Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2022 i Airgun Shooter

KEY SPECS MANUFACTURER: Sureshot Optics (sureshot-airguns.co.uk) MODEL: SFP 2.5-15x32 SFIR MAGNIFICATION RANGE: 2.5-15x RETICLE POSITION: Second focal plane TUBE DIAMETER: 30mm OBJECTIVE LENS DIAMETER: 32mm OCULAR LENS DIAMETER: 40mm LENGTH: 261mm WIDTH: 83mm HEIGHT: 57mm WEIGHT: 609 grams CLICK VALUE: 1/10 milliradian EYE RELIEF: 90mm PARALLAX ADJUSTMENT: Side focus, from five yards ILLUMINATED RETICLE: Red, 11 levels of brightness SHOCKPROOF/WATERPROOF: Yes PRICE: £259 Airgun shooters are very well catered for these days with a range of telescopic sights to match the type of shooting they enjoy and the type of rifle they use, with bullpups and carbines proving to be popular gun choices. While i's possible to mount a larger scope to rifles like these, it's fair to say a smaller optic is a better choice. And thanks to Sure…

FREE TO ENTER WIN! WORTH £330 Many CO2 guns take their design cues from powder-burning firearms, and there's never been a more timely arrival than the AK-1 from Crosman. This BB-firing blowback is clearly inspired by the AK-12, the Russian military's latest assault rifle, representing the fifth generation of AK. Crosman's AK-1 is powered by two 12g C02 capsules, and can be loaded with up to 28 BBs. It has a recommended retail price of £330, and is made from a mix of polymer and alloy components. It features a folding, telescopic stock and elevation-adjustable open sights. There's also a Picatinny rail to accept an optic such as a red dot sight, and additional rails both on and under the forend to mount accessories. While the AK-1 is a CO2…

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT FEATURE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Within the sphere of wildlife management it's always beneficial to go about it with a diversity of methods. Whatever approach you initially set out with there is a good chance your target quarry will soon clock on to what is happening around them. In Britain we have several invasive species that have thrived since their release from captivity over the last few centuries, notably the grey squirrel, muntjac and sika deer. Not all non-native species do succeed following their liberation. As recently as 2009 wallabies were sighted within the Staffordshire Moorlands, descendants of five escapees from a local wildlife park in the 1930s, but now believed gone for a variety of reasons. Unless animals adapt to their environment and the human populations around them, they will…

SWITCHING TACTICS YOUR EXPERT ANDY McLACHLAN One of the problems associated with having target shooting as a hobby is how very disappointed we tend to be when things do not go as planned. Recently I attended another 55-yard indoor shoot. Bearing in mind that I have managed to win one or two of these events with good scores, one of which was a 229, I felt deflated when it became apparent I scored the lowest with a 188. Still, unlike the days of old when a similar performance in an HFT comp would result in me not talking to people for days, now it just reminds me that we can all suffer a difficult day. And let's face it, it doesn't really matter a jot what you have scored in…

TESTING STATION RIFLE TEST GAMO SWARM ROADSTER GEN2 RIFLE TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Gamo (gamoguns.co.uk) MODEL: Swarm Roadster GEN2 PRICE: £269 TYPE: Magazine-fed break-barrel CALIBRE: .177 and .22 (tested) OVERALL LENGTH: 1,180mm LENGTH OF PULL: 370mm BARREL LENGTH: 450mm WEIGHT: 2.6kg (without scope) TRIGGER: Two-stage adjustable POWER: 10.5 ft-lb Simplicity and affordability are among the biggest attractions of airgun shooting. Even these days, when super-expensive airguns decked out with all kinds of sophisticated gizmos grab attention on social media channels with their almost daily launches and advancements, most shooters still prefer a simpler option that's kinder on the wallet. And when it comes to keeping things reassuringly basic, it's hard to beat a break-barrel airgun with its self-contained powerplant. The only downside is that opting for a break-barrel usually means…

PCP RIFLE TEST BROCOCK SAHARA RIFLE TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Brocock, England (brocock.co.uk) MODEL: Sahara XR PRICE: From £1,244 TYPE: Semi-bullpup multi-shot PCP CALIBRE:. 177 (tested), .22 and .25 OVERALL LENGTH: 820mm LENGTH OF PULL: 375mm BARREL LENGTH: 430mm WEIGHT: 3.3kg (without scope) TRIGGER: Two-stage adjustable POWER: 11.3 ft-lb on model tested (FAC versions available) There is a great appetite for airguns that stand out from the crowd, and Brocock airguns usually meet that demand in their own way. The subject of this review goes a step further though, taking the proven reliability of the Sniper XR action and dressing it up in an eye-catching package. The light sand finish is of course the standout feature of the £1,244 Sahara XR. It may not be to everyone's taste (and it isn't…

