It’s finally time to go out and bag one of the highland’s finest creatures, but what gear should you take with you?
Remington Model Seven
“Handles like a sports car, hits like a freight train”, the advertising boasts and the Model Seven lives up to the billing. It’s handling is down to the way it’s been created from a cut back 700, and is half an inch shorter than that already short action rifle.
It weighs just six-and-a-half pounds which makes it ideal for long carries in the field. Comes in a variety of calibres and styles, each with a four-shot magazine.
Raytrade
01635 25 33 44
info@raytradeuk.co.uk
Honda Fourtrax
Once you’ve bagged the beast it might be a nice idea to have one of these beauties somewhere within hailing distance. After all, no one really enjoys dragging stags across fields, right?
Honda
0845 200 8000
RRP From £6,975
Swarovski Z8I 2.3-18X56 Riflescope
This sophisticated optical system with 8x zoom and up to 18x magnification offers rapid, accurate target acquisition. The optics produce razor-sharp images even in poor light conditions and at twilight.
The BTF ballistic turret has a pre-engraved graduated ring for the top turret with 70 clicks covering the entire adjustment range. The Swarowski Optik ballistic programme is a useful tool to help calculate your own personal data.
Swarovski UK
01737 856812
swarovskioptik.co.uk
Tikka T3x Cerakote
Spice up your hunting, with the Finnish Tikka from manufacturers Sako. Independent reviewers rate it as one of the best deer stalking rifles available in the UK and we won’t be arguing with them.
Comes in a huge variety of styles and calibres, meaning there are options to suit just about everyone. The cerakote was the Great British Shooting awards Rifle of the Year 2020 and is available in four calibres .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester and .308 Winchester.
RRP: £1,445
GMK 01489 579999
www.gmk.co.uk
Lapua Hunting Cartridges
Loaded with Naturalis, Mega or FMJ bullets, Lapua’s hunting cartridges are versatile enough that you’ll always have the ammunition required for your stalk.
The Naturalis round was nominated for a Great British Shooting Award, its lead-free core producing consistent, controlled expansion and retaining its weight.
But whichever bullet you choose, you’ll find something for you in the Lapua range. Available in .222 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5×55, .308 Win, .30-06, 9.3×62, 6×47 Lap, 7x65R, 7.62x35R, 8x57JRS.
RRP From £64.99 for 100
Viking Arms
01423 780810
vikingshoot.com
Pulsar Thermion XP50
Pulsar’s Thermion XP50 thermal imaging scope features a 640 x 480 microbolometer sensor with a 17µm pixel pitch. It is possible to magnify 10 per cent of the XP50’s overall field-of-view using the picture-in-picture mode.
The user is also able to magnify particular details without losing the overall FOV–particularly useful when determining precise shot placements. The digital zoom/magnification allows the user to improve image focus for target identification.
The XP50 ensures that the hunter is able to identify animals and environmental features such as plants and terrain, providing a comprehensive awareness of your surroundings.
RRP £4,539.95
Thomas Jacks
01789 264100
info@thomasjacks.co.uk
Bergara HMR
The HMR is one of the most popular Bergara rifles for a reason; built to offer a rifle for both hunters and competition shooters that can perform incredibly in either situation.
It’s outfitted with a Bergara curved trigger, designed to guarantee a crisp, clean pull every time you fire the rifle. The stock features integrated QD flush cup mounts for easy sling attachment, an adjustable cheekpiece, and length of pull spacers to adjust from 14.5” at the longest to 12.25” at the shortest.
The winner of multiple awards worldwide, the HMR is available in a variety of calibres including 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win.
SRP from: £1,130
RUAG
01579 362319
www.ruag.co.uk
Hornady Precision Hunter
The Hornady Precision Hunter factory-loaded ammunition boasts excellent accuracy, and excellent terminal performance. Loaded with ELD-X bullets, great care has been taken by the engineers at Hornady to ensure that this ammunition reaches its maximum ballistic potential.
Precision Hunter ammunition uses clean burning propellants—meaning more time shooting, and less time cleaning. It’s also got Heat Shield tip technology—ideal for any hunting situation, due to its effective terminal performance at almost all ranges.
Edgar Brothers
01625 613177
edgarbrothers.com
Hawke Frontier Tactical 1-6×24
An oldie but a goldie, the Hawke Frontier still rules the budget roost for excellence. In 1-6×24 spec, this scope is designed for all-round versatility, whether it’s live quarry from a high seat or a practical shooting competition at Bisley.
1/10 MRAD locking turrets embody its tactical design. The colours are accurate if not warm, and the real benefit is the excellent field of view—you’ll not lose sight of the prize.
RRP: £619
Hawke Sport Optics
01394 387762
www.hawkeoptics.co.uk
Walther Hunter Set
The Walther Hunter Set is the all-in-one set for any deer management. The kit contains a large skinning knife with gut hook, small skinning knife for more precise areas and a compact saw.
