Air Gunner April 2018

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I
Publishing Consultant Derek Barnes ’m very much indebted to the distance increased, the wind cold hard truth about long shots
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CONTENTS
APRIL 2018 - ISSUE 411
WIN A BSA SCORPION
SE COMBO
WORTH £750!
GUNNER
12 PAGES OF
TOP ADVICE
ULTIMATE
CAMOUFLAGE!
How far would 23
Stealthy
you go?
EEFAIR
FGRAFEATURES THIS MONTH INCLUDE ...
Stinger!
ME FER
T O F
17
E
TICK SIDE!
IN AIRGUN FUN 85 ACCURACY MATTERS
Charlie Portlock is back with more Mark Camoccio offers his expert advice on
fun and games that you can play in how to choose the perfect rifle to suit your
BSA’s Scorpion SE Camo your garden, with friends individual needs
gets The Big Test
APRIL 2018 £4.25 23 THE BIG TEST 88 AS BIG AS CATS!
TAKE CHILLI’S CHALLENGE! Phill Price goes for complete Jamie Chandler loses his rat-hunt virginity
invisibility, with the help of a when helping out with an infestation, but
www.airgunshooting.co.uk camouflaged Scorpion SE from BSA finds himself with mixed emotions
03 ED’S LETTER 37 JIM CHAPMAN 50 PLAY THE JOKER

Could you take a long shot and still kill Jim is a firm believer in the use of shooting Phill Price finds that the Canguro II, from
humanely? - the editor asks sticks for the ultimate in airgun stability, Joker, is the perfect knife for him when he’s
and puts them to the test prepping game
07 NEWS
Events, products and all the latest from 40 CLASS AND COMFORT 52 COMPETITION
the world of airgunning What more could you want in a rifle? Mark Win a BSA Scorpion SE Camo combo worth
Camoccio gives us a thorough overview of £750 for just £1.50 per entry. Get yours in
10 LETTERS the S400F from Air Arms now to be in with a chance
Here’s where your opinions and
questions get an airing 43 FROM A DISTANCE 54 SHOOTING ETHICS
How far is a realistic and humane shot The editor explains why body shots are
13 GURU when hunting? Gary Chillingworth answers never a good idea when out hunting - head
Is there an alternative to buying a chrono? this important question, in depth shots only, please
Our guru replies
47 SIDEWINDER MAGIC 56 HEAVY METAL
20 YOU AIN’T SEEN ME! There will be more new scopes coming from Do high-powered rifles really need heavy
Phill Price goes the extra mile in pursuit of Hawke Optics in 2018. The editor shows us pellets? Phill Price debates and comes to
perfect camouflage the latest - the Sidewinder FFP a conclusion
4 AIR GUNNER www.airgunshooting.co.uk

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E
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ET OFF
TICK IDE! PAGES OF
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gets The Big Test Stealthy

you go?
E
APRIL 2018 £4.25
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Eddie Jones’ new series on hunting Phill Price tries out a Phantom II kit,
technique. this month it’s ‘all about rats’ complete with scope, from Crosman

IN THE NEWS
For the very latest news visit us at
Tac Packs brand is going from strength to strength with these innovative and
attractively priced options. Prices start from a very modest £59.95.
Enfield Optics has announced three new ‘Tac Packs’ that offer the They’re also re-launching their .177 and .22 AirStream pellets (TSP
combinations of sight, mounts, lasers and torches that you see in £11.95) which have been redesigned for better performance. We’ll
the photos. They’re designed to work in harmony to deliver all you report back on them when we’ve had a chance to give them a full test.
need to sight challenging targets in any light conditions. The Enfield www.armex.co.uk
The Tac Pack range combines scope,

mounts, lasers and torches
The AirStream pellet has

just been redesigned
Brand New and British! Northern Shooting Show

At the British Shooting Show, a new gun manufacturer, Stirling The Northern Shooting show is only in its third year, but has
Armaments Co., Ltd., displayed pre-production prototypes of four already become one of the best shows on the UK calendar. It’s
brand-new airguns. The company carries on the name made famous been so successful that the organisers have had to expand the
by the World War 2 Stirling sub-machine gun that starred in so many number of halls used at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate, to
of the war movIes in our youth. The two springers and two pre- accommodate all the companies who want to exhibit. Airguns have
charged pneumatics will be made in England entirely, guaranteeing always been a big part of the show and that will continue this year
top-class engineering and woodwork, allied to stylish designs that with all the manufacturers and importers on hand to show you
are sure to appeal to British airgunners. what’s new and exciting for 2018. Alongside them will be plenty
www.sterlingarmaments.com of opportunities to buy guns, scopes, pellets, clothing and all the
accessories you need, many at special show prices. Keep the 12th
and 13th May in your diary to go along and to see for yourself why
Here’s a sneak spy photo of so many people rave about this excellent show.
one of Stirling’s new rifles
www.northernshootingshow.co.uk

IN THE NEWS
The Good Old SMELLIE!
For the very latest
news visit us at
WINNER!
The winner of our
February competition to
win a Weihrauch HW98
was Keith Pinder from
The folks at The Shooting Party are over the moon to announce launched at the Britsih Shooting Bishop Auckland. Our
that they’ll soon have a BB-firing replica of the much loved Show as we’re going to press, latest competition is on
Lee Enfield SMLE (Short Magazine Lee Enfield) rifle. It’s highly and we’ll report back next month page 52
detailed and very substantially built, weighing in at some 8lbs, with some photos and our first
and will have all the same dimensions as the original. To make impressions.
life easy, it will run on the standard 12 gramme CO2 capsule www.shootingparty.uk
and promises to deliver over 600fps with steel BBs. It’s being RRP £429
This BB-firing SMLE replica is sure to be a big hit
Terrific Test Day

Marlow-based Emmett & Stone is having
another of its super-successful demo
days on the 24th March when BSA Guns
and Hawke Sports Optics will be on
hand to show you all the latest kit. The
shop has a superb, long shooting range
ideal for testing guns and optics. It has
covered firing points so you can keep
shooting no matter what the weather
brings. Inside, the shop is stacked to the
rafters with everything you could want
in terms of shooting kit, so be sure to
pack your credit card!
www.emmettandstone.co.uk
Emmett & Stone is getting quite a
reputation for their open days
Armex becomes GunPower distributor

Just as we were going to press we received a press release from uniquely changeable platforms to meet a variety of shooting needs.
Armex to say that as of the 1st of March they will become the The aircraft-grade aluminium and space-age polymer combination,
exclusive UK distributor for Gunpower airguns. together with state-of-the-art production techniques give a
They told us: ‘GunPower makes the most high performance air rifle. Designed today for the shooters of
advanced and accurate airgun products tomorrow.’
available on the market today, with www.armex.co.uk
These innovative guns will now be

distributed by Armex

CO
M PE
Win free
TIT
IO
N
show tickets!
R
eaders looking for an early season game fair fix should check
their diary for the 28-29th of April because the excellent East TICKET INFO
Anglian Game Fair is on that weekend. It’s in the beautiful
and impressive grounds of the Euston Estate, just off the A11 at ADVANCED DISCOUNTED E-TICKETS
Thetford, Suffolk, making access easy. Alongside Gunmakers’ Row ■ Adult £15
you find all the fun of the fair with lots to eat and drink at the Dog ■ Children 5-16 yrs £6
and Duck Pub, plus entertainment such as the world-famous JCB ■ Family (2 adults, 2 children) £40
Dancing Digger display that has to be seen to be believed. There will
be have-a-go ranges for airgun fans where instruction will be on ON THE GATE PRICES
offer to sharpen up those skills and plenty of opportunities to buy ■ Adult £18
that rifle, scope or coat that you’ve been wanting. If you’re planning ■ Children 5-16 yrs £7
to go you can save up to 25% on the gate ticket prices by booking ■ Family (2 adults, 2 children) £50
in advance up until the 23rd of April by phoning 01263 735828 or ■ Under 5s go free
visiting www.ukgamefair.co.uk ■ Ample free parking is provided
QUESTION
Which on-site pub will be keeping showgoers watered and entertained at the East Anglian Game Fair?
For a chance to win five free family tickets submit your answer to the question above to
www.ukgamefair.co.uk/gunnercomp