PCP RIFLE TEST BSA ULTRA CLX160 RIFLE TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: BSA Guns, Birmingham (bsaguns.co.uk) MODEL: BSA Ultra CLX 160 Commemorative Edition PRICE: £999 TYPE: Limited edition multi-shot PCP CALIBRE: .177 (tested) and .22 OVERALL LENGTH: 820mm LENGTH OF PULL: 355mm BARREL LENGTH: 318mm WEIGHT: 2.6kg (without scope) TRIGGER: Two-stage fully adjustable POWER: 11.4ft-lb on model tested FEATURES: Limited edition airgun supplied with scope, mounts, pellets, hard case and signed certificate of authenticity Getting the formula right with limited edition airguns is no easy task. Some end up looking like gaudy versions of a proven favourite, some are beautiful to look at but don't cut it in the practicality stakes and others are little more than a dressed-up excuse for an inflated price tag. The Ultra CLX 160 Commemorative Edition from…

PCP GUN TEST BROCOCK RANGER XR GUN TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Brocock, England (brocock.co.uk) MODEL: Ranger XR PRICE: From £1,244 TYPE: Folding, super-compact, multi-shot PCP CALIBRE: .177 and .22 (tested) OVERALL LENGTH: 600mm to 680mm LENGTH OF PULL: 350mm to 430mm BARREL LENGTH: 255mm WEIGHT: 2.2kg (model tested without scope) TRIGGER: Two-stage adjustable POWER: 11.4 ft-lb on model tested (FAC versions available) There are times when all of us have thought we could do with a smaller airgun. Most often that is when we have grown tired of hauling a long, heavy rifle miles and miles across the fields or through the woods, especially when there is other essential gear to carry. Switch to a diminutive airgun like the Brocock Ranger XR and you've got a rifle that's light to carry…

PCP RIFLE TEST HATSAN FACTOR RIFLE TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Hatsan MODEL: Factor PRICE: £577.99 standard Factor (tested), £899.99 Factor RC TYPE: Multi-shot PCP CALIBRE: .177 (tested), .22 and .25 COLOUR OPTIONS: Black and Flat Dark Earth ACTION: Sidelever MAGAZINE: Two drum magazines CAPACITY: 24 shots in .177, 21 shots in .22 and 19 shots in .25 OVERALL LENGTH: 1,025mm (40.3”) to 1,090mm (42.9”) BARREL: Shrouded, with ½” UNF thread to fit moderator BARREL LENGTH: 585mm (23”) WEIGHT: 3.6kg (7.9lb) STOCK: AR-15-style butt stock SCOPE RAIL: Hybrid dovetail/Picatinny LENGTH OF PULL: 320mm (12.6”) to 390mm (15.4”) TRIGGER: Two-stage, adjustable TRIGGER-PULL: 4lb 8oz SAFETY: Manual, resettable MUZZLE ENERGY: 11.6 ft-lb SHOT COUNT: 105 in .177, 100 in .22 and 90 in .25 ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Hard case, single-shot loader and foregrip/bipod Black…

SPRINGERS & GAS-RAMS GUN TEST RUGER TARGIS HUNTER GUN TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Umarex, Germany (www.umarex.com) UK DISTRIBUTOR: John Rothery Wholesale (www.bisley-uk.com) MODEL: Ruger Targis Hunter PRICE: £274.95 TYPE: Break-barrel gas-ram CALIBRE: .177 OVERALL LENGTH: 1130mm LENGTH OF PULL: 360mm BARREL LENGTH: 400mm WEIGHT: 3.4kg (without scope) TRIGGER: Two-stage POWER: 11.1ft-lb When it comes to affordable starter combos, airgun shooters have never had it so good – we really are spoilt for choice. The Ruger Targis Hunter from Umarex is a great example of the sort of airgun setup you can pick up for sensible money. It certainly is the complete package, and apart from a full-power gas-ram airgun, you also get a zoom scope, two-piece mounts and a basic sling. Distributed in the UK by John Rothery Wholesale, it has…

The choice of sighting systems available to airgun shooters has grown rapidly over recent years. There is something to cover literally all scenarios and all budgets, with prices ranging from under £100 to several thousands of pounds. Conventional telescopic sights are still used for most forms of airgun shooting during daylight hours. Magnification, reticle design, clarity and brightness are the key factors to consider when making your choice. Advances in design and manufacturing processes mean that budget-priced sights are now produced to an impressive standard, although premium models tend to deliver better image quality and improved performance in low-light conditions at dawn and dusk. More and more shooters who use airguns to target nocturnal pests such as rats and rabbits are switching to night vision optics for lamp-free stealth. Digital…

