How to find the best pellet for your air rifle
youtu.be/bfEA-6_QZGU To get the best out of your air rifle, you need to find the pellet that works best in your gun. Some air rifles seem to ‘like’ some pellets – and not like others. James Head, from Devon-based airgun shop Crackshot, heads to the range above the shop to try a selection of pellets […]
GPO Passion ED 8×32 binoculars on test
As a keen rifle shooter and deer stalker, Ryan Charlton of Highland Outdoors has used a lot of binoculars, and he’s particularly impressed with the latest offering from German Precision Optics: the GPO Passion ED 8×32. The first thing that catches his eye is the packaging. “It’s all recyclable, which is in line with GPO’s […]
Best scope for airgun hunting 2023
What’s the best scope to put on your airgun for hunting, and maybe a bit of HFT competition? James Head, from Newton Abbot, Devon, and online airgun specialists Crackshot UK, says that two models stand out as the most popular in 2023: the £279 Hawke Airmax, and the £295 MTC Copperhead. They’re both packed full […]
Night vision & thermal showdown – Fieldtester, episode 13
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldYBCDAp6qk It’s the ultimate test of thermal and day-night riflescopes. We’ve brought together the experts, and we’ve got £38,500 worth of the latest high-tech kit to put through its paces, with scopes ranging from £700 to £4,500. Will the most expensive scopes come out on top? Can the budget models hold their own? There’s only […]
Fieldsports Britain – farmyard pests
youtu.be/VbbQbdiUFh4 With a new permission to shoot, Elliot Roberts is out after ferals, rooks and hooded crows. It’s a farmyard in the north of Scotland and the farmer wants his crops and cattlefeed saved from the marauders. Meanwhile, rifleshooting instructor Andrew Venables explains how to take a moving shot on a deer, for those occasions […]
Freehand shooting: how to bring down an injured deer
You’ve shot it, but then it stands up and starts running off. You have a few seconds to take a second shot and bring it down, usually under much more demanding circumstances than your first shot. Andrew Venables from WMS Firearms Training believes hunters need to dump their comfort blankets. Meaning they need to bin […]
Proof the UK has wild panthers – Fieldsports News, 17 May 2023
youtu.be/t2KpGl58b_A Here are the links: Black panthers exist in UK countryside – Panthera Britannia documentary on AmazonDevon and Cornwall Police promise detailed review – ITV News reportPackham Three libel case concludes – Guardian news storyGlencoe deer cull clash – Scottish GamekeepersUK venison feeds Ukrainians – Country Food TrustScientists say meat essential for health – Animal […]
Scottish feral pigeon shoot
A new permission is a blank canvas. Elliot Roberts has a farmyard in the north of Scotland that he hasn’t tried before. He gives it a walk-about with shotgun in hand to see what’s there. This video appeared in Fieldsports Britain 703. For more from Browning, go to Browning.eu Find Elliot Roberts on Facebook and […]
Serious clay guns: Browning 725 Pro Sport vs Beretta 694
If you’re serious about clay shooting competition, you need a proper clay gun – it really will make a difference to your scores, says West Country gunshop owner Ian Hodge. You don’t need to spend a fortune though. He picks out two guns that are more than up to the job: the Beretta 694 and […]
Welsh Minister attacks shooting – Fieldsports News, 3 May 2023
Here are the links: Welsh Minister attacks shooting Hunters threaten to sue MPs Packham 3 in court Farmers’ fury at lynx plans Beware of anti-fieldsports councillors Ireland firearms law changes Venison quality assurance scheme Tech tycoon relocates deer Cost of living in the countryside Black fox recaptured To watch all of #FieldsportsBritain, episode 701, visit […]
Faulds wins the Essex Masters 2023
Richard Faulds set the pace at the 2023 Essex Masters, the big Sporting clay shoot that kicks off the season. He shot a scorching 193 on the demanding 200-bird course set by John Dyson at Hepworth Hall Shooting Ground. With more than 2,000 shooters competing over the week, including many of the UK’s top shots, […]
How NOT to shoot off sticks
Andrew Venables of WMS Firearms Training has seen too many shooters using sticks badly. He explains where people go wrong, and how you should position yourself – and the sticks – to get a really stable shooting platform and maximise your accuracy. For the kit showcased in this film, visit Kitfinder.co.uk To watch all of […]
