Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2020 i Sporting Rifle

Just a few short weeks ago – though it seems like longer – I wrote this editor’s letter about the increasing threat of the coronavirus, and the potential it had to affect life as we know it. We weren’t in total lockdown then, though we are now, and have been for some three weeks with the prospect of it going on for at least another three and perhaps longer; our prime minister is only days out of intensive care at the time of writing; and some predictions are that GDP could fall by as much as 35 per cent as a result of a large part of the economy having to shut up shop to preserve the health of the nation as best we can. Put together, it sounds like…

Tens of thousands of firearm certificate holders could be at risk of breaking the law as the coronavirus outbreak restricts police resources, says BASC. The organisation is aware that police forces are diverting officers and staff away from functions they consider to be ‘non-essential’ such as firearms licensing and shotgun certification. With increased pressure on GPs and health services, delays may also be seen in the licensing process where medical records are required. The association is warning that licences may not now be renewed in time to prevent certificate holders falling foul of the law. Those that require firearms for their livelihoods will be at a severe disadvantage. BASC has also received evidence that shows some forces will be refusing all first time applications. As a result, BASC has called…

The Scottish Government’s decision to exclude deer forests, game larders and shooting grounds from a much needed £10,000 coronavirus business support payment is discriminatory and unjust, according to the UK’s largest shooting organisation. BASC have labelled the exclusion of shooting businesses from financial relief as “wholly unacceptable” and are encouraging groups affected to contact their local MSP to ask for support. Local authorities across Scotland have been tasked with issuing business support payments to help businesses contend with the coronavirus pandemic. However, the Scottish Government have taken the decision to exclude the shooting businesses, creating widespread uncertainty, with tangible concerns relating to the payment of staff salaries and accommodation costs. BASC Scotland’s political and press officer, Ross Ewing, said: “These businesses play an instrumental role in keeping Scotland’s rural economy…

It goes without saying that – for all of us – there has been a cataclysmic change in our lives since the arrival of Covid-19. Many of us are fortunate in the countryside as we at least have open space all round us and as far as the shooting is concerned, at present I’m still able to get out for stock protection – particularly where lambing is taking place – and helping commercial poultry enterprises with their problems. Although as things stand, I have no idea how long this will continue. I also have a free range egg business no more than a couple of hundred yards from me, that I can walk to across a field in complete isolation. In fact it was here only a few nights ago…

The Remington 700 model rifle needs no introduction having been around seemingly forever, both in an umodified form and having provided the basis for many custom builds. My personal involvement with this rifle has been very limited so I was really looking forward to reviewing the SPS Varmint. This was also of particular interest to me as the rifle – kindly supplied by the importers Raytrade – was not only rather different in that it was supplied with a Form Rifle Stocks Carro stock but it was in a calibre that I really like – the.204 Ruger. It is also supplied in a range of larger calibres. Form Rifle Stocks, which incidentally are made quite near to me in Devon, have really made a name for themselves in the relatively…

It exploded out of the long grass right at our feet but I instinctively threw the rifle to my shoulder and drew a bead on the fleeing animal. Unfortunately, instinct wasn’t enough on this occasion but the after-image was indelible – more than adequate compensation for an opportunity lost. The flare of sunlight through the scope was momentarily distracting but it also lit up and accentuated the spiral horns of the little antelope; ivory tips winking against a backdrop of African grass and shrubbery. Six bounds and the animal had dissolved into the greenery. The spiral-horned species have always fascinated me, none more so than the smallest of the six – the bushbuck. Although it was a priority on my first safari, the planets never quite aligned and I was…

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CATALYST DEFIANT 10” GTX The Catalyst VX Defiant 10” GTX is the ideal boot for the serious outdoorsman or woman. The premium performance boots are constructed from the finest waterproof leather and feature a breathable Gore-Tex membrane as well as temperature-managing X-Static layer for odour protection. Ariat’s Cobalt VX technology protects, stabilises and supports while the 400g Thinsulate Ultra insulation provides exceptional warmth in extremely cold and damp conditions. Featuring a premium leather collar and tongue lining, these boots are the ultimate in comfort and performance. RRP: £320.00 Ariat 03332 527111 ariat.com/gb/en GATEWAY1 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. Weighing in at only 400g you’ll have a spring in your step…

