Fieldtester looks deeper, so you choose smarter
Zeiss has launched its latest generation of V8 rifle scopes, with outstanding optical performance and featuring the world’s finest illuminated red dot which covers less than 3.5mm on a target at 100m. They are scheduled to reach UK dealers at the beginning of December 2021. There are four new models
youtu.be/zr3IxByMZuI Leica and Pulsar head to Braces of Bristol’s rifle range to talk about their new night vision and thermal scopes and spotters. Mark Karn from Leica shows off his new Calonox spotter and scope attachment, and Tom Gosbell from Thomas Jacks talks through the new Digex C50 scope. Click
The Heat waistcoat from Härkila is like carrying your own personal woodburning stove, says Simon Esnouf from Härkila’s UK distributors. “It’s very welcome when you’re out in freezing temperatures hunting, fishing or watching a game of rugby.” He explains “It’s a nice quilted waistcoat that will keep you warm anyway,
youtu.be/Ri24ThwPbDo The Rizzini Venus Sporting is a gun designed specifically for the female shooter. All too often ladies start shooting with a borrowed gun that was made for a male shooter. It probably doesn’t fit them properly, so it’s uncomfortable and hinders their shooting. “There’s no reason why a lady
youtu.be/VkPLBvGxBgY The BR460 EL Sporter is a serious claybusting gun, but also exquisitely made, with woodwork and engraving that lifts it above the run-of-the-mill competition shotguns. The EL in the name stands for Extra Lusso, which translates as ‘extra luxury’. “It has a beautiful piece of wood and very nice
youtu.be/1TG4EQXtLm0 It’s a lucky day for pigeonshooter Andy Crow’s grandson, Regan. He’s mad keen on going shooting with Andy – and the lovely guys at Jack Pyke have sent him his own pigeon hide kit, including a swivelling bucket seat, a set of hide poles and a camo net. Now
Swarovski has moved into the thermal market. Its new TM35 is an add-on that mounts on the front of your scope, and doubles up as a standalone spotter. Swarovski calls it a two-in-one device, offering both observation and shooting. The TM35 will be available from spring 2022 at a retail
youtu.be/uNAEaoDemjQ These are the latest, most technically advanced hunting binoculars from Swarovski, allowing you not only to range your quarry but also to ‘pin’ its location, working together with the Swarovski app on your mobile phone via Bluetooth. That can be a game changer for planning a stalk in difficult,
youtu.be/32MnRgOaTec Can budget Chinese 10×42 binoculars be any good? James Marchington was sceptical – but he was surprised when he tried the Eaglet HD binos from Eyeskey. “These binoculars sell for under £70 so I wasn’t expecting much, but I’ve been very impressed,” he says. “It’s a fraction of what
youtu.be/dxfviIBRueI If you want the power of binoculars but don’t want the bulk and weight, a monocular could be the answer. It’s basically a small telescope you can slip in your pocket – half a pair of binoculars if you like. James Marchington has been looking at the Seeker Pro
youtu.be/KE9ZREPiRFk Have you ever decided to leave your binoculars behind, and then wished you hadn’t because you spotted something that really deserved a closer look? That’s why James Marchington likes to slip a small pair of binos in his pocket at all times. “They weight very little and don’t take
youtu.be/oZwDbBSEvrM Professional gundog trainer Jason Mayhew is out in all weathers, so his number one requirement for clothing is it has to be waterproof. He’s been trialling the Härkila Retrieve jacket and trousers for the past year, and he’s impressed. It’s kept him dry in all types of weather. “I
youtu.be/3y13naVIZIw Tweed has been the traditional choice for generations of stalkers and game shooters, and it still works as well as ever. It’s smart, warm and comfortable, and remarkably good at keeping out the wet although it will become heavy when waterlogged. There’s a modern alternative however – the lightweight,
youtu.be/btJSKcM4IRM Gamekeeper and deer manager Paul Childerley finds a small axe or hatchet invaluable for everyday tasks like chopping kindling, felling small trees and even knocking in pegs and staples. Today, he’s demonstrating three from Gerber: the Back Paxe II, the Freescape Hatchet, and the Gator Combo II Axe &
youtu.be/-aVyy8LYXZw Gun-Lok is a pair of 12-bore sized security locks that fit into the chambers of your gun like snap-caps. A unique key allows you to lock them in place, making it impossible for a thief to use the gun. They don’t replace a security cabinet, but they’re a valuable
youtu.be/sSefVSTrOX8 Paul Childerley explains why pocket knives and multi-tools have become an important part of is gamekeeping kit. He looks at the Randy Newberg knife and the Gerber Suspension NXT Multi-Tool, with stainless steel handles. For the Randy Newberg knife at £55, go to Bit.ly/gerberrandy For the Suspension NXT Multi-Tool
youtu.be/WMtD1h5CZdc If you think you know Härkila boots, think again. In 2021 they’ve come out with a brand new range that’s even better than before. “We’ve been making boots for seven or eight years now, and we’ve learned a lot in that time,” says Härkila’s Simon Esnouf. “The new boots