YOUR LETTERS LEOFTTTHEE R
MONTH
Found the culprit!
I must start by saying that Air Gunner proceeded to pluck the breast totally,
magazine just continues getting better before eating it. Unfortunately, I had to
month after month. I just read Jamie leave so I don’t know how much he ate. I
Chandler’s article, ‘Beyond the Border’ must say, though, I felt very privileged
– I always enjoy his hunting exploits. to watch that buzzard from 25 yards; it
Jamie had shot a pigeon and when he was fantastic. I missed out on my pigeon
retrieved it, the head of the bird was stew, but the buzzard beat me to it, and of
missing, making Jamie wonder what had course, it was welcome. It was a buzzard that ate the pigeon’s head
taken it. Well, I might have the answer. ANDY BROWNING loved to see nature at work. I’m sure Jamie
A couple of weeks ago, I was privileged will be pleased to hear that you enjoy his
enough to watch a buzzard decapitate Hello Andy work. He’s an old-fashioned hunter and
a freshly shot pigeon, and like Jamie, I Thank you for your kind words about the works hard for every kill, putting in long
didn’t break cover from my hide in case of magazine. It makes it all worthwhile. I’ve hours in the worst of conditions, so in my
spooking any other pigeons or squirrels. had a few incredible wildlife experiences opinion, he deserves every word of your
The buzzard first removed its head then during my hunting career, and like you I’ve praise. Ed.
Sportsmen or commandos!
I am becoming increasingly concerned scrutiny. Wherever real-looking guns are and wears a balaclava to hunt squirrels.
by the amount of military hardware that available there will be idiots willing to Full camouflage yes, but special ops black,
is being developed in the name of our use them. I would be interested to hear no. Ed
sport. As a police officer, it frightens me your readers’ views! Full camouflage has its place in the fields
every time I go into a gun shop or browse PAUL PERRY
a magazine such as yours, because I am Hello Paul
seeing these very realistic-looking BB I understand your concern that a criminal
guns, particularly the pistols being used might take a BB replica and do something
regularly for criminal acts. I have two illegal with it, but does that mean that
questions which I hope will engender all the rest of us who enjoy collecting and
some healthy debate. shooting replicas should be denied them?
Q1 - Does a BB gun have to look like a That logic has seen many types of guns
real firearm, and if so, why? banned, yet crimes committed with banned
Q2 - Do we need to look like we guns continues to rise. Those of us who
are about to do a raid on the Iranian obey the law often pay a price for the acts
Embassy to go hunting? of a few criminals, and I don’t think that’s
If the present rise in firearms crime right. Next, you ask about the way we dress
offences continues in the UK, I worry when hunting and you reference the SAS, I
that our sport will come under even more think. I know nobody who dresses in black

Two sides of
the same coin
After reading Gary’s
article on accuracy
in the hunting
field, mainly from
his target-shooting
perspective, I thought
I would make a few
comments. I see target
shooting as a complete
opposite to hunting.
Let me try to explain:
If you split target
and hunting into two
parts, firstly getting
into position for a
shot, and secondly
taking the shot,
then the differences Is target shooting opposite to hunting?
become clearer. In
target shooting you watch others shooting whilst you’re
waiting, and it’s relatively stress free. It’s only when
you settle in for the actual shot that things change. The
course setters will have done everything they can to make
every shot as difficult as possible. It’s at this point that
the vastly expensive rifle with adjustable everything and
mounted with a tele-sight comes in. You adjust for parallax
and rangefind and finally take your shot. If you miss, it’s
not really too big a problem and once you have wiped away
the tears you can move on to the next peg.
However, in hunting, things are turned around. Whilst
hunting you should be doing all you can to make the shot
as easy as possible, getting in close and only pulling the
trigger if your quarry is presenting a clean head shot. It’s
the arrival at the point at which you take your shot that’s
the hard part. The actual shot should only be taken if you
are well within range and on an easy target because unlike
target shooting, if you wound your prey there is no second
chance, no try again next week on that particular animal
because it will crawl off to die in the undergrowth.
I was always told that the good hunter is not the one who
gets the odd, lucky long-range shot, but the one who gets
close enough to make every shot count. There is no excuse
for taking long, risky shots; if you have a blank day you
won’t starve. All proper hunters have a moral duty to get in
close and shoot only on clearly visible quarry.
PAUL
Hello Paul
Well said, sir! I could not agree more. I consider competition
shooting to be great training for any hunter, but they are
most definitely very different pastimes. HFT in particular is
superb for teaching how to shoot straight, judge range and
begin to understand the effect the wind has on our pellets.
However, ‘dinging’ a face plate is totally different to wounding
an animal, so I believe you should make your mistakes on the
targets and get closer to any live quarry. Ed.

Get in touch...
Post your letters to: Letters, Air Gunner,
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WIN
Plinking you have a small garden, you
can still have challenging fun if If you have a top tip,
something you’d like to
marvellous you use air pistols or rifles with
open sights. I hope it will be a
regular feature; you could call
get off your chest, or
Just to let you know how much it Garden Gunner or Plinker. Or
an interesting anecdote,
I enjoyed the new article on as Del Boy would say to Rodney, then why not shoot us a
plinking, especially as it was “What a 42-carat plinker you line? We print the best
written by my favourite writer, really are.” Ha ha. letters and emails each
Charlie Portlock. I go hunting STEVE month and one will be
Charlie knows how to have fun!
with my air rifle to put free-
awarded a top prize. It’s
range, wild, organic meat on my have fun shooting my air rifle Hello Steve
table, but plinking in my garden and pistol. It doesn’t matter if You’re not alone in enjoying over £60 and you could
is one of my favourite hobbies you have a large garden or a that article and I’ve commissioned win it simply by getting
because it’s fun and relaxing. I small one, as long as your pellets Charlie to keep us amused with in touch and sharing
always use a safe backstop and don’t leave your property. If many more in the same vein. Ed. your views
Power check Mark replied:

Hello Richard,
I was intrigued by your letter, and I
(11.610 ft.lbs.), and 10-shots recorded the
high of 799fps, which equates to 11.967
ft.lbs. unrounded. I agree, and as I stated
As I thumbed through the latest issue of have to say that it did have me rushing to in the article, this output is far too close to
Air Gunner, I came to the review of the double check those figures. Firstly, can I say the legal limit, but at no stage did my test
new Daystate Tsar. Now, it’s a stunning that I do pride myself on running thorough model exceed the limit. As to the matter of
rifle – not to my taste, but each to their tests on all guns reviewed, and secondly, acceptable velocity variation, 12fps total
own. The spec reads that the average having fished out my original paperwork, spread is still extremely consistent over
velocity of the rifle is 11.9ft.lbs. Now, if the figures printed in the test are technically that shot count, to the point where you
that’s the average it’s clear to see that correct. The article did confirm that the would simply never notice the difference
the rifle is consistently producing over 12 manufacturers, Daystate, claim a shot count in real-world impact. However, I do agree
ft.lbs. It doesn’t state over how many shots of 140, and that I reached 148 with a total with your suggested conclusion, that some
this was tested. Moving to the fps spread; spread of 12fps. The average velocity was unregulated guns can be just as consistent,
12fps seems insignificant in general, but 795fps using 8.44 gr pellets (11.847 ft.lbs. when charged carefully.
again, no shot string is quoted. unrounded) The lowest velocity was 787fps Mark Camoccio
Recently, I tested a 16-month-old HW100
over 20 shots, a regulated rifle, and it
Too close to the limit?
returned a spread of 24 fps; then I did
the same test on a 15-month-old Air Arms
S510, unregulated, but this gave a spread
of just 5fps. I would like to see the actual
specifications that the Tsar gives in the
real world because I think the ones given
might put people off, especially showing
that it’s very close to the UK 12 ft.lb.
maximum limit. What are your thoughts?
RICHARD NASH
Maximum or maximise? Hello Wayne

Perhaps I should have used the word ‘maximise’, because a lead
pellet will make the most of the gas pressure created to deliver the
After reading the article in the March issue about the Walther highest muzzle energy. Like all the CO2 pistols of that kind I’ve
PPQ, you said, ‘that generate maximum muzzle energy’. What do ever tested, it comes nowhere near the 6 ft.lbs. limit but that’s not
you mean by this? Does it go near the legal 6 ft.lbs. pistol limit, or what they’re about. They usually make around 1½ ft.lbs, which is
what? Please explain. Yet another good varied read this month and plenty for target use, alongside loads of fun plinking games.
in my view, puts Air Gunner ahead of Airgun World, not for this Thank you for the kind words about Air Gunner. I work very
month, but on the whole. After reading both magazines for several hard to understand what you, the readers, want from the mag’
years, Air Gunner has definitely got its head in front. and if I’m giving you what you want, then it was all worthwhile.
WAYNE HODGE Ed.

AIRGUN GURU or if it only gets through to
GET IN
TOUCH
Post your letters to: Letters,
Air Gunner, 2-6 Easthampstead
Road, Wokingham, RG40 2EG
‘Ladders’ then it is underpowered.
The ONLY way to check the phill.price@archant.co.uk
muzzle energy is to put it over
a chronograph and take the
average of a series of readings. If Guru tip: Regular
you don’t want to buy your own
testing gives you
peace of mind and
chronograph, then take the gun
to a gun shop or a local gun club
where a chronograph should be warns you if anything
available to give you a correct is going wrong with
and legal reading, either free or
for the price of a cup of coffee.
your gun
Remember, if you have a gun
that is putting out above the
absolute UK limit of 12 ft.lbs. from under £50 for a Combro
for rifles and 6 ft.lbs. for pistols, unit that attaches to the muzzle
unless you are a Section 1 FAC of a rifle with elastic bands, and
holder the ramifications can be there are many costing under
a hefty fine and up to five years £150, such as the Prochrono, and
imprisonment for holding an up to the Skan unit which can
illegal gun. be interfaced with computers at
Chronographs need not cost around £300.
Only a chronograph can tell you the power of your gun a lot of money, especially Be safe and be legal. Do not
compared to the consequences leave such an important thing as
this to chance. ■
I
need some advice please. Hi Lewis of not having one. They range
I don’t want to go to Whatever you do, DO NOT rely
Just how many pages a pellet passes through tells you nothing
the expense of buying on how far a pellet goes into a
a dedicated chronograph to telephone directory to give you
test the muzzle energy that an indication of muzzle energy.
my rifles are putting out. I Anyway, telephone directories are
remember that years ago we now just about extinct, so the
used to check the power by nearest thing to it is an old Argos
“The ONLY way to check the muzzle energy

is to put it over a chronograph”
shooting into a telephone catalogue. It is impossible to say
directory and seeing how far that if the pellet gets through
the pellet went in. Is this a to ‘Tumble Driers’, then the gun
reliable way to do it? is legal; if it gets to ‘Vacuum
LEWIS Cleaners’ then it is too powerful,