African big game hunting was once enjoyed only by the privileged. It was three writers who brought big game hunting to the more modern, middle class of self-made men and women – or “new money”. Ernest Hemingway was the first of the three, followed by Robert Ruark, and then Peter Capstick. The trio could be referred to as contemporaries. What Clark Gable and Stuart Granger did for the romance of big game hunting onscreen, these three did in words. Collectively, the massive amount of currency directed toward the African hunting industry by these three authors should not be underestimated. Strangely enough, they all looked very similar, and when it came to soaking up drink, they made Oliver Reed look like an amateur. Born Robert Chester Ruark Jr., Ruark grew up…

The releasing of gamebirds this year will not be affected by court action after Wild Justice pulled back from asking for their legal challenge to be accelerated. Wild Justice has conceded that it was unlikely that any remedies could be ordered by the court to affect the release of gamebirds in the 2020 season and has, therefore, withdrawn its request for the case to be expedited. Defra was joined by BASC, the Countryside Alliance, the Game Farmers’ Association and National Gamekeepers’ Organisation in making legal submissions that suggested there would be significant adverse impacts on countryside management if the court had followed an accelerated process. A spokesperson for the shooting organisations, said: “Registering as interested parties has helped ensure that Wild Justice cannot impact on this coming season. We said…

This season, I have had the privilege of using new rifles in new calibres with new ammunition. The rifles have been impressive, the calibres have been interesting and the ammunition has been eye-opening. On the rifle front I had a lightweight magnum from Proof Research; in summary it was a fantastically finished tool that was sweet to hunt with but it was particular about what ammo it liked, so it took me some time to find how it liked to be shot in order to get repeatable results. Having said that, after I did the legwork to work out what it liked, it shot the 150 grain Federal Vital Shok with incredible accuracy – 1/3 MOA five shot groups kind of accuracy off the bench. Despite the Proof’s potential accuracy,…

June is often a quieter month on the roe front for us; in fact it’s quieter in general. This isn’t because we have less enquiries but more because it’s the way I prefer it. With the cover up and the roe often getting quieter pre-rut, we start to turn our attention to the red stag season starting at the end of the month. This means that we will be checking areas for stags, finding where they are and planning the cull for the coming season. It’s generally better weather and with long daylight hours it’s hard burning the candle at both ends. I never have an issue getting up early; in fact I love being out when everyone else is in bed. The world is quiet and it’s just me…

Scanning wide areas at a great range has always been the domain of the spotting scope and when engaging crucial targets in similar circumstances, the spotter often reveals more than the riflescope during and after the shot. Bushnell’s Legend Tactical T series scope is a compact unit with compressed BAK4 Prism construction minimising its overall 280mm length without sacrificing optical quality. The 60mm objective directs light through the tube of this compact “folded light path” optic before it is emitted through the eyepiece with magnification between 15x and 45x for detailed viewing. The in-line design exhibits 30mm of eye relief with a three-position twist open eyecup to tailor it to your position, crucial on a scope that may be used from prone, not just with a vertical head position. The…

LEGAL Q At the end of March I applied to my local police force for a firearms certificate. It is my first one. I’ve installed my cabinet and I have my eye on a nice rifle and scope to start doing a bit of hunting locally. I’ve got a permission all lined up and ready to go. Unfortunately, a few weeks after my application I received word from the police firearms department that they wouldn’t be processing my application at this time due to the coronavirus. Is there anything I can do about this? I don’t want to lose the permission. Nor do I want my application to be prejudiced by the delay. A Stuart says: Sadly, the timing of your application couldn’t have come at a worse time. Many,…

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…

I have always enjoyed writing this little Almanac and it must be at least a decade since it started. For me, it’s a little snapshot of what’s going on at that particular time of year. As with most items written for magazines they have to be prepared in advance which has never been a problem. However, for the first time I really haven’t a clue what's going on, or even in what direction our sport is heading! I refer of course to the calamitous situation that the coronavirus has landed us in. Being of a certain age, the nearest event that bears any resemblance to it at all was World War II, but even that was different as you could, at least sometimes, see the enemy that was trying to…