All three tools are kept securely in a pouch that can be carried either in your day pack or on your waist with the attached belt loop. Every pocket is fastened securely to ensure the knives don’t fall out. Each blade is high-quality 440 stainless steel and each handle is rubberised to give a secure grip in all conditions.
SRP: £49.99
John Rothery
023922 245350
Bisley-uk.com
Rigby ‘Limpopo’ Knife
A deer processing knife with a fixed blade crafted from stainless steel, engraved with the Rigby ‘double R’ logo. The knife comes in two colour options, plain bone or aubergine-stained bone and with a handmade leather sheath embossed with the Rigby ‘double R’ logo.
RRP: £295
Rigby
0207 720 0757
www.johnrigbyandco.com
Swazi Rifleman Trousers
Made in New Zealand from AEGIS® ultralight Strata fabric, Swazi’s Rifleman Trousers are easy to pull over your boots, totally waterproof and windproof, plus lightweight weighing in at 264 grams in a size large.
RRP: £169
Swazi
0064 6368 4822
service@swazi.co.nz
www.swazi.co.nz
Ridgeline Aoroki
These hard-wearing and tough high-leg boots are new out, and come with Vibram XS TREK soles.
Made from durable Nubuck leather (top-grain cattle leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side, or outside, to give a slight nap of short protein fibers), these boots are waterproof.
They also benefit from an anti-scuff band and a gel insole for added day-long comfort. Laces and boot bag included.
RRP: £229.99
Highland Outdoors
0345 099 0252
sales@highlandoutdoors.co.uk
Bushnell Engage DX binoculars in 12x50mm
The Engage DX in the powerful 12×50 configuration is the perfect combination of performance, capability, and affordability with a lifetime warranty.
It has an all-metal chassis, fully multicoated optics, and Bushnell’s exclusive EXO Barrier. Water is no problem as its IPX7 waterproof rated to guarantee they’ll never fog up. The rich textured rubber armour guarantees you’ll always have a firm grip.
RRP: £26
Edgar Brothers
01625 615276
www.edgarbrothers.com
Pro Hunter Move Suit
Made for active stalkers with a lot of ground to cover. This Gore-Tex waterproof jacket and trousers is lightweight, durable and designed with lots of ventilation so you won’t overheat.
The Gore-tex membrane keeps you totally dry and protected in all weathers and comes with a five-year warranty. Cut on the bias for freedom of movement with all the style and functionality of a traditional shooting suit.
Jacket RRP: £490
Trousers RRP: £340
Harkila
0203 936 2526
gb.harkila.com
Gateway1 Woodbeater Wellington
Gateway1’s Woodbeater boot is natural rubber (70 per cent) wellington in dark green, designed for unhospitable ground. Made in sizes UK 7 to 14, the boots feature an all-terrain Gripper Sole with Lynx Ice Grip to create superb traction whatever is underfoot.
The upper is a combination of a coiled lining to aid wear, 5mm neoprene for warmth, and a 2mm air spacer to reduce condensation. Japan rubber offers a design that enables 2.5 times the flex test results found in some wellies.
In addition, the spandex abrasion-resistant top provided protection against bushes and heather—often needed while stalking.
SRP: £144.99
Koolbox
01509 233333
sales@koolbox.co.uk
Seeland 4 Legged Shooting Stick
This high-quality shooting stick, with a four-legged design, provides support to the rifle at two points for totally stable shooting. Designed based on real-world feedback from stalkers, the Seeland shooting sticks offer a quick set-up and quick target acquisition by rotating the stick on one leg.
The rifle cradle is rubberised to protect the stock, and soft, movable foam handles prevent sticks clanking together. The telescopic legs extend up to 175cm high and 90cm when broken down.
SRP: £99.99 Seeland
UK South and Southern Ireland: 01844 237944
UK North and Northern Ireland: 07912 934389
seeland.com
ShooterKing Digitex Softshell
The ShooterKing Digitex Softshell offers two colour options – Digitex Camouflage with reversible brown lining – while the internal Shoottex membrane makes the design of the softshell jacket partially waterproof, completely windproof and highly breathable.
Other features include four YKK zip pockets, which are accessible from both sides, elasticated cuffs and an adjustable hem. The design is also lightweight and suitable for all seasons, and is available in a women’s version.
SRP: £119.95 (Inc. VAT)
Thomas Jacks
01789 264100
thomasjacks.co.uk
Ariat Catalyst Defiant 10” GTX
The Catalyst VX Defiant 10” GTX is the perfect boot for the serious outdoorsman. These premium performance boots are constructed from the finest waterproof leather and feature a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX membrane as well as temperature-managing X-STATIC layer for odour protection.
Ariat’s Cobalt VX technology protects, stabilises and supports, while the 400g Thinsulate Ultra insulation provides exceptional warmth in extremely cold and damp conditions.
SRP: £320
Ariat
ariat.com/gb/en
More new product round-ups from Gun Trade News
- New shooting products for July 2020
- New shooting products for April 2020
- New shooting products for May 2020
- Clay cartridges: The latest products on offer
- Best stalking products on the market
Comments are closed