wspurpun
Airgun Fun
Charlie Portlock brings us a new batch of shooting games to add to our plinking pleasure
T
his month we’re looking at long- and
short-range shooting. Distance is a
great leveller, and it’s satisfying when
even the most fastidious marksmen can
be outdone by a relative novice, as soon as
chance is given a place to work its magic.
There a few things as joyous in garden
gunning as watching the ‘expert’ lose to a
novice. The shot count to hit ratio might be
high with this kind of shooting, but it’s this
very disparity that makes that final sweet
success all the more rewarding. Here are
four of my top long-range shooting games:
1. RANGE IT!
This game relies less on your marksmanship
and more on your eyes, and it’s a great way
to train yourself to judge distance on the
field. It helps if you’re not shooting on a
range with pre-existing markers. My friends
The low hit ratio makes for addictive fun
and I play it the garden. Below is a set-up
for three players. it is. The closest guess wins a pellet (a of safety and challenge with the smooth-
rangefinder is useful here but you can also bored lack of precision only making the
You’ll need: pace it out). quest for accuracy and success more
■ A rangefinder or a pair or legs ■ When you’ve been through five rounds of addictive. My favourite BB plinker is the
■ A tennis ball, or even a football ranging the ball, see who can knock over Daisy Red Ryder, but it’s a shame that we
■ 10 x tin cans the most cans with the ammunition they can’t buy more of the Daisy or Crosman
have available. line-up here in the UK - especially the
Instructions pump-action models.
■ Take out a tin of pellets and place them An extra challenge
on the bench. Add a financial incentive to each successful You’ll need:
■ Give three pellets to each player. guess; 10 pence is about the right amount ■ A decent under-lever or pump-action BB
■ Set up the cans at an agreed distance (20 to create a competitive atmosphere. gun in 4.5mm
yards works well for open sights, further for ■ A stop-watch
scopes). 2. FROM THE HIP ■ A soft backstop to prevent ricochets. An
■ Throw or kick the ball downrange and For me, the humble 4.5mm BB gun is the old sheet works well. Very important.
then take turns to guess how far away plinking king. It’s the perfect combination ■ A bag of latex balloons Ô
A Refreshing New Concept in Air Gun Retail

Through our passion and experience of shooting in most air gun disciplines, we are able to
provide a level of knowledge and understanding on the demands of not only the individual,
but also the equipment needed in each market sector.
Unique to Bicester Target and unlike any other air gun outlet, every rifle and pistol in our shop is
available to test and try out, making sure that the rifle or pistol you choose is the correct one for you
not only in terms of fit, but also is correct for the discipline of shooting you choose to undertake.
This concept
really is where we
stand out from any
other retailer
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WALTON MOORE OFFICES, 6 GRANGE MEWS, STATION ROAD, LAUNTON, NEAR BICESTER, OXFORDSHIRE OX26 5EG

wspurpun
Shooting from the hip is a whole new experience I used shooting bags, old curtains and two lengths of wood to make my BB backstop
Instructions Instructions ■ A dartboard (or you can make your

■ Pin five balloons to stakes in the ground. ■ Construct your impressively large own from cardboard and a few planks of
■ Have a friend set a stop-watch for ten backstop/shot marker. softwood.
seconds. ■ Hang up your wok, car bonnet or other ■ Be sure of your backstop because the Gat
■ Shoot from the hip at between 5-10 yards large target. is about much less accurate than catapult.
and count how many you pop. ■ Aim high but be sure not to aim higher
than the backstop. Instructions
An extra challenge ■ Once you’ve found the range, you can ■ Set up at five yards.
Blindfold the shooter (but be sure of the experiment with ever smaller targets. ■ Give each player five darts each.
backstop!). ■ Play darts! Or simply try to hit the bull.
An extra challenge You decide.
3. THE MORTAR Place a can (aka a ship) in a washing up ■ Make sure that any missed darts can be
This one is all about deciphering your bowl on a slight incline and try to land as easily recovered because they’ll quickly
pellet’s trajectory as you lob pellets onto many pellets in it as possible. Any hits on disappear in even short grass, which won’t
an incredibly distant target. It works best the can itself will win a generous prize. do much for your mower.
when your scope has run out of holdover
and you’re determining your POA (Point 4. THE GAT ATTACK An extra challenge
of Aim) partly through instinct and partly Most airgunners will have a trusty Gat Pin balloons onto the board and step five,
through guesswork. Purists could use lying about somewhere. They’re versatile, 10 or even 20 yards back.
Hawke’s excellent ChairGun Pro, but where’s great fun and wildly inaccurate which is
the fun in that? perfect for some close-range plinking. If LET US KNOW
you pass a lighter over the furry flights of As always, if you have any plinking games
You’ll need: the darts you’ll burn off the extra fluff that that you’d like to share then please let us
■ A very long range (75yards or more) with does nothing for this simple projectile’s know. There must be thousands of people
a completely safe backstop beyond. aerodynamics. Accuracy is much improved as enjoying airguns across the land and if
■ A large wok or piece of metal to aim at. a result. we can pool some of that knowledge and
■ A good pair of binoculars. experience we can only make plinking even
■ A large piece of cardboard or even a bed You’ll need: more dynamic and enjoyable than it already
sheet to hang behind the target to mark the ■ To find that old Gat gun. is. Have fun and be sure of that backstop!
fall of the shot. ■ At least 20 darts. Best, Charlie. ■
This metal bowl made the perfect reactive target Everybody loves the Gat and a dartboard!

jhtv
Total camo!
The editor goes all the way with his commitment to camouflage
It takes a little time and effort but it’s well worth all the effort
M
any of us wear camouflage clothing but there was one area that still stood out on my roots just as I watch out for hers.
and camouflage our guns, in the like a sore thumb and that was my big red I’ll confess that I don’t like the smell
hope of becoming more successful beard, complete with all the grey hair that’s of the dyes, but they’re quite cheap, and
hunters, but what about your face? It’s the coming through. because we only need a bit at a time, a
thing most likely to give you away because My wife dies her hair all the time, so I couple of bottles should last for quite a
to see your quarry your head will be asked her to buy some green and brown long time. It’s important to wear disposable
exposed one way or another. For many of dyes and show me how to apply them, gloves to stop the dye staining your fingers,
us, our great moon-white faces can shine as she’s the expert. We created a varied and remember that you have to leave the
like a beacon in the browns and greens of
the woodland or farmland, and alert our
quarry into fleeing for their lives. “We created a varied pattern that complemented the face paint nicely
So, now we’re into the April issue and the
green shoots of spring are almost upon us, I and I think you’ll agree that it really does work”
decided I should make more effort to cover
my face. First stop was to buy some camo pattern that complemented the face paint dye on longer on the grey bits for them to
facepaint from Web-Tex, which is widely nicely and I think you’ll agree that it really get really covered up. The final job is to
available and easy to apply. It took a while does work and even hides all the grey hair. have a shower to wash away all the excess
to learn to apply it in a pattern I liked, but I don’t know yet how often my colours will dye. The whole job didn’t take too long, and
now I can slap it on in ten minutes or so. need to be topped up, but my beard grows although it’s a first for me, I’m sure you’ll
I have good camo hats, coats and gloves, pretty quickly, so my wife will keep an eye agree that it was well worth the effort. ■

ipnG{lz{
THE BIG TEST BSA SCORPION SE ON THE FIRING LINE THIS MONTH:
Camo Completion
Will the camo version of this top-class rifle make the editor invisible?
I
’ve had camouflage on my mind a lot was a top-class rifle, ready camo-covered. lines. Next, I wanted to find a ready-
recently because it’s a subject that The ideal compromise was the camouflage camouflaged scope and the good folks at
always creates debate. Some swear stock version of BSA’s lovely Scorpion Se Professional Airgun Optics (PAO) were kind
by it and would never hunt without it, which is one of my favourite pre-charged enough sent me a prototype of a 3-9 x 40 that
whilst others say it’s simply not necessary; pneumatic rifles, even without the camo. they’ll soon be bringing in. I’ll give you full
fieldcraft and skill are what’s needed to In fact, I’ll get into trouble for saying this, details of this when the production models
fill your game bag. I’ll put my cards on the but I prefer it to the company’s flagship R10 arrive. Sadly, the camo covered mounts that
table and say I like camo and wear it most MKII because of the straight tubular air came with it had Weaver bases, so I swapped
of the time when I’m hunting. Maybe it reservoir that allows a slim, sporting-style to a set of my favourite SportsMatch black
does work or maybe it just gives me more fore end. I just prefer the handling of this anodised, double-screw ones.
confidence, who knows? As I say, I like it rifle over the buddy bottle gun. The stock is coated in RealTree Extra
and will continue to wear it, but covering Green, which I consider to be an excellent
ourselves in camo clothing is one challenge, FINAL TOUCH all-round pattern. Clearly it needs to be,
covering our rifles is another. There are To complete the look, I planned to add because we can have a different pattern
specialist companies that will do the job for some strips of camouflage tape here and on some hats and coats, but we won’t be
us, but that’s a one-way trip. Once the camo there to hide the straight lines of action swapping rifles to suit the changes in
is applied, there’s no going back, and the and the silencer. These would be irregular seasons! The process used feels the same
process is quite expensive. What I wanted intentionally, to help break up the straight as the ‘soft-touch’ ones, in that it’s slightly Ô
A little tape on the metal work completed the camo finish