Fieldsports Britain – Essex Masters
And they’re off! The clay shooting season gets under way with a bang. We bring you thrills and spills from the Essex Masters, where the top shots are battling to beat the scorching score set by Olympic medallist Richard Faulds. Andrew Venables of WMS Firearms Training explains why you’re using your shooting sticks all wrong, […]
Hunting monster boar in Scotland
youtu.be/RTnNVc-aTdQ Wild boar are rampaging across northern Scotland, ripping up turf, destroying nests and eggs, even killing lambs. We’re out at night trying to outwit the new monsters of Loch Ness with Browning shooter Elliot Roberts, guided by Grant Clark and Bobby Sanderson of Highland Deer Management. For more about Browning rifles see Browning.eu For […]
Wildfires burn out of control – Fieldsports News, 26 April 2023
Here are the links: Wildfires – www.obantimes.co.uk/2023/04/21/kinloch-moidart-wildfire-under-control/ Botham knocks RSPB for six – www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/23/rspb-contractors-kill-foxes-crows-hide-from-public/ Farmer jailed for river damage – www.fieldsportschannel.tv/river-lugg-battle/ Antis post fake reviews – www.countryside-alliance.org/resources/news/tackling-online-bullying Rural crime on the rise in Scotland – www.countryside-alliance.org/resources/news/scottish-alliance-talk-to-the-times-following-reported-rise-in-wildlife-crime-incidents Fishermen’s protest song secures top spot – news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/skipinnish-protest-song-compares-proposed-scottish-fishing-ban-to-highland-clearances Welsh gamebird consultation response – basc.org.uk/your-guide-to-the-welsh-gamebird-releasing-consultation/ More eagle nests where gamekeepers […]
Fieldsports Britain – Loch Ness monsters
youtu.be/nbhALjhkYF0 Wild boar are rampaging across northern Scotland, ripping up turf, destroying nests and eggs, even killing lambs. We’re out at night trying to outwit the new monsters of Loch Ness with Browning shooter Elliot Roberts. Charlie is flyfishing for catfish in the Northern Cape of South Africa, where every angler’s new favourite predator can […]
Catching big African catfish
Charlie is flyfishing for catfish in the Northern Cape of South Africa, where every angler’s new favourite predator can grow up to 50lbs. They’re not like chalkstream trout – Charlie learns to use a huge fly and attract the fish by ‘slapping’ the water with his line. For fishing at Vanderkloof, visit Selous.co.za To watch […]
Complete Tikka stalking package for £750 off
youtu.be/GP_uJAlAFPI Fancy a new Tikka? Staffordshire and online gunshop Shooting Sports UK is offering a saving of £750 on a complete stalking package that includes a Tikka Superlite rifle in your choice of calibre, mounts, Steiner scope, Stalon moderator, carbon fibre bipod, shooting sticks, and an Outdoor Edge knife, all for £2,400, down from £3,150. […]
Beretta or Browning? Ian Hodge compares the Silver Pigeon and B525
youtu.be/A8DChKhmu58 They are the mid-priced BMW and Audi of shotguns – solid, reliable, good value, and they’ll go on for ever. The Beretta Silver Pigeon and Browning 525 are the biggest selling shotguns in Ian Hodge’s gunshop in the West Country. But which one is right for you? There’s just £2 difference in price between […]
Steiner Ranger 8 4-32×56 riflescope
Deer stalker Ollie Williams is a sponsored Steiner user, and he’s been using the Steiner Ranger 8 4-32×56 riflescope. He acknowledges that it’s probably more scope than he needs. “I rarely shoot anything over 100 yards,” he says. “I zeroed it once, maybe six months ago, and never had to touch it since.” He knows […]
Why use Steiner LRF binoculars for hunting?
Steiner is the brand of binoculars that the UK government chooses for the British Army. That says a lot about their quality and ruggedness. But are they suitable for hunting? Deer manager and sporting agent Ollie Williams reckons they are. He’s a sponsored Steiner binoculars user, and uses Steiner’s Ranger LRF model for deerstalking. He […]
Which airgun calibre? .22 or .177?
youtu.be/QUxYU5bz4AE It’s the age-old question. Which airgun calibre is best, .22 or .177? South-west of England Field Target Association champion James Head, of Crackshot UK, says it’s largely a matter of personal preference. “The two calibres are equally accurate. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be,” he explains. “The difference is that the .177 flies […]
What’s the best rimfire rifle in 2023?