OPTICS SCOPE TEST SCOPE TEST ZEISS CONQUEST V4 4-16X44 KEY SPECS FROM: Zeiss (zeiss.co.uk) MODEL: Conquest V4 PRICE: From £960 (model tested £1,060) LENGTH: 350mm WEIGHT: 670g MAGNIFICATION: 4-16x (6-24x also available) FOV AT 100M: 9.5m to 2.4m TUBE DIAMETER: 30mm OBJECTIVE LENS: 44mm (50mm also available) RETICLE: 60 Illuminated (numerous other options available) TURRET ADJUSTMENT: ¼MOA EYE RELIEF: 90mm PARALLAX: side dial down to 10 yards FEATURES: Ballistic stop elevation turret, illuminated reticle, excellent optical quality Shooters with serious money to spend aren't afraid to go the extra mile when it comes to splashing out on high-performance equipment. You can hardly blame them because, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to shooting gear, and that applies to optics. One problem faced by…

OPTICS THERMAL TEST INFIRAY TUBE TL35 THERMAL TEST KEY SPECS FROM: Highland Outdoors (highlandoutdoors.co.uk) MODEL: InfiRay Tube TL35 PRICE: £2,649.99 LENGTH: 380mm (without eyecup) WEIGHT: 945g MAGNIFICATION: 3-12x EYE RELIEF: 60mm DETECTION RANGE: Upto 1,800m FEATURES: Picatinny mounts supplied, video and photo capture, gyroscope, e-compass, choice of reticle design and colour palettes. Thermal night vision optics have exploded in popularity over the past couple of years. This gear is now the first choice of many serious after-dark airgun hunters and there are several reasons why it has been so keenly embraced Thermal optics provide remarkable stealth because they don't need a light source to create the sight picture. They also provide a phenomenal view of your quarry by showing you an image of its heat signature. You can see critters…

Over the last couple of issues we‘ve looked at, or rather through, dedicated infrared and thermal scopes that are used in place of daytime glass. To round out our night vision series we've now got five infrared add-on products on the bench. As their name suggests, these products attach to your day scope, either at the back or front, and transform them for use in the dark. Apart from saving money in most cases, add-ons have the additional benefit of enabling you to use your normal scope during the day and then quickly and easily swapping over to night vision mode without having to change your zero. Thanks to Sportsman Gun Centre, Pard‘s official UK distributor, we have the new NV007S (£535) as well as the NV007A (£349.99), whilst John…

THE COUNTRYMAN RABBITS WHY WE SHOOT • Loss of crops to hungry rabbits can be costly to farmers, so pest control helps the rural economy. • Reducing rabbit numbers on equestrian holdings reduces the risk of horses and ponies breaking legs in their burrows. • Rabbit meat is lean and very tasty, so any time spent controlling them is rewarded with healthy free-range meat. • Ambushing rabbits is a great way to unwind and enjoy watching wildlife. THE QUARRY RABBIT Oryctolagus cuniculus PEST STATUS: This burrowing rodent undermines banks and field margins, eating grass, cereal and vegetable crops. It also causes damage to lawns and golf courses. HABITAT: An animal of the open countryside, rabbits usually establish their burrows on hillsides and embankments. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Rabbits are liable to breed very…

HUNTING & FIELDCRAFT FEATURE RATS IN THE GARDEN If there is a pest that people really don't want close to their homes it has to be the brown rat. These revolting rodents have a reputation for spreading disease and are also in the habit of gnawing through everything from fence panels to power cables. While most farmers accept the inevitability of having a few rats around their livestock pens or grain stores, this pest is never welcome in or around the home and garden – and rightly so. Nonetheless, plenty of rats make it past our defences and into the backyard. It is a problem that seems to be on the rise, and I'm getting more and more calls from anxious homeowners struggling to keep the rodents at bay with traps…

IN PRAISE OF HW I have recently been considering some of the pre-charged pneumatic rifles that have been devised by the manufacturers as “all-rounders”. These particular guns do not usually possess features such as multi-adjustable stocks or precision-made genuinely “match-grade” trigger assemblies and barrels. For those of us who have become embroiled within the target shooting sector of our sport, it is not unusual for us to collect some genuine target rifles over the years. I currently own two, a Steyr and a Walther, and genuinely nice they are too. I know many shooters who possess far more than two target rifles, with somebody I know having scores of top-end guns to choose from. But let's face it, many of us struggle to justify the outlay for a single top-end…

