Fieldtester looks deeper, so you choose smarter
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfdxysB83yY What should you look for when buying a rangefinder? Robbie Shedden from gunshop Cluny Country has sold thousands of them. He explains how people choose between rangefinders currently for sale from Zeiss, Swarovski, Leica and Kahles. For a selection of rangefinding binoculars go to Cluny Country. Rangefinders reviewed by
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us7SWBihgkM Fieldsports Channel’s Jason Doyle is a professional deerstalker who needs a good, comfortable backpack for hunting. He’s often stalking in demanding terrain, such as the Wicklow Mountains in his native Ireland. “I’ve used Vorn backpacks for a number of years now, and the comfort with them really is second
youtu.be/XvjVgU8vdTA Essex gamekeeper Geoff Garrod has set up a 60-bird clay shoot on his estate, raising money for the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation. He’s shooting with his trusty pigeon gun, the Browning Maxus, and Eley Select cartridges. He’s using the fibre version because his shoot is fibre wad only, to avoid
youtu.be/1BvUZ3XiuU0 Owen Beardsmore of Cervus UK is a professional deer manager and stalking guide, who demands a lot of his kit. He needs a scope that will work flawlessly in all conditions – and he loves his Leupold VX-6 3-18×50 scope which he’s been using for the past year. “The
youtu.be/2_nDCIaMktQ Owen Beardsmore of Cervus UK spends most of his time out in the woods, either hunting professionally or guiding stalkers. “I give my kit a lot of stick,” he says, “and I really rate these Leupold BX5 Santiam binoculars.” “Whether it’s out in the British woodlands, pouring rain out
youtu.be/GL7g_Rwo-kE Owen Beardsmore of Cervus UK demands the best kit in his job as a professional deer manager and stalking guide – and he’s a big fan of Leupold’s GR 12-40×60 spotting scope. “What a piece of kit this is!” he says. “I’ve been using it on the hill in
youtu.be/sc0V-KSHMMM As a professional deer manager and stalking guide, Owen Beardsmore demands the best kit. He’s been trying out the Leupold range of optics, and is particularly impressed with the RX-1600i rangefinder. “I wasn’t used to using a rangefinder, but this is a lovely bit of kit,” he says. “It’s
youtu.be/1WamXNj3UAA OIlie Williams talks to former editor of SA Hunter, Johan Van Wyk, about the Meopta Optika6 3-18×50 riflescope. It comes with a 4C reticle and RRP in the UK is £617. The pair agree that this isn’t a scope for African plains game. It’s too big and complicated, when
youtu.be/pTpz9Fx5j80 How does FORM Rifle Stocks make its custom stocks and grips for rifles, airguns and handguns? Peter McGregor, who founded the Devon-based company in 2017, explains the process, and talks about what FORM can do to make a great gun better. More from FORM Rifle Stocks here:
Fieldsports folk do a lot of walking over all kinds of difficult terrain, from rocky mountain slopes to slippery mud and grass. We want a sure footing and dry, comfortable feet all day long – ideally in a boot that will last a season or two of hard use. That’s
youtu.be/gA8sD_e6DFw Like irregulars in a war film there are gangs of different shooters who rely on semi-automatic shotguns. Wildfowlers love them, gamekeepers, pigeon and crow shooters need them, some clayshooters swear by them (and occasionally at them). Semi-autos have a lot going for them. They handle and point well, and
What bag do you reach for when you’re going shooting? As a general rule it’s best to carry as little as possible on a long day, but it’s good to have something that makes it as easy as possible to lug your essential gear, and keeps it protected. That might
from Fieldsports Channel’s Fieldtester in association with Scott Country It’s been said before, but thermal technology really has transformed stalking and pest control, day or night. Whether you’re looking for foxes in the dark, spotting squirrels in the trees or counting deer, a thermal gives you a massive edge, saving
youtu.be/5CoRrGEKIwg The Pulsar Krypton FXG50 thermal imaging attachment attaches to the front of your scope and gives you useable thermal vision out to 200 metres/yards. In this video, Dartmoor foxshooter Tom Davies recommends it and says why. Click here for more about the Pulsar Krypton FXG50 The thermal scope
youtu.be/5JSzxN3FpBY How do ammunition companies make sure their cartridges pass the quality control test? James Marchington joins RUAG ammo at Bisley for a day of batch testing. For more from RWS in the UK, go to RUAG.co.uk For the NSRA, visit NSRA.co.uk This item appears in Fieldtester, episode 12 Fcha.nl/fieldtester12
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OdYvNLjJ1o The Browning 525 has been around for years; it’s built a great reputation for having a solid, reliable action, and remains popular despite the introduction of more recent Browning models such as the 725 and Cynergy. The proven 525 action remains unchanged, but Browning regularly update the offering with
youtu.be/4PNAEAqe3Lw Nathan Whitehead has used many different knives in his work as a stalker and deer manager, but he has no intention of changing now he has an Emberleaf knife. “It was gifted to me by two good friends,” he explains. “This one must have done getting on for 150
youtu.be/bgJKA9BbggY Foxshooter Doug Pocklington uses Norma V-Max 58 grain factory ammo in his .243 Tikka rifle. He likes it because it’s accurate and effective, and the bullet breaks up instantly when it hits anything. That eliminates any problems with ricochets, even on some of the stony fields where he operates.
