIFLE BARRELS PART II
SCRUBBING UP Pete Wadeson follows on from last month’s article on cleaning an air rifle barrel by further detailing the specifics pertaining to the dictates of a PCP…
I
n last month’s Workshop I explained why in my opinion you should clean an air rifle barrel and how I go about it. However, the article was almost totally slanted towards spring guns. Reason being not only does the rifling pick up tiny amounts of lead deposits from ammo that can eventually affect accuracy but a springer can also eject an amount of unburned and burnt (if the springer is one that is dieseling) lubricant down the tube on discharge. So cleaning is a wise option.
However, when it is required the cleaning regime shouldn’t need to be as stringent or as invasive as for a springer. Also cleaning the bore of a PCP is a far trickier affair because unless you intend to only use felt cleaning pellets, the operation can only be done muzzle to breech! So how do we got about it? Remove the silencer, if possible and open the bolt,
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SLOW AND CAREFUL Instead of starting off with a phosphor bronze wire brush on a calibre-specific rod if the barrel is really dirty, I use a jag (patch holder). To this I fit a patch (cloth square) of the right size with a squirt of This is then followed by using a pull-thru as per norm
LIMITED ACCESS In relation to a PCP the matter isn’t as cut ‘n’ dried, but it is one that should be undertaken when accuracy is becoming affected. Being a clean air system there’s no dieseling of lubricants to worry about. So it might be that lead and fouling build-up takes a lot longer than with a springer! Another consideration is that compressed air contains moisture, which can be more problematic as it can create internal condensation which overtime might generate rust.
don’t forget to put the safety on too and remove the magazine.
If the barrel is really dirty use a jag and cloth patch such as Napier Rifle Clean. This is coated with a cleaning solution such as Napier Power Airgun Oil and carefully fed down the barrel from the muzzle
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CLEANING AIR RIFLE BARRELS PART II | AIRGUN cleaning solution such as Napier’s Power Airgun Oil and carefully feed it down from the muzzle until only the very tip can be seen at the entrance to the breech. Then pull it back towards the muzzle, every so often pushing it inwards then back again to carefully ‘scrub’ what debris you can from the bore. Follow up by using a pull-thru; feed the loop end down the barrel until it appears in the breech area, insert a patch and pull it back out. Taking care not to let the cable rub against the muzzle crown to avoid ‘cord wear’. Repeat the operation until patches come out clean (white). After this fire a few fouling shots to begin the ‘leading up’ process. I know this sounds like a contradiction in terms, but depending on barrel type – accuracy will only be restored back to its optimum level once this has effectively been done. For some PCP’s this can take up to approximately 40-50 shots from clean!
“In relation to a PCP the matter isn’t as cut ‘n’ dried”
can jam or even bulge the bore. Too much cleaning fluid will cause the patch to swell so making it a tighter fit with the aforementioned consequences. Muzzle to breech cleaning can push debris into the PCP’s mechanism; a piece of card in the rear magazine well face can stop this. Any lubricant left in the bore can cause serious inaccuracy until it’s removed.
Take care not to let the pull thru cable rub against the muzzle crown as you clean the tube done correctly and repeating the operation – eventually patches will come out clean…
CAUTION
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There are a number of aspects of the process to note: Always use the correct size 24 - WHITBY & CO_SHOOTING patches for the calibre; SPORTS too small 18/03/2016 and they 09:15 Page 1 will not clean effectively, too large and they
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AIRGUN | GUN TEST
&Dedicated!
Specialist
Mark Camoccio finds a blend of simple practicality and military looks in the latest PCP from Gunpower
T
actical style rifles are a fashion that has lasted the course, and with most self respecting manufacturers now getting in on the act, the choice has never been greater. Synthetic stocks have paved the way for many, and black plastic/ composite clad models are now much in evidence across the airgun scene. A clamouring for anything military in styling is of course behind much of the current crop, but the simple, no-nonsense practicality of such designs admittedly plays its part. With no walnut to scuff over a fence, and non-reflective materials utilized throughout, it’s little wonder that this section of the market has found favour with hunters, and field shooters, who just consider their gun a tool to do a job at the end of the day. OK; the selection of models laying claim to ‘Tactical’ credentials varies enormouslyfrom a plethora of spring-powered guns, just fitted with black composite stocks, through to rather more specialist, dedicated options, aimed at the serious connoisseur.
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REPUTATION AND SPEC SHEET Gunpower fall firmly into the latter category, and have been masters of the dark arts for some years now. Their particular brand of styling and utilitarian specification has found a willing army of fans, both in the UK, and around the world, and these specialist tools are all built around a similar pre-charged pneumatic system. The Shadow, on test here, is a UK power limit version; super high power models are available for those in possession of the necessary FAC paperwork and required security. This model was originally introduced for the American market, since it incorporates a full length integral silencer within the main body, to satisfy US legislation. It has been supplied for test with a few add-ons, normally listed as optional extras; such as the secondary silencer, bipod, and charging adaptor. Part of the Gunpower blueprint is that chunky, rear-mounted, in-line buddy bottle which doubles up as the all-important butt
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The buddy bottle doubles as the butt, note the foam sleeve to stop cheek freeze and the rudimentary butt plate assembly
The bottle has to be filled off-gun; here we see the cylinder adaptor
GUN TEST | AIRGUN practical, non reflective skin to the end product. Separate stock pieces are utilized in the design here, and they all feel reassuringly well made and finished.
Action detail showing the trigger, safety catch (redtipped) and the unusual, single shot action
PREPARATION
“This slightly quirky, if not downright science fiction look has and will always invariably divide opinion” reduced to a mere 22”, which means transportation could be in a very low profile, non gun-like carry case. Ideal for certain shooting expeditions, where avoiding attention in the first place, can pay dividends. Where build quality is concerned, Gunpower’s products are fairly similar in the way they are constructed, and the Shadow is fairly typical of this well established British brand. The matt coating applied to the CNC machined components, gives a slick and attractive feel, whilst offering a super
RANGE TIME Handling the Shadow reveals a most capable air rifle, and that drop down grip and slick forend feel particularly comfortable, thanks to the excellent rubbery material utilized. I do feel Gunpower have missed a trick however, by not allowing the forend piece to be adjustable along its rail. Instead, it just screws into one mounting point. Adjustment is still possible where the butt plate is concerned however, with the bottle bracket just needing to be slackened off and moved accordingly- effectively shortening or increasing length of pull. The Shadow is satisfying in the aim then. Action noise is minimal, due in no small part
TACTICAL QUALITY ‘Tactical’ as mentioned, has become a real buzzword in certain circles, and part of that remit is often the ability to break down the action into basic constituent parts; enabling it to be stored and carried in an unusually small case. Indeed, like it or not, there are still misguided souls among us who just don’t appreciate our sport, and whilst I would always defend our rights to go about our law-abiding business, we need to accept that sometimes, keeping a low profile is in everyone’s interests. Unscrew the air cylinder from the Shadow, and (sans silencer) its length is
Shadow broken down into component parts, note the extra moderator and bipod
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s
and cheek piece. This slightly quirky, if not downright science fiction look has and will always invariably divide opinion before we even get started. Get past that striking profile though, and what we have here is a serious airgun, with a highly distinctive look and feel. None more so than the mandatory, raised scope rail, which has to be high enough to clear the air bottle for a workable head position. A 490cc buddy bottle should mean a large shot count, whilst the three-part stock configuration and break down action, brings versatility. Single-shot (well one is enough in the right place) direct feed, bolt action design, 2-stage trigger, comprehensive accessory rails, and an integral silencer, give this model plenty of selling points, so let’s see how it shapes up?
Gunpower use a significant on-board air tank for most of their models, and the Shadow utilizes a rather meaty 490cc ‘buddy bottle’ as the power source. Charging the bottle is best done via a diver’s air bottle, and the procedure is fairly simple as follows: first cock the action and slide the breech forwards. Then unscrew the entire air bottle assembly from the rear and, remove from the action. Screw the filler adaptor block into the side of a large divers bottle, then screw the Shadow’s air bottle into the adaptor, and hand tighten in place. Charge to 200bar, bleed the line, remove the bottle, and screw back onto the gun’s action. I’m not normally a fan of dismantling rifles just to charge them up; however the take-down nature of the Shadow means it’s largely par for the course.
AIRGUN | GUN TEST Not for everyone, but the simple nature of the rifle and its looks do have a big appeal
Action open and ready for direct pellet loading with mk1 finger and thumb
s
to this model incorporating internal baffles in the extended front section. I had the add-on external silencer (sold as an optional extra) to play with on test, and with this screwed into place, the muzzle report is reduced still further. Unusual is the loading process; as the barrel is pushed forward using the vertical handle at the rear, this then exposes the breach for direct loading. Once charged the barrel assembly is pulled back and the handle tuned slightly to the left to engage with the neck of the air exit valve. Used as we are in the main to multi-shot PCPs, if you don’t care about fire power then the Gunpower system is elegantly simple and near fool-proof!
SHOT COUNT AND ES The Shadow comes with a 2-staged trigger; best described as competent! There’s a nicely shaped plastic shoe, adjustable for position, and a predictable final release. So the only real negative is that rather crude red tab automatic safety, just forward of the trigger. Yes it works, but it can be irritating on the finger as it is nudged off, and is nothing if not Heath Robinson in appearance, and out of keeping with an otherwise high grade rifle. Gunpower don’t make a splash about shot count with their models, and my test rifle wasn’t exactly amazing in this regard, bearing in mind that sizeable buddy bottle, plus it’s not a regulated action! For the record, from a 200bar fill pressure, I recorded 120-shots, with an extreme
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spread (ES) of 89 fps, using AA Diabolos. There were more shots to come, but with a steady decrease in velocity showing, (at around 130bar residual pressure) I’ve stayed with the initial band of shots where the Shadow was most consistent. Taking the first 50 and ES was 40 fps. Over 90 this increased to 60fps; but to be honest, I would have expected a few more, before velocity dropped away. Accuracy though, was good, with groups in the region of 13mm centre-to-centre with a variety of ammo, over my 35yd range.
CONCLUSION With such extensive dovetail/ accessory rails on offer, running along both the top and bottom edges of the forend, the choice of lasers, night sights and the like, that could be utilized, is a big plus point for serious hunters, and that’s where the Gunpower plays its ace! I say this as the Gunpower formula though, continues to sell around the globe.
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
n Model Gunpower Shadow n Type Single shot PCP n Take-down facility Y n Calibre .177 on test (.22 avail) n Weight 5.4lbs without silencer or scope n Length Adjustable 33-34.25” without silencer n Barrel 12” n Stock Ambidextrous synthetic 2-piece n Power Source 490cc buddy bottle n Trigger 2-stage adjustable n Fill Pressure 200bar n Shot Count 120 see above details on test in .177 using Air Arms Diabolo Field Velocity: High 775 Low 735 Ave 760fps ES 40 fps over 50-shots, 60 fps over 90, 89 fps over 120 n Energy 10.8ft/lbs (ft/lbs on test) n RRP £525 Options: Silencer £49, Bipod £79, Filling adaptor £35, Fibre optic sights £75 n Contact Gunpower Ltd, 01233 642357 www.gunpower.net
Note the straight-line action that necessitates the high scope base to clear the buddy bottle
SS MAY 2016 Master_SHOOTING SPORTS 18/03/2016 10:05 Page 49
THE EDGE
SHADOW
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Integral moderator for efficient hunting and pest control
including Director Sight and Quickfill Adapter
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SS05.16/38/d
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AIRGUN | HFT DIARY
HFTY DIAR
Mark Camoccio is still on his quest for the ultimate HFT machine, this time he might have got it right with a little help from his friends
Dave Welham is well used to my projects of late
CREATING
An adjustable shoulder pad is a great feature
A
s I write this, the World HFT Championships is but a few weeks away, and the tension and excitement is already ratcheting up, for those of us who dabble in the dark arts of competition shooting. Just when I thought my addiction for switching kit had gone away, I’ve found myself on an unstoppable mission, to try and piece together my ideal rifle. Project FTP (based on the Air Arms FTP900) resulted in a fine piece of machinery for sure, but I just didn’t fall in love with that absurdly accurate, tack driving creation!
THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL! There’s something about laminate that I just find too clinical; despite the obvious advantage of this medium. Yes I’m aware that it’s the most stable form of wood being near impervious to the elements, and effectively warp-free; and that half the shooting industry has switched to its charms. Multi-coloured layers of wood can look flash as they become exposed in the manufacturing process, and for many, these garish creations hit the spot. The trouble is, I’ve always loved walnut, and the appearance, feel, even smell of traditional timber, is the driving force that
50
SUCCESS has forced my hand. Having two guns identically set-up is perhaps the ideal, one considered the main tool, and the other an emergency back-up; but I’ve been toying with the idea of a custom design. Whether it will work, I’m not sure, but this is the plan.
ACTION SPECIFICATION My obsession with the Air Arms S400 would take care of the action, (or at least it would be based around it), and with one of these ordered in classic length, full length standard cylinder, I’d be guaranteed a reasonable number of shots. OK; the S400 is a fairly simple design, originally aimed at the hunting fraternity- but it remains a best seller for good reason, and still chalks up successes on the competition circuit! Despite being overshadowed by a plethora of machinery many times more expensive.
I had Dave Welham’s prototype trigger modification performed on my back-up S400, and this would be carried out on the new one- changing the trigger axis/leverage points, to reduce the pull still further. Next was the blade and here I had a set-back, straight, match aluminium design in mind; rather like the old Air Arms Olympic unit they produced for the 100 Series many moons ago. Dave’s regulator was also to be fitted, and this would bring several subtle advantages. Increased shot count overall, better consistency, and no worry about having to be careful not to over-charge the cylinder. The downside; the gun’s pressure gauge will only show the regulator pressure, but hey; I can live with that! Up at the front, this time, I would be sticking with a silencer, either Air Arms’ own ultra sophisticated Q-Tec, or my trusty Phantom/PAX. Either option will keep everything super quiet and relaxed in use.
TIMBER TIME
I’ve had a long association with this model in one guise or another
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
As for the woodwork, a phone call to the nice chaps at Custom Stock in Sheffield was the best place to start. After an initial look at their models specified ‘off-the-shelf’ so to speak, I opted for the CS800, which features a full blown match rear end, complete with
28 - D
HFT DIARY | AIRGUN KEY HFT EVENTS IN 2016:
n World Hunter Field Target Championships 2016 - 27th & 28th March, Kelmarsh, Northants.
Quite a monster, but will it be my number one?
“The end result is an interesting design exercise; slab-sided for sure”
n UKAHFT National Series Dates Round 1- 24th April Quarry (S.Wales) Round 2- 22nd May Furnace Mill (Shrops) Round 3- 26th June Buxted (Sussex) Round 4- 30th July M.A.D. (Essex) Round 5- 31st July M.A.D. Round 6- 21st August Rivington (Lancs) Round 7- 25th September Cambridge (Cambs) Round 8- 15th October Emley Moor (Yorks) Round 9- 16th October Emley Moor The Gathering TBA TBA n HFT Masters Dates 10th April Cambridge (Cambs) 8th May Harrogate (Northern Shooting Show, N. Yorks) 19th June Cloybank (Scotland) 3rd July Greyhound (Coventry) 20th August Emley Moor (Saturday, Yorks) 23rd October Lea Valley, (Hertfordshire) n European Championships (HFT) - September (date TBA, Poland)
thumbhole, full drop down target grip, and SO? So will I be using it at the Worlds? Well if the that all-important thumb shelf. An adjustable accuracy is up to scratch (I’d be unlucky if it nicely shaped butt pad is a great asset, but I wasn’t, but not fully tested at time of writing), opted for non-adjustable cheek piece; due in and all feels ok in practise, then I’d be crazy no small part to the weight saving offered. not to. What makes this less of a gamble But the spec didn’t stop there. Having than it may sound of course, is that what lies spelled out my personal requirements for an at the heart of the project, is the action and HFT stock and the necessity for a deep regulator, with which I have had such a long forend, the boys at Custom Stock finally association over the years, so it should feel agreed to produce a variation on a theme. familiar. It all has to feel right though, and The end result is an interesting design with a stunning walnut sporter supplied with exercise; slab-sided for sure, with a pretty my new gun, the jury is still out as to which good feel when down in the prone positionroute I take. the most commonly used in HFT! With Next time out, I hope to bring you a full Airmasters giving everything the final once report on how the World Championships over, and relieving the front area to eliminate panned out at Kelmarsh Hall. So until then, any contact with the cylinder, I could get 28 - Deben_SHOOTING SPORTS AD TEMPLATE 16/03/2016 10:21 Page 1 safe shooting! down to some serious evaluation.
For pre-booking application forms and downloads regarding established UKAHFT events (where bookings are still possible), and all the latest information on anything connected with Hunter Field Target shooting, take a look at the following websites: ■ https://sites.google.com/site/ukahft/ ■ www.shooting-the-breeze.com ■ https://sites.google.com/site/whfta1/ In addition, details of the new HFT Masters events can be seen at www.hftmasters.net Airmasters regulators - about as good as it gets
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The new stock has a full target grip
Note the set-back match blade
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AIRGUN | FT BLOG
Why Do I
Bother?
What to do? Where to aim?
James Osborne explains just why he still loves all aspects of FT shooting
A
Your choice, white, yellow or red pellets
fter all these years shooting airgun pellets at Field Targets I still get a buzz every time a long one falls over for me. There is a mix of emotions contained within that tiny moment, including but not exclusively, a sense of achievement, amazement, and if I’m shooting a competition, relief. It is probably one of the chief reasons I never tire of FT, and I presume it is why others do it too. Think about everything that leads up to that moment when the trigger breaks on the 55 yard target and down it goes for the winning score in a competition, to achieve a personal best or simply to beat your mate. A fraction of a second, hit or miss, but there are probably months, if not years, of preparation that have gone into that moment.
MILESTONES
The trigger, to pull or not to pull…
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It all begins when you pick up an air rifle with the intent of shooting Field Targets, it may not be the rifle you have just won the World Championships with, but that is where it all began, the decision to have a go. The learning process can be a long one; there
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
are boxes to tick and milestones to pass along the way. I remember starting out in FT and how fantastic it was just to have the chance to shoot, I had little understanding of the equipment or the sport but it didn’t really matter. I was hooked from day one, I’d passed that first milestone and I was a shooter. There are endless boxes to tick, there isn’t a single shooter out there who has ticked them all, even within the confines of one discipline. I learn something every time I shoot my rifle and to my consternation find that boxes I thought ticked long since, require a revisit before getting on to the new ones I keep on discovering.
PREPARATION One of the first things a new shooter needs to do is mount a scope to their rifle, it turns out though, this seemingly straightforward tick box is anything but. It has taken me hour after frustrating hour, even as someone with experience, in the past just to mount a scope on a gun. A tweak of the position here and a twist of the eyepiece there, the fitting
FT BLOG | AIRGUN
A chance to practice
Knocking these over; can’t beat that feeling
JAM E S O S B O R N
Not art, just a typical zeroing session!
of sunshades, lens covers, and should I use a rubber eye cup? (Yes is the answer by the way!). How does this focusing wheel go on? Where’s my expired credit card to make a pointer for that wheel? Need I go on? You know exactly what I mean if you’ve ever fitted a target scope to an airgun; and if you don’t you are very, very fortunate. Zeroing up a rifle with the aforementioned scope is another box that must be ticked, but before doing that, it is wise to have a look at the ‘things to check’ list. Included are items such as pellet selection and I’ll offer a little advice here (for free). Use the same brand that everyone else does, some shooters spends hours testing pellets, why repeat the process? And at least the playing field will be level that way. The zeroing process can be a long and arduous task and once completed will not only give you one massive tick in a box but the sense of achievement gained from passing a milestone in your FT career. The decisions you make at the zeroing stage will affect your shooting from that point forward, and whether positive or negative will only become apparent with time. I find the whole ‘zeroing a rifle’ process frustrating and tedious, it rarely seems to go well for me and has got to the point that I worry I have missed something fundamental if it has gone well.