Rimfire rifles are still as popular as ever, says Ian Hodge of West Country gunshop and online retailer Ian Hodge Fieldsports – and his two best sellers are the semi-auto Ruger 10-22 and the Browning T-Bolt. The Ruger is in .22 calibre, while he picks a T-Bolt in .17HMR. Both are relatively short in the […]
Avon Vale Hunt expelled over video – Fieldsports News, 15 February 2023
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT5uZchuvGc Here are the links: Avon Vale Hunt incident – BHSA RSPB cash for dog training – Welsh Government BASC fight lead airgun pellet ban – BASC Fieldsports excluded from national recreation strategy – Countryside Alliance Sabs slam vegans for supporting RSPB & WWF – Vegan Markets Elon Musk reinstates Senator’s Twitter after hunting photos […]
Saudi falcon racing
youtu.be/hjpTuxWaD7A Saudi Arabia is mad about falcon racing – so much so they’ve built a huge stadium to host it in the middle of the desert. We join a GB falcon racing team as they put on an exhibition event showing off a new style of simulated hunt racing, developed in the UK by Dr. […]
Fieldsports Britain – Shooting long range gongs and deer
youtu.be/Ez3lp4FzZd4 Paul Childerley needs to cull Chinese water deer in a field so big he can’t stalk close enough. Perhaps Zeiss ambassador and PRS shooter Andy Simpson-Nix can help – and convince him to give PRS competition a go too. We’re in Saudi Arabia to see how British falcons compete in a race under the […]
Best spring air rifle: Air Arms TX200 vs Weihrauch HW97
They’re two of the finest spring-powered air rifles ever made – but which is the best, the Air Arms TX200 or the Weihrauch HW97? James Head of Crackshot UK, the Devon and online airgun centre, is in no doubt. “There’s pros and cons for both and in the end it comes down to personal choice, […]
PCP airgun outfit for under £500 – is it any good?
Thinking of upgrading to a pre-charged pneumatic airgun? Good choice – but won’t that cost you something north of £1,000? Not necessarily, says Matt Clay at Shooting Sports UK, the Staffordshire and online gun shop. He’s offering a complete PCP outfit for under £500. It’s built around the Stoeger XM1, a smart, modern looking pre-charged […]
Browning’s new BAR 4X semi-auto rifle
Browning has unveiled the latest version of its hugely successful Browning Automatic Rifle, the BAR 4X, which promises improved accuracy and a modular sighting system so you can personalise the rifle to your needs. It comes in four grades of finish, with a choice of engraving, stock shapes and wood, magazines, open and reflex sights, […]
CPSA looks to drop the pigeon
The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association wants to drop the word “pigeon” in its name, in a bid to “modernise our sport’s brand image in order to help attract new shooters, members, and sponsors from outside the sport.” The organisation, which is the sport’s governing body in England, is asking its 25,000 members to comment on […]
Tested: HIK Micro Falcon FQ50 Pro thermal spotter
youtu.be/fliO-uk1xFc Mark Ripley, known as 260Rips on YouTube, is testing the latest thermal spotter from Scott Country: the HikMicro Falcon FQ50 Pro. He uses it to spot foxes, deer and rabbits, day or night, as part of his pest control duties. Today he’s after rabbits on a farm where they’re causing damage to grazing land. […]
Pulsar launches new Merger LRF XL50 thermal binoculars at 2023 Shot Show
Night vision and thermal imaging specialist Pulsar has launched new top-of-the-range thermal imaging binoculars, the Merger LRF XL50, at the 2023 Shot Show in Las Vegas. The company say the new binoculars are true all-rounders. They feature a wide field of view for scanning and target acquisition, and high image quality and detail across the […]
Moderators get lighter and more efficient
Gone are the days of fitting a huge, heavy moderator on the end of your barrel, making the rifle unbalanced and unwieldy. That’s the view of Robbie Shedden of Cluny Country. His company import the Freyr & Devik range of moderators which are lighter and more efficient than anything that’s gone before. The existing Freyr […]
How to build your own custom PCP airgun
You don’t have to buy a PCP airgun off the shelf. James Head of Crackshot UK explains how you can assemble your ideal gun, picking your preferred barrel and action and then adding a stock, buttplate, scope, moderator and accessories. “The first thing I’d want to know is what you’re going to use the gun […]
Mark Ripley tests the HIK Micro Alpex scope from Scott Country
Mark Ripley, or 260Rips on YouTube, is best known for shooting foxes at long range on the Sussex Downs. Today, though, he’s after rabbits, testing the HIK Micro Alpex day-night scope on an old CZ .22 rimfire. The Alpex sits well on the rifle. It’s the same shape and size as a regular optical scope, […]
Ian Hodge’s 2022 Christmas gift ideas for shooters
Looking for the perfect shooting stocking filler for the fieldsports enthusiast in your life? Ian Hodge of shooting shop Ian Hodge Fieldsports dons the Father Christmas outfit and comes up with some ideas for you. His suggestions start at under a tenner, and include shooting socks, a duck call, electronic hearing protectors, and a Browning […]
Thermal spotters: essential kit for today’s hunter
A thermal spotter has become an essential part of the hunter’s kit, says Warren Broad of ATN Europe. “Whether you’re deerstalking, foxshooting, or just ratting around the farmyard, a pocket-sized thermal monocular is awesome to scan the area, day or night.” He also finds it useful when he has shot an animal, and is looking […]
Three reasons to buy a secondhand PCP airgun
James Head of Crackshot UK says there are plenty of good reasons to buy a secondhand pre-charged pneumatic airgun – and a few traps to watch out for. Let’s start with the positives. Number one: it will be cheaper than buying new. That means you can get more for your budget – a better grade […]
Paul Childerley tests Zeiss SFL 10×40 binoculars
Paul Childerley is a professional deer manager at home in Bedfordshire, so when he went staking red stags in Scotland he knew what he needed from his kit. He chose to carry the Zeiss SFL 10×40 binoculars, for their great performance-to-weight ratio – the SFL stands for SmartFocus Lightweight. “They are really compact and lightweight,” […]
Zeiss V8 2.8-20×56 riflescope tested on the hill in Scotland
When you’re stalking red stags on the hill in Scotland, you want gear that performs impeccably in any conditions, and is light to carry. That’s why professional deer manager Paul Childerley chose to take the Zeiss V8 2.8-20×56 scope on his Sako rifle. “It’s a no-brainer,” he says. “It’s a product that’s been tried and […]
Is it time to switch to a thermal riflescope?
