The vast majority of us still rely on trusty hunting lamps to get the job done and ‘traditional’ lamping remains by far the most cost-effective way of dealing with nocturnal vermin. With this in mind, I was delighted to put a selection of hunting lamps to the test this month.…
Accessories
Air rifle scope mounts – buying them and mounting them
You’ll almost certainly have given a lot of time and thought to the subject of buying an air rifle before parting with your hard-earned cash. You probably spent a good while considering scopes too. But what about air rifle scope mounts? Have you considered what you’re putting your scope on?…
Best gun slips – we’ve picked out the best in different price ranges with different finishes
Gun slips are an essential accessory for shooters. Not just to protect the gun but to keep you and your shooting companions safe and remaining within the law. Guns should always be transported in a gun slip and always be in a gun slip if they’re not broken or aiming…
Why do we use gun slips and cases?
Gun cases that catch the wind Are we overly protective of our rifles? Are we over-using padded slips out in the field? Rifles are designed to be used outdoors, in the wind and the rain. So why do we see hill stalkers struggling up slopes with their guest’s rifle cosseted…
Why you should try binoculars out for yourself before buying
I have been thinking of upgrading my binos. Why? Because I can, is the truthful answer. Not that I want to admit that to myself or anybody else, of course. It is amazing how you can seize upon convenient arguments to justify almost any spending decision. Especially during a lockdown,…
The latest night vision equipment reviewed
We asked two of our contributors to take the latest night vision equipment out into the field. Here’s what they thought. The Pulsar Digex N450 digital night vision riflescope – Mark Ripley The Digex scope is the latest night vision equipment riflescope from Pulsar. The main body looks almost identical…
11 of the best ear defenders for shooting
Shooters of a certain age often have hearing issues because wearing ear defenders for shooting wasn’t much of a thing back in the day. We’ve all been out in the field with somebody who says: “Sorry, deaf as a post. Never wore any ear protection when I was younger.” Just…
Should you buy the best shooting glasses you can afford?
We all know the type: he usually shoots a Perazzi or a Krieghoff and unfailingly has a pair of those ludicrously expensive coloured shooting glasses on his head. Those of us who’ve been around long enough will note that such eyewear is a relatively new addition to the flash shooter’s…
Could prescription shooting glasses make all the difference?
When was the last time you had an eye test? If you’re overdue for a visit to the optician then it could make all the difference to your shooting. You should also enquire about prescription shooting glasses at the same time. Get your optician to make your glasses with polycarbonate…
6 of the best ear defenders from just £15
There’s no excuse not to protect your hearing when you’re out in the field, particularly when we’ve found some of the best ear defenders which come in at under £40. Ear defenders are comfortable to wear and a crucial bit of kit. We’ve all met people in the field with…
What’s best for shooters? Ear plugs or ear muffs?
Hearing loss is a serious issue for anyone who shoots. It can be temporary or permanent, it can build up slowly over years or be caused by a single incident. Constant exposure to loud noise can make the experience of being in noisy environments less unpleasant, but the human ear…
New thermal-imaging kit – whether you’re shooting pests or controlling stock levels
There is no doubt that thermal-imaging equipment must be at the forefront of shooting technology. It comes with a moral argument about sporting ethics versus serious vermin control at the buyer’s discretion. But the capability to see quarry species, in conditions once considered unlikely or impossible, is a revelation to…
Five of the best binoculars
What size of binoculars would you recommend for deer stalking? Is there a good compromise that can be used for both woodland and open hill work?
Taking a closer look at shot cameras and a ShotKam
I thought I would take a closer look at gun cameras and explain why I love having my ShotKam strapped to my musket. As many readers will be aware, I have been using ShotKams for the past few years. I started with the previous camera and, last year advanced to…
Primos Trigger Sticks Gen 3 – reviewed by Sporting Gun
Now in its third generation, the Primos trigger sticks have become a “don’t leave home without it” essential for many serious shooters. Though Primos offers monopod and bipod options, by far its most effective and popular variant is the tripod. The question is does the latest Gen 3 offering warrant…
Which is the best night vision scope for the money?
Pulsar’s N550 digital night-vision rifle scope was a game- changer in the world of late-night pest control and subsequent updates have continually evolved. The closely associated Yukon brand has run in parallel, offering similar technology with fewer “toys” included. Which is the best night vision scope of the two? I was…
Five of the best rifle scopes
Bruce Potts rounds up the five best rifle scopes on the market at the moment ranging from a budget friendly £549.99 to a more high end price at £2,740. Kahles Helia 5 2.4-12x56mm Kahles, established in 1898, is the oldest scope manufacturer in the world. Its new range carries the…
How to stop midges spoiling your season
When the dark cloud descends, it’s not usually a rain cloud that ruins your day of shooting, but a swarm of midges biting your exposed flesh. We have rounded up the best midge proof clothing to keep the bugs at bay and to ensure your day in the countryside isn’t…
Focus, aimpoint, shoot
Optics on the market today are complex both in construction and use. One sight, however, is proud of its simplicity on both fronts: Aimpoint. These small, robust optics are an increasingly common sight on our gunshop shelves. The company is still family owned, and the original Aimpoint sight was invented in 1975…
Five rifle scopes for under £600
Every month there seems to be a new addition to the long line of optics available to the rifle shooter. Be it vermin, foxes, or deer, every aspect, style, model and technological gizmo for rifle scopes has made its way into gunshops to entice shooters. I love scopes — well, anything optical really, but…