E SAYS:
e h t o t n o s p e t s “First ad of FT rocky ro may be competitiotnive” tenta
TOE IN THE WATER So far everything has been fairly straightforward, some of the initial setting up of a FT rifle is fiddly but not beyond most shooters, all you need is to have some patience. The step into competition however is a different matter altogether. First steps onto the rocky road of FT competition may be tentative ones at a quiet local open shoot, or you may jump in at the deep end and take on a big summer championship. It’s a huge milestone either way, and it doesn’t really matter because if you care about your shooting, you will be just as nervous at either. Don’t worry about the nerves though, as there’s no point. Get used to them because they should always be there. Learning to control those nerves can be a huge task and the only real way to do that, is to keep on shooting competitions. The nerves box is one of those you suddenly find unchecked just as the auditors are due. I wish I had some sage advice here for you dear reader, but sorry, you’re on your own with this one.
ROUTINE Of course while you are shooting competitions and practicing when you get the chance, you are constantly learning. Routines and rituals develop, and you
Sometimes, just sometimes it all comes together
become more familiar with your kit and establish what works for you. Hopefully this results in more and more targets falling over for you in competition. I have witnessed many FT shooters of all abilities in competition over the years and each one is unique in the way that they approach and execute each shot. A process oddly enough; that seems to have little bearing on the results either. FT success seems to come with relative ease to some, while others grimly struggle on, but regardless of ability seem to take enjoyment and satisfaction in their FT shooting in equal measure.
THAT MOMENT All of which takes me back to my opening paragraphs. It may have taken years to find yourself in the position you dream of, or only a few months, but you’ll have worked for it. Finding yourself on the final shot, a hit needed for the win, using all you have learnt, the target 55yards distant, assess the wind, settle the breathing, squeeze the trigger, feel it break, in slow motion watch the flight of the pellet… It doesn’t matter what the goal; whether winning the World Championships or simply beating your mate- and it’s a feeling I don’t think can be beaten.
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AIRGUN | SCOPE TEST
d e e r B
The Optisan EVX 3-12X44i is a bold design
The SFPMH10X reticule used in this model is particularly impressive
Mark Camoccio checks out a new scope from MTC Optics, or should that be Daystate Diana?
M
TC Optics have built up quite a reputation over the last few years, for their dynamic approach to all things optical, and with the company now part of the Diana Group that numbers both Daystate and Brocock among their portfolio, that go-ahead ethos looks set to flourish. MTC really could boast the old adage ‘designed by shooters, for shooters’ , since
Gary and Sammie Cooper, the couple originally behind the brand, have been enthusiasts for many years. Both were involved in Hunter Field Target shooting when the sport was still in its infancy, and the loyal following that the company can now boast on the competition circuit, is testament to their hard work and willingness to listen in the early years. Push-pull lockable turrets are fitted as standard and will suit many uses
FOR
Well made and accurate
54
AGAINST
Not a lot
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
VERDICT
Should go down well with the airgun community
LOOKS FAMILIAR On test here is one of the new breed of Optisan EVX models from MTC, and they are bound to look familiar to many, since they share a very similar chassis and turrets system to some other models in the line-up. My test model is the 3-12X44i- denoting variable magnification between 3x and 12x, and an illuminated reticule. As a brand new model, this example bore a sticker underneath stating prototype, reticule SFPMH10X, and here the coding denotes the 2nd focal plane (SFP) and the MH10 reticule. True values on the aim points come in on 10x magnification. The turrets are outsized, lockable target-style, (similar in size to those used on other MTC models such as the Viper) and that means they are pulled up to open and are easy to adjust by hand. Once zeroed, the turret is pushed down, which locks it in position. This style of ‘tactical’ turret is undeniably popular, but the sheer width it adds to the scope does mean that a sufficiently cushioned carry case needs to be sought, for proper protection and peace of mind. To be honest, I’d prefer low profile screw-off turret covered and unless you’re competing in Field Target or some other discipline, where regular quick dialling of the turrets is required, it can be overkill. That said, super clear markings and a sturdy spindle system are reassuring in use.
SCOPE TEST | AIRGUN
MARK CAMOCCIO
QUALITY GLASS These scopes from MTC Optics feature an improved multi-coated lens system, and I have to say the quality of the image and the glass used is most noticeable. I zeroed at 25yds, and then followed up with a check of the re-tracking of adjustments through the grid, to test integrity. The EVX passed this aspect with flying colours. The build shows a side parallax drum, typically on the left of the saddle, truth is many find this position far more practical and easy to operate than the older style with it on the objective! In use, this was maybe a little stiff on my example. As this control also actuates and dials the illumination system; care needs to be taken not to activate the outer dial unintentionally. The parallax dial is only marked for the minimum 10yds, and the next distance is 100yds, then infinity. On test, minimum focus to a super clear point set at the recommended 10x magnification was around 13yds for me. But as mentioned, clarity overall, and edge to edge sharpness with no aberrations, was impressive.
RAISON D’ETRE The major selling point for the Optisan EVX range of scopes has to be the newly developed MH10 reticule. It’s actually a combination of the best points of both the original MTC designed SCB reticule, and the later AMD design, which was apparently more popular with full-bore shooters. The manufacturers state that the new reticule ‘combines the aim points of SCB with the greater range of the AMD’; and the result is a fantastic array of aim points, with perhaps the highlight being those incredibly useful floating windage dots. On the range, I ascertained that the lowest, widest windage dot subtends around 6” when viewed on 10x magnification at 45yds. The others are equidistant, so give roughly 1.5, 3, and 4.5” accordingly at the
SAYS:
e v a h s c i t p O C T “M built up quitevear reputation o ars” the last few ye
same distance, with an increasing and corresponding amount of drop designed in. All this information is invaluable, and with a few hours spent on the practise range, to test specific pellet flight and trajectory against the reticule, any serious shooter will be fore-armed and ready for action. Knowledge is power as they say, and this EVX can certainly be said to empower the shooter, especially those who are prepared to do their homework in any case!
LIT OR NOT! Illuminated reticules are a matter of taste, but if you favour them, then this one lights up red (all but the outer thick posts), and a neat part of the design sees alternate off stages between each of the six power levels- meaning it’s not quite so easy to leave the illumination switched on. More importantly you can have it to a pre-set level then just click back one to turn it off, then click on again, rather than having to dial up from 0! A CR2032 lithium 3v coin-style battery is supplied, and this is stored in the top of the parallax turret. Adjusting the magnification collar, brings just enough resistance, whilst the fast focus ring at the ocular lens, is suitably firmer to twist, which means it won’t easily shift its setting accidentally. At 26oz, this scope adds a fair bit of weight to any combination, but the solidity and feel in operation, is worth a few points alone.
Note the side parallax dial and illumination graduations
Magnification is variable between 3x and 12x
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
n Model: MTC Optisan EVX 3-12X44i n Reticule: MH10 n Weight: 26oz n Eye relief: 3” n Click Values: 0.1Mil Radian n Field of View: 32-8.5ft @100yds n Body Tube: 30mm n Minimum Focus: 10yds marked. Around 13yds on 10x mag on test n Length: 13.5” n Turret Type: Target-style, push-pull lockable n Clicks per rotation: 49 n No. of Full Rotations: 5.4 elevation/ 5.4 windage n Price: £279 including flip-up lens caps, sunshade and 3” side wheel n Other EVX models: Optisan EVX 4-16X44F1 (mil) FFPMH16 £354 Optisan EVX 5-20X50i (mil) MH10 X £299 Optisan EVX 6-24X56i (mil) MH10X £314 n Contact: MTC Optics, 08448009929 www.mtcoptics.co.uk
GUARANTEES With MTC’s Viper and Connect models winning their fair share of HFT silverware, shooters have had their appetites well and truly whetted. This EVX range should add to the company’s appeal. The usual limited guarantees are here too, along with a (nitrogen purged) water, fog and shockproof body tube. All in all, another impressive scope from an increasingly popular brand.
The ocular lens is fitted with the usual fast focus ring
55
AIRGUN | GUN TEST
The new Trail NP2 feels good in the aim and a good out of the box package too
Mark Camoccio sees that Benjamin has moved on in the gas ram race with another winner
W
ell one thing’s for sure- I think we can safely say that the gas-ram system is here to stay! For the rush of manufacturers eager to launch their own take on the theme, has continued unabated. Theoben came up with the idea of course, but with their original patents now having well and truly expired, the door has been open for some time, for manufacturers across the board to benefit. I’ve tested plenty, and they vary enormously, but one manufacturer that I felt really got it right from the word go, was Benjamin, with their Trail NPSS. On test here is the latest incarnation, of their ‘Nitro Piston’ (NP) system, and it’s a slick looking gun that comes as a package deal. For included in the price is a Centerpoint branded 3-9x40 AO scope and twin Picatinny style ring mounts; which all helps off-set the initial asking price.
Ambidextrous woodwork means everyone can shoot this rifle unhindered
Note the blade-type safety in front of the trigger, and that chunky guard
OVER-VIEW The Benjamin has been part of the Crosman Corporation in the States, for some years now, but has managed to keep its own identity up to a point. The Trail NP range has
56
The NP2 utilizes the ever popular break-barrel configuration but with a gas ram power plant
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
Including a 3-9x40 scope and mounts in the package is a nice touch
GUN TEST | AIRGUN chamber is a self-contained unit, and as such, shouldn’t need topping up. In the case of the NP2, Crosman have made a technical change over their original design, which effectively reverses the internal configuration. The nitrogen-filled chamber is now housed inside the piston body, (instead of being behind it as in the original NPSS design. Whilst this might not sound radical, apparently, the extra mass of the piston moving forwards helps improve overall efficiency. Additional synthetic guides help the cause too, but what we’re really talking about is more energy for less cocking effort, as we shall see.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
n Model Benjamin Trail NP2 (Wood stock) n Type Gas-ram break barrel sporter n Calibre .22 on test/ .177 available n Weight 9lbs n Length 45.75” n Barrel 16” n Stock Ambidextrous hardwood thumbhole n Trigger 2-stage adjustable n Velocity/Energy 10-shot string: Using Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum / Air Arms Diabolo Field pellets: High 606fps High 577fps Low 585 Low 573 Ave 594 Ave 575 ES 21fps ES 4fps Energy 11.3ft/lbs Energy 11.7ft/lbs n RRP £380 guide inc Center Point 3-9x40 and mounts n Options Synthetic thumbhole stocked version n Distributor ASI www.a-s-i.co.uk
SILENCER/ TRIGGER REVISIONS certainly given them something to shout about, so I was eager to see how this latest version would shape up. The new Trail NP2 is available with either a hardwood stock (on test), or a synthetic version, both being almost identical configurations. The new furniture, whilst still sporting that attractive light brown matt lacquer has a beefier forend, with not such a fine taper as the original. The thumb-hole grip is less raked back too, which is a good thing in my book, whilst fully ambidextrous credentials can only score more points for many. QD sling studs even come as standard, so there’s a level of detail to impress for sure! An upgraded, 2-stage trigger, full length silencer, and revised power plant, complete the spec list.
As for the newly revised front end, Crosman/ Benjamin calls it an integrated sound suppression system. A 16” barrel screws into a reflex-style mounting inside the shroud casing, at a point 5” down from the muzzle. Spent air dissipates through a series of baffles at the front, and back down the shroud, so the NP2 has clearly had plenty of thought applied throughout its development. Trigger wise, I remember being somewhat disappointed with the original Trail NPSS, as the release mechanism was one of its real weak points in an otherwise satisfying airgun. Well I’m please to say that this newly revised model gets an upgrade in that department too, with the inclusion of Crosman’s CBT design, standing for ‘Clean Break Trigger’, and it’s definitely an improvement on what went before!
PREPARATION
ON THE RANGE
First things first, and locking that 3-9x40 scope into place using the mounts provided is a simple exercise. A Picatinny rail may be overkill on an airgun, but with the correct mounts offers a positive recoil stop, so scope-creep is not something to lose sleep over! The clarity and functionality of the Center Point scope provided, was certainly up to scratch; its relatively low-profile target-style turrets move with a satisfying click. Whilst the Mil Dot style reticule offers the advantage of multiple aim points and a good crisp image too. All in all then, a nice inclusion! Apologies to regular readers, but a quick explanation may be in order, for those unfamiliar with the whole gas-ram concept. A gas ram, or gas strut, as it’s sometimes known, is a power plant which completely replaces a conventional main spring. Instead of the spring, an internal chamber/cylinder contains air or gas of some sort, (in this case Nitrogen) which is compressed when the rifle is cocked. On firing, the compressed air/gas is allowed to expand rapidly, (but not escape) so powering the piston, which compresses the air ahead of it, to propel the pellet, in the usual way. The internal
To recap then, I was more than impressed when I tested the original Trail NPSS, but the firing cycle of this NP2 doesn’t disappoint. You still require a quick jolt of the barrel to break the breech open, but the subsequent cocking stroke is super easy and incredibly smooth, and yes, I would say a tad easier than the original. Take a look at the arc of that cocking stroke, and it looks to be longer, and the firing cycle is super smooth and free from twang and resonance. There is recoil of sorts, but it is more of a bounce than a harsh jolt! The new hardwood stock handles nicely too, with that flared forend feeling spot-on in the aim. Add to that the perfectly angled and
slimmed down thumb hole area, and the NP2 scores well overall. One minor observation, concerns the sling clip fixed to the breech, which due to its arc of movement, is likely to rub at the varnish under the forend. As for the trigger, I made some adjustment, to reduce the pull, and whilst I could still feel some creep before the release point, the end result was perfectly fair. The nice broad surface of the blade plays its part, and with a manual safety catch tucked neatly away at the front of the guard, for those who want one, the NP2 is nothing if not well appointed. Over the chronograph, using Crosman’s Premier Ultra Magnum pellets, 10-shot strings showed 21 fps of extreme spread (ES). Totally acceptable of course, but switching to Air Arms Diabolo Field’s saw consistency drop to an incredible 4 fps ES. As it panned out, accuracy tests over 30 yards were just a little disappointing, and over an extended period, using a variety of ammunition, my best efforts remained at around 1.5” achieved with AA Diabolos, Premier Ultra Magnums, and RWS Superfields. Try before you buy though, as my original NPSS clearly had a better barrel when previously tested, so I suspect some variation in this area.
Smart and purposeful describes the Benjamin Trail NP2 nicely!
FOR
Well thought out, lots of good features
AGAINST
Not a lot
VERDICT
A nice gun to shoot and a reasonable deal too
57
AIRGUN | GUN TEST
SECOND
THE
N E H C T I K
K N SI The pistol grip storage compartment holds the 10-shot mag easily
Terry Almond returns to tell us more about his Daystate Pulsar and finds a few small anomalies! 58
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
GUN TEST | AIRGUN
L
ast month I described the basics of my Daystate Pulsar leaving the set up and testing for this month. After some experimenting with sitting positions and contemplating knee extensions and the like, I have ended up with something that apparently resembles a pneumatic drill! Or so I’m told. A comment on first sight was; oh, what’s that, is it accurate? A Pulsar owner gets used to this and I did say that you either love or hate it! I don’t know what Planet this guy was from but I can answer with a resounding YES! It is very accurate, more later. As for it looking like a power tool, well I have to agree that there are similarities. I needed to raise the height in the sitting position and happened to have a vertical for grip lying around with a Picatinny fitting. Now when adopting the FT sitting position I find it to be comfortable and stable when gripped around the inside of the knee. It also ‘untwisted’ my aging torso further to the right. Easily detached and carried in the case, this is the way the Pulsar will be used for the FT course test.
FT SETUP As it will be used predominantly for FT my Sightron 10-50x60 was easily mounted. The rifle will accommodate just about any scope combination with its long 11mm dovetail rail. The other plus point is that it will still fit comfortably in the Daystate case with a little pruning to the foam inletting. At first glance the rail looks attached to the barrel shroud at the front but on closer inspection a small gap can be seen which should dispel any worries about zero shift caused by expansion/contraction of the shroud. I use Sportsmatch adjustable mounts which gives a centre of scope/bore measurement of 2.75”, giving a perfect cheek weld in the aim. This scope height also gives a very interesting trajectory when set up for my regular 35yd main zero. From 19 to 38yds there are only 3 clicks (8th) difference from POI up or down. First close zero point is between 23/24yds. At this distance the trajectory is starting to flatten out with its highest point at 30yds or 3 clicks
Atlas Bi-pod on Picatinny rail, unusual but effective for some sorts of shooting
down from primary 35yd zero. At 38yds just 3 clicks up are required for POI. Last month I mentioned the laser and stated that it wasn’t much use after 25yds. After another month of use may I amend and clarify that statement! As an ‘aiming’ tool I stand by what I said. At high magnification the dot fragments and is far too big for pinpoint accuracy. However, I am finding that when shooting vermin and used as a rangefinder in conjunction with lower magnification, it is proving to be a useful little device.
EXAMPLE: Sightron Mil-Dot scope @ 10x magnification. Laser set to coincide with first dot above center cross hair at 35yds. At 30yds the laser dot appears halfway between first dot and center crosshair. At 25yds it’s on center cross hair. At 18yds it coincides with the first mill dot down. The progression is not linear owing to the trajectory but this method can be utilized quickly and accurately with good results. It is certainly possible to go beyond 35yds in daylight and utilize more Mil-Dots. Provided the scope power value remains the same it will allow decent range finding on a relatively low power Mil-Dot scope. Laser adjustment remains finicky, but it seems to hold its POA given the Heath Robinson form of adjustment. The automated ON/OFF when cocking and firing works a treat. I still think that the laser could be a higher end product more befitting a £2000 rifle. In operation the loading lever is easy to operate from the shooting position and an added bonus is that the fore-arm actually closes it as the hand comes forward to grasp the pistol grip. Loading the single tray is proving to be a bit finicky, with the occasional backward facing pellet
BALLISTICS PELLET Keiser 8.6grn Rangemaster Sovereign AirArms Field
WEIGHT 8.6 8.4 8.4
AVG VELOCITY 770fps/11.32ft/lb 782fps/11.4ft/lb 774fps/11.20ft/lb
in the groove but I’m getting better. The 10-shot magazine is easy to load and trouble-free, with no noticeable difference in accuracy from single shot mode. All the electronic beeps of the Mk4 have gone but there are some subtle warnings replacing them. For instance, after operating the menu and changing a particular setting, there is a distinct ‘clunk’ when closing the loading lever that is not present under normal operation. Also, upon firing the 10th shot in magazine mode, a little chap inside the stock knocks four times against my cheek to let me know that the rifle is now inactive. A bit disconcerting when it first happens I can tell you.
FRUSTRATING MOMENT NO.1 The Pulsar has a secret compartment in the Pistol grip, as Daystate don’t even acknowledge its existence! I defy anybody to open it without using some sort of tool. This facility is not something that was planned or designed by Daystate, it’s a bi product of the unit supplied by Israeli Industries. Here’s the good news; the 10-shot magazine actually fits inside precisely! However, just make sure that the base of the mag is facing the back of the pistol grip with the small pin at the top. Daystate gives maximum fill pressure as 230bar for a .177 shot count of 220. Big figures all round. That’s nearly five 50-shot courses for me so I needed to know what denotes a ‘sensible’ fill allowing for warm up, stoppages etc. Around the 80-shot mark comfortably should be enough. Working on the principle of .5 bar per shot average I set my first fill on 170bar which should see around 130bar left in the rifle after 80-rounds. I used
s
The laser can be really useful, but zeroing with grub screws needs a delicate touch!