ipnG{lz{
rubbery and offers a pleasant grip all over

the surface. This is a good thing on any
hunting gun, in my opinion. If the whole
surface is coated there can be no chequering
or stippling, so the grip of the coating is
all the more important. The coating also
protects the wood from water and dirt, and
a quick wipe over with a cloth is all that’s
needed in terms of maintenance.
SHE’S A LOOKER!
I don’t know what you think, but I think it
looks great! The stock is £20 less expensive
than the standard beech option, the tape
cost just pennies and the new PAO scope
won’t be expensive either, so this is a camo
set-up for the working man. The Scorpion
is also very good value for money, in my
book. Every one I’ve tested was smooth and
accurate straight from the box, so I hoped
A screw-cut barrel ensures correct silencer alignment this one would be the same.
Inside the 10-shot bolt action, BSA fits
its Fast-Strike hammer system which, in its
simplest explanation, uses a lighter hammer
with a stiff spring to reduce action time,
making for a nice, crisp shot cycle. It’s also
efficient, as we can see from the 90 shots
in .177 I got from a 232bar fill, despite the
diminutive size of the air reservoir. The
Scorpion is often referred to as a carbine,
but at 41” long with the VC silencer fitted,
it’s just a nice size. At this length, it still
balances nicely in your hands, whereas guns
that are too light or too short just feel odd
and seldom point naturally.
The silencer fits directly onto the screw
thread cut directly into the barrel, cold
hammer forged as only BSA can offer, of
course. Their barrels have a reputation the
envy of other gunmakers around the world.
Another unusual feature of the Scorpion
is that the barrel is truly free-floating,
To lock the mag’ in, you slide this tab backwards
unlike many that claim to be so. This means
that accuracy cannot be compromised by
outside factors, such as movement in the air
reservoir as it’s filled. Speaking of which, I
adore the fact that the cover that protects
the filling port is made from metal, and
screws on properly. It feels right to pinch
the thread up knowing that the cap just will
not fall off somewhere around the farm and
get lost. With the cap on, you know that the
delicate filler is kept perfectly clean and by
extension, the gun’s internal parts too.
RELIABLE AND SLICK

At the opposite end of the reservoir, we
come to the tried and trusted action with
its slim, uncluttered lines. This is cycled
with the BSA Bolas bolt that rides on a
thick, chrome-plated shaft delivering a
slick, polished movement. I wonder if the
thick shaft reduces the binding that side
The new style BSA magazine worked a treat loads can cause on less substantial bolts.

ipnG{lz{
The trigger blade is cast metal and totally rigid
The filler cover screws on properly The high cheek piece is excellent
Whatever the answer, this action feels out or protrusion to get in the way of scope a metal casting as opposed to the posh,
great. It indexes the new generation BSA mounting, which is quite superb. You can machined blade in the more expensive
magazine that I find totally reliable in mount any scope, red-dot or night-vision rifle. It’s no problem, though, because the
the field. Loading them requires a bit of a device anywhere along the rail, making material used is very stiff, so no feel has
knack, but once you have it they’re easy to set-up a breeze. I noted that the dovetail been lost. However, my test gun had a
use. I’ll get my, by now, traditional moan is BSA’s slightly oversized version, but good deal of side-to-side movement in the
about the safety being on the wrong side SportsMatch makes mounts specifically to blade, which made it feel a little cheap,
for 80% of people on paper and move on. fit, so no worries there. even though it went unnoticed in use. The
The design of the action situates the Where a little money is saved compared trigger’s action was very pleasant with
magazine low, meaning that there’s no cut- to the R10 is the trigger blade, which is a nicely sprung first stage stopping cold Ô
In the shoulder the ergonomics are quite superb

ipnG{lz{
against the second, and breaking cleanly

from that exact point. It’s no match unit,
but a good, honest field unit that can be
“coated in RealTree Extra Green, which I consider to
adjusted to suit almost anybody’s taste and be an excellent all-round pattern”
one that I use happily.
we stay on the right side of the UK power telling me that on a calm day they’d have
GREAT STOCK limit of 12 ft.lbs. Next, I needed to do the all been going through the same hole, which
Lots of praise is due for the design of the accuracy part but for the life of me, I could is just what I’d expect from this rifle. I’ve
stock, most especially the high cheek not find a calm day. I guess I should expect never shot an inaccurate modern BSA.
piece that gives proper support for scope windy winter days, but they’re hopeless for So what would I change to make my
use. It’s a traditional sporting stock with testing duties. dream Scorpion? Firstly, I’d add sling
generally slim dimensions, just as hunting A very wise, old shooting friend once swivel studs, because all my hunting guns
guns should have, handling naturally and watched me and some other youngsters have slings attached permanently. Next,
pointing instinctively. I did my usual full- shooting on a windy day when he gave I’d love to see an adjustable height cheek
power testing, despite my total confidence some sage advice. He said, “You’re learning piece, because I believe they make a huge
in the rifle and there were no surprises. nothing, other than just how badly the difference to consistency and ultimately
Average velocity with my standard test wind affects airgun pellets” and of course, accuracy. Beyond that, I’m happy with
pellet, the Air Arms Field Diablo .177 he was right. The best I could do was to find the rifle the way it is. It has many great
(8.4grains) was 778fps which calculates to a sheltered 25-yard range and work there. features, not the least of which is that it
11.34ft.lbs. This is nicely set to ensure that The Scorpion was delivering sub ½” groups, comes with two magazines, which adds to
the value for money, plus I always have
The sporting lines are just right for me
a spare mag’ loaded in my pocket on any
hunting trip. Sod’s law always says that
you’ll run out of pellets at the very worst
moment, and a full mag’ on hand gets you
back in the game in seconds.
This is a proper hunting gun that will
work well for the majority of us straight
from the box. It’s accurate and handles well
in field conditions and can be relied upon
to deliver the goods. Am I in trouble for
saying I prefer it to the company’s flagship
R10? I don’t think so, because I know plenty
of other people who agree with me. If you
must have a huge shots-per-fill count, then
choose the R10. If handling and sporting
looks are your thing, then the delightful
Scorpion will be right up your street. ■
SPECIFICATION
Manufacturer: BSA Guns
Web: www.bsaguns.co.uk
Model: Scorpion SE
Type: Pre-charged pneumatic
Action: Bolt-action, magazine-fed
Trigger: Two-stage, adjustable
Length: 35” (88cm)
Weight: 6.8lbs (3.1kg)
Fill pressure: 232bar
Shots per fill: (.177) 90
RRP: Camo £629.00
Beech £649.00
Tactical £589.00
Silencer £49.00
Spare mag £46.20

RANNOCK JACKET.
WATERPROOF
WINDPROOF
BREATHABLE
10,000MM 1,000G/M2 *24HR
Brushed tricot with laminated membrane

Full length double opening zip
Hood with draw cord
2 Front pockets with Velcro closures
Adjustable cuff bands
Colours: Forest Brown camo / Forest Green camo
Sizes: Small - XXXLarge
srp: £58.95
jackpyke.co.uk
Go|u{pun
My Move to
Shooting Sticks
Sticks mean stable, as Jim Chapman tells us
MOVING TO AIRGUNS
I
grew up in the far west, hunting deer even with these reduced shooting distances,
in the mountains, boar in the coastal trajectory is more pronounced. The long- So, for these reasons, when I moved to
hills, and predators in the open deserts. range limitation with an airgun is not so airguns I found that I preferred to shoot
I often shot offhand and took pride in much the inability to deliver adequate from some type of rest when hunting. This
being a better than average offhand shot. I energy on target, it is rather the challenge could be shooting off my pack or a rolled-
took a lot of game this way and considered of delivering the projectile exactly on up jacket when I could go prone, or leaning
myself an ethical and effective hunter. target. The take-away message is that airgun over a rock or tree trunk when they were
It’s important to note that I was hunting hunters need to get in closer and be much available. I also started to practise more
with centrefire rifles for bigger quarry, more selective in their shot placement. shooting off my knee, or while sitting.
and rimfires such as .22 long rifle or .22 Another factor was that I started shifting However, these natural rests were often not
magnum for small game, but as I gained my hunting emphasis to airguns in my late available, and whilst shooting off my knee
experience with airguns, I quickly noted 30s, and hard as it is to admit, practice does was fine for closer shots, it still didn’t offer
that these guns didn’t offer the margin of not make up for youth. As I age, I find that the stability I was after if a longer shot was
error that a centrefire or even a rimfire rifle both my eyesight and stability are not what required, and this is when I started using
did. Since air rifles do not generate the they used to be. I can still shoot offhand, shooting sticks more.
hydrostatic shock that firearms do, the size and when plinking or shooting at targets Even in my early years with springers I
of the kill zone was effectively reduced for I’m a competent offhand shooter, but I no didn’t use shooting sticks much, because
whatever game was being pursued. longer have the same confidence that I rested shooting is not the strength of most
Also, dealing with the trajectory of the will hit my target every time – and that is spring-piston air rifles. In any event, I
lighter and slower moving airgun projectiles not the right mindset when squeezing the tended to keep most of my shots inside
requires the hunter to move in closer, and trigger with a live target in the cross hairs. of 35 yards, but when PCPs came along, I Ô
Many sticks will allow

aftermarket rifle rests to
be added for even better
stability

o|u{pun
recognised the intrinsic accuracy when

sighting in at the bench, and the possibility
of extending range significantly. The rub was
that I was only consistent when on the rest.
The challenge and enjoyment of airgun
hunting for me is getting in close, but this
must be taken in context. Getting inside of
75 yards on a prairie dog town might not
be possible, depending on the hunting and
predator pressure to which these ground
dwelling rodents are exposed. A 75-yard
shot might be ‘close range’ in terms of a
prairie dog shoot, but it is still a fair chunk
of ground with respect to even a higher
powered .22 or .25 PCP, and regardless of
whether you take head or chest shots,
the kill zone with an air rifle is generally
about 1-1½ inches, compared to just about
anywhere in the head, chest, or body when
shooting a small-bore centrefire.
NOT FOR EVERY SHOT