Despite setting revised dates for the IWA OutdoorClassic last month, organisers have now made the call to cancel the show entirely this year. Due to the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its effects on the global economy, NürnbergMesse has decided against holding the show in September, citing a reduced willingness to invest, declining sales and international travel restrictions as contributing factors. Petra Wolf, Member of the Executive Board of NürnbergMesse, commented: “We would specifically like to thank representatives of the sector for the many candid and constructive discussions we have had with them in recent days that have helped us make our decision. “Our objective with the IWA OutdoorClassics is to create a special experience at international level for exhibitors and visitors and to facilitate the establishment and…

2020 was billed as the Year of the Gamekeeper and although nobody could have predicted the arrival of Covid-19 and the impact it would have, the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust continue to provide much-needed support for gamekeepers. The knock-on effects of the virus are being felt far and wide and already we are seeing a huge impact on the gamekeeping community; redundancies and furloughing are real and worrying consequences for gamekeepers everywhere; for their jobs, homes and families. The GWT are speaking to people who are not only living in fear of the virus but also for what their future holds beyond the next few months. Helen Benson, CEO of the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust said: “We go far beyond a ‘one size fits all’ solution. We have to because the gamekeeping…

Spring is by far my busiest time of the year, as the majority of the ground that I look after is designated to sheep farming. Most of these farms will begin lambing from 1 April and although we have been hitting the foxes hard since the start of the year, a field full of young lambs and afterbirth pulls foxes in like a drunken youth to a kebab shop. Foxes are drawn in to the smell of blood and afterbirth along with the small cries of a young animals. Although clearing up the afterbirth of those lambed out in the open may be welcomed, it’s not long before a fox’s attention can turn to the young lambs, especially when they are still covered with afterbirth and unable to stand. As…

I’ve always wanted to see clearly just how the.17 WSM stacked up to the.17 HMR, and ascertain how well it had filled the gap between existing rimfires and the.17 Hornet centrefire. This cartridge is a feat of engineering, as rimfire cartridges have always been restricted by the inherent weaknesses of the design, forcing chamber pressures down. This has previously held them back from competing at centrefire velocities. The origins of the new calibre are unusual, in that the initial application of the case wasn’t for shooting as we would think of it. The case is based on a.27 calibre nail gun blank, which Winchester manufactures as part of its power fastener division. Being longer, and about 50 per cent thicker, it was able to handle much higher pressures (33,000psi vs…

VORTEX FURY HD 5000 Two of the most important pieces of hunting gear combined into one powerful, long-ranging unit, Fury HD 5000 rangefinding binoculars make glassing and ranging ultra-fast and efficient. Right-side button controls make one-handed manipulation of both functions quick and easy, cutting down on set up time in the field. And don’t forget – these Fury HD 5000 binoculars, in common with all other Vortex products, are completely covered by a VIP Warranty, and that includes electronic components. Price: £1,355 Vortex 01462 743223 VortexOptics.com HAWKE FRONTIER EDX Hawke’s flagship bino, designed around extra-low dispersion glass, produces stunning colour retention, crisp definition and excellent light transmission. The units eliminate colour fringing, allowing all detail to be clearly visible, while the water-repellent lens coating offers extra clarity in all conditions.…

Blaser 8.5 x 55 The 8.5x55 Blaser is ideal for moderated rifles and offers long-range trajectory and wide field of use. Even with barrel lengths of less than 50cm, the calibre reaches ideal ballistic values that are normally only achievable with longer barrels for high performance calibres. Blaser Sporting 01494 481004 blaser-group.com/uk Howa Bravo Howa Bravo’s precision-made chassis allows the rifle to adjust while remaining rigid. The aluminium build will not allow the forend to flex but does allow for modular design with compatible accessories. Ideal for targets/varmint shooting, available in 6.5 or.308. Price: From £1,395 Highland Outdoors ■ 0845 0999 0252 highlandoutdoors.co.uk…

SPORTING RIFLE ISSUE 182 On sale 28 May Bear with us Stay entertained during lockdown with Thomas Nissen’s bear hunting tales Tested: Swarovski Z8i Chris Parkin gives his verdict on a top-of-the range scope from Swarovski… Handle with care We conclude our safety trilogy with advice on how to avoid rifle mishaps… Taking the lead We ask the experts for their views, as the debate over lead continues… PLUS… Top tips for rifle maintenance Cook up a storm with new game recipes Leading choices for rifles, ammo, scopes and binoculars More of our favourite summertime shoots 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…