Love that carbon fibre and laminate look!
59
AIRGUN | GUN TEST s And it all runs on good old AA batteries; simples!
Keiser 8.6-grain, Rangemaster 8.4-grin, and AirArms Diablo Field 8.4-grain. The first two give head size as 4.50mm with the AA at 4.52. I got consistent chrono readings with all three! All shots were within 8 fps over separate 10-shot strings totaling 60 and tube pressure was now at 140bar. Excellent! I then continued to fire a further 70-shots with no change in velocity or consistency. The pressure was now down to 110bar and at this point readings started to become inconsistent with a rapid drop in velocity. A total of 130-shots averaging out at a total spread of no more than 10 fps from a 170bar fill. This miserly use of air and overall consistency is not particularly remarkable when one considers what’s out there so let’s not get too excited just yet.
The pistol grip incorporates a cross-bolt safety, which gives easy operation
“The Air Arms field were the clear winners. My friend Terry Mann shot some exceptional groups at 50yds; I’m talking thumb nail size”
GROUPING ON PAPER Initial testing was done at 30yds, an Atlas bi-pod seconded from my .223 Savage was attached to the Pulsar’s Picatinny rail for some prone shooting. The pellets performed very well at this moderate distance and the photos tell the story. All are well within a 5p piece with little to choose between them except one remarkable group. Take a look at the AirArms field group showing two holes. Ignoring the left single hole there are 4 pellets in the other! Unsurprisingly I could not repeat that and reserved my judgment until long range accuracy and consistency could be tested. One thing that was noticeable was vertical dispersion of the impact points. Virtually non existent with the Air Arms pellets, the other two had slight variation
Impressive; Collective 30yd groupings from various brands
60
up and down at 30yds which should show as the ranges is further increased! Shooting at 50yds proved my observations to be correct! The Air Arms field were the clear winners. My friend Terry Mann shot some exceptional groups at 50yds; I’m talking thumb nail size. A feat he was not able to repeat with the Keisers’ or the Rangemasters. They would suddenly throw a higher or lower shot breaking a promising group. In the case of the Rangemasters, they seemed to suffer exceptionally from the switching breeze at this distance. I will be using the AAs until I get a chance to check out others! One thing worth mentioning at this point. I have done specific testing to see if re-filling the rifle has had any effect on set zero. I know from the chrono testing that velocity is unaffected but is there any change due to torque stress when the air tube is subjected to various fill pressures? I couldn’t detect any noticeable difference at any fill pressure, but on one occasion there was a change in POI. During my set up process I experienced a shift along with all the other shooters
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
present that day. It was around 2C° with a wind chill factor making it feel below freezing. We all ended up about 4 clicks low throughout the trajectory curve. The following day when temperatures returned to 4C° the rifle was back on point of impact. Certainly from 4c to 15c° I cannot detect any change. The next thing to do is to test it out on a 60 shot course.
ON THE RANGE I used my home club of Byley F.T.C, it has a very tricky wooded shoot when the wind is blowing, even worse when only a light breeze is present. A 30-target course is set out every other Sunday and for this test I shot twice at each target for a total of 60 shots. The purpose was to get a ‘feel’ for the Pulsar under target conditions and record all observations and findings good and bad! The earlier reported accuracy held true right through with no pellet strikes noticeably high or low of the POI. All misses were due to a tricky wind which was unreadable on parts of the course, but misses hit the plate at the expected height.
GUN TEST | AIRGUN The trigger is a dream to use with a really crisp break and the muzzle report is quiet. Cycling the action proved easy without coming out of position, but I did fumble a few pellets when positioning them in the groove. The probe sometimes ‘tipped’ the pellet as it moved forward causing it to jam on its way into the breach. With practice it became easier to push it in with my thumb after placing it in the grove, allowing the probe to ease it the rest of the way without lateral movement.
The side cocking action is a first for Daystate and a good one!
TWITCHY Now this next observation may come as a surprise to some, but I found the Pulsar very ‘twitchy’ when taking standing, and to some extent, kneeling shots. The first impressions when shouldering it in the standing are that it makes this position a lot easier as the weight is back towards the chest. Stick a large FT scope etc. on top and try again, as it’s very responsive to movement! I confess that my standing is not practiced regularly anymore and I was never the best when I did. But other shooters found it the same as I did. With extra length comes a certain amount of ‘gearing’ if you can see what I mean? A longer rifle slows down the twitchiness with a slower response time, hence the quick response of the short Pulsar. Kneeling was not as bad. Manageable but still twitchy compared to a conventional rifle. There are ways to slow it down. One could add counter weights forward of the muzzle, which is worth consideration. Remember, we are talking standing targets here. In sitting it is rock steady with all the weight where you want it. Final score was 49x59 shooting twice at each target. 24X29 first shot counting. I doubt if I could have bettered that using familiar kit.
You even get a fitted case; well at the money you should!
SUMMARY I am enjoying the Pulsar and it has behaved flawlessly in my first 2 months of ownership and is accurate, consistent and economical with its air. But is it really a rifle for all disciplines? I think it is. Given the observations above, there is nothing that a bit of tweaking wouldn’t improve. Accurate for Bench Rest, HFT, FT and very manageable for hunting with the right scope, it fits the bill perfectly, at a price! As if the cost were not enough, I hope to bring you a report on the latest addition to the Pulsar - Rowan Engineering’s ‘Digital Focus Wheel. Welcome to the 21st Century!
Detail of the filler point that’s covered by a cap, note the exit hole for the laser beam underneath
Wow, that’s amazing Air Arms grouping at 50-yards
Sportsmatch adjustable mounts sorted the 2.75” scope to barrel centre issues
Good Shooting Terry Almond
61
AIRGUN | PRODUCT TEST MAXIM JACKET AND MAXIM BIB & BRACE TROUSERS Prices from
£71.95 CONTACT: Jack Pyke of England 01234 741708 www.jackpyke.co.uk
Cold Comfort Pete Wadeson checks out the latest cold weather gear from Jack Pyke and discovers some practical clothing
I
n response to the request for a more insulated ‘set’ of clothing, Jack Pyke has just launched the Maxim Jacket and matching Bib & Brace Trousers. The salopette-type trousers are a ‘design’ first for them too. It should be noted that this type of wear isn’t to everybody’s tastes though is ideal for cold weather use.
STEALTHY The garments are manufactured from the company’s now time-tested Stealth Fabric; this is a breathable and waterproof material, that’s soft to the touch and silent in use. A 3-ply construction has been used for both, including the outer shell, which consists of a 100% brushed polyester tricot, plus laminated waterproof membrane, while a 100% brushed polyester tricot/100% polyester lining holds a full 160grms of Thermalite insulation (for the Jacket) 120grms for the B&B’s. Although this extra insulation is very apparent, it’s been integrated into the build, so that when the items are worn they don’t feel in the least bulky or cumbersome, so don’t hinder movement in the slightest. The jacket is of a ¾ length style and features a full length double The Jack Pyke Maxim Jacket has plenty of stowage and is well insulated and featured, and is extremely comfortable to wear
FOR
Design, build quality, and a high level of protection
AGAINST
No colour/ camo options available
VERDICT
Ideal for our unpredictable weather Well priced and practical suit
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SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
opening zip, with a generously sized press-stud fasten down storm flap. A well-sized toggle fastening (green) PVC hood is concealed in the high stand-up collar, while at the rear is a large, zip fastened, PVC-lined ‘game pocket/ cum fold down waterproof bum flap. Stowage is catered for by two lower bellows pockets, with internal cartridge holders and press stud fastened flaps, two hand warmers with press stud fasten flaps positioned above, plus a useful internal zip fasten chest pocket. For extra comfort and protection from the elements, the jacket features knitted elasticated wrists on the inside, while the outer cuffs have Velcro adjustable straps.
WELL THOUGHT OUT The trousers are well thought out to compliment the jacket perfectly and as previously stated use the same 3-ply construction and materials. For ease of wear, the upper section has a full length chest zip, with generously sized Velcro fastened down storm flap, plus two press stud fasteners at the very top for extra security. The 40mm wide, elasticated slide buckle length adjust braces are fitted with strong quick release snaps, while the broad, high elasticated waistband also has external belt loops and a useful ABS D-ring. Add to this the integral toggle adjust/secure draw cord found at the upper back area all ensures and helps you achieve a tailored fit. Two zip fastened and lined side pockets are deep to help keep hands warm or hold small items of kit you require easy access to. Lower leg protection and security is catered for by full-length ‘ankle to knee’ zips with baffle, Velcro secured down protective over-flaps, plus the elasticated ankle bottoms feature two-position adjust press stud fastening ankle straps. All press studs, fastenings and zips are weatherproofed and both garments are presently available in English Oak only.
The Maxim Bib & Brace Trousers have been well thought out to compliment the jacket perfectly
{ } TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Maxim Jacket and Maxim Bib & Brace Trousers z Price: SRP £95 & £71.95 respectively sizes S- XXXL z Contact: Jack Pyke of England 01234 741708 www.jackpyke.co.uk
SS05.16/30/d
FIREARMS | GUN TEST
n o i t a r e d i s n Co h t r o W
ng’s X Browni
-visits e r e r o o s Pete M on rifle i t c a t l of bo series
2008 Browning introduced their new X-Bolt, which was a serious improvement over the original A-Bolt, here we see the wood-stocked Hunter version - price £861
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SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
-Bolt
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GUN TEST | FIREARMS
I
n the last issue Ed Jackson wrote an article on choosing your first bolt-action, centrefire rifle, his short list of guns included Browning’s X-Bolt. I have owned an X-Bolt Hunter for the last eight years and have also tested it in other options. As it’s all too easy to forget things in the face of an ever growing market, I thought it would be interesting to re-visit this rifle as it has a lot to offer. Up until then Browning’s only centrefire bolter was the A-Bolt. It seems reasonably conventional with a 3-lug bolt, useful 60° lift angle, tang-mounted safety but a rather quirky magazine system. Despite the fact it was a good shooter it never proved popular in the UK and I always felt that the feed system was its weakness. It consisted of a 4-round, detachable box that was clipped to a hinged floor plate. Thankfully it could be top-loaded, but changing the mag meant popping the floor plate and unlatching it. Yes it was reliable, but I could never fathom why they designed such an unusual system!
X MARKS THE SPOT
driven and high seat work. Three days of fairly intensive hunting proved a good way of getting to know the rifle and it did not disappoint! The calibre, which I used in my first trip to Africa in 2005 to hunt plains game in my Winchester Model 70, offers plenty of power, accuracy and range potential. The action remains very A-Bolt with a 3-lug lock up, short 60° bolt lift angle, fully supported head and plunger-type ejector. The handle showed a flat, angled back design with more of a curve to the shape with the same short lift angle. The bolt shroud looks odd in a sort of hump backed way and is not as ascetically pleasing as the A-Bolts. The tang-mounted safety catch is as before (forward - FIRE, reverse - SAFE) which
is a design that’s hard to beat, as it barely disturbs the firing hand position. You just lift your thumb while keeping contact with the rest of your hand. Adding to this is a separate unlocking button where the bolt handle meets the body, which allows you to open the action with the rifle on safe. A useful feature for unloads etc…
GLASS-BEDDED The receiver is glass-bedded into the stock. Unlike the A-Bolt, which uses blobs of a semi-mastic type compound, Browning have done a proper job. Up front is a good chunk of rigid material that offers a proper pocket for the large recoil lug and a good section of bearing for the fully floated barrel’s re-enforce.
As a calibre 270 WSM offers a lot of power and longer range performance on even large game species
YS: P ETE MOORE SA
ew n e h t f o t n e m e c “The announrevelation as it would X-Bolt was naew bolt-action Browning be the firstffered for many years” had o FOR
Stainless Stalker version with composite/ synthetic stock, rifles for the UK come factory threaded - price £999
Well made and shootable Good choice of calibres and model options
AGAINST
Not a lot
VERDICT
Right up there with the other top makes Well worth consideration
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The announcement of the new X-Bolt was a revelation as it would be the first new bolt-action Browning had offered for many years. It took some of its cues from the A-Bolt but also addressed all of its problems. My first impressions were of a far better looking and handling rifle with slick and smooth lines. By early September of 2008 I had a 270 WSM, X-Bolt Hunter in my hands and an invite from Browning to bring it to Poland and put it through its paces on some
Eclipse Hunter with thumbhole stock, which is really nice, this rifle is wearing a Javelin Ultra Lite bipod - price £895 Varmint version - £919
FIREARMS | GUN TEST s
This is taken up again at the rear of the action void to give two supporting surfaces. Browning includes their X-Lock scope bases as standard. There are four screws per base which gives a more solid interface. These offer 1” dovetails, so you just need some rings and you are good to go. Though I have also seen rifles with one-piece rings that use the same X-Lock base system.
The X-Bolt’s magazine is simple and efficient, in calibres like 270 WSM it offers a capacity of 3+1, in standard form that ups to 4+1
FEATHER TRIGGER Barrels now offer profiles from light hunter to heavy, fluted varmint-styles and are all still hand-chambered with a deep target crown. The Feather Trigger unit features a 3-lever system that provides a clean, crisp pull with no take-up or creep and minimal over travel. The weight is screw-adjustable from 3 to 5 lbs and factory set at approximately 3 1/2 lbs. To be honest the difference between the low and high settings is minimal. Saying that the factory weight is spot on and it suited me down to the ground, nor have I ever changed it! Latter versions now have what Browning calls their improved, Super Feather unit, which is a bit more subtle. The bottom metal is aluminium and shows a well sized and shaped trigger guard that’s truly finger- friendly and a huge mag well. Another big improvement is the conventional, detachable, polymer magazine. It’s a simple, rotary design that feeds reliably from a central position and has an integral release catch at the front! It has to be filled base-first from the front, which is no hassle. Capacity-wise it’s four +1 in most standard calibres and three +1 in the wider bodied numbers like the WSM (Winchester Short Magnum).The bolt release catch is positioned rear left of the receiver and a cocked action indicator pin protrudes from under the bolt shroud. Stocks offer a number of style and material options; semi-matt and hi-gloss walnut with some nice chequering, along with a synthetic (composite) with a rubber over-finish. The Eclipse Hunter has a slim, grey laminate thumbhole something I would like to put onto my original 270 WSM Hunter. For those who want more there’s the GRS Varmint, with a Grodas Rifle Stocks (GRS) Sport/ Varmint in grey laminate, to take full advantage of this excellent furniture this model features a 24”, fluted mid-weight barrel!
SHOT THE LOT I’ve shot all the X-Bolt series to date and regardless of model the basic layout feels good and practical. My Hunter in 270 WSM tips the scale at just 6lbs 11oz less scope. There’s little doubt the WSM is a powerful cartridge, but the X-Bolt’s Inflex recoil pad and general stock design make it very shootable even with its light, 23” tube. It offers a lot of power yet good recoil characteristics, and this flat-shooting calibre delivers the goods at all distances and is ideal for carrying all day! Browning offer a number of metal finishes - low and high lustre blue and stainless steel. Calibre choice is good with 243 Win, 7mm-08, 308 Win, 25-06, 270 Win, 280 Rem, 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 & 338 Win Mag, 270, 7mm, 300 and 325 WSM and 375 H&H. Barrel length will vary as to calibre with 22, 23, 24 and 26”, for example 243 is 22” whereas 300 Win Mag is 26” with all WSMs at 23”.
FEELS GOOD Browning says the X-Bolt offers 1 MOA accuracy at 100-yards. Initially scoped up with a Swarovski 2-12x50 Z6i the range tests showed with Winchesters 150-grain XP3 ammo that proved to be the case! Experimentation with reloads using bullets from Barnes (130-grain TTSX), Nosler (140-grain Ballistic Tip) and Hornady (150-grain SST) showed the rifle to be equally happy with these three and was capable of an inch if not better! In the field the light weight of the rifle makes it an easy carry up and down high seats or just foot stalking. Speed of reaction was excellent with the gun snapping effortlessly into the shoulder and staying there with almost shotgun-like agility. With both
factory and reloads the action was smooth and cycled with no hesitation to chamber or eject. The bolt unlocking button was also useful as it allows you to leave the action on SAFE, and then clear the chamber in confidence. However, the magazine really made it for me; Easy to remove or fit, even with gloves on, the central feed position really smoothes things up over the old staggered column-types. I have to say that I really like the X-Bolt as it’s well made and eminently shootable. With a good choice of models and calibres it has a lot to offer. In 270 WSM the Hunter offers me a light, easy shooting package in a hard hitting calibre, so worth a position on my gun rack and I even like the wooden stock! For me two models stand out; first the Eclipse Hunter as its slim thumbhole stock is really nice and as I said I would really like to get this furniture for my Hunter. Second and equally nice is the GRS Varmint, I have this stock on my 6.5 Creedmoor custom and it’s fully adjustable with an off-set pistol grip making the hand position just about perfect. But whatever you decide on the X-Bolt is a good example of a well designed and made modern rifle with plenty of model option and prices to suit all tastes and needs!
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS n Name n Calibre n Capacity n Stock n Barrel n Weight n Length n Adjustable trigger n Scope bases n Prices from: n Contact
Browning X-Bolt Hunter 270 WSM (on test) 3+1 (DM) walnut 23” 6lbs 11oz 42 ¾” Y Y £861 BWM Arms Ltd, 01235 514550 www.browning.com
Gas Varmint; nice stock and a good shooter - price £1345
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SS MAY 2016 Master_SHOOTING SPORTS 18/03/2016 10:05 Page 67
Specialist Firearms & Equipment Designed & engineered in the UK without compromise
Evo FTR Bipod
Tac-Rings
Uni-Mounts SS05.16/13/d
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57 - Highland Outdoors_SHOOTING SPORTS 17/03/2016 15:07 Page 1
TIER-ONE R8 TAC RINGS Prices: 30mm 0 MOA
£165
34mm 0 MOA
Ringing the Changes Tier-One have some new rings for Blaser R8 owners
£175
A
30mm 20 MOA
£175
34mm 20 MOA
£185
CONTACT:
Tier-One; www.tier-one.eu
FOR
Better design, superior manufacture
AGAINST
Reassuringly expensive!
VERDICT
If you want the best for your Blaser this is it!
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“The 20 MOA inclined set we tested was 100% exact as the scope slid freely until clamped down with no eccentricity at all!”
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s Craig Coote (MD) of Tier-One who make a range of scope mounts, moderators and other accessories explained: “There’s nothing wrong with the Blaser saddle mount itself, but the rings were terrible, so I thought; we can do better than that and I think we have!” We agree, on test are their R8 TAC Rings. Made from hi-strength aluminium alloy they are cut from a single piece of material using their ‘One Hit’ process (machined from a single piece of material). At 26mm they are longer than the standard rings with 6-screws per cap so apply less pressure for the same amount of grip, so kinder on the body tube. The rear unit has an integral level bubble, which is useful and they come in 0 or 20 MOA incline angle options in both 30mm and 34mm diameters. The base is machined exactly to fit the saddle mount slot and they come with all base and rings screws and Torx drives to suit assembly. In use they proved their promise with superior fit and finish. The 20 MOA inclined set we tested were 100% exact as the scope slide freely until clamped down with no eccentricity at all!