youtu.be/WMyNejO_u-c Foxshooter Doug Pocklington loves his .243 Tikka T3X Lite rifle. “They’re a good all-rounder,” he says. “They’re reasonably priced, accurate and reliable.” Doug says he depends on the Tikka’s accuracy for 200-300 rounds, until he decides it could do with a good clean. “It’s scary accurate, but if I
RUAG have introduced two new rimfire models to the UK – the Bergara BMR. This one is the steel action model; there’s also a Carbon model. The price is very competitive, with the Steel version selling for £560. It comes in three calibres: .22LR, .17HMR and .22WMR. This one is
youtu.be/k7m2W2ugfi4 RUAG have introduced two new rimfire models to the UK – the Bergara BMR. This one is the Carbon model; there’s also a Steel model. This rifle is very lightweight, at just 5 lbs with the 18-inch barrel. It’s competitively priced too, at £640 retail. It comes in three
Wellies are essential in the countryside, but you want different types of welly boot for different situations. Fieldsports Channel’s Jason Doyle runs through the Jack Pyke range of wellies and explains what’s what. “For a formal occasion like a driven shoot, the Ashcombe Zipped Wellington is ideal,” he says. “The
youtu.be/ACGvk1SRLhc The Jack Pyke Hybrid Jacket is a lightweight quilted jacket that’s ideal for general use outdoors, either as part of a layering system or as an outer jacket in milder weather. Instagrammer Dan Thor finds it very versatile. “Sometimes I’ll pop it on when I go feeding the birds
youtu.be/UCmqafPmj1Y Farmer and pigeonshooter Andy Crow loves his Jack Pyke boots. “I wear them every day of the year,” he says. “They’re so comfortable, I’d rather wear these than a pair of trainers. You don’t even know you’ve got them on. It’s the soft leather.” Andy wears the shorter Fieldsman
youtu.be/ku-u6kY9YOQ The Jack Pyke Rifle Rucksack is purpose-designed for the stalker who wants a simple, practical way to carry everything you need for a day’s stalking. It’s day-bag sized, at 22 litres capacity, and provides a covered compartment for a scoped rifle as well, so there’s no need to carry
youtu.be/iRBD3XuvqE0 Jack Pyke are continually researching and developing new products and designs, and their English Oak camouflage pattern, designed specifically for the British countryside, has proved popular with UK shooters and effective in the field. Their latest camo pattern is Digicam, a computer-generated, pixellated blend of earth tones that helps
youtu.be/dfGCxjFeEBY The Jack Pyke Ashcombe Technical Fleece Jacket is a very versatile garment. It’s thin enough to wear under a jacket or smock, but it’s also an ideal top layer when the weather allows. Fieldsports Channel’s Jason Doyle says “It’s smart enough for casual wear, but it’s also excellent as
youtu.be/zVsdRUvpOvs When you’re outdoors all day, you need a jacket that won’t let you down, whatever the weather. Fieldsports Channel’s Jason Doyle is a big fan of the Jack Pyke Pro-Lite Hunters Jacket. “This is Jack Pyke’s most technical and lightweight jacket. I use it every day.” “It’s a super
youtu.be/t22LlR84VJQ Jack Pyke’s Weardale is a stylish knitted jacket that’s ideal for casual wear or in the field. The combination of softshell contrast panels and finely knitted fleece gives the jacket a smart look and a comfortable feel. It features a full-length front zip, two lower zipped pockets and a
When you need to remain totally unseen, you need 3D camouflage – just look at the intricate ghillie suits used by police and military snipers. This LLCS Concealment Suit from Jack Pyke uses the same principle. It’s covered with cut-out leaf shapes, in Jack Pyke’s English Oak Evolution pattern to
youtu.be/2Q-U8pO9C3Y The fleece gilet has become a country classic – it’s a versatile piece of clothing that’s at home in the field, out shopping or at the pub. “It’s pretty much the standard uniform for going to the Game Fair,” says Fieldsports Channel’s Jason Doyle. “It’s so versatile and practical,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4blYkHd_5U The £79.99 Roesafe is a handy pop-up tent for carcases. You can hang it from a tree, and it will protect your deer from flies and vermin. Shoot one animal, pop it in the Roesafe, then go on and shoot another. Geoff Wickett from Chiltern Venison reckons it’s a
youtu.be/ZISduVBPS94 These days Jason Doyle uses a European brand of binoculars with a built-in rangefinder, so it felt like going back to basics when he tested these separate Leupold binoculars and rangefinder – but he was pleasantly surprised. “The BX-5 Santiam HD binoculars have superb optical quality,” he says. “They’d
Jason Doyle has been using this Leupold VX-5 scope for two years, so he’s had plenty of time to give it a really thorough test – and he loves it. “Every now and then something comes along that suits you down to the ground. The VX-5 does everything I want
youtu.be/QZXy8MyC8XA Jason Doyle was keen to try the Ruger American Hunter rifle with its Magpul stock. “I had a lightweight Ruger American in .308 a few years ago, and really liked it,” he says. “I was always impressed by its accuracy.” His only problem with that rifle was the stock,
CZ has launched a new generation of bolt-action centrefire rifles, the CZ 600 range, with a unique modular design that offers improved reliability, durability, ergonomics, safety and accuracy. The new CZ 600 models replace the previous centrefire rifles in the company’s range. The new guns were well received by shooting
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 &
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