As a kid I loved nothing more than a game of cowboys and Indians, or soldiers, or doctors and nurses. We won't go into the last one, but the common theme was usually guns. Thankfully, as I grew up I managed to stay on the right side of the law as my interest in firearms evolved to the point where I could own a few of them. But that childish enthusiasm never left me. And I suspect I am not alone. Most of my time with an air rifle is spent in the field. But occasionally I get the chance to reconnect with my inner little boy and let rip at a few tin cans. And in my opinion nothing does the job better than a CO2-powered BB gun. But…

TESTING STATION PELLET TEST PELLET TEST BSA GREEN STAR .22 As many of you will already be aware, the Health and Safety Executive published the UK REACH dossier which proposes restrictions on the use of lead ammunition, including airgun pellets. These proposed restrictions remain just that for now, but it doesn't hurt to prepare for a future that could see the use of lead pellets being severely curtailed. Some forward-thinking manufacturers already offer lead-free alternatives, including BSA with its new Green Star ammo. Green Star pellets are available in both .177 and .22, and it's the larger size I'll be testing here. Lead remains the preferred material for making pellets because their mass and density make them ballistically superior, especially when shot at the relatively low muzzle velocity of the sub-12 foot…

Whether you're controlling pests, tackling targets in competition or plinking in the garden, pre-charged airguns are generally regarded as the ultimate tool for precise pellet placement. With no or very little recoil to contend with, these airguns make consistent accuracy comparatively easy to achieve – and the lack of kick also means they can be shot from a rest without any significant shift in zero.. Pre-charged airguns will often boast magazine-fed, multi-shot loading, usually operated by a rear bolt or sidelever which cocks the action, cycles the magazine and probes a pellet into the breech. They are capable of producing a huge power output, which makes them a popular choice with live quarry shooters who also hold a Firearm Certificate. Important points to consider when choosing one include shot capacity,…

PCP GUN TEST BROCOCK CONCEPT XR GUN TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Brocock, England (brocock.co.uk) MODEL: Concept XR PRICE: From £1,244 TYPE: Length-adjustable modular multi-shot PCP CALIBRE: .177 (tested), .22 and .25 OVERALL LENGTH: 810mm to 900mm LENGTH OF PULL: 330mm to 420mm BARREL LENGTH: 430mm WEIGHT: 2.6kg (without scope) TRIGGER: Two-stage adjustable POWER: 11.6 ft-lb on model tested (FAC versions available) British gunmaker Brocock has developed a flair for making reliable airguns built for functionality and getting the job done. These rifles are the choice of pest controllers up and down the country. But Brocock airguns aren't just reliable, they also have an admirable track record in the accuracy department, and their modular design ethos means that many of their models can be tweaked and kitted out with accessories to create…

PCP RIFLE TEST BENJAMIN KRATOS RIFLE TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Benjamin MODEL: Kratos PRICE: £649 TYPE: Multi-shot PCP CALIBRE: .22 (tested) and .25 ACTION: Sidelever MAGAZINE: Two drum magazines CAPACITY: 12 shots in .22, 10 shots in .25 OVERALL LENGTH: 110cm (43.3”) WEIGHT: 3.7kg (8.26lb) STOCK: Ambidextrous walnut SCOPE RAIL: Picatinny LENGTH OF PULL: 35.5cm (13.98”) TRIGGER: Two-stage, adjustable TRIGGER-PULL: 1lb 14oz SAFETY: Manual, resettable MUZZLE ENERGY: 10.30 ft-lb ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Shrouded barrel with integrated sound suppression Do you appreciate the clean lines of a more traditional sporter? Do you want the increased shot count of a buddy bottle? Perhaps you need the benefits of a bullpup? Whatever your preference may be, Benjamin has a suitable rifle for you thanks to its Craftsman Collection of multi-shot PCPs, including the Cayden sporter,…

