Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2019 i Sporting Rifle

As the Twelfth of August dawned and heralded the start of the grouse shooting season, shooting organisations joined forces to appeal for greater recognition of the value of shooting from policy makers. BASC, the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association, Scottish Land & Estates and the Scottish Association for Country Sports issued a joint statement. “The start of the grouse shooting season marks the culmination of a year-round effort in Scotland’s most remote hills and glens to manage land for a wide range of social, economic and environmental benefits,” it said. “We appeal to politicians from all parties to recognise the contribution that grouse moors make at a time when the Scottish Government’s review of moorland management should soon be published. “The last 20 years has seen a culture change in grouse moor…

How do you get started in long-range shooting? That’s a question I often get asked. There seem to be more and more people wanting to experiment with their rifles’ capabilities, but don’t know where to start and what equipment they need. There are many factors that will influence your shooting, from the calibre you are using and the ground on which you shoot, to the type of ‘long range’ you will be able to achieve. In fact, the term ‘long range’ itself can have many interpretations – for instance, 300 yards may be a very long shot to some people, particularly if they are using a small calibre or rimfire. For someone who regularly shoots out to perhaps 1000 yards, though, a 300-yard shot would probably be well within their…

OPTICS Q NV and thermal scope manufacturers of late seem to be increasing the eye relief of their scopes – up to 90mm from the likes of 45mm or even less. They all seem to be making a big fuss about this, but what advantages does it actually confer? A Chris says: We currently see NV and thermal as equipment for smaller calibres used when controlling vermin and foxes at night, but the US market and increasingly for night use permits in the UK, bigger calibres are being used for larger species – which means more recoil. Quite simply, more eye relief keeps you from hitting yourself in the face with the scope when the gun is fired – but be wary of excessive eye relief, especially with limited mounting…

Shooting from a high seat not only gives you a better view out of the usual line of sight of your quarry, it also makes shots safer by increasing the downward angle. And with the fallow season under way, late season bucks coming up and the ground still dry before the weather really worsens, now is a good time to get out and build a high seat. Dry ground means you should be able to drive to your chosen spot to offload all the materials. Check out the list of materials in the box below – they will allow you to build a simple two-man high seat. For a single seat, simply reduce the width. For the instructions, just read on… STEP 1 : SIDES OF THE SEAT Start with…

“The stag has stood up and started to feed. It could disappear into the high grass any moment now” It has been raining for the last two days, and the grasslands – or the pampas, as the plains are called here in Argentina – are like a wet sponge. The year has been far rainier than average, which makes the conditions for today’s hunt very difficult. Not just that it’s wet – we can get over wet feet – but because the grass has grown incredibly high in most places. So, even though the deer Mark Longhi Andreasen is looking for has approximately the same shoulder height as a fallow buck, he’ll only really be able to see its antlers over the grass. OUT IN THE OPEN This is a…

PULSAR THERMION Thermal scopes are breaking into the daytime-shooting market thanks to the likes of the new Thermion, which boasts a familiar day-scope design. It also mounts to a rifle using standard 30mm rings. The series comprises five models, including the XM30, XM38 and XM50, featuring a 320x240 12µm thermal sensor, while the XP38 and XP50 feature a 640x480 17µm thermal sensor. The Thermion models also feature a detection range up to 2300m and are capable of up to 22x magnification and 4x digital zoom. All Thermions have a built-in video recorder, 10 electronic reticles and 16GB of internal memory. Price: £2,979.95-£4,539.95 Thomas Jacks 01789 264100 thomasjacks.co.uk LEUPOLD VX-5HD With high-definition lenses, the Leupold VX-5HD offers extended low-light hunting performance, so you can make the most of every second. When…

ENGLAND CHILDERLEY SPORTING Chinese water deer and muntjac specialist. We manage over 30,000 acres of land in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. We can offer 1:1 guided stalking to all capabilities and training for beginners. We have a zeroing range up to 250 metres along with our simulated stalking area. Contact: Paul Childerley 07715 638934 paul@childerleysporting.co.uk www.childerleysporting.co.uk MARK BOULTON Driven boar hunting throughout Europe and night shooting in Sussex. Groups or individuals. Various packages offered from day trips to France to six-day all-inclusive trips to Hungary. Contact: Mark Boulton 07854 985006 markthedeerstalker@hotmail.co.uk SHOOTING SH A long-established syndicate of 15 years with 19 varied blocks. Red, roe, muntjac and fallow deer with 10 walked-up days as added value plus rough shooting in your annual fee of £750 first year, dropping to £600…

