Fieldtester looks deeper, so you choose smarter

Fieldtester

The best .410s for a young shot

The .410 is a great first shotgun for a youngster – and modern .410s are good quality, scaled-down versions of a full-sized over-and-under. Ian Hodge looks at two popular modern .410s: the KOFS and Webley & Scott game guns. He sells lots of these from his Cornwall and online gun

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Stalking knives for under £100

You can buy a basic knife that will do the job for around £15, but what if you want something a little more refined? You don’t have to spend hundreds to get a good quality, stylish gralloching knife, says Dan Bibb of Shooting Sports UK. He highlights the Spyderco Bow

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Crispi boots – the stalker’s favourite

Crispi boots are a favourite with hill stalkers and others who want dry, comfortable feet after a hard day’s walking in all kinds of terrain and undergrowth. Jane Keen of Cluny Country Store explains why the boots are proving so popular. “We stock the Crispi Hunter boots, which have been

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Steel shot should not force you to sell your old gun

Yes, that’s Nigel Farage. An evening with the Blacker family in Cornwall sees local shooters (and Nigel) bring in their guns for assessment. Bill Blacker and his sons Jim and Matt are among the foremost gunmakers and gunsmiths in the UK, and they advise on how to save your old

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Tim tests Swarovski Z8i+ scope

‘Circle, red dot, kill’ – that’s what you want a scope to do for you, says Tim Pilbeam, and the Swarovski Z8i+ does it. He is out on his range in Sussex with local deerstalkers and a gunsmith to put the scope through its paces and see what the advantages

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Sako 90 vs 85: what’s the difference?

Sako rifles have always been known for their quality. Robin Shedden of Cluny Country Guns fondly remembers his Sako 75, which would put bullets into a thumbnail sized group at 180 yards every time. “That’s what you’re getting with Sako: quality,” he says. Since then we’ve seen the Sako 85

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What’s the right shotgun for a left-hander?

You are left-handed, so you need a left-handed gun, right? Not necessarily, says Robin Shedden of Cluny Country Guns. Several of the big shotgun manufacturers offer their guns in left-handed versions, but those aren’t always fully left-handed, he explains. The left-handed Berettas and the Blaser F16 are built on right-handed

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Tier One Quick Detach scope mount

Tier One are renowned for their precision Monomount scope mounts – but what if you want to swap your scope to another rifle? Their new quick-detach mount is the answer. “It’s got all the bnefits of the Monomount,” explains Ryan Charlton of distributors Highland Outdoors. “It’s made from a single

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Best value thermal deals for airgun and rifle shooting

Thermal gear has come a long way, and prices have dropped to the point where it’s a realistic choice for many airgunners and fox shooters. So what do you get for your money, and which is the best deal for you? Ian Hodge of Ian Hodge Fieldsports runs through the

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Cheap and quirky .410s are a blast to shoot

Everyone loves the little .410 – and why wouldn’t you? The guns are quirky and fun to shoot, and they’re cheap as chips. OK the ammo costs a little more than a 12 bore, but who’s counting when you’re smashing clays or controlling pests with a gun that’s so satisfying

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Christensen’s FFT lightweight mountain rifle

A big heavy rifle is fine for the range, but what if you’re walking the hills all day and still need to take a precise long shot when the opportunity presents itself? That’s where the Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT really shines. It’s a lightweight, precision bolt-action rifle, available in a

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The Vorn SR10, a hip pack that’s also a shooting platform

youtu.be/slekeV41hbY There’s enough to carry when you’re out stalking or doing vermin control – so anything that can do two jobs at once is a bonus. That’s the idea with the Vorn SR10 hip pack. It’s a practical 10-litre waist pack with plenty of space for all your gear. Plus

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Maven RS4 5-30×56 riflescope

Click here for 10% discount offer for Fieldsports Channel viewers – use the code FSTV at checkout by James Marchington Ryan Charlton from Highland Outdoors, which imports the new RS4 5-30×56 scope from Maven Optics in Wyoming, USA, says why he likes it. “The company’s philosophy is founded on no-compromise

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Sako 100 rifle – how to change the barrel

youtu.be/1RDybiYIi9g Fresh from hunting with the new Sako 100 in .375H&H in Mozambique, professional deer manager Paul Childerley learns how to removed and swap the barrel. Sako product manager Taneli Pokkinen recommends a switch-calibre platform for cross-season hunting. The Sako 100 is a versatile, future-proof platform designed for an advanced

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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A bespoke game gun for off-the-peg money

Can you really get a custom-built game gun for off-the-shelf money? Absolutely, says Robbie Shedden of Cluny Country, laying out the Chapuis range on the gunshop counter. This French gunmaker is now part of the Beretta group. It offers side-by-sides and over-and-unders at prices from around £2,500 up to £6,500-£7,000

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