Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2020 i Sporting Rifle

While I – and I am sure most of you – can’t wait for the day when I can open a paper or magazine and not have to read about the swathe of destruction the coronavirus is wreaking on the world, it is true that the pandemic, and the global lockdown that ensued in an effort to contain it, have illustrated some things that I hope can only bode well for the future. Firstly, it has thrown into sharp relief that people and nature are not separate entities. We are dependent on it for almost everything, from the air we breathe, to the food we eat; just as it is shaped by us in a myriad of ways. This influence goes both ways, and can be positive and negative. The…

The BASC council elections are taking place in July with ten candidates standing for just two national seats. The council consists of 15 elected members and 10 appointed officials, and is there to steer BASC through the tricky waters it operates in, representing Britain’s shooting and conservation interest. BASC members should already have received voting information through the post outlining the candidates, who are as follows: • Duncan Greaves: Yorkshire, Northern Region • Karl Waktare: Hampshire, South East Region • Michael Madgwick: Wiltshire, South West Region • Andrew Paul Mayfield: South Yorkshire, Northern Region • Mark Shilito: London, South East Region • Prof. Ann Mortimer: Yorkshire, Northern Region • David Fry: Wiltshire, South West Region • Dr. Al Gabriel: Northumberland, Northern Region • Geoffrey Burgess: Sussex, South East Region •…

Pulsar’s new Digex N450 night vision riflescope features a state of the art 1280x720 CMOS HD sensor which takes full advantage of three adjustable IR power levels for your preferred effective range and illumination level. It offers a fast-focus eyepiece clarifying the on-screen image with an improved eye box for when head/eye position is not totally perfect; an improvement on the older pinpoint sized focal zone. Three APS2 batteries are supplied along with charger to power the Digex, then one in the illuminator and a spare. The top turret has a bayonet cap for quick changes and the on-board power cell (3200 mAh capacity versus the 2000 mAh of the APS2) is brilliant. When fully charged using the Micro USB cable, I got over five hours continuous run time. The…

HAWKE AIRMAX 3-12x50 30SF Without a doubt the maker of scopes that have always been very much to the fore when it comes to small calibre rifles and air weapons is Hawke. I have used their products for many years and have always found them to be excellent. On my Anschutz 17/10 22LR – a rifle that I’ve owned for a very long time – I have a Hawke Airmax 3-12x50 30SF. I like this particular scope because of the excellent (like all Hawke scopes) optics and also the fact when switching to rat shooting with night vision I can wind the magnification down to 3x. LEUPOLD VX 111 4.5-14x50 On my Anschutz 17/17 I have been making use of a Leupold VX 111 4.5-14x50 Long Range scope. I’m not…

EXTREME POINT COPPER IMPACT Winchester’s Extreme Point ammo, which sports an extra-large tip for maximum energy transfer down-range, is already well established in the market. Now, Extreme Point has been launched in a lead-free version, based around a copper core. Winchester report that there is growing demand for non-lead ammo, and this round fits the bill with its monolithic, 100 per cent copper bullet, made for high penetration and guarantee of exit wound on larger species such as red deer. Browning 01235 514550 browning.eu SAKO GAMEHEAD PRO Gamehead Pro feature Sierra’s GameChanger bullet heads. These have paired the accuracy of Sierra’s MatchKing bullet with the traits of a big game hunting bullet. Sierra engineers took the MatchKing bullet and gave it a thicker jacket, a harder antimony lead core (3…

A survey undertaken in May by the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG), Lowland Deer Network Scotland (LDNS) and the Scottish Venison Association (SVA) has found that if there is no let stalking this year for stags, hinds, roe bucks or roe does then the 103 respondent businesses will lose in excess of £2.5 million. The research was undertaken to establish what the financial loss would be to those letting upland and lowland stalking, given the restrictions on UK and foreign travel imposed under current Covid-19 regulations and social distancing rules, and how this might affect 2020/21 cull plans. Richard Cooke, Chairman of the ADMG, said: “This survey gives us some very valuable insight into the potential impact on deer management businesses… our sample represents just under one third of…

Highland Outdoors have announced the appointment of Steve Kelly in the role of brand manager. Steve, formerly the general manager at Raytrade, played a pivotal role in developing Raytrade’s market share within the UK market place. Raytrade distribute a wide range of guns and ammunition, including brands such as Remington, Marlin and Chiappa. Steve has a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from over 15 years within the industry both in the UK and internationally. Steve’s appointment will further strengthen the Highland Outdoors team where he will be responsible for developing their key brands – such as Howa and Sig Sauer – while identifying and seeking new brand opportunities. Highland CEO, John Bright, remarked: “We have some very ambitious goals we want to hit over the coming years and for…

In this article I cast my mind back to some training that I have been doing at Garryloop over the last 12 to 14 months. Specifically in relation to Paul, who fits into a group of like-minded people, who come to us at South Ayrshire Stalking to learn about stalking and who are interested in the full spectrum; from the basic introduction to stalking course, moving on the DSC 1 and for assistance with the FAC application for a deer legal rifle, wanting to understand all about sustainable and ethical deer management, butchery and then in to DSC 2. Usually they will join one of our syndicates where they can put the theory and instruction into practice. Like most things you don’t really start to learn properly until you are…

The subject of shooting any living creature is always one that will attract controversy but add to that the aspect of doing it at long range and it will be met with yet more mixed feelings even from within the hunting and shooting community itself. It always amazes me how many traditional game shooters are often the first to cry out that it’s unsporting and carries a higher risk of wounding. I’m sure far more quarry is pricked by a few pellets and fly on than those hit by a centrefire bullet. It’s also strange how a long range shot with a rifle (a tool designed to kill at range), is considered by some to be unsporting, yet a high bird shot with a shotgun (designed for close range) is…