When we think of the fathers of conservation, we often lean towards the great forward thinkers of North America, with Teddy Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold the first two names to trip off the tongue. I hope that over recent months, this page has enlightened you as to the many other important conservationists from around the world, across varying fields, not just those in the hunting community. It occurred to me that although I am well versed in the impacts of this month’s conservation hero, many people I speak to are not, despite his role in the North American model of conservation being every bit as pertinent as Roosevelt et al. George Bird Grinnell rubbed shoulders with all the great names of his era, and was spoken of fondly by all…

More than a hundred scientists have declared that they back hunting, saying the evidence is in favour of its conservation benefits. In a letter published in Science magazine, the group of scientists responded to recent calls on the UK government to ban the import of trophies from hunting. They said that, if trophy hunting were to be banned, “huge areas of land will be converted to other uses and cease to be a habitat” for iconic species across the globe. They say they are in favour of well-regulated trophy hunting in accordance with IUCN guidelines. One of the signatories was quoted as saying, “Rather than have a knee-jerk emotional response, conservation action should be based on evidence. “In areas where you don’t have trophy hunting and tourism, you don’t have…

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the body that issues the general licences in Wales, has announced that it plans to change the general licence to control pest birds for the purpose of conserving other wild birds. If it gets its way, from 2020 that licence will only apply for “conserving red or amber listed birds of conservation concern” – which means shooters and land managers won’t be able legally protect other birds from the likes of crows and magpies. Shooting organisations have universally expressed criticism of the plans. Rachel Evans, Countryside Alliance director for Wales, said: “NRW are dangerously venturing into the unknown. The changes present a very real threat to many of Wales’ most treasured bird species, which will now be without uniform protection. NRW’s claim that the General Licences…

The estate team at Bolton Castle have been awarded the NGO Educational Trust’s prestigious Bellamy Award for their hard work to conserve the seriously-threatened curlew. The bird has suffered a massive 48 per cent population decline in recent years, but has found a safe haven on the Estate in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, where conservation efforts by the estate’s team, including the gamekeepers, have seen curlew numbers soar by up to 1,000 overwintering birds. Ian Sleightholm, head gamekeeper at Bolton Castle, said, “Helping curlew is our number one conservation task on the estate. It’s been hugely satisfying to see our hard work pay off when we see more breeding pairs and this award means a lot to the team.” “We estimate that we have 170-220 pairs of breeding curlews and between…

Iunboxed the Winchester XPR to find a camouflage-stocked variant in .30-06 Spr, topped off with a Kite Optics scope, already mounted. The only possible omission was a moderator to screw on to the pre-threaded barrel. I decided to keep the rifle au naturel in this regard – safety first, though, and I dug out my ear plugs! Unboxing is always good fun and the Winchester XPR was no exception, and after a little familiarisation, shouldering the rifle and a few dry fires, it became apparent that some serious work had been completed to produce the XPR. The Winchester 70, one of the most well-known and loved bolt-action rifles, is a rifle I must admit have never cared for. Rifle choice is very much down to personal preference, encompassing a multitude…

On receiving instructions to take a guest of unpromising appearance to the hill one morning, the head stalker enquired of the laird: “Do you want him to shoot a stag, or shall I simply show him some deer?” On another estate, the guest for the day was a wealthy businessman, who arrived with a new and expensive rifle. He was reluctant to waste time at the target, but after some coercion ventured a few shots. These had no effect at all on the target board, which survived without a single hole. After another unsuccessful attempt, the exasperated stalker pointed out a bothy and suggested that the rifle fire at the middle of it. This he did, and his shot chipped a stone on the top-right corner of the building. On…