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Get a Grip
TRINITY FORCE UNIVERSAL RAIL COVERS Price per pack:
We look at some rail covers for non Picatinny forends
£10
T
CONTACT:
hese days free-float, AR15 forends have changed with the introduction of the smoothsided K & M Mod type attachment points. Less bulk and width than the old, 4-way Picatinny set up, you might think they do not need rail covers as have become near mandatory on the former design. Well yes and no, as some times the
“The covers are textured for grip and also heat proof, plus they are moulded with cut lines so they can be tailored to suit various lengths”
lack of width could do with a tad of beefing up. With this in mind Trinity Force are now offering their Universal Rail Covers for the aforementioned newer systems. We have been using one of their P1812 free-float forends for some time and the slim profile is easy to hold and light while still doing the job. You get five, rubber, 7.9” sections that locate by integral lugs that engage with the K or M slots. There are three colour options; tan, black and OD green. The covers are textured for grip and also heat-proof, plus they are moulded with cut lines so they can be tailored to suit various lengths and applications. In use they increase the width of the slimmer forends about 1/8” and take away that harsher metal feel common to all free-float forends. Overall this does offer a far better and more comfortable gripping surface!
North West Custom Parts, 0161 408 1155 www.northwest customparts.com
FOR
An effective solution for K & M Mod forends
AGAINST
Not a lot
VERDICT
Practical and not expensive
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FIREARMS | SCOPE TEST
TALL
Saddle IN THE
Chris Parkin tests Swarovski’s latest long range scope
O
ptical manufacturers at every price point are currently competing to produce a riflescope to cater for the needs of all shooters. Although some imply hunting is the target market, the target market is just that, target shooters and it seems the morals of the product seem a little vague, especially as the premium brands protect their reputations with great impunity, cautious to defend their majority of sales in the nature/birdwatching market.
LONG TERM TESTING I have played with a few X5’s of varying specification over the last 6 months and the 5-25x56 trades a little overall elevation travel (86.4 v 122.4 M.O.A.) for an extra 7x magnification over the 3.5-18x50. Light transmission also drops from 91 to 90% but given the build and optical quality, you are never likely to notice as dusk is perhaps a little out of the design remit. This optic is a true long range performer in the real world! Not some PR whizz kid’s with zero practical experience idea of one! Build quality is first rate with deeply anodised, deftly machined components; everything fits to perfection with little undue space wasted. Illumination is controlled above the ocular lens with up/down buttons to specify ten intensity levels to the memory, so it will turn back on at your desired setting. There is no cant or elevation sensor but the
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CR2032 battery is rated for 260 hours and easily replaceable up top with a coin slot lid. Magnification is controlled with the usual knurled collar, rubberised for grip and operated silently with no feeling of work happening. Parallax on the left side worked within the specified limits, with a fine enough thread pitch to guarantee both corrected image and clear focus with a relaxed exit pupil, allowing the head/neck to remain relaxed in position 95mm back from the fast focus eyepiece. Like all Swarovskis, this offers that little bit more negative, -3 dioptre for the shorties (I’m one) as well as +2 for long sighted.
HIGH CEILING The turrets both provide 80-clicks/20 M.O.A. per turn, with windage marked left and right of centre. It’s possible to go beyond the half turn on windage, so be aware that a marked ‘zero’ might be one turn away, keep track of your adjustments because for true long range target shooting, 9 M.O.A. is not actually that much. Elevation has a zero stop which can be overridden to descend 10 minutes below your zero, handy sometimes if you change ammo but really not that necessary and a compromise for internal turret space. Turret setup is fairly complex but good instructions, a multitool and key are supplied, so just take a few minutes and you are done.
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The feel provided by the turret clicks is fantastically precise but the windage setting is not always totally clear
SCOPE TEST | FIREARMS Quality will out; that is a 50cm Steel plate at 790 metres!
do rather than inputting M.O.A. or ‘click’ values from a separate printout chart of ballistics app.
FANTASTIC ONLINE SUPPORT Swarovski do offer a fantastic ballistic program but most importantly, extensive online information about reticle subtensions allowing you to print out the best setup for you at your chosen magnification setting. Being second focal plane (SFP), they will vary depending on magnification setting. There’s the option of 1/8th M.O.A. clicks which is a mixed blessing. Yes it adds a little more fine detail, but with 100-clicks per turn, it leaves you adding 12.5 M.O.A. per total rotation into your mental arithmetic, which may add mistakes. Can you place
shots within 1.3” at 1000 yards? I don’t think this scope will really appeal to the F-class shooting crowd who are really the only ones interested in such critical shot placement! One missed shot due to an addition error will never correct that extra accuracy of 16.6mm or 0.652” at 500 yards when varminting - will it?
IT’S ALL BASE TEN TO ME After years of combined usage of both metric and imperial distance and angular measurement, it seemed a little strange to see Swarovski, a long time purveyor of the 1 cm@100 metre click value swap over to the allegedly more precise/desirable M.O.A. system which immediately leads the eye to the Target shooting market, specifically in
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The turret will rotate as many as 5 times beyond zerostop but once zeroed will have lost some of this range. Each turn is clearly marked with a numbered indicator window, so it’s impossible to get lost. The feel of the clicks is precise and easy to dial, it’s well marked and doesn’t really overrun with 80-clicks being as many as you want on a unit of this physical diameter. Any more and you really need a larger diameter to retain any kind of useful separation of the ball detents within, before it would begin to feel like a mushy 5-50x60 from China with 200 M.O.A. of internal travel. The knurling makes it pleasant to hold and turn regardless of gloves but one downside is it does limit the ability to apply an easily legible trajectory label, something serious users will want to
FIREARMS | SCOPE TEST s
Initially setting up the scope is assisted with a Multi Tool but read the instructions carefully
Not bad for a 30mm body; the X5 packs a lot of features and adjustment potential into a reasonably sized build
SHOT-TO-SHOT the USA. With a reticle and turrets aligned perfectly to read/ aim/dial off windage and elevation errors, which is frankly mandatory for long range shooting these days, it was definitely a target, more than tactical market, they sought to aim for, due to the reticle being in the second focal plane. The simple fact is that although some of these factors seem a little conflicting to the connoisseur of long range shooting and optics, what is long range? Well, there are plenty of hunters out there to whom this scope will allow ‘play days’ at their local range and experimentation on paper or steel, way beyond their hunting tastes. For that, Swarovski has made a fine optic that will appeal to many users, especially those who never were metric in the first place. I can see options for mRad/cm clicks appearing in the future with perhaps first focal plane and for long range varminting with superb glass quality and fine adjustability, it is a blissful optic but the turret is a little more than it needs to be! Offering 10 MOA of `negative` travel below the zerostop does seem excessive…it more than likely added size to the turret, which is very tall and I can see damage occurring, even if not day to day mis-adjustment. I have no time whatsoever for estimated adjustment values, so if I’m working in M.O.A. I stay with yards for estimated adjustment at range (which is still an
Two buttons control the 10-stage illumination settings for the reticule centre
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Swarovski offer superb online resources, here we see reticule subtensions clearly displayed at chosen settings
approximation as 1 Minute is actually 1.047” at 100 yards or multiples of such)
FURTHER UPGRADES A Personalised Extreme Cam (PEC) is available specified exactly to your ballistics, engraved with distances rather than M.O.A. adjustments for the first two turret rotations, although these will push the price dangerously toward the £3k threshold. Tiny ammo variations can make massive differences at any range, so the PEC could quickly go off spec and require replacement at the same price again. One awesome feature Swarovski offer is their online ballistic resources, these calculate your bullet’s trajectory, but also give superb diagrams of your reticle, visualising ALL the dimensions it subtends at any range and magnification you set it to. Several reticle choices are available but I liked the 4WX-I+ with hash marks separated by 1 M.O.A. (depending on magnification), these allowed precise aim offs without being too busy. Everything about the image quality had every Swarovski hallmark, a good depth of field, showing great detail, even in areas of darker shadows with lovely warmth to the colour. Illumination was precise and without any glare or shimmer, the tube deadening any intrusive sunlight well too.
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It’s easy to think all that mechanical range internally has left little space for decent sized glassware. I must admit it seems odd not to have taken the step up to a 34mm tube; it’s not as if the scope would have suddenly got bulky, not with that stovepipe hat turret up top! Swarovski’s engineers have made significant changes to the return lever and springs that stabilise the internal inversion system. These maintain shot-to-shot accuracy, while allowing the physical movement of a cylinder/lens package within the external tube and resists the physical force the turret places upon the mechanics when you apply the clicks. The tube walls are thicker to improve strength along with more steel components in the turrets to improve durability on what will be a lot of dialling. This is without doubt a fine scope, perhaps the pinnacle of the breed but is it worth the money? Well that is your choice and Swarovski fans who see their brand as the ultimate already, now have a further step up the ladder to wish for.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
n Magnification/Objective 5-25x56 n Exit pupil diameter (mm) 9.5-2.3 n Exit pupil distance (mm) 95 (Eye relief) n Field of view (m/100 m) 7.0-1.5 n Field of view (degrees) 4.0-0.8 n Dioptric compensation -3 to +2 (dioptre) n Light transmission (%) 90 n Twilight factor acc. 15.5-37.4 to ISO 14132-1 n Impact point corr. per click 0.26 / 7.2 (in/100 yds / mm/100 m) n Max. elevation travel / M.O.A. 86.4 n Impact point corr. 1/4 per click (MOA) n Option to go below sight-in 40 distance SUBZERO (clicks) n Parallax correction (yds / m) 55-∞/50-∞ n Length (mm) 377 n Weight (g) 910 n Central tube diameter (mm) 30 n Price £2740 n Contact: Swarovski Optik, 01737 856812 http://uk. swarovskioptik.com
SS05.16/50/d
SS05.16/8/d
SS05.16/8/d
SS05.16/8/dp
FIREARMS | GUN TEST
Got
! d o o W
e ir impressiv e th f o n io ers the latest v h it w s rm A w visits Lithgo re e r o o M e Pet olt-action laminate furniture would also be 22 rimfire b
Lithgow now offers their LA101 in a walnut stocked version; this is one well made and sweet shooting 22 rimfire
I
t was early in 2015 that I first heard of the Lithgow LA101 CrossOver .22 rimfire bolt-action rifle and tested it for the magazine and also our Gun Mart TV video channel. But what made it a bit different was it was manufactured in Australia, which is a bit rare these days! Lithgow was originally the government arsenal and has been in existence for over 100-years making military weapons and now sporting guns too. Starting with the LA101 as I discovered there are more exciting designs to look forward to, including a couple of sweet tactical full bores! In a world where the 22 rimfire, bolt-action is doubtless the most prolific rifle design ever; what makes the CrossOver worth looking at? For me
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anything new is of interest as that’s my job, but why would you even consider looking at yet another bolt-gun? Well, I have to say the rifle looked good and certainly a cut above a lot of other designs. If anything, as I discovered it was beautifully built to very high standards; maybe a bit over-engineered in places but; better that than not. I think my real niggles were it was a little large and heavy for the calibre at 39.4” long and weighing a healthy 6.83 lbs with a 20.9” barrel. The last feature is not really giving a lot extra in a 22 Long Rifle cartridge. If I was to put a label on the LA101 then it would be more walking varminter than sporter!
TIMBER OPTIONS The original test rifle was the synthetic with a black stock; Lithgow said that walnut and
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
appealing. Equally they would be adding 22 Magnum (22WMR) and of course Hornady’s amazing 17HMR to the calibre pool. At the IWA show this year I was visiting their stand and was told the 22WMR was soon to be launched, followed by the 17HMR version. Pity that, as I was hoping the 17 would be first as it’s most popular with us Brits. The CrossOver is seriously built with an all-steel action that locks at the rear by three, equidistant lugs, which give a short, 60° bolt lift angle. The handle is long and straight and finishes with a polymer ball end, both features really improving operation! The mid-weight barrel is cold, hammer-forged with its distinctive exterior spiral pattern, which is a result of the process. It’s also threaded as standard ½ x 20 UNF and comes with a protector. All the metal work is treated to a Cerakote H, Titanium finish, which is sort of champagne looking and tough as you might expect! No matter what stock options you get, the look is a very pleasing two-tone effect.
EASTERN INFLUENCE The Crossover is a unique design with a distinctive stock style and the walnut is identical in layout to the synthetic. The butt is deep with a low grasping hook and the length of pull (LOP) can be adjusted by spacers; so good for everyone. The deep/wide pistol grip is well angled for an easy hold with laser-cut, textured sections on either side as well as up front. The comb is high and wide and offers a good head position. A rubber butt pad finishes it off and there’s a QD
GUN TEST | FIREARMS
Bolt handle and safety detail, the action locks at the rear by 3-lugs and gives a short, 60° lift angle
As can be clearly seen the forend offers a serious free-float
In 22 feed is from a 5-shot, CZ452-style magazine, note the filler block that’s removed for the longer 22/17 Magnums
sling stud set at an angle on the hook and another under the forend. The forend is long, deep and square in section and provides a lot to get hold of. It offers a generous free-float and is rigid too. The trigger guard is polymer and has masses of room inside for gloved fingers and has an angled front strap. The magazine and release catch have been lifted from CZ’s latest 455 rimfire. The well is cut for the longer 22WMR/17HMR cartridge overall length (COL). However, the 22 Long Rifle guns come with a rear filler block to accommodate their shorter COL; this means you just swap the block out if you have the Magnum. As standard, feed in 22 LR is 5-rounds and obviously CZ’s 10-round polymer mags will also fit. Lithgow are now offering both capacities in house.
CONTROLS
“It’s a bit more expensive than most but that extra money is buying one hell of a gun none the less!” grip too much. It pushes forward to FIRE and reverses for SAFE! The mag release is at the front of the well and there are small cut-outs either side to aid magazine removal. At the rear of the bolt is a plastic shroud with a red, cocked action indicator pin that can be both seen and felt. Bolt removal is just a matter of opening the action, squeezing the trigger and pulling it out. The trigger shows a long, near straight blade with a slightly concave face, it’s vertically grooved and Lithgow says it breaks at 1.5 kg. Though it’s crisp and clean I found it nearer to 2 kg and a tad heavy. It’s not shooter adjustable, though Lithgow says a 1 kg spring is available to be fitted. In use it’s easy enough to learn but I would want the 1kg spring! Two nice features are the pre-fitted, steel, 1”, Weaver-type bases and the fact a dedicated left hand model is also available in all calibres.
Despite the rifle being a little larger and heavier than the norm; I really like the LA101 as it’s exceptionally well built and finished and is really a cut above the pack! It’s a bit more expensive than most but that extra money is buying one hell of a gun none the less!
SHOOT Importers Highland Outdoors also supplied a Hogan Decimeater, 22/17 rimfire moderator and a Nikko Stirling PanaMax, 1” bodied, 3-9x50 scope with adjustable objective, wide field of view, with ½-Mil-Dot reticule. I supplied a Harris BRS bipod and opted for one of my favourite sub-sonic loads the 40-grain Winchester HP along with a cross section of other types. Accuracy was exceptional with the Winchester subs cutting a cool ½” at
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The safety is a 2-position, rolling lever, rear/right of the action and is typically well placed so as not to break the firing hand
Butt detail, note the well executed, laser-cut chequering
FIREARMS | GUN TEST s
The stock shows a heavier build; note the butt shape with grasping hook, Nikko PanaMax, 3-9x50 AO Mil-Dot scope and efficient Hogan Decimeater 22/17 Moderator
50 yards and if I did my bit an inch at 100. More than good enough for head shots at all sensible distances with this calibre! Feed and function were very good, with all I fed the LA101 going through it smoothly. I recall on the test of the original polymerstocked model it did not like bullets with a more truncated cone style ogive, with feed being a bit spotty. This time around it did not seem as critical. I have to say that both the PanaMax scope and Decimeater moderator proved well up to the tasks. In the former case, the reticule was crisp with plenty of holdover points that are well suited to the rather curved trajectory of the 22 sub-sonic cartridge. In the latter I was pleasantly surprised that what is essentially an air rifle-style build with a wrap material brought the noise down nicely! I had assumed this filling might get shredded by the blast and hot gases but this was not the case!
Bolt detail, note the locking lugs, with Winchester 22 subs the LA101 was printing an easy ½” @ 50-yards... nice!
HANDLES LIKE! I also liked the fact that the CrossOver feels and handles like a centrefire rifle, many rimfires are built to smaller dimensions and meaner construction; not so here and it feels very good overall. Saying that I got the chance to handle the first centrefire version recently, the LA102, which is a little heavier and offers a 22” tube. Naturally the action is longer and
Detail of cocked action indicator pin; always useful!
FOR
Well made, good shooter, accurate Feels and handles like a centrefire
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AGAINST
No 16” barrel option Bit long and bulky for a 22 LR
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
VERDICT
Overall a good rimfire Accurate and sophisticated Expensive for a 22 LR
shows what looks like a full-length, integral, Picatinny rail with a slightly different safety catch system. But apart from that is identical in every other way. Getting a bit critical I found the safety catch lever clicked loudly when flipped to FIRE, which might be a bit of a give away for any sharp eared rabbit or hare. However, a few hundred rounds down the barrel might just smooth that off a bit; we shall see. As might be imagined prices will vary as to stock material, I rang Highland and they said: black synthetic - £849.99, walnut £914.99 and brown laminate £946.99. This does then put the LA101 into the middle/upper bracket of rimfire rifles, but you are getting a lot of rifle for your money if that’s what you want!
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
n Model Lithgow LA101 CrossOver Walnut n Calibre 22 Long Rifle n Capacity 5 and 10 (DM) n Action turn bolt n Barrel 20.9” n Rifling 1-16” twist, 6-groove n Muzzle thread Y 1/2x20 UNF n Iron sights N 1” Weaver-type scope bases fitted n Finish Cerakote H series Titanium n Stock walnut n LOP adjustable n Weight 6.83 lbs (un-scoped) n Price £914.99 Hogan Decimeater 22/17 Moderator £67.99 Nikko Stirling PanaMax, 3-9x50 AO Mil-Dot £145.99 SRP n Contact Highland Outdoors, 0845 099 0252 www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk www.lithgowarms.com
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FIREARMS | SCOPE TEST
Getting
WARMER!
Jules Whicker looks at the new Pulsar Apex XD75 Thermal Riflescope and likes what he sees…
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n my first review of a Pulsar Apex thermal riflescope I took a look at the XD50 model, and came away very impressed. Seeing effectively the same image in the Apex as I was getting from my Pulsar Quantum thermal spotter was a major plus point. Except that in the Apex my quarry was now behind a reticule, and placing it on live quarry obliges you to think precisely how that image corresponds to the reality of what you’re aiming at.
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PLAYING SAFE With the Apex XD50, I had to bear in mind that one ‘click’ of adjustment when zeroing would shift the impact 3cm @ 100m, that the display was dependent on the width of each pixel, and that the crosshair position didn’t look exactly the same in the main image as it did in the picture-in-picture (PiP) image (which you can’t use in zeroing mode). True, there wasn’t much in it, but if there was going to be any error, I wanted it to be on the
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
side of caution, so adapted my tactics to ensure shots could be taken under 100m. The result was that, whilst I killed a good few foxes, and wounded none, several got a free pass.
A LITTLE BIGGER: A LOT BETTER But just when I was thinking that life is always about compromises, Pulsar distributors Thomas Jacks Ltd. kindly sent me the Apex XD50’s big brother, the XD75.