PCP RIFLE TEST WALTHER LG400 RIFLE TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Walther UK DISTRIBUTOR: John Rothery Wholesale (bisley-uk.com) MODEL: LG400 Field Target PRICE: £2,599 wooden stock, £2,450 Alutec TYPE: Single-shot target rifle CALIBRE: .177 (4.5mm) ACTION: PCP, with paddle-style cocking lever OVERALL LENGTH: 1,100mm at full extension BARREL: Carbon-fibre shrouded, capped with air stripper BARREL LENGTH: 565mm WEIGHT: 4.13kg (9.1lb) STOCK: Wood, with adjustable cheekpiece and butt plate SCOPE RAIL: Dovetail LENGTH OF PULL: 320mm (12.6”) to 390mm (15.4”) TRIGGER: Two-stage, adjustable with dry-fire mode TRIGGER WEIGHT: 50g to 120g MUZZLE ENERGY: 11.25 ft-lb ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Hard case, hamster/bipod attachment rail Airgun shooters are a clever lot, always being quick to find a solution to a particular problem, with many FT and HFT shooters purchasing superaccurate 10 Metre indoor target rifles running…

PCP COMPARING KIT CO2-POWERED RIFLES I know it's hard to believe, but for those of us who were kids in the 1970s, a tin of Coke or lemonade was a special treat. I'm talking birthdays and Christmas here. And then along came the Sodastream – a household machine that turned tap water into fizzy drinks. The secret to this alchemy was the CO2 cartridge. Simply pop one in, press a button, add the syrupy gloop of your choice and hey presto – carbonated water became whatever you wanted it to be. My best friend had one. As a result, he became everyone's best friend. Of course, market dynamics changed and the once miraculous Sodastream is now largely consigned to history as an almost superfluous piece of technology. Fortunately though, the CO2…

SPRINGERS & GAS-RAMS GUN TEST WEIHRAUCH HW8 GREY LAMINATE GUN TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Weihrauch, Germany (www.weihrauch-sport.de) UK DISTRIBUTOR: Hull Cartridge (www.hullcartridge.co.uk) MODEL: HW98 Grey Laminate PRICE: £618 TYPE: Spring-powered break-barrel CALIBRE: .177 (tested) and .22. OVERALL LENGTH: 1040mm LENGTH OF PULL: 350mm BARREL LENGTH: 300mm WEIGHT: 3.65kg (without scope) TRIGGER: Two-stage adjustable POWER: 11.6 ft-lb Too many shooters regard spring-powered airguns as a compromise. The assumption is that they offer an affordable solution for those who can't stretch to the cost of a recoilless PCP and an easier option for those who don't want to be burdened with the hassle of charging gear. While there is more than a grain of truth in that, if you spend some time with an air rifle like the Weihrauch HW98, you might just…

OPTICS OPTIC TEST MTC 3-12X44 COPPERHEAD TELESCOPIC SIGHT OPTIC TEST KEY SPECS MANUFACTURER: MTC (mtcoptics.com) RANGE: Copperhead MODEL: 3-12x44 F2 (4-16x44 also available) MAGNIFICATION RANGE: 3-12x OBJECTIVE LENS DIAMETER: 44mm FIELD OF VIEW @ 100M: 10.7m – 2.6m EYE RELIEF: 90mm PARALLAX RANGE: 10m – infinity ADJUSTMENT PER CLICK: 1cm @100m MAX TURRET ADJUSTMENT: 116cm @ 100m CLICKS PER TURRET REVOLUTION: 60 MILS PER TURRET REVOLUTION: 6 TUBE DIAMETER: 30mm ILLUMINATED RETICLE: Red with separate on/off and brightness control LENGTH: 248mm WEIGHT: 568g RETICLE TYPE: AMD2 RETICLE POSITION: Second Focal Plane SRP: £315 MTC Optics names its telescopic sights after various snakes, and after bringing out some larger models in the shape of the King Cobra, the company has downsized its most recent releases with the new Copperhead line of smaller…

OPTICS SCOPE TEST SCOPE TEST HAWKE SIDEWINDER FFP 4-16X50 Hawke recently refreshed its line-up of Sidewinder scopes, offering a series of brand new models. Any of these would appeal not just to air rifle shooters, but rimfire and centrefire shooters too as they are capable of taking on both short and long-range assignments – and anything in between. Several models are available in both First Focal Plane (FFP) and Second Focal Plane (SFP) formats, and the one I'm looking at here is the Sidewinder 30 FFP 4-16x50, which is equipped with a dedicated FFP reticle. The sidewinder is a type of snake that moves sideways, which is the fastest and most efficient way for it to travel. In terms of scopes, the Sidewinder has a side focus control, which is the fastest…