ZAMBERLAN HUNTER PRO Manufactured with a Gore-Tex® insulated lining to ensure feet remain warm and dry, Zamberlan’s flagship boot also employs Vibram and a Darwin Wide last to give better comfort and stability to wider feet. Rubber toe reinforcements protect the boot from heather, briars and sharp rocks. The soft flex system on the ankle area helps with foot placement and ankle roll, allowing great movement while walking, yet still retaining vital lateral support. Price: £279.95 GMK 01489 579999 gmk.co.uk GATEWAY 1 DEER STALKER Gateway1’s Deer Stalker Boot is creating a wave or two in the shooting market. It’s constructed out of Nubuck leather and 900D fabric and weighing in at only 400g, you’ll have a spring in your step in these boots, while the G1 stage 3 footbed will…

MEDAL 1-2 FOR SEONAID IN RIO Seonaid McIntosh won gold in women’s three-position rifle at the ISSF World Cup in Rio – just three days after she won silver in the air rifle at the same meeting. She qualified for the final in third place, then dominated in the final, her score of 461.2 nearly three full points ahead of silver-medallist Jehee Kim. This makes Seonaid the first Brit to win a rifle World Cup gold since 2002. This followed her silver in the air rifle, the first medal in a World Cup airgun event in 20 years. In the final, she shot 250.6 to finish second behind India’s Elavenil Valarivan. Speaking after this event, Seonaid said: “I’m really happy with the medal. Right now I’m more pleased with this…

We’ve assembled the best writing team from all over the British Isles – Chris Dalton, Peter Carr, Will O’Meara, David Barrington Barnes and more besides – to recount what stalking is like in their part of the country and the kit, fieldcraft and knowhow you need to make them a success. Editor-in-chief Peter Carr said: “Stalking is without doubt my personal favourite pastime. I’ve stalked both professionally and as a hobby stalker, but always with a sound management model in mind. Stalking plans differ from ground to ground, and smaller patches may need a collective plan with neighbours. Everyone must take part honestly and do their bit if any such plan is remain sound. “This handbook should provide you with all the necessary advice and kit choice to get stalkers…

CULL PLANNING Everything you need to know about doe culling and management ahead of 1 November LONG-TERM TEST 18 months in the field with the Haenel Jaeger 10 and Meopta optics WRANGLING WITH THE WRAITH Why Sightmark’s Wraith could start an NV revolution THE YEAR THAT WAS Experts weigh in on whether it was a good year for fox shooters and their quarry PLUS… • Hinds on the hill • Hunting sheep on Pitt Island • Tested: CZ 527 Thumbhole Laminate in .17 Hornet • Everything rifle shooters could want for Christmas • News, views, competitions and offers SUBSCRIBE NOW Never miss a copy of your favourite shooting monthly again – subscribe to Sporting Rifle and save money every month, as well as getting the mag delivered to your door.…

If you’re looking to get some new NV, now might be the time – Scott Country has announced an offer on the Yukon Photon RT 6x50S that might just be the best ever night vision bargain. With an RRP of £639.95, the Photon RT 6x50 is currently available with UK next day delivery at just £449.95. It can be fitted using standard 30mm scope rings, making it perfect for air rifle, rimfire or centrefire use. With user-selectable reticles, high night-time sensitivity as well as a daytime capability, the Photon RT brings high performance nocturnal hunting down to a remarkably low price. It provides 6x to 12x variable magnification using a 2x push button zoom, and offers enhanced recognition distances up to 280m – a massive range for a budget NV…

To compete in some Precision Rifle Competitions was a goal for this year, but due to a number of factors it was almost September before I actually entered a match. Even that was a bit of a last-minute affair. I like to be well organised, prepared and practiced before a competition of any kind, but it doesn’t always work out like that. Having said that, I have had my new Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor for over a month, and any lack of preparation has been down to me. This PRS journey is all about Iearning, improving and sharing my insights with you so you can apply the principles in practice, competition and on the hunt. I have, however, made sure that any time spent on the rifle has been…

