Fieldtester looks deeper, so you choose smarter
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,
youtu.be/MFFT9F3OchE If you ever struggle getting your shotgun chokes out or your worried about over tightening then Richard Pinch has the product for you. For the full range of ChokeDemon products go to ChokeDemon.co.uk Use as part of your routine maintenance or for extracting stubborn or difficult to remove chokes.
youtu.be/Nl1DLfzOzk8 While we were filming our steel vs barrels challenge at Orston Shooting Ground we asked professional clay coach and top competitor Nick Hendrick if he could see how far he could smash a CCI eco-clay with an Eley Eco Wad Cartridge. Let’s just say we started at 100 metres…
youtu.be/MHToJcQx9nw CCI has produced a toxin free clay pigeon that performs as well as the pitch and coal tar traditional clays we all know and shoot. After spending lots of £££s, Johnny Goodhart’s company has created the perfect recipe of chalk and resin and a secret ingredient. But does it
Wayne Martin attempts to set a new world catapult shooting distance record by hitting a clay with a steel ball at over 100m. Wayne’s kit: Catty Shack’s “Evo Field Pro” Catapult His own custom 1mm CattyShack Great White bands
Sergio Couto gives his boots a hard time. As a professional stalking guide, he’s out day after day in all weathers – and he’s very impressed with the Gateway 1 Pheasant Game wellies, a Danish brand that’s made in China. “They’re tough, really tough,” he says, “Comfortable too.” He explains
youtu.be/7190vX1FS-M A good thermal spotter is pretty much essential for any gamekeeper or pest controller nowadays. The iRay E3 and E6 series covers most requirements, with four models in the range, all offering excellent performance in a convenient shape that fits neatly in the palm of your hand. The basic
youtu.be/iC8P-UXEWCM The iRay FH25R could be the perfect tool for deer stalkers, fox shooters, and anyone else who needs to spot quarry and measure the range – all in one pocket-sized, robust, hand-held monocular. The FH25R fits neatly in the palm of your hand and offers tremendous performance from a
youtu.be/5cPDDghFbt0 The Merkel K series isn’t the gun for everyone; it’s a top-lever break-barrel single-shot rifle that you wouldn’t choose for a big deer culling job or pest control. But the K3 and now the K5 have a loyal following among hunting purists who are all about the one perfect
youtu.be/Djt9MrQ1dqM This Ruger Hawkeye Hunter is an intriguing mixture of traditional and modern – a hunting rifle with the time-tested Mauser style bolt-action and walnut stock, combined with Cerakote coated stainless steel and a 22 inch barrel threaded for a moderator. It’s available in the UK in a limited edition
youtu.be/LfHUuOj9f1w The iRay Clip CH50 is a thermal device you can clip on the front of a regular daytime rifle scope to turn it into a thermal scope – ideal for switching from daytime hunting to night-time pest control, without the need to change scopes and re-zero. As well as
youtu.be/Bx8E3eUZCzg When you’re serious about pest control, only the best will do – and iRay’s flagship Rico RH50 riflescope offers outstanding quality. “I’ve used just about every unit that’s available, and this is the best image I’ve seen on a thermal riflescope so far,” says Ryan Charlton from distributors Highland
youtu.be/x0EJjq02hOU iRay UK offer a range of thermal spotters and scopes – their E3n featured here is an entry level spotter, priced at £1,169.95. It’s pocket sized with a compact and handy design, and offers serious performance with a typical battery life of around seven hours. “This model has a
youtu.be/YE7ZtKUx3Dk The iRay TL35 might look and handle like a regular daylight rifle scope – but inside is cutting edge thermal technology, allowing you to shoot day or night even in bad weather conditions such as heavy fog and rain. “It’s super simple, lightweight and easy handling,” says Ryan Charlton
youtu.be/yhSUwgxHjV8 The Mossberg MVP LC is a great little compact rifle that would be ideal for a gamekeeper working out of a pick-up truck. A bolt-action, it borrows some of the features of a tactical AR type rifle, such as the extending stock which can be shortened in an instant
youtu.be/MPNcd9Rk1DU The Mossberg Patriot is a good honest rifle built to get the job done. “It’s what I’d class as a gamekeeper’s gun,” says Andy Norris from distributors Viking Arms. “It does what it says on the tin, and for a terrific price of under £600.” This is the Patriot
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAiOyY–OzM If you’re after a basic, working rifle with no frills, the Ruger American Ranch could be exactly what you’re looking for. “It’s a Ruger – so it’s rugged, it’s reliable, and it does what it’s supposed to do,” says Andy Norris of distributors Viking Arms. “It’s a great little
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjs69fmY5A8 Following on from the huge success of Ruger’s Precision Centrefire rifle, the gunmaker has produced a Rimfire version – and that’s gone down a storm too. The Ruger Precision Rimfire is a faithfully downsized version of the centrefire rifle, and comes in .22LR, .22WMR and .17HMR. Conceived as a
youtu.be/NqZ1DH6Ymi8 Italian gunmaker Breda has made some cracking semi-autos over the past 100 years or so. More recently they’ve turned their skills to making over-and-unders – and the Zenith is going down well with clay and game shooters alike. This one is the game model, the Zenith L. It’s steel
youtu.be/Cc-bV_-f4h4 Jason Gibson of Vario Hearables travels many miles to shoots up and down the country, so he needs to keep his guns and cartridges secure in his vehicle. He’s fitted a TransK9 Translock storage drawer in his BMW X5. “I absolutely love it,” he says, “and it gets a
youtu.be/bmfc7LrYynA Becky McKenzie is one of Britain’s top lady Sporting shots, and a clay shooting coach – so who better to run through the essential kit you should carry in your bag when you go to a competition? Skeet vest – “Mine’s by Clayclo, it’s a fairly new clothing company