OPTICS OPTIC TEST HIKMICRO TE19C THUNDER OPTIC TEST KEY SPECS MANUFACTURER: HIKMICRO (hikmicrotech.com) SUPPLIED BY: Elite Optical (eliteoptical.co.uk) MODEL: TE19C Thunder PRICE: From £1,299.99 LENGTH: 120mm (base unit) WEIGHT: 350g (base unit) MAGNIFICATION: 2.4x (optical) 1-8x (digital) DETECTION RANGE: Up to 900m FEATURES: Video and photo capture, five reticle designs, four colour palettes, picture-in-picture, one-shot zeroing, hot spot tracking, wifi connectivity, spotter, gunsight and clip-on capability More airgun shooters are switching to thermal optics for after-dark pest control. The reason for this is the fact that it is impossible to fail to notice the glow of a quarry animal's heat signature when viewed through these devices. And because thermal imagers don't use a light source there is no beam to betray your presence – you can carry out your observations and…

More and more airgun shooters are adding thermal spotters to their night hunting armoury. Whether you‘re controlling rats around the farmyard or pursuing rabbits over open ground, being able to see an animal‘s heat signature, even when partially obscured by undergrowth, provides a serious edge. It wasn‘t long ago that thermal spotters (also known as thermal cameras, thermal imagers and thermal monoculars), were regarded as expensive niche equipment for specialist applications. Investing in this tech still amounts to a serious outlay, but prices are coming down and modern thermal cameras combine remarkable image quality and long-range viewing with very easy operation. The four models featured here cover a range of price points and should meet the needs of all airgun shooters who want to set their sights on nocturnal quarry.…

LETTER OF THE MONTH PARABOLIC PROBLEM-SOLVING At the ripe old age of 60 I got back into air rifle shooting with my first PCP. Following the masses, it appears the in thing is to draw a parabolic curve to plot your pellet rise and drop at various distances. The more shots and plots you do makes it easier to draw your parabolic curve. Being a little older and looking into things deeper, got me thinking rather than shooting loads of targets at various distances and plotting the impact points, you adopt geometry? If you plotted: 1st point: barrel exit. (rise), 2nd point: optimum rise, 3rd point: same as barrel exit (drop). You could adopt a geometry approach to plot a parabolic curve, which could be extended to give any distance.…

FIELD TEST HAWKE VANTAGE 4-12X40 A0 With so many products on the market, choosing the right one can be something of a minefield, especially as the ability to try before you buy is often limited. Making the wrong choice is always frustrating and often costly. Budget is the factor that usually sets our parameters, especially with scopes. I don't know about you, but I'm loath to buy a scope that costs more than the rifle it's going on. And yet I don't want to limit the potential of the rifle by going too cheap. At a time when the price of just about everything is going up, we set ourselves a real-world challenge for our first Field Test review – to find a telescopic sight that would complement a budget…

Not that long ago there was little in the way of finishing oils on the shelf for anyone wanting to finish a stock or pistol grips. For longer than most shooters can remember, linseed oil has been used as an effective finish in the gun trade and is used today as a base oil. Many gunsmiths had their own privately guarded recipes for the perfect stock oil using this mixed with various other secret ingredients. Over the years these have been declassified more and more, and today we can buy products made to old recipes with ease, but usually at a price. Some are good, some not so, with individual batches sometimes noted as being slower drying than others. Pure linseed oil, however, is widely available and still relatively cheap.…

TESTING STATION GUN TEST GUN TEST SMITH & WESSON MODEL 29 S&W's original six-shot M29 was introduced in 1955. It was chambered in .44 Magnum, a handgun cartridge that delivered greater muzzle velocity and energy than anything seen before, and the M29 sold in droves. Smith & Wesson saw a massive spike in sales in 1971 with the release of Dirty Harry, the first of five films in which Clint Eastwood played tough, no-nonsense San Francisco Police Department Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan. Umarex's M29 is available in BB or pellet format. The revolver here is a pellet-firer with a rifled barrel, costing £219.95. The BB version is available in three barrel lengths, these being 3”, 6.5” and 8 3/4”, with the pellet-firing version being offered in 6.5” and 8 3/4”. In keeping…

THE GUN ROOM BSA's established and successful air rifle during the Edwardian period had been the Improved Model D. A lot was happening in Britain at the time, and rumours of war were rife, but BSA kept busy improving their phenomenal rifle, resulting in what was eventually to be known as the Standard. The transitional rifle seen here displays some of the changes that were adopted. “IT WAS EFFORTLESS, UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN THAT NEEDED STRONG THUMBS” Instead of the original Lincoln Jeffriesinspired spade or bayonet handle, which had been fettled on the previous model, it was now a totally new design, representing a further improvement on the gun for the modern age. The release method is a sprung catch mounted into the side of a machined recess to the…