SCOPE TEST | FIREARMS
Controls – These four buttons control a multitude of functions via an intuitive menu system, yet they’re easy to access, even with gloves on. A user-positionable wireless remote puts key functions literally at your fingertips
As its designation suggests, the ’75 has a bigger objective lens than the ’50. That impressive germanium lens adds just 38mm and 70g to the ‘75’s vital statistics, but –as we shall see- the performance payoff is huge. To begin with, it means more magnification (3X-6X vs. 2X-4X for the ’50), thus more pixels-per-fox, a more precise relationship between the reticle and the downrange image, and smaller “click values” (2cm @ 100m) thus permitting a more precise zero. This fox is about 140m away. Note the polarity (black-hot) and how the PiP image enables precise reticule placement whilst the main image provides a wide field of view for orientation and target tracking
The cubs are already down and the vixen is next. Spotted at 100m, she’s now around 155m away. A 58-grain Winchester Varmint-X ensured she didn’t take another step!
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Having previously tested both the Apex XD50 and the Digisight N870 LRF, I was already familiar with XD75’s clever one-shot zeroing function, and by the second I was on the bull. Two more gave me a 1.25” group at 100m. This was going well! Moving back to the 4x4, I rested the rifle on one of Best Fox Call’s bonnet bags, and lined up on a 6” gong hanging 200m away. Already impressed that the big ’75 let me identify the gong among all the thermal ‘clutter’ from the vegetation, I was delighted when my next two shots also hit their mark. A look through the spotting scope showed both strikes almost touching but slightly high and right, so I tweaked the zero and put my next round smack in the centre. Before using it in earnest, I took the Apex out for one more session on targets at 300m, and again it did the business, confirming that the zero was both precise and reliable. Even cutting back my range limit to allow for wind (hard to read in the dark), imperfect rangefinding, active quarry and the buzz of foxing, it was clear that the Apex would shoot as far as my usual Titan/day-scope set-up, and with better target visibility to boot.
A Caldwell Chair-Pod provides stability, support and silent 360° traverse, while a quilted poncho liner keeps the shooter snug! A great set-up if I’m out covering an earth or a lambing field
HANDS ON Before relating how I got on with the XD75 on foxes, though, I’ll take a moment to consider the functions and ergonomics of the Apex.
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n 1x-2x continuous digital zoom n 3 calibration modes n 3 pre-set operation modes n Switchable ‘White hot’/‘Black hot’ image n 10 selectable integrated reticles n Switchable white/black reticle n Switchable display stand-by function n Picture-in-picture function n 1-shot zeroing with ‘Freeze’ function n A 3-zero memory n Shock resistant on large calibres n Defective pixel repair function n Picatinny accessory rail n Wireless remote control
ON TARGET
The sight attaches easily to a Picatinny rail via a chunky mount that can be unscrewed and swapped out with an optional replacement if a different format is required. The bolts holding the mount onto the rail can be snugged-up with a turn-screw or a spanner, but I’d really like to see Pulsar move to a QD lever-locking system for additional security, repeatability and ease of use. The controls may appear complicated at first, but 5 minutes playing about will fix that; after which everything you need is literally at your fingertips. The wireless remote control is a great asset too, letting you control power, calibration, PiP and zoom without breaking your position. The tab on the front focus ring is far from small, but it can still be a little hard to find at first, as it’s contoured to fit flush against the forward part of the housing. Your hand soon learns to find it, though. Meanwhile, the rear dioptre ring couldn’t be easier to use, and the soft rubber eye cup does a great job of
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ACCESSORIES Included: n Soft carrying case n Wireless remote control n video and external power cables n Lens cleaning cloth nO ptional: Pulsar EPS3 power pack £74.95
Yukon MPR recorder £179.95
The multi-function wheel lets you navigate menu options, zero, and zoom. The front focussing ring is contoured to match the body and the dual-function cable with its video-out (white) and power-in (black) connectors
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shielding screen glow, ensuring correct eye position, and keeping things comfortable even under significant recoil. The only real niggle is that, whilst you can dim the on-screen menu options, you can’t do the same with the reticle or the status bar. The constant brightness of these is unquestionably tiring on the eye, so it would be good to see a firmware fix. Mind you, I’d love to see Pulsar kit the Apex out with the rangefinder and anti-cant display of the N870 LRF too. Maybe one day. Back in reality, the battery compartment takes 2 x CR123A cells, but as I prefer to avoid single-use batteries, and because the cover was a bit prone to popping open unexpectedly, I ran the ’75 from a Pulsar EPS3 rechargeable power pack throughout the test. More weight, bulk and expense, I know, but oodles of battery life and no spent cells to dispose of. Also enhancing my Apex experience was having a Yukon MPR digital recorder to plug into the Apex’s video out socket… Though all too often I was so focussed on the quarry and the shot that I forgot to turn it on and so missed recording some of my ‘greatest hits’!
THE WAY THINGS SHOULD BE First time out at night with the Apex XD75, I set up to cover the far side of a field where I’d seen a vixen and couple of well-grown cubs on previous outings. This would be a 200m shoot, but no other position offered a safe backstop. A half-hour in, the cubs emerged from the hedge and began to nose about in the docks. I watched them until they were on opposite sides of a small hummock and then dropped the leeward one with my first shot.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
n Dimensions (mm) 381 x 80 x 75 n Weight (g) 770 (without batteries or mount) n Magnification 3X-6X (2X digital zoom) n Lens 75 mm, F/1,4 n Field of View (Degrees - H/V) 7.2 / 5.4 (2X zoom: 3.6 / 2.7) n Field of View (m @ 100m) 12.8 (2X zoom: 6.4) n Eye relief 67 mm n Focusing distance (m) 7 to infinity n Detection range (m) 1600 (1700mm x 500mm target) n Sensor resolution 384x288 n display 640x480 OLED n Frame Rate (Hz) 50 n Click value, mm@100 m (H/V) 20/20 n Click range, mm@100m (H/V) 4000/4000 n Immersion rating IPX7 (1m of water for 30 minutes) n Shock resistance 6000 J (e.g. .300 Win. Mag.) n Operating temperature (°C) -25 to +50 n Power 2x CR123A batteries External power supply (optional) n Operating time (hrs – 2 x CR123A) 5 (power-saving enabled) n Price: £3,799.95 n Contact: Thomas Jacks, +44 (0)1789 264100 (Call to find your local dealer) www.thomasjacks.co.uk
The second stopped to figure out what he’d heard and caught the next round in the chest. Two for two, at 190m and 200m. About 15 minutes later, while scanning with the Quantum, I spotted the vixen: about 100m out and angling away toward the far hedge. I got the Apex on her, barked, and put her down with a shot behind the shoulder as she looked round. So began the best unbroken run of fox kills I’ve ever had. From the lens back, the XD50 and XD75 are virtually the same, but the big black eye of the ‘75 takes what is already an impressive system and lifts it over a threshold to a place where your real-world capability is limited by your skill, and your ballistics: not by your optics.
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
The big 75mm germanium lens picks up more of your quarry’s heat signature, giving the Apex’s sensor more to work with, and giving you a target image that’s both bigger and better
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FIREARMS | HUNTING STORY
W
hen a call came from a neighbouring farm to my parents in Scotland regarding hoards of Canada geese munching the only available vegetation on the fields, I found myself with a smoothbore in hand instead of the usual rifled affair. The last time I had been goose shooting was in my early twenties on my uncle’s farm in Kent, where duck and geese used to flight from a neighbouring reservoir to the numerous flight ponds dotted around the farm. They were usually shot as an opportune sport as I would be out after other fair, but occasionally we set out to decoy and ambush flight patterns in the dawn and dusk skies. This time we were in sub zero temperatures battling horizontal sleet and a quagmire, I loved it, real hunting! Due to the Canada Geese now being on ‘general licence’ it can be shot at any time and with a firearm or shotgun and even air gun if necessary.
KIT Planning a goose shooting day is really necessary, primarily because on new ground or on the foreshore, the weather conditions
Eley Lightning Steel shot No 3; hard with high velocity but patterned a bit left in the Hatsan but with dense patterns, a bigger shot size for geese would be better though.
can change very quickly and it’s easy to become stranded or lost! This farm spanned down from the hill tops, where the stags roamed into undulating farmland and finally large arable fields that went right down to the loch side. The location was east facing and had dramatic sun rises and views up and down the loch. You could opt for two variations of attack. One, arrive well before light and venture down to the loch side and hide between the rocky shoreline and numerous gorse bushes that dotted the fringe margins. Two, again arrive early and set up in one of
At first light the geese were flighting and despite a few hick ups with the Hatsan it was soon toppling Canadas from the sky.
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the many drainage ditches that traverse from the hill tops right down to the loch. These provide an unseen or sight approach from prying eyes and allow a very good vantage point across the fields where the geese will flight into and feed. That’s fine but you also have to be aware of wind directions, not so much for disguising your scent but geese land into the wind, so you need to position yourself on a flight line or swing in pattern as they come in overhead to land.
KIT USED Being a little green in terms of geese, I took a more traditional approach, as Edgar Brothers sent down a Hatsan Extreme Magnum 12-gauge semi-auto shotgun. I was shooting over fields, inland and in Scotland, so it’s worth checking all the lead-free rules. In the end I played it safe despite geese being on general licence and used only Eley Lightning steel shot and it would be my first real steel foray. This meant in the Hatsan I could only
Bruce Potts The last time I had been goose shooting was in my early twenties on my uncle’s farm in Kent
HUNTING STORY | FIREARMS BLACK & WHITE! These distinctively marked black head and large white throat patch geese were originally introduced from North America, big mistake! As now as with many non-native species, it has thrived and the population has become too large for the food sources available, hence their hatred amongst farmers, parks or golf course owners. They love wide-open grass or arable land to feed over and can strip a field in no time, as well as wreck the topsoil with trampling and excreta. Most flocks now are resident and do not migrate, further exacerbating the situation. One other essential item for any goose shoot is to come prepared for foul weather. In January its cold in Scotland, which I actually like, you can always wear more clothes. I used my Swanndri under layer but wore an army surplus Belgian waterproof jacket costing £25 over the top, totally waterproof too! The lower layer where you
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use a ½ choke configuration, hardly ideal, as those fields were big and so geese would have to be over my head to connect. I patterned the load on shot pattern boards as a matter of course. Much like you would when sighting in a rifle for a stalking trip. This Hatsan patterned tight at 30 yds with the half choke but defiantly biased left, so good to know and worth the look see. Most goose shooters use steel shot to avoid lead pollution and as such require big cases to hold more shot to be effective due to the lighter weight of steel. You are also always after more range just to cover yourself, so 3” chambers as on this Hatsan are considered minimum, I like making it hard for myself! 3 ½” or 89mm chambers are better to shoot heavier loads (more pellets in the pattern) but you work with what you have, but after this week I was a bit smitten with the goose bug and might, I said might, buy a 3 ½” gun as these geese are still only multiplying.
Using one of the many drainage ditches as cover was very handy to move about the farm, this one was quite shallow, many wheren`t!
Goosed! 85
FIREARMS | HUNTING STORY Two big Canadas fell to Jake’s shooting with Eley Lightning Steels, good lad!
Despite the ½ choke limit on this Hatsan 3 inch chambered gun and small No 3 shot steel the close ranges bought down these two Canada’s humanely!
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crawl and sit is more important, as if you start to get cold you start to fidget and then the geese can spot you moving. I wear an old pair of SportChief overtrousers; these are not only unbelievably warm but the only totally waterproof trousers I have used. Also, to keep the old brain working well I would recommend an openfaced balaclava, so your neck and ears are covered, which soon loose heat and make you uncomfortable. Its small things like correct clothing that makes for a better shooting experience and I always take a roe sack with cameras and thermos of coffee, offal optional.
TO THE FIELDS Up at 5.00am to get ready and off to the fields. I prefer an early start, wildlife is least expecting you and the light is always getting better so more opportunities. I took my eldest son Jake on this trip and it would be his first goose trip. The farm is laid up with a half mile of loch frontage with large open fields, now gone to grass with the mist hugging the loch side. With no wind it was deadly quiet, so as we edged towards the first drainage ditch then down into it to conceal our approach, we were conscious of every foot splash and rustle from the disturbed water as we inched our way towards the first ambush site. This ditch, with half frozen water lapping at our boot tops, was 600yds from the loch side, yet straddled two large fields where the incoming flighting geese usually landed. Exactly where was a different matter and
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part of the fun, 30 yards off course and we would miss them all together with the ½ choke capacity.
10 MINUTES, MR POTTS We choose a position shielded to one side with a small bush and tree as some degree of cover but the low angle of the ditch was very good concealment and afforded a good vantage point. Ten minutes before the light allowed good vision the distinctive cackling of Canadas was heard, as the geese prepared themselves to flight. In the calm morning air the sound really travels and what seems like geese just in the next field were in fact five fields away. We loaded the Hatsan, with the Eley Steels holding 36-grams of #3 shot, so quite small for geese and laid the Camo clad semi in grass as I scanned the skies with my bino’s. These were soon flung to the ground as Jake gestured to a skein of eight geese, all Canada’s coming directly at us and only 20 foot off the ground! I grabbed the Escort and shielded by the bush I readied myself as almost over head I swung up and through the third goose on the left arm of the “V” formation, CLICK! I recycled the action and managed a second try at the end goose from the rear, never good but I missed well behind.
TRY AGAIN I reloaded and checked the Hatsan, all looked fine but there was frozen water around the action and the lock time did sound sluggish. It was not long before another skein came in but these were 200
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
yards away and landed right in front of us. These would act as good confidence decoys and sure enough at least 20 more were coming right at us. They are deceptively fast, which is why you tend to miss behind, as you do not swing and lead enough. This time I had a bead on the lead bird flighting left to right now and ‘boom’ the Eley Steels were on their way, then a second readjustment and a second payload of 36-grams of steel #3’s were on their way. Gratifying and almost in slow motion the lead and fourth Canada tumbled from the sky. We retrieved these two quickly and then moved down the loch side facing inland across the fields. Jake took up position as more geese settled on the grass, so we had to move through the gorse to get closer, not easy with hundreds of eyes looking at you! We crawled in mud, across rocks embedded along the loch side and then dropped down into another drainage ditch and waded up this until a junction with a tractor track. Jake positioned himself, and as a large formation of geese came over us, the Hatsan sang out and a lone Canada came tumbling from the skies, Jake’s first and a proud father!
CONCLUSION Not my normal early morning fair but I really enjoyed it, it was tricky to get in close, required good fieldcraft, a lot of luck and don’t let your shotgun freeze! Jake had his first Goose, another milestone and we had an open invitation back, so I think 3 ½” chambers this time and perhaps a Browning A5.
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FIREARMS | PCD
INNOCENT FOR ONCE Howard Heywood sets out to catch a fish thief and finds it was not the usual suspect
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like to think I am a down to earth kind of guy and though I have quite a lot of ground to roam over doing my pest control, stalking and even fishing it’s not a case of see all shoot all! As you know I cover a lot of topics; such as ways to help improve the habitat, making an area more appealing to wild life which in turn helps when controlling pests, vermin and deer. After all how many times could I get away with writing about going out with a lamp and rifle to bring to book a troublesome fox? That would get boring very quickly for all of us. I like to cover as much if not more about why, what if, does and don’ts; and something I don’t see when reading other articles the mistakes that we all make! These are just as much a part of any sport so why not include them?
YOU’RE KIDDING I like to think I’ve given someone a good laugh when reading some of my articles, just as much as hints, tips and advice have been beneficial to them knowing the needs and habits of your chosen quarry really helps to improve your success. One land owner was blaming rabbits for damaging the trees he was planting; he would plant out an area one day to find the following day all the tops had been nipped off. It turned out to be roe deer, which took some explaining as he never even knew there were any on his land! Since then he’s been fascinated by the prospect of actually seeing these beautiful animals. He later rang me several times while I was carrying out maintenance on one of my estates in the highlands of Scotland. Something was taking carp from his pond and devouring them 200-yards away in the wood, the only clue was a few fish scales. Eventually over a period of two weeks the direction of travel was worked out by finding the odd fish scale from the pond to where they were being devoured. However, it was hard ground and no tracks could be found and as the fish on average weighed in at 15 to 30lbs, whatever it was that was carrying them off had to be strong. But that was only part of the puzzle the other was how did the carp make it to dry land?
LIKELY SUSPECTS I’ve known herons and cormorants to damage fish and they stay in the shallows that could explain how something strong enough had managed to snatch one and pulled it to the bank. The odd one maybe, but this was two or three a week, which the owner knew it was too many for it to be luck. By the information obtained there’s only two likely candidates strong enough to do this; badger or fox! The badger could be ruled out as any food found is eaten on the spot and apart from squabbling over a food source between
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PCD | FIREARMS
THE WRONG MANS
Not guilty for once; Howard thought a fox was fish rustling but it was another species
downfall as long as you keep any disturbance to a minimum and don’t put a cage trap right on a known run. Traps set I continued with patrols whenever I could, watching the water and banks for movement from a distance. Mink are not shy animals, in fact quite bold and can be seen throughout the day travelling up and down the river banks. Often quick to approach anyone fishing if they think there’s chance of a feed. But I didn’t want to take any chances, so watching from a distance I could make my way down if I saw something, seemed the best way of going about things.
The fox was quickly dealt with by means of a well placed cage trap baited with a fish; job done! Then within days I saw for myself when I found a 15 to 20lb mirror carp well up on the bank with the underside eaten away typical of mink or otter. The river Irwell which used to be the dirtiest river in England runs through the farm land and though it’s gone through a fantastic transformation and now holds a good stock of brown trout. Otters have NO AVAIL not reached the Irwell yet (as far as I know) But to no avail, the only movement I saw but there is a strong population of mink. I could have been fish swimming along the always say; never under estimate anything, surface, as I was not high enough so more but for a mink to kill a fish of that size, swim looking along the top of the water rather with it to the bank then drag it up hill some 5 than looking down and I could only see half to 7 ft it would have to be as big as a cat! of the bank my concentration was along the So keeping an open mind I set cage traps banks out to four feet into the water. I would around the pond baiting some with rabbit, not expect to find one swimming the length others with tinned sardines. Why, well of the pond unless it was a short cut to a something with a different smell and look food source. might help arouse this predator’s natural 47 - STS North Wales_SHOOTING SPORTS AD TEMPLATE 17/03/2016 15:02 Page 1 Remember; once latched onto a fish it curiosity. In general they will investigate will then head for dry land to eat it’s catch everything which usually leads to their
Guilty as charged – Howard trapped two mink one of which was a big male, but it must have been strong to heave out a big fish
the further out from the bank it is then the less chance it has of achieving that, especially with fish of this size, something I couldn’t get my head around! But after four days and nights (on and off) at different times I had a mink of average size in a trap that had been baited with rabbit and then another later in the day, a very large male. I am hoping that will be the end of the problem I have had mink from the same location before but never had damage like this before. So only time will tell; but up till now a week later I’ve had no reports of fish being dragged out and left partly eaten. Unfortunately as I was in Scotland at the time most of the damage had been done there is one picture I would have liked and that was a picture of where the fox had been laying in the snow waiting for its dinner to arrive courtesy of the mink.
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themselves any evidence would be within the immediate area. So it had to be a fox, their natural behaviour is to carry food off, whether found or caught to be eaten or buried to be returned to at a later date when food scarce. But how was it cashing in on this regular food source? If the fish where spawning in the shallows it would be possible for a fox to snatch one but it was the wrong time of year for them to be spawning! This went on for another week before I returned home from Scotland and got down to the pond to take a look. Trouble was not only was the ground hard from pond to where the fish where being devoured, but the banks surrounding the pond where also hard making it impossible to find any clues by means of tracks. All I could do was to keep watch as much as time would allow and hopefully catch the culprit before it or they could cause any more damage.