youtu.be/KA0l49Rb-FA Gamekeeper and deer manager David Whitby has been trialling the new Avail stalking suit from Seeland – and he’s impressed.“It’s incredibly quiet to stalk in,” he says. “It’s fully waterproof, and a nice shade of green.” David adds that the suit is very versatile, “Perfect for stalking winter and
youtu.be/3dWnkVfBIUU For the ultimate in thermal spotting, you can’t do better than the top of the Pulsar range, the Accolade 2 LRF XP50 Pro. With a 640×480 17µm <25mK NETD thermal sensor, fast 50mm f/1.2 lens, 640×480 AMOLED display and 50Hz frame rate, it gives a wonderfully clear, smooth picture
youtu.be/uB_KqqJfhvk If you want to fit the very best thermal riflescope, look no further than the Pulsar Trail 2 LRF XP50. This is the top of the Pulsar range – it’s not cheap, with little change from £5k, but absolutely the best performance out there bar none. This scope will
youtu.be/8TQzY7cJXOg Pulsar Axion thermal monoculars have become the go-to tool for pest controllers, deer managers, and anyone else who needs a quality hand-held thermal spotter to make their job easier. They’re small, light and incredibly powerful, allowing you to scan an area quickly for any heat source that might reveal
youtu.be/AuOEMgAoj-s The Krypton FXG50 is Pulsar’s flagship thermal add-on which will fit virtually any day scope. “It means you don’t have to tie up a dedicated rifle for night shooting,” explains Tom from distributors Thomas Jacks. “If you’re a stalker and you do a bit of foxing, then a thermal
youtu.be/Lh0j3ykBtYo A front-mounted thermal add-on unit makes a lot of sense if you’re mainly shooting during the day, but want to have the option of going out after dark when the need arises. A good example might be a deerstalker who sometimes needs to do a bit of fox control.
youtu.be/kRV4zSiG3oY Judging range at night can be a real challenge, even if you know your ground well. Tom from distributors Thomas Jacks is a fan of the Pulsar Digisight Ultra LRF N450 night vision riflescope for that very reason – it has a built-in laser rangefinder that will measure ranges
youtu.be/mQYJyhRxE6s Many pest controllers are switching to thermal riflescopes nowadays, but Tom from distributors Thomas Jacks says there’s still a place for digital night vision like the Pulsar Digex N450 riflescope. “It’s just a fantastic little unit,” he says. The scope follows the familiar day scope format and mounts with
youtu.be/wNt3IEn-1HI The Thermion 2 XP50 is Pulsar’s flagship thermal imaging riflescope, and what a scope! It offers tremendous performance, helping you to get the job done even in the most difficult conditions. This model features a new 640×480 17µm <25mK thermal sensor and a new 50mm f/1.0 germanium lens, providing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=98SmWMg6q8k Tim Pilbeam is on an 80-acre smallholding that’s surrounded by woodland. He has counted 250 fallow deer on the ground. the trick is to get them in a position where there is a safe back stop for a shot. The £1,200 HIKMICRO Lynx Pro LH19 makes Tim’s life easier.
youtu.be/1fSytMTly7A A handsaw is a gamekeeping tool for Paul Childerley, for clearing rides and cutting back brambles. With the help of a Gerber handsaw, he explains how to use it and what it can be used for. The Gerber Gator Exchange-A-Blade Folding Saw Paul uses costs £36 from Bit.ly/gerberhandsaw More
youtu.be/BIZPLf4S2ZI How damaging is steel to a new shotgun barrel? We put 10,000 steel shells (Eley-Hawk Eco Wad) through a Yildiz Steel Sporter 12-bore at Orston Shooting Ground, then ask a gunsmith to check out the barrels afterwards. Visit Yildiz UK importer Raytrade here Click here for the Eley Eco
youtu.be/alyXKAQYJ_g Looking for sub £1,000 binos? The choice is between secondhand good-quality brands such as Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica, and some of the new glass coming out of China. Charlie Jacoby talks through what to look for and tests some of the available binoculars. Find secondhand binos on eBay.com –
The National Smallbore Rifle Associations is calling on all shooters to make their voices heard about the government’s consultation [PDF] on changing the law on lead ammunition. The NSRA does not agree with the current proposals. It says they are ‘disproportionate and, in many areas, not adequately evidenced’. It also
youtu.be/18p9bwDBFBA The Bushnell Nitro 3-18×56 is a dedicated hunting scope that offers tremendous low light performance thanks to its specification, superior optics and illuminated reticle. The Nitro’s G4i reticle combines a familiar duplex style reticle with an illuminated centre dot, which Edgar Brothers’ Ben Mcilwain reckons gives you the best
youtu.be/k8aubWs4hrM If you need a good solid pair of binoculars but don’t want to spend a fortune on one of the top brands, Bushnell is definitely worth a look. Take their Engage binoculars for instance. Most popular is the 10×42 X model, which delivers quality glass in a lightweight package,