PCP RIFLE TEST DAYSTATE ALPHA WOLF RIFLE TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: Daystate, England (daystate.com) MODEL: Alpha Wolf PRICE: Sub-12 £2,300, High Power (tested) £2,500 TYPE: Programmable electronic bullpup CALIBRE: .177, .22 (tested), .25 and .30 (.25 and .30 FAC only) OVERALL LENGTH: 836mm (with long barrel) LENGTH OF PULL: 365mm BARREL LENGTH: 17in and 23in (tested) WEIGHT: 3.9kg (model tested without scope) TRIGGER: Two-stage adjustable electronic POWER: Sub-12 and high-power up to 95 ft-lb Daystate refuses to stand still when it comes to pushing the boundaries of airgun design. The British gunmaker set a new standard for adjustability when it launched the electronically tunable Delta Wolf two years ago. Resting on its laurels has never been a trait of this airgun giant, and further advances on the theme were inevitable. Those…

PCP GUN TEST FX IMPACT M3 GUN TEST KEY SPECS MAKER: FX Airguns, Sweden (fxairguns.com) UK DISTRIBUTOR: Sportsman Gun Centre (sportsmanguncentre.co.uk) MODEL: Impact M3 (black Sniper model tested) PRICE: From £1,843 (£1,906 for model tested) TYPE: Tunable, dual-regulated, multi-shot bullpup CALIBRE: .177, .22 (tested), .25, .30 and .35 OVERALL LENGTH: 970mm (model tested) LENGTH OF PULL: 360mm BARREL LENGTH: 500mm, 600mm, 700mm (model tested) and 800mm WEIGHT: 3.2kg (model tested without scope) TRIGGER: Two-stage adjustable POWER: Variable, to more than 70 ft-lb on model tested The team behind FX Airguns has a remarkable talent for listening to what modern airgun shooters want and then designing and manufacturing guns that exactly meet their requirements. The new Impact M3 does just that, and I will say right now that it comes about as…

PCP RIFLE TEST RIFLE TEST REXIMEX MYTH KEY SPECS MAKE: Reximex (www.reximex.com) MODEL: Myth UK DISTRIBUTOR: Range Right Ltd (range-right.co.uk) PRICE: £599 TYPE: Multi-shot PCP with integrated regulator BARREL FINISH: Rifled black steel CALIBRE: .177 and .22 (tested) MAGAZINE: Two cassette magazines CAPACITY: 14 pellets in .177, 12 in .22 OVERALL LENGTH: 840mm without moderator BARREL LENGTH: 380mm WEIGHT: 2.8kg without scope and moderator STOCK: Ambidextrous synthetic SIGHTS: Hybrid dovetail/Picatinny rail LENGTH OF PULL: 380mm (adjustable) TRIGGER: Two-stage SAFETY: Manual MUZZLE ENERGY: 11.4 foot pounds Turkey has been a hotbed for new air rifles in recent years, many pitched at the low to middle end of the PCP financial spectrum. Manufacturers like Hatsan and KraL have hit on a winning combination of goodlooking rifles matched to reliable actions sold at reasonable prices.…

PCP GUN TEST LEE-ENFIELD (GUNS) M4A1 CARBINE GUN TEST KEY SPECS DISTRIBUTOR: The Shooting Party (shootingparty.uk) MANUFACTURER: Lee-Enfield (Guns) SUB-SERIES: Brothers In Arms MODEL: M4A1 Carbine PRICE: £159.99 POWERPLANT: Single CO2 capsule ACTION: Blowback CALIBRE: 4.5mm (steel BBs) MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 18 BBs TRIGGER: Single-action SAFETY CATCH: Manual SIGHTS: Open, adjustable STOCK: Length-adjustable OVERALL LENGTH: 760mm-830mm BARREL LENGTH: 372mm WEIGHT: 3.2kg While some CO2 guns are totally original designs, others are inspired by powder-burning firearms, with the Brothers In Arms series of historical replicas from Lee-Enfield (Guns) falling firmly into the latter category. The M4A1 was developed by Colt and is in service with multiple operators around the world, notably the US Army, with the Marine Corps due to follow suit. But while that gun fires 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, this CO2 variant…

A lot of shooters like to keep their shooting simple, and you can't get much simpler than spring and gas-ram airguns. These guns have self-contained powerplants that provide propulsion via an action that is cocked either by breaking the barrel or by the stroke of an underlever. They require very little maintenance and are always ready for action. Airguns that fall under this section tend to be more affordable than pre-charged models, and the fact that they don't require additional charging gear amounts to a further saving. For this reason, spring and gas-ram airguns are a great choice for shooters who want to sample airgun shooting without splashing out on expensive kit. Choosing a recoiling airgun should not be regarded as a compromise, as a good spring or gas-ram air…