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FIREARMS | PRODUCT TEST SGC QD RAIL FOREND CONTACT: Southern Gun Co, 01208 851074 southern-gun.co.uk
Mission-Specific! Pete Moore re-thinks a detachable forend system for AR15-based rifles
The adva clearly be ntages of the Q D ra se s it is ess en on the LR223 il can e (r cleaning ntial for stripping ear) the opera an ting syst d em
SGC LR45 fitted with their QD Rail forend, this is the shorter 10” version
L
et’s face it; we AR owners love to dress up our guns and SGC’s QD Rail forend seems like the ultimate accessory. I tested a pair of their Mk II 9mm LR9s, one had the standard round forend and the other the QD. At the time I said yes it looked cool but did not seem to have much function on this blow back design. I could see its point for the LR223 as it uses a gas/piston mech, which needs to be accessed for cleaning.
ON RECOLLECTION
FOR
Practical and clever QD forend system
AGAINST
Needs rail covers Not cheap
VERDICT
A must for the LR223 and with possibilities for straight-pull ARs too!
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However, on reflection it occurred to me that perhaps the forend does have a value outside of the LR223 on normal straight-pull ARs. CNCmachined from aluminium alloy and black anodised the build is skeletonised and can handle barrel diameters of up to 1”. There are two versions - 10 and a 12.6”, both are based on the former with the latter having a separate, 2.6”, 4-way, bolt-on nose section. The rear (10”) section shows full-length Picatinny rails at 12 and 6 o’clock, with the sides (3 and 9 o’clock) being plain. Though there’s a short, 3”, Picatinny section rear/left and a 1” dovetail (no slots) rear/right. Both are machined for plunger-type,
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
QD sling swivels. The forend includes a replacement barrel nut, as the original has to be removed and the new one screwed in and torqued up; not something to be done without proper AR tools!
Detail of the alignment pin, sprung plunger and QD locking lever
LOCATE & LOCK With the new barrel nut fitted the forend slides on and a pin, at 12 o’clock in the rear face, aligns with the gas tube port in the upper receiver. Underneath is a sprung plunger that locates in a slot in the barrel nut. Retention is achieved by an adjustable tension lever on the right/ rear that pinches the split end of the forend onto the nut. The end result is secure and offers a true ON/OFF facility! Weight-wise the 12.6” version adds a hefty 1.5 lbs to your rifle, which is significant! So what good is this rather Gucci accessory? Most immediately it allows access to the exterior of your barrel to keep it clean and rust –free. It also allows a more modular approach to accessories, for example if you had a 223 Speedmaster straight-pull you could buy a 12.6” version and use the shorter, 10” rail fitted up with a vertical grip for maximum control. Then if you were to
go foxing re-fit the 2.6” extension to mount a light and laser along with a bipod adaptor slide. Conversely if you had the money get two separate forends pre-set up for accessories as I have detailed. In use the rail proved its promise, as it offers a solid QD ability which retains the free-float 100%. I found the finish very aggressive and would definitely get some rail covers for the Picatinny sections.
{ } TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS SGC QD Rail forend z Prices: 10” £247.02, 12.6” £299.99 (includes fitting and postage on the upper receiver only) z Contact: Southern Gun Co, 01208 851074 www.southern-gun.co.uk
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Southern Gun Company SGC Lever Release 9mm
One of our Custom Rifle range
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RACKNLOAD RACKNLOAD checks out an unusual folding rifle from Chiappa that could be a jack-of-all-trades!
N
ow, you are either going to love the look of this gun or you are going to be sick over the pages of your new copy of Shooting Sports Mag! Hopefully not the latter! Readers, I bring you the Chiappa Little Badger survival rifle! The build uses a basic, break-barrel, single shot system and is available in 22 Long Rifle (LR), .22 Winchester Magnum Rifle (WMR) and 9mm Flobert. This last is a full brass shotgun cartridge designed for the old garden guns that were so popular many years ago. What good it is today remains to be seen, but perhaps for short range pest control on rats and similar it might be just the ticket! Just to confuse you, this version is called the Little Squirrel and shows an 18.5” smooth bored barrel. Chiappa’s website shows the rifled Badger available in both 16.5” and 18.5” lengths, the former is probably all that’s required for a 22 LR though the latter would suit the more powerful 22 WMR better! It also shows the Double Badger, which is an over & under double rifle with a more traditional wood stock.
Field
Expedient 1.33kg and can fold up for storage or discreet carriage into half its length. Chiappa includes a protective nylon bag/backpack that it drops into. It’s plain to see the Little Badger is not really built for looks or comfort, but in many ways is still a practical design, if you like to keep things minimalistic. There are actually some European air forces that have them as a part of the aircrew survival kit, should they be downed and put in a situation where they have to live off the land until rescued. So, let’s start at the back; the butt is just a simple, metal, wire frame attached to a moulded polymer pad. Incorporated in to this skeleton stock is a cartridge holder with a capacity of 12-rounds of 22 LR (six per side). This is both handy and convenient and makes loading easy, as you just reach in and pluck them out, far better than fumbling around in your pocket!
come up show owners have wrapped the butt with paracord, which I think is a great idea, as this is after all a survival rifle. Not only does it offer a decent length of tough cordage; always a useful item to have with you out in the field, it also gives the shooter a little more comfort for the cheek, especially in cold conditions. The action looks to be a Mazak (zinc alloy) extrusion, Chiappa specialises in using this material for a lot of their rimfire guns. It feels good and solid yet is minimalistic, as perhaps suits a gun of this type. At the rear of the trigger guard is an inch or so of Picatinny rail, to which you can add a pistol grip as an optional extra. This takes the form of a hollow tube with a screw-in end cap, so that you can house cleaning or small survival kits. To be honest, it does not do much for the rifle’s looks or ergonomics!
IT’S A WRAP! The butt is far from comfortable as can be seen, however, if you Google the Little Badger, some of the images that
FOLDING FRIEND On test is the 22 LR version, probably the best choice of calibre! It’s incredibly light, weighing in at just under 3lbs or
The rear sight is stolen off Chiappa’s 22 rimfire M1 Carbine copy as is the front blade The ejector system is extract-only, as befits a single shot action of this type
The Badger is opened by squeezing the lever in front of the trigger guard; here we see the hammer is automatically placed into half cock by this action
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RACKNLOAD | FIREARMS SIGHTS AND TRIGGER
front would have been a better idea, especially for low light conditions!
BREAK-N-LOAD In front of the trigger guard is a small lever that you pull to break open the rifle for loading and folding it down for storage. It will fold until the base of the trigger guard hits the underside of the forend and at 16.5” (stowed) it makes handy package to carry. The hinge system appears solid with no side float and it opens and closes positively. As can be imagined, loading is very simple! With the action open, just slide a round
There’s not a lot of sto hold of and the 3lb rifl ck to get translate every breathe seems to beat into a group-inc and heart reasing flinch
s
The trigger broke nicely at around 4.5lbs on my gauge, which I thought was good for what is a cheap rifle. The external hammer shows a wide and slotted thumb spur to aid cocking, which is an easy business with it locking back positively. I’ve used the Badger in wet and snowy conditions whilst wearing gloves and have had no problems at all. The open sights appear to have been taken from Chiappa’s .22 semi-auto M1 Carbine reproduction. The rear uses an aperture that runs up and down an angled block for elevation, with a thumb wheel on the right for windage correction. The front is a one-piece moulding with a fixed blade in a rabbit ear protector. To be honest, a truglow fibre optic up
What the! Chiappa Little Badger, is it a rifle or a coat hanger? None the less an interesting design
FOR
Different and challenging
AGAINST
Iron sights are not great Hard to shoot consistently due to its weight and build
VERDICT
Single shot fun and frustration in an unusual package Some short range hunting and pest control possibilities
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FIREARMS | RACKNLOAD The bare bones of a rifle, note the ammo carrier in the butt void
g n i g n e l l a h c a e t i “I found it oqtubecause the thing rifle to shot seems to ‘feel’ every is so light iheart beat!”
S: RACKN LOAD SAY
s
into the chamber, snap the barrel closed and you are ready; then cock the hammer when you want to shoot. Taking simplicity perhaps a bit too far; the Badger does not have a manual safety catch. Their website says: ‘the safety is automatic so when the hammer is not cocked, the trigger is automatically blocked’. What this means is that the mechanism has a half cock feature, as you squeeze the opening lever the hammer is moved back about 1/8” where it locks, requiring it to be thumbed back manually to fire position (full cock). With a round up the spout this then also offers a safe carry position, which is comforting! Reloading is just a matter of opening the action, where the extract-only ejector will raise the empty case from the chamber, so it can be removed with your fingers
Picatinny quad rail! Kind of ‘tacticool’ on a gun like this I’d say, but never the less very practical! It’s all-polymer to keep the weight down and gives you enough room to fit accessories should you feel that way inclined. A small optic of some description like a red dot sight or a compact, low power scope definitely wouldn’t go a miss on the Little Badger, especially if you are using it as a hunting gun or even just for range work. The barrel is carbon steel and the muzzle threaded ½ x 20” UNEF for a moderator! A plastic thread protector is supplied, but to be honest, it’s not great and as I discovered it’s glued on and just pulls off! I’ve actually lost mine and may have even shot it off when it worked loose! I run mine with a small muzzle break now mainly just to act as a thread protector.
4-WAY
DOES IT HIT THE MARK?
Now let’s talk about the part of the rifle that most likely to have caught your eye - the
Accuracy was acceptable with open sights, but obviously would be better with a scope
The diminutive size of the Little Badger is obvious, even when compared to a 22 bolt-action
The muzzle is threaded a sensible ½ x 20 UNF, the plastic protector was glued on at the factory...
set up. Using sub-sonics and high velocity it was shooting 2-3” with the iron sights at 50-yards, which was OK but not amazing. Though with the set up on offer I was not expecting miracles. However, I also fitted a moderator and an optic. The compact nature of the build also dictates a few parameters for scope mounting. You will need reasonably high rings so the eyepiece bell can clear the rear sight assembly, also to allow you to cock the hammer underneath. I found a reach-forward design is best as it moves the scope forward so increasing eye relief and offering a better head/eye position. Shot again at 50-yards from a rested position, groups shrank to around 1-2”, enough to shoot rabbits etc with, but I would also consider that its maximum, effective range! Standing or generally unsupported I found it quite a challenging rifle to shoot because the thing is so light it seems to ‘feel’ every heart beat! A fact not helped by the lack of proper forward hand position; for that read on the barrel and the skinny wire stock. This showed in the lack of group consistency as can be seen; but it is what it is and it sort of grows on you!
CONCLUSION A great little fun rifle for the range, something a little different you could say but it will definitely turn some heads! Also, it’s good enough for hunting small game at sensible distances and is super light weight when out in the field. Great value at under £200! Safe shooting! – Rack
Ammo up! 12-rounds on-gun
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
n Name Chiappa Little Badger n Calibre 22 Long Rifle (on test) n Action single shot/break barrel n Barrel 16.5” n Length 32” n Weight 3 lbs n Sights Y n Scope base Y n Price MSRP: £181.50 in .22 LR n Contact Edgar Brothers Ltd, 01625 613177 (for nearest stockist) www.chiappafirearms.com
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Valkyrie rifles
Ultralight sound moderators
Unit 27 Century Park, Dearne lane Manvers, Rotherham S63 5DE RFD SY 1081 Tel. 07889 388378 Email
[email protected]
THE PROFESSIONALS CHOICE
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Purchase from your local dealer or contact DPT UK EURO Ltd, BILLINGHAM, CLEVELAND TS22 5PQ
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FRIDAY, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Call for a chat or drop me an E-mail please.
Western Shooting Supplies LITTLE BADGER Single Shot rifle cal. .22LR, STANDARD Type: Rimfire rifle Action: Folding break open Feeding: Single shot with extractor Barrel: 19” Carbon steel Trigger system: Single Front sight: Fixed Rear sight: M1 type adjustable in elevation and windage Safety: Automatic Finish: Matt black Stock: Wire with shell holder
£245 LITTLE BADGER RRP
Single barrel foldable rifle, extremely light for the most comfortable carry. Pulling the lever, it folds to its barrel length. Accessories included: nylon carry-bag (16,5” versions) and a special cartridge holder. There is also a quad rail picatinny so you can fit your favourite accessories. The muzzle has a thread of 1/2”-28TPI on the .22LR/WMR version.
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SS05.16/56/pp
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FIREARMS | PRODUCT TEST PRIMOS’ TRIGGER STICK GEN II DELUXE Prices from
£44.85 CONTACT: Swillington Shooting Supplies, 0113 2864097 swillingtonshooting supplies.co.uk
Squeeze... Chris Parkin checks out what must be the most hi-tech shooting sticks around
I
n general, shooting sticks are an acquired taste and it takes time and effort to get used to whichever design you prefer. Primos now offers their Gen II Trigger Stick, which offers a few subtle upgrades, with the high quality, 7075 Aluminium legs coupled to trigger-adjustable positioning add extra strength.
THE SOUND OF SILENCE The legs are controlled by a trigger grip and a squeeze allows them to extend to the floor under their own weight and can be positioned by nudging them with your feet. Also, with the trigger pressed you can set up for uneven ground too, as each leg adjusts to the surface regardless of the height of the others. All with one hand; not bad! The standard V-yoke has rubber fins that hold the rifle’s forend and also works well to support any optical accessory you may desire. All inner threads and workings retain the common ¼” and 3/8” camera fittings. It’s silent in use and the yoke can be as low as 560mm from the ground or stand as high as 1650mm with all three legs vertical at full extension. The yoke/grip rotates freely through 360° and a small lever behind the trigger will lock it solidly in position.
ACCESSORISE
FOR
Self-adjusting, well built and versatile 2-position rests adds an extra dimension
Now I quite like quad sticks, but they are a little bulky and often very difficult to adjust silently in the field. Primos offer their optional, 2-point gun rest, which replaces the V-notch for a very stable gun rest. Two, heightadjustable, sliding, rubberised V-notches sit either end of 400mm twin aluminium bars, which also fold
AGAINST
Not a lot
VERDICT
Probably the best technical 3-leg stick system around
98
The 2-point gun rest adds another dimension to the Trigger Sticks and is well worth consideration
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
The Primos Gen II tripod and 2-point gun test; clever stuff!
for transport. They quickly adjust to fit the rifle stock and have a tilt facility above the grip, allowing elevation adjustment, as well as full rotation as before. They are a little bulky and perhaps not for hill stalking, but where they do perform is with rifle-mounted night vision, as these often bulky set ups are not easy to use free hand. However, the stability offered by the 2-point rest is superb for this sort of work. Equally for varminting, as you can easily carry this system in the field for longer range, solidly supported shots too. It is fantastic to both spot and shoot from with centrefire rifles and I had no problem at all with 250 yard shots in complete darkness, without undue fatigue or discomfort. After six months of use they have accompanied me on every night time jaunt and I have found no quality or functionality problems, the legs still fall silently under their own weight and are rock solid when adjusted for excellent gun control and stability at a moment’s notice
Detail of the V-notch yoke that comes with the sticks, note the control grip and trigger lever
{ } TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Primos’ Trigger Stick Gen II Deluxe z Price: Primos Trigger Stick Gen II Deluxe £110 Primos 2 Point Gun Rest £44.85 z Contact: Swillington Shooting Supplies, 0113 2864097 www.swillingtonshootingsupplies.co.uk
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FIREARMS | PRODUCT TEST
JDR’s complete Rebel 17 tumb ler kit, provides all you need to get going in a great-value package
KEEP IT
The tumbler unit set up on the floor, it’s basic but efficient design
Clean! O
ver the years that I’ve been reloading, I’ve followed a very typical path as regards cleaning brass: starting with a vibratory tumbler, moving on to an ultrasonic bath, and now to my latest acquisition – a rotary tumbler. So why clean cases? Three reasons: Safety: easier to spot damage and impending head separation. Consistency: clean brass reduces variation in case volume, primer-pocket depth, and neck tension. Gratification: producing finished rounds that look as good as factory ammunition.
VIBRATORY VS. ROTARY
Biological washing liquid does the chemical cleaning and a small amount of citric acid crystals adds a brilliant shine
FOR
Efficient and thorough case cleaning system
102
Add water and cook for 3 to 4 hours, the water ensures the chemicals act evenly on the brass, keeps everything fluid, reduces impacts, and makes it easy to flush afterwards
AGAINST
Recovering the media is long winded Cases have to be dried
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
VERDICT
One for the serious reloader Well priced by comparison
Unlike a dry, vibratory tumbler, the Rebel is a rotary which uses stainless-steel pins and runs wet. This complements the mechanical action of the media with chemical reagents: in this case citric acid powder and biological washing liquid. The steel pins, meanwhile, have more momentum than the lighter dry media, making for a more vigorous cleaning action; and their cut ends do a better job of scouring out of primer pockets. The only issue is that cases need drying afterwards! The Rebel can be bought alone or as part of a kit that includes 2.2 Kg of stainless steel-pins, a bag of citric acid crystals, a
PRODUCT TEST | FIREARMS barrel and liner are warrantied for five years, the base unit for three and the motor for one!
FILLING UP The Rebel 17 can tumble up to 17lb of water, brass and pins (hence the name), which equates to as many as 300 .30 cal. cases. So tip in up to 4lb of dirty brass, add the pins, sprinkle on a quarter-teaspoonful of citric acid crystals, and pour in a tablespoon of bio liquid, before topping up with water to within 1” of the top. The drum is then sealed by placing a rubber gasket over the six bolts mounted around its rim, followed by a steel top plate, and hand- tightening. At this point it’s a good idea to place a towel on a flat surface and roll the drum back and forth to check for leaks; if it does just snug up the nuts (by hand).
the magnet supplied with the kit, since pins are tricky to pick up with your fingers.
LET’S ROLL!
Jules Whicker joins the Rotary Club in his quest for ultra shiny brass bottle of Ariel biological washing liquid, and a handy telescopic rod with a pen clip on one end and a magnet on the other for picking up errant pins.
SETTING UP The machine comes fitted with a US plug, so you just need to fit a UK replacement. Mount the motor in the cradle using the grip nuts supplied (you’ll need a spanner); fit the small pulley to the motor shaft and align it with the larger wheel on the base; fit the drive belt (orange O-ring); fine tune the alignment and lock the small wheel in place by tightening its grub screw with the Allen key supplied. Now the motor will drive the belt, turning the large wheel, and with it one of two rollers mounted to the base (the other merely helps support the drum). Rubber collars at the front and rear of this drive roller align the drum, which sits on top, its weight providing the grip needed to keep it turning. It’s important to site the tumbler on an even, level surface if vibration causes it to ‘walk’. The drum and base are made from power-coated sheet steel, which is also protected internally by a thick rubber liner that cushions the cases and reduces noise. The
After use, the pins can be dried or you can simply store them wet in the tumbler drum. Different sizes are available
Switch the motor on and give the drum a push to get it moving as it reduces strain on the motor. It will now turn steadily, with a hum and a chinking of brass, 3-4 hours is about right! A change of water halfway through can help if the cases are really dirty, if required! The motor gets quite hot, so keep it clear of anything inflammable or heat-sensitive. Once finished, switch off and remove the drum and open it, as if by magic; through the dirty water you’ll see your brass gleaming back at you! Initially I placed a plastic colander over a bucket and poured the contents of the drum into it in stages, half at a time. Shaking the colander dislodged residual pins and water, which fell into the bucket. Then dump the brass into a plastic bowl and finish emptying, this was slow and when sorting I found quite a few pins still inside the cases. The pins have to be recovered too. This involved draining as much of the water out of the bucket as possible whilst leaving the pins inside (put the plug in the sink first); topping up with clean water, and repeating the process to rinse off any residue. You can store the pins wet in the tumbler drum, or put them in with the cases in the oven. I was really glad of
A BETTER WAY? I found the latter parts of the cleaning process a bit of a chore, so I got back in touch with the supplier who had a couple more tools: a Quick-N-EZ Rotary Media Separator, and a Media Release Magnet from Frankford Arsenal. They certainly make the process quicker, easier and more efficient. A quick search on the web for better ways of drying brass, revealed a consensus in favour of ‘repurposing’ an electric food dehydrator. As luck would have it, I already had one and it beats the oven or the airing cupboard hands down!