When you’re shooting in competition, whether rimfire or centrefire, accurate communication between spotter and shooter is crucial. That’s where a purpose designed spotting scope like this Bushnell Legend Tactical 15-45×60 can be invaluable. Ben Mcilwain from distributors Edgar Brothers explains “This scope is first focal plane and has a mil
youtu.be/lf8wrD7cAo8 If you’re looking for a riflescope for match shooting, hunting, or maybe a bit of both, then the Bushnell Match Pro 6-24×50 is definitely worth a look. Ben Mcilwain from distributors Edgar Brothers fitted one to his rimfire rifle, and reckons it’s hard to beat for versatility and value
youtu.be/_2Av0kKE3Uk Bushnell have been making trail cameras for years, and during that time the trail camera has become an invaluable tool for hunters, gamekeepers and indeed anyone interested in wildlife. The technology has come a long way too, and the latest Bushnell trail cameras are capable of producing some stunning
youtu.be/zo6NqxrAQmQ Mark from Rowland Watson Gunmakers says he’s been using steel shot in his own English gun, built in 1903, for many years with no ill effects at all. If you want to do the same, just follow his simple advice. “Take it to a competent gunsmith who can check
youtu.be/IaOcEC9e4o4 Now here’s something unusual – an ‘expensive’ pair of ‘cheap’ Chinese binoculars. The Hyperion EDs are at the top end of the range from Chinese brand Eyeskey, selling for around £250 here in the UK. Charlie Jacoby is impressed from the moment he opens the box. “These are the
youtu.be/8ss1pqcv4Lg We’ve been impressed with the quality of inexpensive binoculars coming out of China these days – and these Eyeskey Captor ED 12x50s are no exception. “The build quality feels good, nice and strong. I think they’d take a bit of a beating in the field,” says James Marchington. He
youtu.be/xJM4SONfeUc The big thing about these binoculars is they’re Chinese – which means they’re very cheap, says Charlie Jacoby. These are the Eyeskey Sky Trek 12x50s, which sell for a remarkable £136.95. “That’s less than a quarter the price of a good quality pair of second-hand Zeiss binoculars for instance.”
youtu.be/iJqQAWsXHT4 What would you expect to pay for a decent pair of 10×42 binoculars? You could easily pay close to a grand for something from one of the big names in optics. But these Chinese-made binoculars from Eyeskey cost well under £100 – and their performance is nothing short of
The Browning Maxus semi-auto has become a firmly established favourite, particularly with pigeon shooters, wildfowlers and gamekeepers. It handles well, shoots smoothly, and cycles reliably with just about any cartridge. Now in 2021 Browning have launched a new improved model, the Maxus II, claimed to be the softest shooting semi-auto
A machete is a gamekeeping tool for Paul Childerley, for clearing rides and cutting back brambles. With the help of two of Gerber’s machetes, he explains how to use a machete. It’s an art. The Gerber Gator Paul uses costs £33 from Bit.ly/gerbermachete
youtu.be/3mHbARmHnZQ There’s a lot to carry when you set out to decoy pigeons, what with hide poles, netting, ammo, and the decoys themselves. A decent rucksack can make it much easier to lug everything to your chosen hide position. Pigeon shooter and farmer Andy Crow is a huge fan of
youtu.be/r-OPsRdP1ic In the UK we have to cope with some pretty unpredictable weather. You can set off in glorious sunshine for a day on the moors, or shooting partridges on stubbles – and a few hours later it could be tipping it down with rain. That’s where the Härkila Orton
youtu.be/SL2d2d0E8a8 Keepers need clothing that’s versatile says David Whitby. “We’re usually in the beating line, or behind the guns picking up – but we also want something that’s smart enough if we’re lucky enough to be standing on a peg,” he says. The Seeland Woodcock Advanced jacket and trousers tick
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJcJXrGbkBs Swarovski binoculars are going visionary. The new Swarovski EL Range TA binos with Tracking Assistant allow you to ‘paint’ the deer you spot. The binos then share its location with your phone. It helps you reach distant deer and get into position for a shot, and it allows you
youtu.be/dn-33ULbbvs Tough, rugged, waterproof protection for your legs is essential for beaters, stalkers, keepers and others working in the countryside. And if there’s one thing about Seeland’s Buckthorn range, it’s tough, says gamekeeper and deer manager David Whitby. “We expect our beaters to go through cover, whatever that might be
youtu.be/R8wnnc8dgTc Any gamekeeper or stalker demands a lot from his everyday clothing. It needs to be hardwearing, and keep you warm and dry, but still be comfortable when you’re walking uphill or filling pheasant feeders. Gamekeeper and deer manager David Whitby is a big fan of the Seeland Hawker jacket
youtu.be/rCybKrQBARA Härkila is highly regarded by hunters who rely on the clothing to keep them dry and comfortable in the toughest conditions – and as Härkila’s Simon Esnouf explains, the magic is in the membranes that they use. “We use a mixture,” he says. “Some of our garments use Gore-Tex,
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