It wasn’t a conscious decision, but I slowly
found that I’d practise shooting off sticks
There are some very stable, heavy-duty sticks available
whilst at the range, then carry and use
them when hunting in the field. When
stalking the woods after squirrels, my
compact Primos Polecat sticks are always in
my bag, although I don’t always use them.
This is because I’m often shooting up high
in the trees, and manoeuvring sticks –
unless they are very long – can be difficult
in this situation. When in the woods, it is
often easy to find a tree trunk, branch, a
fallen log, or some other natural feature
that will serve as a rest, but even in this
situation an accessible set of sticks are good Shooting prone off your pack works well, if you can shoot Every hunter should hone their offhand shooting;
to have when/if you need them. above the grass sometimes it is the only option
However, I’m often out on the open

grasslands hunting prairie dogs, where
there are usually no natural rests available,
the grass is too long to let the hunter
lie prone and shoot off their pack, and
distances of 75-100 yards are the norm, so I
use sticks on virtually every shot. With the
combination of longer distances, wind, and
a small kill zone, this is the only way I can
achieve consistent shot placement.
There are a lot of options when it
comes to shooting sticks, but the primary
requirements that I look for are systems
that offer rapid deployment, stability, and
portability. When shooting big game, there
is often time to set up sticks; a tripod
with three sections may take a minute or
so to deploy and might be necessary for a
standing shot at distance. When hunting
predators, the hunter is often set up in deep
camouflage and waiting for the quarry to
come into a call, so again, a sturdy tripod
might be the ideal approach. However,
when on a ‘spot and stalk’ hunt for squirrel
When hunting the woods, I’ll often lean against a tree to steady myself or rabbit, it could be necessary to set up

Go|u{pun
When in deep camouflage, sticks will allow you to keep your Mounted bipods can offer a stable platform, but are not as I keep my Polecat shooting sticks packed in the side pocket
gun at the ready with little movement versatile as sticks of my messenger bag
in a matter of seconds before the animal narrowed down over the years; when shake. Once deployed, I find that by simply
moves. Besides happening faster, these hunting predators, I like a tripod with a opening or closing the spread of the sticks I
shots tend to be closer, so in this scenario rifle rest that will cradle and hold tight to can bring my rest up or down, and it’s easy
my preference is for a bipod shooting stick, my rifle’s forestock. The one I use is the Bog to sweep the muzzle horizontally – and
and one that can deploy very quickly. As Pod, which has a rubberised deep ‘V’ that the important point here, is that they are
a matter of fact, these can be opposing snugs my rifle in and lets it sit in readiness always in my pack and ready when needed.
requirements, stability vs compactness and for long periods of time whilst remaining You will notice that I opt for detached
rapid deployment, so the type of terrain motionless. This is particularly useful in shooting sticks, rather than rifle-mounted
and quarry will inform your decision. those situations in which motion must be bipods. Mounted bipods can be more stable
kept to a minimum over long periods of than sticks, but my experience is that
ADJUSTABILITY waiting, so not to spook incoming game. there is not enough latitude for changing
There are other factors to consider. How However, the sticks that are almost positions if your quarry is moving. This
much adjustability do you think will always with me are the Primos Polecats means that in some situations they are
be required? Do you need to move from that I mentioned previously. The reason difficult to use, and in the worst scenario
kneeling to standing shots? Is there dense I like these is that they are lightweight can become a hindrance. Again, this is
undergrowth that makes a tripod more and fold up into a very compact package based on the type of hunting I do; every
awkward than a bipod to move around? that slips into a side pocket on my hunting hunter needs to figure out their own kit. In
How far will you be hiking? Are you going pack. They are out of the way until I need my experience, it always comes down to a
to walk to a blind and settle in, or will you them, but I can reach back and have them balance between accessibility (size, weight,
cover five miles through the hills with rapid in hand in a matter of seconds, and not ease of deployment) and stability. The
sets along the way? much longer to deploy them by releasing sweet spot rests (pardon the pun) on your
The types of sticks that I use has the retention band and giving them a particular hunting needs. ■
Sticks will allow you to go from

sitting to standing with minimal fuss

hhGz[WW
The Great All-Rounder

Mark Camoccio tells us why the Air Arms S400 punches well above its weight
ALL-ROUNDER
E
very now and then I sit back and ponder standard. For my test gun, I specified the
just how absurdly lucky I am, not only rifle length ‘Classic’ action, fitted with the That earlier expression used, ‘for the
for finding such an all-absorbing passion standard beech woodwork, making this the money’, is an interesting one because this
as airguns – many people never find an cheapest option for the S400 range. Indeed, gun actually belies its price tag, and when
interest in life – but also for getting to play if you’re after a pre-charged pneumatic over you consider my obsession for competition
with all the latest kit, as and when it hits spring-power, then I reckon this S400 has shooting – originally field target, and these
the market! I’ve owned, or shot, most of the to be arguably the best gun for the money days, HFT, and that I still regularly compete
top models available, too, so inevitably, I’ve in this price sector. The current list price is with an S400 derivative, it’s testament to
arrived at some favourites along the way. £484, and with some discounting in certain the performance overall. After all, there is
quarters that figure is liable to be squeezed something satisfying in having a gun that
SIMPLE FORMULA downward in our favour. Of course, you’ll costs far less than all the top-flight ‘super-
You might be surprised to learn that my need to factor in the additional cost of guns’, and yet can still give them a run for
current list-topper, is no top-flight special, charging gear, be that bottle or dedicated their money. That’s not why I use one, but it
with fancy multi-adjustable features, airgun pump, and for that expect to shell remains the case.
costing several thousand pounds. Instead, out around £150 for either route, but that So, just what stacks up with the S400,
it’s an all-time classic that runs to a kit would be required for any PCP, so this making it such a winning combination?
simple formula, and yet delivers what we model still represents solid value for money, Well, the classy Minelli-made stocks were
all want in a successful airgun design. whichever way you look at it. originally designed by multiple World
The Air Arms S400 is a tried and tested In terms of options, the action can be Field Target Champion, Nick Jenkinson,
pre-charged pneumatic, originally aimed specified in shorter Carbine length, and for and the sporter configuration is not only
at the discerning hunter, yet good enough more readies, the more upmarket Walnut graceful and attractive, but also supremely
to satisfy the competition shooter who Sporter, or factory Walnut Thumbhole functional in use. The laser-cut chequering
demands top-class accuracy and acceptable stocked variants can also be purchased, so is maybe a tad shallow, yet sets off the
consistency in a straightforward format. personal choice is well catered for, but here, fore end and pistol-grip panels, and also
The S400 is a deliberately uncomplicated we are keeping things simple in order to adds grip. The grip itself is nicely shaped,
PCP, which follows the accepted barrel-over- demonstrate that you don’t have to spend with a right-hand bias (left-hand stocks
cylinder layout, and comes unregulated as fortunes for great performance. are available), and attractively finished
The S400 was designed as a hunting machine

hhGz[WW
SPECIFICATION
Model: S400F Classic Beech
Country of Origin: UK
Type: Single-shot pre-charged
pneumatic sporter
Calibre: .177 on test (.22 available)
Weight: 5.7lbs
Overall Length: 40.25 inches
Barrel Length: 19.5 inches
Stock: Beech right-hand sporter. Left-
hand stocks are availible
Power Source: External bottle or
pump
That grip cap is classy, too
Trigger: 2-stage adjustable
Fill Pressure: 190bar as per
factory/180bar on test
Shot Count: Factory claim 80 shots
.177/ 100 .22 (see test figures below)
Velocity: .177 on test from 180 bar
high 776fps
low 757 fps
ave 768fps
A properly high cheek piece helps with gun fit Comfort and style
spread 19fps
with a rosewood cap. The prominent cheek and a small lipped expansion chamber No. of shots on test: Stopped after 80
piece does an admirable job overall, and the inside, it undoubtedly takes the edge off shots, at residual 130bar
rubber pad, whilst it could do with being the standard muzzle crack, which can
Energy: 11 ft.lbs. ave on test
more concave, does its job nonetheless. be significant from a PCP. Of course, my
preference for more front weight to improve Options: Walnut sporter stock/ walnut
CONFIGURATION balance means the fitting of Air Arms’ own thumbhole, Q-Tec silencer (highly
Whilst many match rifles, including the Q-Tec silencer is something of a ‘no-brainer’, recommended)
HFT500 from Air Arms, feature totally and again, that’s another easy option at the
Contact: Air Arms Tel 01323 845853
floating barrels, when the barrel sits free twist of an Allen key!
and unhindered in any way, the S400 action Next month, we’ll study the amazing
sees the quality Lothar Walther barrel performance of this remarkable rifle and I
sitting within a soft ‘O’ ring and the ‘figure
of eight’ clamp at the muzzle. We all have
think you’ll see why it’s become the go-to
gun for so many of us. ■ RRP £484.00
our preferences, and whilst I like the idea The Air Arms S400 has become a real classic
of a fully-floating barrel, in my experience,
the S400 configuration undoubtedly works.
Many competition shooters still tasting
success on the circuit will testify to that.
Air Arms’ significant investment in recent
years of some serious CNC machinery means
that they can carry out most operations in
the production stage in-house, and they
have undoubtedly built up an enviable
reputation for fine build-quality and finish.
All the metalwork gets treated to rich
chemical bluing, which is mirror finished,
whilst attention to detail is everywhere.
The standard factory barrel finisher has
slightly increased in size over the years,
and with its smart twisted flute design