CONCLUSIONS? My rotary tumbling kit cost more, and takes up more space, than my vibratory tumbler or ultrasonic bath, but it produces by far the best results of any of the three methods. As for the Extreme Tumblers Rebel 17: it’s well designed, easy to use, quiet, and clearly built to last; plus it’s priced lower than the closest equivalent. My wife, however, has commented that if I enjoy cleaning things so much, perhaps I’d like to try my hand at some housework!
PRICES:
Before and after- what a difference and worth the effort for at least three reasons!
n Rebel 17 rotary tumbler: £212 (only) or £250 (complete kit) free UK delivery n Frankford Armory Quick-N-EZ Rotary Media Separator: £35 [not including delivery] n Frankford Armory Media Release Magnet: £14.75 [not including delivery] n Contact: JD Reloading, 0330 223 2223; http://jdreloading.com; http://extremetumblers.com; www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com
103
Wilson & Wilson (Fieldsports) Ltd. Telegraph Hill, Laundry Road, Minster, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 4HL
Tel: 01843 822242 Fax No: 01843 821162 Registered Firearms Dealer No. 276 Kent. Ring for current pricing Pro Melt 22lb Furness........................................................£458.00 Pro 2000 Progressive Press................................................£619.00 Pro 2000 Shell plate.............................................................£35.30 Rockchucker Supreme Kit.................................................£412.50 Piggy Back 3 Press Conversion.........................................£474.50 Rock Chucker Press...........................................................£187.00 Turret Press Reloading Kit ................................................£534.00 Tungsten Carbide Die Sets (Pistol)......................................£59.00 Standard Rifle Die Sets FL..................................................£39.55 Cowboy Action Dies ............................................................£64.00 Competition Dies ...............................................................£121.30 APS Bench Prime Tool ......................................................£116.60 APS Press Prime Tool..........................................................£74.50 APS Strip Loader.................................................................£35.60 Autoprime Tool ..................................................................£100.20 NEW Speer No 14 Reloading Manual ................................£31.95 Lyman 1200 Turbo Tumbler.................................................£56.99 Uniflow Powder Measure.....................................................£97.50 Powder Measure Stand.........................................................£30.75 Powder Trickler....................................................................£21.90 Uniflow Micrometer Ad Just Screw LG or SM...................£48.40 Uniflow Small Cylinder.......................................................£34.90 Lube Die ..............................................................................£36.90 Trim Pro Power Assembly 220V Kit .................................£367.60 Scales 5-0-2..........................................................................£83.60 Scales 5-0-5..........................................................................£62.79 Charge Master Combo.......................................................£447.95 RCPS Load CD..................................................................£102.25 Lock Out Die .......................................................................£54.00 Accessories Base Plate ........................................................£37.80 Primer Pocket Swager .........................................................£36.90 Case Master Measurement Tool.........................................£131.75 Trim Pro Case Trimmer Kit...............................................£119.90 Trim Pro ...............................................................................£97.50 Scale Check Weights Deluxe ...............................................£55.70 Primer Pocket Brush Combo ...............................................£17.25 Lubra Matic Sizing Press...................................................£193.70 Bullet Moulds Pistol/Rifle from ..........................................£80.40 Mould Handles.....................................................................£41.10 Deburing Tool ......................................................................£23.20 Unusual RCBS dies: ring for pricing and availability
PISTOLS .22 GSG 1911 LBP............................................................£450.00
RIFLES .17 HMR CZ 455 Thumbhole S/C.....................................£505.00 .17 HMR Browning T-bolt S/C Comp 16.5" .....................£480.00 .17 HMR Browning TBolt Comp S/C 22" ........................£445.00 .17 HMR Browning T-Bolt SS Tar/Var Lam stock ............£579.00 .22 WMR CZ 453 Premium S/C .......................................£670.00 .22 Browning Buckmark Sporter.......................................£540.00 .22 Browning T-Bolt Target 19" S/C..................................£539.00 .22 Ruger 10/22 Target ......................................................£636.00 .22 Ruger 10/22 Deluxe.....................................................£428.00 .22 Ruger 10/22 Standard ..................................................£369.00 .22 Henry Lever Action .....................................................£420.00 .22 Norinco Mini Mauser ..................................................£345.00 .22 Chiappa M1 Carbine S/A ............................................£360.00 .22/250 Tikka T3 Lite S/S S/C...........................................£919.00 .22/250 Browning Eclipse M100 Thumbhole stock S/C...£990.00 .22/250 Winchester 70 Stealth S/C....................................£878.00 .22/250 Winchester Mod70 Classic S/C..........................£555.00 .223 Browning XBolt Fluted S/C ......................................£938.00 .223 Browning ABolt BOSS..............................................£820.00 .223 Tikka T3 Super Varmint S/C...................................£1,125.00 .223 Browning A-bolt compo S/C .....................................£555.00 .243 Browning XBolt Fluted S/C ......................................£938.00 .243 Browning XBolt Hunter S/C L/H..............................£785.00 .243 Browning A-bolt compo S/C .....................................£555.00 .243 Winchester 70 Coyote Light S/C ...............................£995.00 .243 Winchester 70 Classic inc. scope & mounts S/C...£588.00 .243 Winchester 70 Stealth S/C .........................................£878.00 .243 WSSM Winchester 70 Featherlight S/C.................£524.00 .243 WSSM Browning A Bolt Medalian S/C .................£620.00 .243/6.5 x 55/.308 Browning SF Varmint GRS...................£1,346 6.5 x 55 Tikka T3 Syn S/S S/C..........................................£919.00 6.5 x 55 Mauser MO3 GD7 S/H inc mod ......................£3,999.00 .270 Browning XBolt S/S Fluted S/C................................£938.00 .38/357 Chiappa Underlever ..............................................£599.00 .38-55 Winchester 94 trails end takedown......................£1,050.00 30-06 Browning XBolt S/S S/C.........................................£763.00 .308 Browning XBolt Hunter Montecarlo.........................£985.00 .308 Zoli Pro 1900 Custom M/B....................................£2,510.00 30-06 & .308 Browning Maral 5-pull.............................£1,960.00 .308 Browning GRS Varmint adg stock .........................£1,345.00 .308 Winchester SPR ......................................................£1,995.00 .308 Winchester M70 Stealth.............................................£943.00 .308 Browning Xbolt Stainless Stalker S/C.......................£966.00 .308 Browning TCT tactical fluted S/C.............................£985.00 375 H & H CZ550 deluxe................................................£1037.85 375 H & H Winchester Mod 70 Safari............................£1016.50
SAFARI SPECIAL
30-06 Chapuis double rifle inc 30mm rings ..............................................................£3600.00 30.06 Zoli O/U express double rifle...£4500.00 338WM Winchester Mod 70 Rifle, custom shop, one of 125 in the World .£3450.00 .416 Rigby BRNO 550......................£987.00 8x57 Browning 525 double rifle .....£2999.00 8x57 Browning CCS 25 double rifle with 30mm swing off mounts..................£9999.00 9.3x74R Merkel 161 EDA S/B/S ......£12,472.00 470 Capstick Winchester Model 70 Custom House 1 of 15 .......................................£3,999.00 NEW Merkel Safari Double Rifles 470 NE Ejector Merkel 160 AEDA...£17,999.00 470 NE Ejector Merkel 140 AEDA......£9999.00 416 Rigby Ejector Merkel 140 AEDA .£9999.00 375 H&H Ejector Merkel 140 AEDA..£9999.00 (All above with Apel swing-off 30ml ring mounts, and 1.25-4x24 Elite Illuminated scope)
.44 Rossi Underlever..........................................................£502.00 450 M Winchester Mod 94 M/B Take Down .................£1,186.00 38-55 Winchester Mod 94 M/B Take Down...................£1,050.00
SHOTGUNS 12g Chapuis S/B/S RPG Silver Action Multi Choke .....£2,500.00 12g Chapuis S/B/S RPG Case Hardened Action Multi Choke...£2,500.00 12g Chapuis S/B/S Artisan RD Multi Choke.................£5,739.00 12g Chapuis O/U Artisan RD Multi Choke ...................£5,456.00 12g Chapuis O/U C35 Multi Choke ...............................£2,300.00 12g Browning 725 Grade 5 30"......................................£4,071.00 12g 525 Browning Ultra XT Hi rib ................................£2,625.00 12g 725 Browning Hunter Inv........................................£1,875.00 12g 725 Browning Sporter Inv .......................................£1,948.00 12g B525 Hunter Prestige 28"........................................£3,630.00 12g Browning Maxus Synthetic 31/2" camo....................£1,135.00 12 gauge Browning 525 Premium Gold Inv....................£1711.45 12 gauge Miroku Mk70 Sport Inv ...................................£1292.25 12g Browning Maxus G3 Premium.................................£1363.00 12g Miroku MK70 Sporter INV......................................£1343.10 12g Miroku MK38 Sporter INV......................................£1343.10 12g Winchester Select Sporting.......................................£1146.00 12g Winchester Energy Sporting ADJ.............................£1422.00 12g Winchester SX3 8 Shot...............................................£972.00 12g Browning Ultra Prestige XS, adj cheek....................£3045.00 12g Browning Fusion Evolve INV ..................................£1110.00 12g Browning Heritage Sporter 28 & 30".......................£4999.00 12g Browning 1 million Sporter......................................£3999.00 12g Winchester Super x 3 31⁄2" camo .................................£969.00 12g Zoli Z Expedition.....................................................£4,275.00 12g Zoli Z Embassador EL.............................................£9,898.00 12g Browning Ultra 525 XSH ........................................£2,775.00 12g Browning 525 Prestige Grade 4...............................£3,862.00 12g Browning 525 Sporter L/H......................................£1,605.00 12g Miroku MK38 Grade 6............................................£3,149.00 12g Browning 725 Hunter GR-1 ....................................£2,041.00 20g Browning 525 Sporter Elite INV.............................£2,300.00 20g Browning 525 INV Prestige .....................................£3638.00 20g Browning Heritage...................................................£4,999.00 20g Bettinsoli Diamond Silver ..........................................£824.20 28g Miroku MK70 Inv 30".............................................£1,400.00 28g Browning 525 Hunter ..............................................£1,666.00 12g Hatsan Xtreme .............................SPECIAL OFFER £299.00 12g Hatsan Marine 28"......................................................£435.00 12g Hatsan Missione 28"...................................................£460.00 12g Hatsan PS....................................................................£325.00 20g Hatsan Muddy Girl .....................................................£366.00
NEW WINCHESTER BRASS CASES
per 100 .17 Rem (Remington) ..........................................................£46.20 .22 Hornet S&B ...................................................................£36.15 .22 .250 ................................................................................£56.25 .25 Auto primed S & B........................................................£19.00 25.06 Hornady .....................................................................£77.00 30 Carbine PMC ..................................................................£21.70 32 Auto.................................................................................£24.60 32 S&W ...............................................................................£26.45 32.20.....................................................................................£46.50 380 Auto...............................................................................£18.60 9mm Luger S&B..................................................................£15.85 10mm-..................................................................................£29.90 38 Special.............................................................................£18.50 .357 Magnum.......................................................................£24.95 .41 Remington Magnum ......................................................£42.50 .44 Special............................................................................£21.95 .44 Magnum.........................................................................£27.45 .44.40....................................................................................£38.30 .45 auto.................................................................................£29.15
.45 Long Colt Starline .........................................................£29.80 204 Ruger Winchester...................................................................£38.55 .220 Swift Remington..........................................................£61.00 .222 Rem..............................................................................£38.00 .223.......................................................................................£37.10 .223 WSSM..........................................................................£80.50 .243 WSSM..........................................................................£80.90 .243.......................................................................................£51.80 .243 S&B .............................................................................£41.70 .257 Roberts.........................................................................£55.50 6mm Rem.............................................................................£49.90 6.5 x 55 Winchester .............................................................£70.25 6.5x55 PMC.........................................................................£55.00 7.08.......................................................................................£65.00 7mm Mag.............................................................................£67.95 .270.......................................................................................£54.90 300 WSM.............................................................................£86.70 .303 British S&B .................................................................£38.90 30.06 Springfield .................................................................£55.25 762 x 39 S&B ......................................................................£36.90 8x57 JRS S&B.....................................................................£48.50 8x57 JS S&B........................................................................£45.00 300 Win Mag .......................................................................£87.70 300 H&H Norma ...............................................................£104.55 .308 Lapua ...........................................................................£50.20 338 Win Mag .......................................................................£84.65 .338 Lapua (Norma)...........................................................£170.00 30.30 Win.............................................................................£48.50 38.55 Win.............................................................................£61.00 348 Win................................................................................£97.35 358 Win................................................................................£76.20 9.3x64 RWS .......................................................................£107.20 9.3x72 R S&B....................................................................£116.20 9.3x74R..............................................................................£116.00 375 Win................................................................................£65.70 375 H&H ............................................................................£85.00 38.40.....................................................................................£45.00 45-120 Norma....................................................................£189.90 45.70 Govt ...........................................................................£83.25 .416 Rigby Norma Brass....................................................£247.70 .444 Hornady cases..............................................................£95.00 .458 Win Mag ......................................................................£88.30 .470 Nitro Express (Norma) ..............................................£372.90 762x54r ................................................................................£38.85 .450 Hornady cases..............................................................£99.90
RELOADERS SPECIAL PURCHASE .224 55 grain FMJ ..................................................£67.00 per 500 .308 147 FMJ..........................................................£77.80 per 500 8 ml 196 FMJ .......................................................£104.50 per 500 .308 180 FMJ..........................................................£98.70 per 500 .303 180g FMJ........................................................£90.00 per 500
BARNES SPECIAL .224 36+50g Varmint Grenade ...............................£12.50 per 100 .224 45g TSX..........................................................£28.80 per 100 .270 MRX...............................................................£60.00 per 100 6mm Varmint Grenade............................................£15.00 per 100 7mm TSX................................................................£37.00 per 100 7mm MRX..............................................................£62.00 per 100 PLEASE PHONE FOR OTHER CALIBRES
ACCURATE 500grms No.2......................................................................................£35.00 No.5......................................................................................£35.00 No.7......................................................................................£35.00 No.9......................................................................................£35.00 No. 1680...............................................................................£36.50 No. 2230...............................................................................£36.50 No. 2460...............................................................................£36.50 No. 3100...............................................................................£36.50 No. 4350...............................................................................£36.50 No. 2015...............................................................................£36.50 No. 2520...............................................................................£36.50 No. 5744...............................................................................£36.50 Solo 1000 .............................................................................£36.50 Alliant Pistol Powders ................................................£33.50 Alliant Blue Dot/Steel ................................................£35.00 Alliant 2400................................................................£36.50 Reloader 7, 15, 19 and 22, 25 ....................................£39.50
777 FFG ...............................................................................£41.00 777 FFFG ...................................................................£41.00 Pyrodex P ...............................................................£30.50 Pyrodex RS ..........................................................................£29.00 Pyrodex Select .....................................................................£35.10
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday. Open Saturdays 9.30am-4.00pm www.wilsonandwilsonfieldsports.co.uk
168 IMR POWDERS EXAMPLES 4759......................................................................................£39.50 .3031.....................................................................................£41.00 4985......................................................................................£41.00 4831......................................................................................£41.00 4198......................................................................................£41.00 4227......................................................................................£41.00 4320......................................................................................£41.00 4064......................................................................................£41.00 4350......................................................................................£41.00 4828......................................................................................£41.00 4895......................................................................................£41.00 7828 Shortcut ......................................................................£41.00 Trail Boss .............................................................................£23.00
HOGDENS POWDERS EXAMPLES H380.....................................................................................£38.00 H4895...................................................................................£41.00 H4831 S/C............................................................................£39.50 H4350...................................................................................£41.00 H4198...................................................................................£41.00 H322.....................................................................................£41.00 H1000...................................................................................£41.00 Varget.............................................................................................£41.00 H414...............................................................................................£38.00 H335...............................................................................................£38.00 BLC2..............................................................................................£38.00 HP38...............................................................................................£33.50 HS6.................................................................................................£36.50 50BMG..........................................................................................£40.50 Hybrid 100V ..........................................................................£39.50 Titewad...........................................................................................£29.00 Retumbo.........................................................................................£41.00 Benchmark.....................................................................................£41.00 Titegroup........................................................................................£32.00 Superforance..................................................................................£39.50 Leverevolution ...............................................................................£39.50 CFE223 ..........................................................................................£38.00
AMMUNITION (RIFLE) IN STOCK .................................................................per 100 9.3 x 62 762 x 54 .220 Swift .223 Winchester .223 WSSM 22.250 Winchester 25.06 Winchester .270 Winchester 6.5 x 55 Swedish 300 Win Mag 30.30 Winchester .308 Winchester 8 x 57 JR (S&B) .375 H&H FMJ .375 H&H Fed 470 NE Federal
12 gauge Slug 9.3 x 72 .22 Hornet .223 Remington 32.20 Winchester .257 Roberts .270 Federal .300 Win Mag 300 Win Mag 30.06 Springfield .308 Winchester 8 x 57 JS (S&B) 375 Winchester .375 H&H PP .416 Rigby
9.3 x 74 .222 REM .243 Winchester .243 WSSM .270 Winchester 7x64 Breneck .300 WSM 300 H&H 303 British S&B 308 Gold Medal 8mm Mauser 8 x 57 JRS (S&B) .375 H&H Winchester .375 H&H 300g Nosler .458 Win Mag 5.56 Mag
PLEASE CALL FOR LATEST PRICES Errors & Omissions Excepted
BAUSCH & LOMB/ BUSHNELL ELITE 3200 (inc. Rainguard) 1.5 - 4.5 x 32 Firefly ..£324.00 3 - 9 x 50 Multi X........£304.25
ELITE 4200 (inc. Rainguard) 4 - 16 x 40 Multi X ....£516.00 6 - 24 x 40 Mildot ......£533.00 8 - 32 x 40 Mildot ......£565.00 1.25 - 4 x 24 illumin. 4A ....................................£468.00 ELITE 6500 4.5 - 30x50 MilDot ....................................£711.00 2.5 - 16 x 50 MilDot ..£775.00 2.5 - 16 x 42 MilDot ..£720.00 4.5 - 30 x 50 Mildot....£711.00 1-6.5 x 24 Illumin A4 ......£775
TACTICAL 3 - 12 x 44 illumin. BTR MIL ....................................£780.00 1 - 8.5 x 24 illumin. BT22 34mm tube ................£825.00 3.5 - 21 x 50 G2DMR 34mm tube ................£925.00 4.5 - 30 x 50 Mildot....£720.00
SS05.16/18/dd
RCBS RELOADING EQUIPMENT EXAMPLES
1967SPUD RELOADING SUPPLIES LTD
Shooting & Reloading Supplies 1000’s of products in stock! March Gen II Custom Scope Rings £147.50
Redding Big Boss 2 Press £195.00
Redding Versa Pak Pro Reloading Kit £530.00
Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph £110.00
Insize Digital Thickness Gauge £67.50
Sinclair Benchrest Forend Rail Adapter £42.00
Forster Coax Priming Tool £79.00
Extreme Rebel 17 Wet Tumbler 220 Volt Kit £298.99
Lyman Case/Media Separator £38.00
Le Chameau Vierzonord £135.00
L E Wilson Stainless Neck Sizing Dies - £78.00
L E Wilson Seating Dies £53.00
March 8-80 x 56 MOA Scope £2,553.00 – £3,037.44
Redding XT Trimmer Lathe £98.00
SCHMIDT AND BENDER 8 X56 30MM TUBE A7 £395.00
K&M Neck Turners £78.00
AIM Range Mat £82.35
SPECIAL OFFER Schmidt & Bender
Guardian Canterbury Luxian Shotgun Slip £85.00
Lyman Ultimate Case Prep Kit £120.00
Tipton 1 Piece Deluxe Carbon Fiber Cleaning Rod £44.00–£55.00
MTM Gun Vice £43.00
JB Bore Cleaning Compound £10.50
Lyman Borecam Digital Borescope £265.00
NEW – Bushing Type Full Length Sizing Die £90.00
Peli Gun Cases – 1700 Range 20% OFF RRP
Protektor Deluxe Bumble Bee W/Handle (1/2" Gap) £87.00
Ballistic Performance of Rifle Bullets Edition by Brian Litz £45.00
Zirkon Sand £4.25 per kilo
A3 Weather Writer £57.00
Krazy Kloth £5.50
Bore-tips x6 £5.25
Hornady Amax Bullets £28.00–£100.00
K&M Priming Tool w/o Gauge £55.00
K&M Arbor Press £108.50
Coax Press £320.00
Ridgeline Norwester Shooters Fleece Olive £42.99
Ridgeline Roar Pant Olive £99.99
GRS Stocks – Berserk £340.00
GRS Stocks – Bolthorn £1,250.00
Farley Coaxial II F-Class Front Rest with Magnum Base) £1,325.00
Tel: 01263 732740 Mob: 07879 468878 www.1967spud.com E-mail:
[email protected] Trade accounts welcome
SS05.16/51/r
*Prices subject to change at any time
RELOADING
WHY BOTHER! Wheelwrite weighs up the actual pros and cons of rolling your own ammo
W
e’ve all probably encountered this negative reaction at our gun club. The favourite seems to be, ‘making ammo cheaper and better than factory stuff? Yeah, but how much did all your bloody kit cost, and where the hell would I put it?’ Let’s face it; some shooters will never be convinced. Good luck to them. For the rest of us there are combinations of really good reasons to learn and apply reloading skills. Whilst saving money may be the most obvious, the most necessary is the assembly of calibres that are no longer commercially listed. Improved accuracy and greater range of performance from a given cartridge are the other two popular candidates. An oblique reason is the resulting improvement in the understanding of ballistics, particularly exterior; perhaps making for better marksmanship. My reasons are pleasure, curiosity/ experimentation, improved accuracy and the acquisition of knowledge; in short I’m an anorak!