youtu.be/yHqho9Jp9W0 Many shooters have adopted thermal technology for spotting, but still have a night vision or day-night scope on the rifle. With practice, it can be an efficient combination, allowing you to find your quarry easily with the thermal spotter, then take the shot with night vision. In the early days of thermal, when it […]
Best spring-powered air rifles for hunting 2022
youtu.be/PSwh4Gs1iB0 So you’ve got a problem with rats, or rabbits, and you want an airgun. Will a spring-powered air rifle do the job, and how much will it cost? West Country gunshop owner Ian Hodge picks two great value guns off his shelf: the BSA Lightning and the Gamo Black 10 Maxxim. They’re both up […]
ATN X-Sight 4K Pro: a day-night rifle sight that calculates holdover for you
by James Marchington There are a few digital day-night sights available nowadays, giving you the option of shooting from dawn to dusk and through to dawn again. That’s a massive help if you want to use the same rifle set-up, without needing to swap scopes and re-zero, or even buying a whole new rifle and […]
Great value shotguns for clays and game 2022
youtu.be/Cm-q9ucYsiY You want a stylish, well-made shotgun that handles well and looks good – but you don’t want to spend a fortune. What do you buy? Dan Bibb from Shooting Sports UK recommends you take a look at the Zoli range of over-and-unders. “Zoli isn’t a brand that’s as well known in the UK as, […]
Helen Tinner has to take a quick shot on a muntie
youtu.be/UZx6dsMJ5Uc Helen Tinner is in North Norfolk to improve her deerstalking and, if she can, take an animal for the freezer. Gareth Maund of the Le Strange shoot at Hunstanton has asked her along. He teaches her about different shooting positions, and then a muntie takes her by surprise. It’s her first solo stalk – […]
King of the castle – British Open Sporting Champion 2022
youtu.be/utcky0zq10E Who is the top Sporting clay shot in Britain? James Marchington reports from Barbury Shooting School in Wiltshire, where the nation’s top clayshooters are battling to become king of the castle, and win the prestigious British Open English Sporting title. The British Open is a tough one which isn’t won by someone who’s just […]
Fieldsports Britain – Britain’s best sporting shot
youtu.be/BB5kOKDjbDo Who is the top sporting clayshooter in Britain? James Marchington reports from the British Open Sporting Championship at Barbury in Wiltshire, where 1,250 clayshooters compete for the coveted title, in a gruelling three-stage battle. The firearms licensing system is broken, maybe it’s time to scrap it and start again. We look at the options […]
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Best airguns for hunting 2022
You don’t have to spend £1,000 on a pre-charged pneumatic airgun – or PCP for short – in order to hunt rabbits, but it helps! That’s the message from West Country gunshop owner Ian Hodge. He picks two of his most popular PCP airguns off the shelf to explain. There’s a BSA R10 with rubberised […]
Pulsar Merger LRF XP50 thermal binos – on test
youtu.be/dhseNtUWUa0 Professional deer manager Tom Davies of Dartmoor Deer Services has swapped his Pulsar Accolade for the new Pulsar Merger LRF XP50 thermal binoculars – and he’s impressed. “It’s the shape of traditional binoculars which makes it easy to use,” he explains. “It has an automatic standby mode, so when it’s hung round your neck […]