o|u{pun
Distance dilemma
Gary Chillingworth uses every possible technique to answer a thorny question
I
n the world of shooting, there is one
thing that makes my blood boil and
that is when anyone who shoots at an
animal does not bother about getting a
clean kill. Now, don’t get me wrong, I fully
understand that every now and then we all
miss, and most of us will then lose sleep
over what we have done. What angers me
are the people who tell stories of apparently
shooting a rabbit, off-hand at 70 yards
with a 30-year-old springer, and apparently
never miss. Then when you ask them to
prove it, they never can. This is not only
reckless, but it also tempts others to try
the same. So, this got me thinking. How far
can we realistically hunt with a sub 12ftlb
rifle, and what can we do to give ourselves
a better chance of getting that clean kill
100% of the time? The .177 HW100 mated with the Vantage scope is a stunning combination for HFT or hunting. To complete my findings, I’ll
be following up this test with one dedicated to .22 calibre, although I suspect the more curved trajectory of the .22 will
negate any potential advantages in terms of retained energy. Watch out for that one!
SHOPPING LIST
My rifle of choice is a 2015 .177 HW100KT, and at just £47.99 great value for money. Finally, I decided that as a simulated
and at 40 yards will shoot a single-hole The Buffalo attaches to the front swivel hunter I was going to take advantage of
group without an issue. The next piece of stud on the rifle’s fore end and as my HW all the gadgets that were available to me,
kit on my shopping list was a scope, and does not have one of these, I picked up the so next on my shopping list was a laser
one of the best is the new Vantage SFir 4-16
x 50 from Deben Hawke. This new scope
uses the latest high-quality glass, a superb “as a simulated hunter I was going to take advantage
reticle and with 16x magnification, I should
have no issue picking out the correct aim of all the gadgets that were available”
point on our simulated rabbit’s head. With
this bolted on, now I needed a high-quality phone to Best Fittings who had a stainless rangefinder and an anemometer – a piece
bipod and I sourced this through Highland steel one sent to me the very next day. All of kit that measures wind speed. Luckily, I
Outdoors. The bipod recommended was the I had to do was unscrew my forward stock own both of these.
Buffalo River 6-9 swivel, lightweight, tough bolt and screw in the new swivel. My rangefinder is a Hawke 600pro, and Ô
The plinking range at Maldon

is second to none and it is here
that you learn how far you can
shoot

o|u{pun
Reader Keith Allen was a huge help and his choice of gun, a Gamo Coyote, is top notch
over the years it has always been reliable GREAT BASELINE 13 years ago, and I am happy to report that
up to about a yard, between 8 and 50 yards, My plan is to shoot these targets five times he picked up a lot of his information about
and the anemometer is a Kestrel and was at ranges from 45 to 65 yards aiming just hunting and ranging from Air Gunner. It’s
a gift from my mate, Alex. The last things behind the rabbit’s eye. Now, before I go good to see that we can help occasionally.
were pellets, and for those I chose to use my any further, please remember, if you shoot a So, with this information from a skilled
competition pellets; Air Arms Field diablos rabbit in the eye, you won’t kill it, you will hunter, I have a great baseline to work on.
in 4.53 head size, that have been weighed
and checked and are all between 8.42 and
8.46 grains. “looking at the target through my binoculars, I could not work
Our targets were from TARGET AIR. Now,
this company produces every type of target
out why the pellets were moving around so much”
you can think of from dartboards to wooden
pegs, but for me, the target I wanted was just blind it. The correct place to shoot a I set out my first target, and the laser
the photograph of a rabbit. These come in rabbit is halfway between the eye and the rangefinder showed me that it was 35 yards
packs of 100; at £5 a pack are a real bargain, bottom of the ear because this is where the away; my anemometer said the wind speed
and are designed to sit in a standard pellet rabbit’s brain is situated. was 8mph, and a piece of ribbon showed
catcher. Before starting, I was very fortunate to it heading straight toward me. I lay down
All hunters should use a rangefinder receive an email from Keith Allen. Keith and found that using a bipod was a massive
and this Hawke is among the best is a proper hunter and is happy advantage. I locked the butt pad into my
to shoot everything from shoulder, and placed five shots bang on, to a
magpies to rats. His rifle target group size of 9mm. My next distance
of choice is a Gamo Coyote was 48 yards and. again, the wind was in my
Black in .177. It’s fed with favour and the group size was 11mm, well
Bisley Magnum and H&N under the 20mm I was looking for – 20mm is
Baracuda Match pellets the size of an average rabbit’s brain.
and it’s scoped up with a
Hawke Vantage 4-12 x 40. WIND DIRECTION
Keith tells me that his rifle I moved out to 56 yards, and this is when
will shoot a half-inch group things started to change. The rabbit was
out to 35 yards, and this is now looking very small in the scope – I was
his limit for hunting. Keith shooting at 12x magnification – and even
came back into shooting though the wind was still at 8mph and

o|u{pun
Standing shots are out of the question at anything other An anemometer is a nice thing to have, but a piece of ribbon A chrono’ with a wide aperture allows you to measure
than the shortest distances on a stick works as well velocity downrange
straight at me, I had my first flyer. Four hunting conditions. My hardware is as good outdoors, even the smallest change of wind
shots within 15mm, but as I fired my fourth as it can be and I used everything possible to direction or speed has a massive effect on
shot, I felt a small gust and the pellet hit help me, but I would not shoot a rabbit, rat a pellet travelling at just over 500 fps and
left of the main group. or squirrel at more than 40 yards, and even you will risk missing or injuring an animal.
At 62 yards this was now becoming a then only under near-perfect conditions. Yes, Am I wrong? Can you prove it? I’d genuinely
struggle. My first shot took more wind on an indoor range, my HW100 and I could like to see that, and you can contact me at
than I would have liked, and if I had been shoot a sub-20mm group at 60 yards, but garychillingworth36@gmail.com ■
shooting at a real rabbit I would have hit it
Only the 35-yard and 48-yard groups are acceptable, and that 48-yarder came courtesy of every conceivable advantage
in the nose. The following two shots were
bang on target, but the next shot missed
completely and the final shot hit low and
took out the rabbit’s jaw. At 70 yards in an
8mph wind, I only had a single shot that
hit the rabbit and this was a body shot so it
would have injured, not killed the animal.
As I lay there looking at the target
through my binoculars, I could not work
out why the pellets were moving around
so much. I pulled out the anemometer and
checked the wind speed and it was reading
8mph, but as I started to move toward the
target, the wind speed changed from 6mph
at 30 yards to 12mph at 60 yards. From 8
to 45 yards, using a sub-12 ft.lbs. rifle, the
difference between 8 and 12 mph should not
cause such a large spread of pellets. After a
cup of tea and a head scratch, I decided to
take a risk and place my chronograph out
at 60 yards and, to be honest, I was amazed
at how slowly the pellet was flying when it
impacted the target. At 60 yards, my pellet
was only travelling at 525fps and this is
equivalent to just 5.1ftlbs. At this speed,
the wind has a massive effect on a pellet.
WE’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Conclusion time. Due to the combination of
human error and the huge effect of wind, I
believe consistent, humane accuracy at these
extreme ranges is impossible under genuine

46 AIR GUNNER
vw{pjz
Plane Sailing
The Editor gets his hands on the very first of the 2018 Hawke Sport optics scopes
PIN-SHARP CLARITY
I
t seems like Hawke Sport Optics has
been one of the great names in rifle The first scope to land on my desk was the
optics all my shooting career, and one Sidewinder 4-16 x 50 SF FFP (side focus,
of the many things I love about them is first focal plane) which is a serious upgrade
that they never sit still. Every year they and evolution of one of airgun sport’s most
have lots of new products, each bringing beloved scopes. It has been treasured by
an innovation or perhaps an evolution to hunter field target shooters as one of the
a scope we love, but for all their ‘go ahead’ best scopes you can buy for that sport,
attitude, they usually have a certain alongside many other airgunners who’ve
reticence about telling me about what’s delighted in its performance.
coming next, so imagine my surprise when The high-class lenses wear an 18-layer,
the 2018 catalogue, both in its paper form multi-coating system and I can tell you now
and on line, was packed with full details of that the image quality is stunning, offering
the new models that we’ll see as the year pin-sharp clarity with natural colour
rolls on. rendition, which makes target recognition
Over time, I’ll bring you each of their that much easier, especially in low light.
new models as they become available, or Externally, the tall, exposed windage and
perhaps one of our contributors will, if their adjuster turrets are old favourites and work
skills are better suited to the particular in the same way as the earier models; pull
scope or device. Of course, I’ll personally up to unlock, and press down to ensure that
explore as many as I can so that I can better your carefully set zero is completely locked
understand the new hardware. All in all, I in. Although I’m not a fan of tall turrets
see interesting times ahead. This has the feel of a competition scope as the picture shows for hunting, these ones were a pleasure to Ô
A 50mm objective lens seems quite normal these days