BANGS FOR YOUR BUCKS Let’s do some numbers with a selection of common calibres. In the rifle corner we’ll put .243 Win (£27.50/20 rd box average) with .223 Rem (£21.50/20 rd box average) in the middle and good old .38 Special We used V-MAX bullets in our calculations
106
Workbenches just grow and grow!
(£16.50/50rd box average) in the LBR/ Action corner. For calculation purposes we’ll assume annual burns of 500, 1000 and 2500 rounds respectively. Taking our ‘typical’ prices that’s an annual spend of £687.50, £1075.00 and £825.00. So, what about home brew factory duplication? Ignoring the cost of our labour and any shipping costs, we arrive at the following ball-park numbers. Our .243 price comprises a 30p V-MAX bullet, 27p of IMR 4831 powder, a 4p primer and a 10p allowance for brass. That’s £14.20 per box equivalent = half price. The .223 V-MAX costs 25p, 12.6p for the IMR 4198, 4p for the primer and a 6p allowance for the brass, making a £9.52 equivalent. That’s just under half price. As for the .38 Special, we spent 16p on the 158gn LRN pill, 1.7p on the Red Dot powder, 4p for the primer and a case allowance of 2 pence. An equivalent of £11.85 per box, two thirds of the retail price.
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
Eye protection is essential
Taking our assumed usage we’ll get annual savings of between £275 and £550.
GETTING KITTED OUT In order to construct our money saving ammo we must buy a suite of tools. A loading manual, O- frame press, die set, shell holder, powder measure, scales, case lube/pad and priming tool would complete the basic assemblage. All this could be yours for as little as £275 based upon the Lee Challenger Kit or, say, £535 for the excellent RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit. You’ll need to get the correct die set and shell holder separately but I’ve included them in the
typical price. Bear in mind that there are scalable savings with each additional calibre that you propose to reload. After all, you only need one press, one powder measure, one priming tool and many shell holders will handle other calibres using the same case head. You get the idea? There are a few important additions to consider, such as safety and location. Safety glasses and fire extinguisher must be at the top of the list, along with a good Vernier calliper and cloth or nitrile gloves. Start your record book or spreadsheet at day one, even if you are only using factory duplication loads. A permanent or semi permanent location is desirable, preferably away from open fires and distractions such as TV or ankle biters. A robust timber (NOT metal) workbench is essential. It should be anchored to either the wall or floor to provide sufficient stability to withstand the operation of the press. The small German Jago bench is under £100 and provides a decent starting point. Larger and more rugged designs are available from Sjobergs and Axminster. Alternatively, there are plenty of DIY plans on the web. Shelves and a lockable cabinet will help to keep the propellants and primers away from juvenile attention. Remember that black powder storage is subject to specific legal controls.
just a dramatic increase in quantities, then plan and buy your kit accordingly.
FORWARD PLANNING
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
A total ‘getting started’ budget of around £700 to safely assemble your first calibre would be reasonable, but the cost of adding each successive calibre could be less than £100, the economies of scale again. Based upon our assumed levels of use this represents a payback period of less than three years for the start-up, and a year for each additional calibre. However, there is an important question to ask before rushing to your local store. What will your future requirements include? If you’re only going to load your current calibre and in similar annual quantities, then whatever meets your needs today will suffice. But if you fancy adding .50 BMG or .338 Lap Mag at a later date, or expanding your production to include swaging lead or jacketed bullets (especially if you’re reviving calibres that are no longer commercially available), or
Having established and equipped your reloading bench it is likely that you will want to evolve the loads that you produce. Accurising and tuning will involve additional expense – from a chronograph to specialist gauges and tools – too many to itemise this month.... but that’s where future editions of this column become relevant. There are some legal and practical hoops to jump through. In order to acquire primers or primed cases you will be required to show your FAC to the vendor. The purchase of ‘expanding’ bullets is conditional upon your authority to possess expanding ammunition, usually in the form of a condition on your FAC. Make sure that you bring your local firearms department up to speed with your new obsession! It will explain the absence of ammo purchases at the time of renewal. Don’t enter your ammo production on your ticket; you have no authority to do so.
Gloves for handling bullets and powders A mask if you decide to cast lead bullets
“All this could be yours for as little as £275 based upon the Lee Challenger Kit”
You will need a vernier gauge, sometimes called a dial calliper
However, you may give (but not sell) ammo to a shooting colleague providing that he has the appropriate authority for calibre, type and quantity on his ticket. In this instance you must make an entry on his FAC. Check that the venues at which you shoot permit the use of reloaded ammo and that you have suitable third party insurance cover... some Association memberships include such cover.
If you only buy one manual Richard Lee’s Modern Reloading is probably the most comprehensive!
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WORKSHOP | WILDCATTING
more in evenhot Safari ing CZ rtridge that se a lovely, k o lo Classic 300 H&H ca would mak classic te groups and e rifle! accura rld, plains gam old wo
o r t e R
l a v i v e R
Bruce Potts sees what one of the great old timers has to offer modern shooters
W
ith ever more sportspersons venturing to Africa to take part in the safari experience, the interest in old, classic, English-styled rifles, and the cartridges shot in them, has been rekindled. Great old soldiers like the .375 H&H, 416 Rigby, .450/400 Nitro, to name a few, are having a bit of resurgence of late. These may only really be suitable for use on the dark continent but cartridges like the 300 H & H still have that African flavour but are much more practical for use against game in this country also, making them a dual purpose calibre. Rifle makers too are now offering classic calibres as part of their range of rifles, such as the CZ Safari range, of which I had a 300 H&H to play with. If you don’t know, H&H standard for Holland & Holland!
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l to r:- .30-06, .300 Win Mag, 300 H & H, .358 Norma Mag.
SET UP These rifles have a single set trigger unit, which offers two pull weights. The first is standard and as the action is cycled the
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mechanism is automatically set up. If you want it lighter (not really sure why on a big/ dangerous game gun) you just push the blade forward, where you will hear a click. The trigger is now set with a significantly reduced pull weight. A light trigger is to be appreciated at times, but in the heat of the moment the lighter release can be an accident just waiting to happen too; be aware! Back to the plot! You get a choice of gloss or matte-finished metal work, high grade fancy American walnut stocks, with a straight comb and glass bedded to the action and the barrel has a forward-mounted barrel band with sling swivel mount. There are various features within the Safari range that can be specified when
WILDCATTING | WORKSHOP
ordering, especially the cartridge choice that ranges from .270 to 505 Gibbs in the Express or Classic rifle form. In fact, some really old English cartridges such as the 404 Jeffery, .450 Rigby, and .425 Westley Richards are there for the purists, while the .375 Ruger and .338 Win Mag are more for the conventional shooter.
CARTRIDGE
RIFLE I have used classic Hollands and a David Lloyd in 300 H&H and both have been lovely rifles to shoot! The big 30 does not seem to kick as much as a Win Mag does, but that`s probably due to the slender case and rifle stock design. Reloads were worked up in a CZ Safari, which wore a 24” barrel with an outside diameter at the muzzle of 0.68”, expanding to its maximum diameter at 1.22” at the receiver end, so a good weight to it to soak up some of the recoil generated by this classic big calibre. The 26” tube length is better but not always practical. It weighs a nice 10 lbs, sans scope, so recoil is also dampened, aiding in accuracy and reducing flinch. The action is the tried and tested 550 series, derived from the Mauser 98 configuration, but in its magnum form to accommodate the longest cartridges. The
Safari, oads form the CZ One of the best relRL22 worked ver y well and ts lle bu heavy
classic square bridge receiver has 19mm dovetails to fit a scope as required and is finished in a deep satin bluing. The bolt is huge at 8.25” long and classically Mauser in design, with a large claw extractor that enables a controlled round feed from magazine to chamber, so you always know that a live round is going in and a spent case is coming out every time.
WOOD, WHAT ELSE? The stock is where the CZ Classic rifle really looks the part and handles as a true hunting arm! Made from fancy American walnut, with nice colour and straight-line grain, it’s not too elaborate, especially around the pistol grip area, which could weaken the stock. The straight comb design gives a good sight picture to the open sights, yet still allows competent scope use. Pleasingly, and under recoil, the rifle moves back in line and does not wallop your cheek. There is a dropped check piece, which is more visual than functional, as you could use this rifle either left or right handed if desired.
s
I really like the 300 H&H cartridge; it has that old world charm of a true British classic. Very old fashioned in looks, with its extra long case and shallow angled shoulders, it also has a belted magnum head design. This feature has lost favour of late, gunsmiths preferring to headspace off the shoulders and not the belt that can lead to case stretching. A good example of this is the old and very much Africa, entry level calibre, belted 375 H&H compared to the modern 375 Ruger, the latter being more powerful and a deal better behaved in the shoulder. The 300 was first introduced after WW1 in 1925 by Holland & Holland gunmakers of London and called the Holland’s Super 30 cartridge, being formed from the original .375 H&H case and is probably the most wildcatted round ever. Last century, it formed cartridge lines like the Weatherby magnum range. It needs a magnum action ideally, as a loaded round at 3.60” will not properly feed through a 30-06 length action and the bolt face need to accommodate the magnum case head of 0.532”.
shorter and more angular form became more popular, the 300 H&H still has a loyal following amongst the enlightened. With modern brass and excellent bullet choice, the 300 H&H can be loaded to equal Winchester’s 300 Win Mag and has a lot more history and presence to it, making an ideal classic case for a retro rifle project. Medium to slow burning powders are needed for the 150-grain bullet weights up and also a magnum primer really helps in that long case design.
HUNGRY CASE With a powder capacity of 85-grains, the big 30 is a capable of velocities higher than the 30-06 but not quite as good as that of the 300 Win Mag or 300 Weatherby magnum. But due to its slender form it feeds beautifully through a magazine and is inherently accurate, with a wide range of bullet weights, including lighter than normal types. I like the slow angled 8° and 30 minute shoulder angle and body taper of 0.054”. Because the Holland’s case is longer, the heavier bullets, when loaded, do not seat into the powder column as do the 300 Win Mag, so offers a better, more uniform burn rate. Although Winchester’s 300 Magnum, introduced in 1963, with its
The David Lloyd rifle is very distinctive in design and is a match made in heaven when chambered in the 300 H & H round.
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WORKSHOP | WILDCATTING s
RELOADS
n Light Loads BULLET MAKE WEIGHT GRAINS LOAD HORNADY XTP 90gr 78.0gr of RL 17 powder HORNADY V-MAX 110gr 68.0gr of RL 17 powder 70.0gr NOSLER BALLISTIC TIP 125gr 64.0gr of Varget powder 65.0gr HORNADY SP 130gr 64.0gr of Vit N 140 65.0gr n Heavy Loads BULLET MAKE WEIGHT GRAINS LOAD HORNADY SST 150gr 68.0gr of Vit N160 powder 69.0gr 70.0 gr 70.0gr of RL19 powder 71.0gr 72.0gr SIERRA SPBT 165gr 71.0gr of H4831SC powder 72.0gr 73.0gr HORNADY INTERBOND 180gr 71 grains of RL22 powder 72.0gr BARNES TSX 180gr 66.0gr of H4831SC 68.0gr SIERRA GAME KING 180 gr 69.0 grains of RL19 powder 70.0gr NOSLER PARTITION 220gr 63gr of H 4831 powder 64.0gr
Some of the powders and bullets that worked well in the reloading session, I found the 300 H&H very flexible to load for
The action area is synthetically bedded to support the rifle’s action precisely, with two cross bolts to stop the stock splitting under recoil. Also befitting an African game rifle are the open sights, almost mandatory for close quarter dangerous game, the front has a white, high visibility bead and is hooded to protect it. Whilst the rear is an Express-type, with a fixed leaf set for 100 metres (not yards) and two folding leaves for 200 and 300 metres. A low powered scope, something like a 1-4x24 or 1.5-6x42 would however be most likely fitted to CZ’s proprietary rail.
RESULTS 300 H&H is not a common cartridge and I had a couple of factory loads, the old Winchester 180-grain soft point shot 2758 fps for 3041 ft/lbs, whilst the new Hornady 180-grain Interbond generated a healthy 2920 fps for 3408 ft/lbs!
ENERGY FT/LBS 2868 2701 2949 2989 3073 2993 3068
VELOCITY FPS 2852 2898 2940 3044 3089 3134 2898 2942 2986 2931 2974 2740 2827 2899 2940 2508 2545
ENERGY FT/LBS 2709 2793 2878 3086 3179 3272 3077 3171 3267 3433 3536 3002 3195 3360 3456 3072 3164
CONCLUSION New rifles like the CZ range and good performance ammunition from Hornady has rekindled people’s interest in old calibres and invigorated the African game market. Although the 300 H&H Mag is not a true large calibre, it is plenty potent for plains game and would make a great classic Red Stag rifle too. It is easy to load for and a flexible round, albeit assigned to long action use but it has so much more heritage than a 300 Win Mag and when loaded correctly, shoots as nicely. I feel a project rifle coming on!
CONTACT: CZ rifles and Hornady ammunition and bullets – Edgar Brothers Ltd, 01625 613177
The Ruger No 1 rechambered to 300 H&H is another true classic and one of my favourites.
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VELOCITY FPS 3788 3325 3474 3281 3327 3220 3260
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Nosler custom for you and th brass is very good and pr classic for us e Barnes TSX bullets suit epped e on bigger Af the older rican game
SS MAY 2016 Master_SHOOTING SPORTS 18/03/2016 10:06 Page 111
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WORKSHOP | CASE HISTORY
45
CASE HISTORIES: 45 LONG COLT
THE
REAL
The 45 Lo heavy crimng Colt, still alive an p!
d well toda y, note th
e reasonab
ly
Wheelwrite takes a look at a rock and roller from the cowboy era
O
ur subject was born in the early 1870’s, the child of Colt and UMC as one of the cartridges for the legendary Peacemaker S/A revolver. This pairing was adopted into service by the US Army in 1875. As you might have guessed it’s the legendary .45 Colt, aka .45 Long Colt or .45LC. A straight walled, rimmed design originally using a black powder charge of 40-grains FFg black powder driving a .454” dia, 255-grain RN lead bullet. Ballistic claims vary but it is likely to have achieved an MV of just over 900 fps.
COLT 45 SIR? It arrived at a time when converted muzzle loaders were still in military use and was an improvement in terms of firepower, reliability and stopping power. Indeed, its ability to deliver almost 500 ft/lbs still rates it as a serious performer! It was so successful that the Colt SAA revolver was soon identified by the name of the cartridge, the Colt 45. No surprise then to find that it lives on today as a popular big bore calibre with Cowboy Action
45 Long Colt schematic!
112
Shooters in both revolvers and lever action rifles. Indeed, it is the bookend to the other legendary revolver/rifle cartridge of the same period, the taper wall .44-40 Winchester. However, whilst Winchester were astute enough to allowed a multitude of other arms makers to produce chamberings for their .4440 WCF, Colt adopted a proprietary approach that prevented other makers chambering the .45 Colt. Their loss. The move from black powder to smokeless propellants took place over a span of five or six years, prior to the turn of the century (1900). As a matter of record, the resulting MV reduced slightly. The other significant change took place during the early 1940’s and was concurrent with the adoption of a much wider range of bullet designs. This was the reduction in the diameter of the bullet from .454” to .452”. All commercially made .45 Colt ammo and bullets are now based around the reduced diameter.
THE RELOADER’S BEAR TRAP The change of bullet diameter has resulted in dire handloaders tales of assembly problems, poor or non-existent neck tension and jammed revolvers. Let’s clarify things, it is unlikely that you will find, let alone use ammo that pre-dates the change or possess expander dies that were designed for use with the .454” bullet. However, as case and chamber dimensions have remained more or less consistent, we do have a potential neck tension issue. This is exacerbated by the fact that, from maker to maker, .45 Colt case
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wall thickness’s can vary by a few thou’ and NEW BRASS may well offer insufficient neck tension, requiring a partial nip from your sizer die before use. Before reloading previously fired brass you must measure your expander ball diameter – for safety it must not be larger than .450”. Again, you may need to nip the brass with the sizer or, as I’ve done, have the sizer ball honed down to .448”. All the bullets suitable for use in this cartridge have either a cannelure or shoulder and the case should be firmly crimped into it. I’m not usually an advocate of the roll crimp – but needs must! As a further safety measure, develop your load with ONE brand of brass and stick with it. I buy only MagTech ammo and get (apart from the wounded cases) around five reloadings.
WHAT, WHERE AND WHY? Revolver buffs can start a serious collection of Colt SAA Peacemakers for use under Section 7/3 but should heed the warnings about maximum loads. Early black powder proofed revolvers require special care. Modern, stronger revolvers from Ruger and others may not qualify for such use but it’s worth a try. For shooters there’re LBR’s and wrist brace revolvers as well as lever action rifles. From the collectable and classic to the modern action event, there are a host of opportunities to enjoy this historic cartridge.
N EXT MONTH 224 BOZ
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