Wild and Game are a not-forprofit company supplying frozen game products so you can enjoy delicious recipes all year round. British venison is one of the finest treats from our countryside, and it’s an enormously versatile ingredient. It’s a beautiful meat at any time of year, but many venison recipes focus on hearty winter stews. This skit on Italian bolognese sauce is a bright-tasting dish that works equally well in the heights of summer or the depths of winter. An untraditional twist is the addition of minced or finely chopped mushrooms, which combine with the generous amount of vegetables to make the dish healthy, balanced and not too heavy. Worcestershire sauce adds depth and a salty tang, but you could throw in a couple of finely chopped anchovies instead. The…

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 write this piece on the day lockdown has been eased a little – for us shooting types it appears that providing we conform to the various factors involving social distancing we will, in many cases, be able to pursue once more the sport we love. In the countryside the wildlife seems to have thrived, in my own case I’ve never seen so many pigeons in and around my garden, interestingly they have become far tamer than usual which doesn’t bode well for my top fruit garden, unless there is a reduction in numbers! Mixed reports have been coming in regarding the rabbit population, in some areas there has been an upsurge in numbers in others, my own included, the population has crashed again. Personally, I have a suspicion that…

BASC’s deer stalking schemes across England reopened on 8 June, having been suspended since March. Martin Edwards, head of deer and deer management at BASC, said: “It is with great pleasure that we can announce the reopening of some of BASC’s stalking schemes. The decision has been made in the knowledge that assisted stalks are able to take place in line with social distancing and the government’s guidance.” The Hockwold scheme in Norfolk and the Raby scheme in County Durham were the first to reopen, with the Hampshire scheme set to return in July. “We remain positive that our roe buck culls can be achieved, and all systems will be up and running in time for the red and sika stag and fallow buck seasons opening in August,” Martin added,…

My regular readers will have been reminded in my last three articles that they are always subject to the law and likely to be held liable for any mishap. This month I want to look at the various ways in which different branches of the law can impinge on the deerstalker’s activities. The overarching legislation of importance is health and safety law. I know full well that the reaction of many countrymen to the mere mention of the dreaded “elphin safety” is to groan and say we should all man up. Say what one likes, the Health & Safety Executive calls the shots. It has the power to investigate and prosecute and its prosecutions can lead to eye watering fines. Not everyone is aware that the health and safety legislation…

Having owned and shot rifles for more years than I care to remember one thing has become clear to me: rifles have become heavier. I understand that as the years pass we certainly don’t become any stronger, but without a doubt, several of my own rifles are heavy, and were it not for the fact that most of my shooting nowadays is done from my 4x4 or, like the majority of shooters, from sticks of one design or another, it would be virtually impossible to use these rifles freehand. Much of course is down to the increase in vermin (varmint) shooting where rifles have been designed specifically for that purpose. To increase accuracy, weight has been added in the form of heavy (varmint) barrels and by the time the scope…

Despite the problems we are all encountering this year, for gamekeepers in particular the summer workload continues. Much of this revolves around the preparation for the arrival of the new season’s poults and all that involves. Pens and other equipment will have been checked and where necessary, sterilised, and of course the poults will have to be ordered or raised depending upon the system employed. One thing that is never ending for professional keepers and fox controllers is the perpetual war on vermin. This continues all year round of course but reaches its peak in early and mid summer when the new season’s crop of fox cubs start hunting for the first time. These youngsters tend to present rather different problems to their parents as being that much smaller they…

BLASER HYBRID CLOTHING The Hybrid set-up comprises a three-in-one stalking outfit, with an outer jacket with wind and waterproof outer layer and a removable thermal Primaloft jacket inside. This multiuse jacket packs in tonnes of features including removable storm hood, Aquaguard pocket zips, adjustable cuffs, and multi-use pockets. Added to the waterproof trousers, this gives you a robust stalking suit. Price: Jacket £515, trousers £240 Blaser Sporting 01483 917412 blaser-sporting.com Price: Jacket £515, trousers £240 Blaser Sporting 01483 917412 blaser-sporting.com Possibly the ultimate hill stalking smock, with a zip-in anti-midge veil for uninterrupted vision but total protection that zips into place on the front of the hood or rolls up under a studded flap. Other features include binocular pocket, interior pocket, further pockets for drag ropes, deep side hand pockets,…

Although carrying a name festooned with history, it will come as a surprise to many that the .450 Rigby is actually a relatively new cartridge – launched in 1995, almost 100 years after the company introduced the .450 Nitro Express. Although arriving many years after his death in 1969, the great John Taylor always insisted that Rigby designed new cartridges with Africa firmly in mind – and this was definitely true of the .450 Rigby. Indeed it was an elephant hunting trip by Paul Roberts, the previous owner of Rigby, which led to the development of this new cartridge. Having landed a well-placed lung shot with a .416 Rigby, the elephant cow moved on some considerable distance before succumbing to the afterworld with several more shots. Disappointed with this performance,…

SPORTING RIFLE ISSUE 184 On sale 23 July Looking North We look ahead to the Northern Shooting Show with latest details from the event in Harrogate Go through customs Catch up with custom rifle specialists with plenty of options on the market Ripley’s Top Ten Mark Ripley lines up the ten best foxing scopes on the market today The word from Waktare GMK boss Karl Waktare talks about doing business under coronavirus. PLUS… Deer stalking rucksack essentials PardNV007andSavageModel 16 Gearing up for early season red stags 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. With a quarterly subscription starting at…