vw{pjz
use and I zeroed my rifle in seconds with

complete precision in their tracking. Each
click was well defined and audible, making
precise changes easy.
WHICH IS BETTER?
So, why does the first focal plane option
cost more than the conventional scope? It’s
all in the production costs which, of course,
get passed on to us. For those not used
to an FFP scope, when you zoom the mag’
the reticle grows or shrinks in your view,
so if one mil-dot represents 1” at a given
distance, it will always do that, no matter
which magnification you choose, therefore
your hold over and under view remains
constant at every magnification. The more
common second focal plane scope’s reticle
changes its values every time we change
the magnification. Which is better is open
to debate and both have their virtues. On Optical clarity was excellent
Hawke scopes you can expect to pay some
£50 more for an FFP variant, which many for me. I’ve used Hawke scopes for well over make the fine, target-style reticle larger, to
consider an absolute bargain. 10 years and have never had a problem so I make it more hunter friendly, which it did.
To check the quality of the tracking, I have complete faith in their products and At 10x it became much more distinct, but
used an old test, which is to zero the rifle this feels like more of the same to me. the field of view became narrower and the
and then draw a box with the adjusters. It parallax adjustment more critical. I can see
works like this; Fire a shot at a paper target TOTAL PRECISION how and why the competition boys and girls
on your zero and then adjust the scope up After fitting the Sidewinder to my Daystate can put this to good effect, but it’s not ideal
10 clicks, and fire again. Then dial 10 clicks Huntsman Regal FAC rifle and zeroing it, I for my style of hunting. Luckily for me,
right and fire, down 10 clicks and then set off on one of my regular winter squirrel many dedicated hunting scopes will soon be
finally, dial 10 clicks left. The last shot patrols. At some 810 grammes the weight with us from Hawke’s new range and I can’t
should land on top of your very first shot and was noticeable on a light rifle. I planned to wait to get my hands on them.
I can confirm that’s exactly what happened use the FFP image enlargement function to Optically it was stunning and each of the
nine squirrels, plus the lone pigeon that fell
Flip-up metal lens covers are included The tall adjuster turrets lock down for security
to it, were observed with total precision, to
the point where I could see the pellets strike
fur and feather, even in dull winter light.
This is just my first impression of the
2018 range, and the Sidewinder is on its
way to Gary Chillingworth who will give us
the competitor’s point of view on this lovely
and technically advanced scope. ■
This is quite a big scope for a sporting rifle to carry SPECIFICATION

Model: Sidewinder FFP
Reticle: FFP Mil
Body tube: 30mm
Spec: 4-14 x 50
Length: 366mm / 14.4”
Weight: 810g / 1.8lbs
Contact: www.uk.hawkeoptics.com
RRP £449.99

Grup}lz
No Joker
The editor tries a traditional European game knife
This well-designed
blade combination
makes quick work of
game preparation
I
have a fascination with the fact that a the blade, it naturally lifts the skin up and secure lock is required. It was supplied with
knife is an intrinsically simple thing, away from the guts, plus being rounded, a leather lanyard, but I removed it because
yet in man’s striving for the perfect tool it’s disinclined to puncture them anyway. I didn’t want it to get soaked in blood and
they’ve been adapted in a million different If I have a quantity of rabbits to prepare, I fluids that would be difficult to clean off.
ways. Years ago, I remember seeing a classic lay them out, nick each one with the main Harsh washing to remove blood and tissue
German deer stalker’s knife that was simple blade and then switch to the gut hook to is tough on wood, so regular re-oiling of
and elegant, yet capable of cleaning game split them as the second task. This way, I the olive wood will be needed to keep them
looking good. This is great little game blade
that suits airgun quarry perfectly, as well as
“only the very lightest pressure was needed to unzip making a nice all-round pocket knife with a
little Spanish style for good measure. ■
the whole belly from crotch to neck”
SPECIFICATION
animals to eat. It was two-bladed, the larger can move along at quite a speed yet never
being a locking, modified drop point and rupture any guts and spoil a carcass. In
the other an upturned gut hook. I always the past, I’ve carried two tools to do this
fancied that it would make a superb tool job, but now I can use the Canguro II as an
for the airgun hunter, and when I saw this all-in-one. Manufacturer: Joker
one from Joker on the Casstrom website, I Model: Canguro II
jumped at the chance to test it. SPANISH STYLE Product code: No-127
At 3” long, the razor-sharp blade made Joker is a Spanish brand and the build
light work of splitting the rabbit’s belly to reflects that, with a steel bolster and lovely Contact: www.casstrom.co.uk
allow the blunt-ended gut hook to be slid olive wood handles. The main blade is held
inside. From there, only the very lightest firm with a traditional spine rocker lock,
RRP £56.95
pressure was needed to unzip the whole whilst the gut hook is a conventional slip
belly from crotch to neck in one smooth and lock. This is because the pressure on the gut
very controlled cut. Because of the shape of hook is trying to keep it open, so no more

jvtwl{p{pvu
WIN A BSA
Scope and mounts

may vary from
those shown
W
hen the editor wanted to go for complete camouflage, it’s medium-sized build, you can expect 90 shots per fill in
the BSA Scorpion SE was a great choice because it’s .177 and more from the .22. Up front, one of BSA’s variable
available with the excellent RealTree Extra Green choke silencers will be included to reduce the muzzle crack
coated stock. The 10-shot bolt-action is well proven in the to a whisper, adding stealth to camouflaged concealment,
hunting fields, delivering all the power and accuracy any making for a truly top notch hunting rig. The scope and
hunter could want. Its sporting build offers great handling mounts might vary from those shown in the photograph, but
allied to good stability on aim, as only a well-designed rifle we’ll ensure that you receive something just as good, so don’t
can. The cheek piece is set perfectly for scope use, making worry. This great combination could be yours for just £1.50,
consistent mounting easy and reducing parallax error. Despite so get your entry in now!
JIGSAW
This is a snippet from a picture printed elsewhere
in this issue. Can you spot which page it’s on?
HOW TO ENTER
By Post
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and see if you can spot from which main photo elsewhere in
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the answer box below and send your completed entry form to
✁
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you can enter as many times as you like. As a bonus though,
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provided the entry form is submitted with a validated ‘Free
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Multiple entries allowed. If you do not wish to destroy your
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a tie, all correct entries will be put into a hat and there will
I’ve spotted the shot on page ... be a draw to decide the winner.
The prize is supplied on behalf of Air Gunner from the
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Send your answers to: April Jigsaw, Air Gunner, The prize will be sent to the winner’s designated gun shop
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Wokingham, RG40 2EG

jvtwl{p{pvu
SCORPION SE CAMOUFLAGE
COMBO WORTH £750
... COULD BE
YOURS FOR
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Gl{opjz
Body Shots
The editor discusses the hunter’s aim points
W
hen it comes to shot placement, in oxygen runs out, unconsciousness sets in of its brain is always visible and offers a
the hunting sense, I pretty much and the brain eventually stops forever, clearly defined aim point. If you draw a line
always use head shots because but there is a period between the hit and back horizontally, from the eye and then
what matters to me more than filling the death occurring when the creature will do down from the base of the ear, you have the
bag, is that any animal or bird I shoot everything it can to flee and avoid capture. perfect aimpoint for the centre of the brain,
should be killed cleanly. By this, I mean If you have a skilful gun dog it might find and a pellet placed here will kill the animal
a single shot that ‘turns the lights out’ a pigeon that flew 50 yards after a chest outright and instantly. Yes, there might
immediately, and any pellet of any calibre
“Trying to visualise the exact location of a rabbit’s