While it's possible to spend a small fortune on airgun shooting, our sport still remains accessible to all. Many shooters new to the sport will cut their teeth on airgunning via some good old-fashioned garden plinking, and today this still remains a viable, fun and safe way to introduce new people to the sport, with the gear required for this generally being fairly inexpensive. Plinking isn't just for beginners though as it's also a great way to mentally unwind away from more challenging pursuits such as hunting or competition shooting. Let's say you're starting out. Buying a rifle is one thing, but what about all the paraphernalia you'll need to get up and running? Most of us need to be careful with our money, and that's where rifles like the…

SPRINGERS & GAS-RAMS COMPARING KIT BUDGET SPRINGERS Isn't it great to be an airgunner? Manufacturers compete to tempt us with the latest feature-rich rifles; Daystate gives us electronic rifles with built in chronographs, and just when we got used to the idea of needing a regulator, FX told us we need two. The constant flow of new and exciting rifles can be bewildering, and choosing a new one is genuinely difficult for some. In the process it's easy to forget that fundamentally, shooting air rifles is a whole lot of fun. For many of us, the love affair with air rifles began with sending a few tin cans flying in the back garden, and more likely than not we were using a break-barrel spring rifle. Of course, a number of us…

KEY SPECS MANUFACTURER: Immersive Optics (immersive-scopes.co.uk) SUPPLIED BY: Thomas Jacks (thomasjacks.co.uk) MODEL: 10x40 MD MAGNIFICATION: 10x OBJECTIVE LENS: 40mm EYE RELIEF: 17mm FIELD OF VIEW: 11.4m @ 100m MINIMUM FOCUS DISTANCE: 6m CLICK VALUE: 0.1 mil CLICKS PER REVOLUTION: 50 TRAVEL PER ROTATION: 5 mil MAX ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT: 28 mil MAX WINDAGE ADJUSTMENT: 28 mil SIGHT DIMENSIONS: 80mm × 60mm × 135mm WEIGHT WITH MOUNTS: 485g RETICLE: Mildot or Mildot Extended ILLUMINATED RETICLE: Six levels of brightness SRP: £292.95 Are you the sort of shooter who appreciates the benefits technology has to offer, but likes to keep things simple when it comes to a sight? If so, the fixed-magnification 10x40 prismatic scope from Immersive Optics is one for you. This optic is side-parallaxadjustable down to six metres. It has a…

OPTICS OPTIC TEST SIGHTMARK WRAITH OPTIC TEST KEY SPECS FROM: Scott Country (scottcountry.co.uk) MODEL: Sightmark Wraith HD 2-16x28 PRICE: £589.99 LENGTH: 210mm (without eyecup) WEIGHT: 950g (incl batteries and mount) MAGNIFICATION: 2-16x DETECTION RANGE: 200m CAMERA RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 FEATURES: Picatinny mount and illuminator supplied, full colour daytime viewing, video recording, choice of reticles designs and colour palettes, multiple zero profiles With so many airgun shooters moving over to infrared night vision for after-dark pest control, it was inevitable that this equipment would become more affordable. What is surprising, though, is the standard of quality and performance this kit can deliver. Even the more affordable units give a level of viewing that would have cost you thousands of pounds to achieve just a few years ago. The Sightmark Wraith HD digital day…

COMPARING KIT NV SCOPES OPTICS When the weather cooperates, shooting at night in the winter can be very productive. Hordes of scavenging rats come in from the exposed countryside to seek shelter around farms and those grassgobbling rabbits still have to venture out of their burrows to feed. Of course, shooting in the dark requires night vision optics. Lamping still works, but in my opinion it doesn't hold a candle (pun intended) to infrared (IR) and thermal technology. There are plenty of products to choose from and fortunately varying budgets are increasingly catered for. There are three basic categories of night vision optic – infrared (IR) scopes, thermal scopes and add-ons – either IR or thermal – that are attached to a regular day scope. We'll be taking a look at…

OPTICS COMPARING KIT THERMAL SCOPES Winter is well and truly here, and without doubt it is my favourite and most productive time of the year for hunting rabbits and rats. Thousands of years of evolution has given pest species superpowers to help avoid predators at night and although our senses become heightened in the dark thanks to our ancient DNA, we are still woefully under-equipped – unless you are fortunate enough to be able to bridge the gap with technology of course. Last month we looked at a range of infrared scopes that work as well during the day as they do at night. In this issue, we've put some of the best thermal scopes through their paces. And whilst they can be used during the day, it's at night when…