I have spent a significant part of my shooting career north of the border roaming the Highlands with rod, rifle or gun in pursuit of Scottish game. As a sporting destination, Scotland really has no equal, certainly in Europe, for variety of sport and uniqueness, especially where hill stag stalking and red grouse shooting are concerned. Even the Scottish form of salmon fishing is particularly traditional, with a tweed-clad ghillie, specific flies and casting techniques. It is that sporting tradition, complete with the Highland welcome extended to all – even the ‘auld sassenach enemy’ – that makes Scotland a special destination for the roving Nimrod. Achieving a Macnab – the taking of a salmon, stag and a brace of grouse on the same day – is the height of sporting…

For the last few months I have been in Africa, spending much of that time walking with some of the biggest and most dangerous animals on the planet. So it will come as no surprise that my mind is focused on big cartridges. At some point over the last few years of travelling, I managed to miss a major cartridge release in this realm, and I would wager a hefty sum that most readers are in the same boat. Who has even heard of the .370 Sako Magnum, never mind used it in the field? Here is the run down: The cartridge is the product of a partnership between Sako and Federal, and it isn’t the first time we have seen these companies work together in recent years. The .338…

This issue is a red deer stalking special, and we have a competition prize that really fits the theme. When you think about the gear you need for the hill, you think of something lightweight, waterproof, breathable… and most of all, able to keep the dreaded midges away. And Nomad’s Caber Feidh (meaning ‘the horns of the red deer’) is all that and more. This smock incorporates a number of features not before seen in a stalking garment, making it possibly the most advanced item of stalking clothing you can get. It’s got an anti-midge veil that can be zipped in or out, allowing uninterrupted vision and protection when you need it. The veil zips into place on the front of the hood and rolls up under a studded flap…

The suitability test our tracking dog association runs is based on the national recognised test for tracking dogs. The test must be taken by each new member of the association or member who has bought a new dog. The new members receive the necessary material and practical rules about this test at a previous meeting. To avoid confusion, we use the guidelines that apply to an approved test. Everything is very clear and everyone knows what to expect. Our base for this suitability test is Oizy, a village in the province of Namur. One of our members, together with his wife, runs a B&B there, which is surrounded by a beautiful hunting area. The hunting area contains a nice mix of deciduous trees and pine trees with plenty of open…

The ATN Mars 4 has looks similar to its NV sibling, the X-Sight, except for the reflective silver sheen to the 47mm objective lens. And in terms of performance, there’s one big difference to report: the Mars has none of the failings some have reported online about X-Sights. I never had any issues with power loss, crashing or lost zero while the scope was in use. This Mars has an 1280x720 HD internal display projecting from the 384x388 sensor; a 640 sensor option is also available in slightly different magnification specifications for cleaner image quality, but significantly higher price. The objective is surrounded by an adjustable collar to focus the image at varying ranges, which I found straightforward to operate yet retaining a decent depth of focal field, enabling me…

RIMFIRE Steyr Mannlicher Zephyr Steyr Mannlicher haven’t offered rimfires for years – but the Zephyr .22LR is a welcome return to that market. Also new is the biathlon-style Scout. Sportsman Gun Centre ■ 01392 354854 www.sportsmanguncentre.com Price: £744 CZ 457 rimfire The successor to the 455 series is out, with a modular design, 30-degree bolt throw and interchangeable barrels. Edgar Brothers ■ 01625 613177 www.edgarbrothers.com Price: From £535 Tikka T1X The long-awaited T1X has arrived – Tikka’s very first rimfire rifle. GMK ■ 01489 579999 gmk.co.uk Price: £575 A2R semi-auto Hailing from American firearms brand 2A Armaments, this tactical-looking .22 is set to find favour among target shooters on the range. Edgar Brothers ■ 01625 613177 www.edgarbrothers.com Price: £1,759 CENTREFIRE Ruger 6mm Creedmoor Ruger’s popular Precision rifle is available in a new calibre: the…

The year moves on, and with the show season virtually over, it’s the time of year when shooting really takes off. The partridges have been in season for a month now, and the start of the grouse season seems ages ago. On top of this, the month of October sees the arrival of the pheasant season and though many shoots won’t actually start until the end of the month, one of the local keepers was telling me that the birds are maturing really well this year, which is almost certainly down to the excellent weather we had at the crucial time for the birds’ development. He also mentioned that their shoot, which is a commercial enterprise, is limiting their days to a maximum of 250 birds. Personally, I think this…