driven right through the brain will deliver
that. Precise shot placement is what
airgunning is all about, but some people
ask me why I don’t go for heart and lung
heart is fraught with problems”
shots and the answer is quite simple really.
I can’t be as sure where they are as I can shot, or it might not. It’s much better to put be all sorts of kicking and wriggling, but
with the brain. Half an inch this way or the pellet right through the brain and drop these soon subside as nerve activity stops.
that might make the difference between the bird straight to the ground where you’ll Please take my advice on this one. Follow
a kill and a lost animal, and remember, a have little trouble finding it yourself. the ‘brain shots only’ rule and you’ll be a
rabbit can be back down its hole in seconds more ethical and successful hunter, that I
and even if it is now dead, you don’t know CLEARLY DEFINED promise you.
that and cannot retrieve it. Trying to visualise the exact location of Finally, to complete the practical
Further, you need to understand what a rabbit’s heart is fraught with problems message, I'd like you to read Gary
happens to an animal when you stop its made worse by no specific aim points, and Chillingworth's excellent article on page 43
heart working. That in itself does not kill the fact that it might be sitting, standing, of this issue. Combine realistic ranges with
the animal, rather it denies its brain the up on its backside like a meercat … any the proper target area, and you’ll really
oxygen that it needs to function. Once the number of other positions, but the position make the most of those hunting trips. ■
Any chest shot is just a guess. Please don’t take them
?
wlssl{z
Heavy Hitters
Does your high-power rifle need a super-heavyweight pellet?
T
hose of us who use high-power (FAC) WEIGHT VELOCITY MUZZLE ENERGY
rifles know that one of the great
challenges is to find a pellet that Daystate/JSB Monster 25.4 grains 723 fps 29.48 ft.lbs.
can handle the power whilst delivering Bisley Magnum 21 .5 grains 795 fps 30.18ft.lbs
top-class accuracy. For a long time, the
Panther 21 grains 790fps 29.10ft.lbs
ubiquitous Bisley Magnum was the go-to
pellet because its sturdy construction was H&N Rabbit Magnum 24.7 grains 680fps 26.36ft.lbs
well known to handle the high pressures Apolo Destroyer 28 grains 460fps 13.14ft.lbs
involved. At 21 grains it’s heavy for a .22,
but there are plenty of others heavier.
Panther offers a somewhat similar-looking relative to British and Powerful guns need strong pellets
and these can take the pressure
pellet at 21 grains, and JSB has the Monster German ones. The
at 25.4 grains. Stepping up from this, we Rabbit Magnum
have the Rabbit Magnum II at 24.7 grains was a similar
from H&N, and Apolo offers their Destroyer shape, was also
at 28 grains. tight and slightly
The latter two look much like the down on power
‘heads’ you find in .22 rimfire, live ammo compared to the
cartridges. They are parallel-sided bullets, Diablo-shaped ones,
rather than wasp-waisted Diablo pellets. so perhaps we’re
Muzzle velocity is much affected by the seeing a trend here. I
weight of the pellet, and it’s clear that wonder if they’d fare better
these bruisers will be launched more slowly at 40 or 50 ft.lbs. rather than
than lighter pellets, so I ran them through my modest 30.
the chrono’ in my Daystate Huntsman Next I compared their
Regal, which normally makes around 30 trajectories in my trusty Chairgun
ft.lbs. with my chosen pellet, the Air software to see if the high ballistic
Arms Field Diablo .22 (15.9 grains). These coefficients would compensate for the
leave at around 900fps and offer a lovely low muzzle velocities. For obvious reasons, I ‘at the muzzle’, but that’s just Hollywood’s
flat trajectory and stunning accuracy, stopped the Apolo test at the chrono’. misuse of the ballistic term.
regularly printing ½” groups at 50 yards on The Air Arms Field Diablo when zeroed Let’s see how the others would compare.
a windless day. at 42 yards is never more than ½” above or It’s clear to see that starting slowly means
I noticed one thing that all of these below my sight line from 10 to 47.5 yards, a much more curved trajectory, and the
pellets had in common. As I chambered which is its Point Blank Range (PBR) – very good old Bisley Magnum is a good choice
them, I could feel them grip the rifling as handy indeed for a hunting gun. Most if your gun is not accurate with the Air
I pressed them home, and that the Rabbit people think that ‘point blank range’ means Arms Field. I found it interesting that all
Magnum needed a good push to seat it.
However, the Apolo was very tight indeed OPTIMUM ZERO RANGE PBR
and I think that this is what caused the
Daystate/ JSB Monster 35 yards 8.5 to 40 yards
low muzzle energy reading. Perhaps the
Daystate barrel is just too tight for this Bisley Magnum 38 yards 9.3 to 43 yards
unusual pellet. I believe that they’re made Panther 21 grains 36 yards 9.0 to 42 yards
in Spain and I have noted that many
H&N Rabbit Magnum 33 yards 8.0 to 37.5 yards
Spanish-made barrels appear oversized,
L to R - Panther, Bisley Magnum, JSB Jumbo, H&N Rabbit and Apolo Destroyer
the conventional diablo pellets made very
similar amounts of muzzle energy despite
different shapes, lead alloys and skirt
thicknesses.
Although all this data is useful, I place
accuracy as by far the most important
factor when choosing pellets for any gun,
and I hope that you do too, so careful
testing is vital to the selection of the
ultimate pellet for your particular rifle.■

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58 AIR GUNNER
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Just a shot away II

Charlie Portlock runs us through the fundamentals of technique
A
lthough we’ll never stop chasing the unsure of wind speed or range, or maybe you into your backside, take the time to become
perfect shot, there’s a great deal that unknowingly lift your head slightly from the as comfortable as possible. If shooting from
we can do to close the distance. It scope milliseconds after the shot. a fixed position, you’ll only end up moving
all begins with solid fundamentals and a All of us have a certain character at and creating a disturbance. Fatigue sets
consistent technique. Provided that your the rifle and if you’re consistent in your in quickly and although regular exercise
hardware is of decent quality and it’s in foibles then you can compensate for these and resistance training can be helpful in
reasonable condition, all good shooting comes when you zero. However, if you’re unsure extending your physical resilience in the
down to minimising the human variables. of why things aren’t going exactly to plan field, there’s really no substitute for sitting
These are the ways in which we affect then you’ll need to embark on a methodical on a piece of foam with your back against a
the shot consciously and sub-consciously, elimination of the variables in order to tree. It’s a stable position to shoot from and
mentally and physically. If you have a determine exactly what’s throwing you off. can be sustained for long periods of time.
fine rifle and great technique, you’ll still Below are some pointers:
shoot below your best if you’re angry, cold RANGE IT
or frustrated. Similarly, you could be the FIND COMFORT Your pellet will not fly flat during its brief
calmest, happiest marksman on the range, Where there’s comfort there’s also stability, journey through the air, so you’ll need to
but you might have an unknown gremlin and where there’s stability there’s accuracy. set up targets at ranges from 10-30 yards so
lurking in your trigger technique. Perhaps If you’re cold, need a pee or you’re that you can see how much holdover/under
you sometimes pull slightly to the right when struggling with a troublesome root digging you’ll need at any given range. In the field, Ô
I use my rangefinder all the time. It’s that important!

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you’ll need to be certain of the range to Comfort means stability and thus, accuracy
your quarry or you’ll either miss or wound.
Although not always dependable in low light,
a rangefinder is very useful here. Carry it
with you when walking the dog and try to
guess ranges in woodland and pasture, then
confirm them with the rangefinder. A single
pace is roughly a yard. I estimate in chunks
of five yards and if in doubt, I add five.
Visual perspective is very subjective and
the brain can readily play tricks upon us. If
you’re unsure of the range to your quarry
then you’re almost certainly too far away.
HOLD
Less of an issue for PCP shooters, your
hold will play a significant role in accuracy
and a springer will need a consistent
hold more than any other rifle. As it has
bi-directional recoil, it’s very sensitive,
so it’s normally best to use the artillery
hold and let it recoil freely in your open A springer is most accurate when rested on a soft surface
palm. This technique reduces the variable
of pressure and is the best option for most
of us. Our own Gary Chillingworth uses a
different technique that prizes slight but
equal pressure at certain points of the rifle,
but this is best left to more experienced
shooters. Whichever hold you choose to
adopt, be consistent and you’ll be able to
minimise the influence that it has upon
your accuracy.
BREATHE
Shoot at the end of your exhalation.
Breathing in is a point of tension. Breathing
deeply and slowly will reduce your heart
rate and relax your body, which will
translate into reduced scope wobble.
PRESS DON’T SQUEEZE

Squeezing is a movement of tension and
expectancy and the word implies tightness
and resistance. Press the trigger with
tactful intent, it’s more accurate.
FOLLOW IT THROUGH
This is the weakest part of my technique
because my natural impatience commandeers
my sub-conscious and makes me lift my head
slightly to see the effect of the shot. Aim
to count two seconds after the trigger press
and this will eliminate any pre-emptive and
unintentional movements, leading to much
more consistent accuracy. When I don’t pay
direct attention to this, my shots sometimes
fly high and right – the direction of my head
and eye movement. If you only remember
one trick, make it this one. It works.
ANATOMY
For hunters, an intimate knowledge of your
quarry’s physiology is essential. Legal limit
air rifles and even rim-fires and shotguns

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The artillery hold doesn’t interrupt the rifle’s recoil Shoot two consecutive groups, bench rested,
from both kinds of rifle using the same
ammunition and you’ll be able to analyse
the similarities and differences. A PCP is
useful for springer purists because it will
remove certain variables from the shooting
experience. For example; when you know
that your rifle isn’t hold sensitive, but you
still see those shots flying low and left, you
can begin to think about other factors.
LEARN THE HARD WAY

I know a bass guitarist who’s played with
some very successful bands, and he’s
renowned for his virtuosity and technical
precision. I asked him once if he had
any tips for aspiring players, expecting
to hear some well-worn maxim about
Press, don’t squeeze practice or dedication. Instead he said,
“Play everything twice as fast as you need
to. That way anything slower is easy.”
Similarly, marathon runners and sprinters
will routinely run with extra weight during
their pre-race training so that they’re
physically conditioned for a much harder
race. The idea is a simple one and is highly
relevant to shooting, especially to hunting
where field conditions are so variable, and
when the result of a fumbled shot can cause
great suffering. If we’re better than we
need to be, even on a bad day and under the
very worst conditions, then we’ll be more
accurate, more humane and more successful.
CONDITIONING
It’s impossible to be fully aware of all the
elements above when we’re out in the field.
can fail to kill small game cleanly if the and how to hit it from different angles. Our brains can only consciously process so
shot placement is bad and nine times out When confronted in the scope with a furry much sensory information and when the
of ten, head shots are the only option. brown or grey mass, it can be tempting to thrill of the chase sets in, we essentially
Rabbits and squirrels will not go down aim without precision or to rush the shot. revert back to our baseline ability. If this
with a body shot because the pellet lacks Aim small, miss small. has been made effective enough through
the energy to penetrate the chest cavity to It’s surprising just how tiny a squirrel’s precise and specific training, then we can
do enough damage, and they’ll always run brain is in your hand, not to mention at rely on ourselves and not upon chance to
on pure adrenalin. It’s not easy to recover 20 yards. Find some cardboard and draw make the best shot that we possibly can in
squirrels in lofty boughs or rabbits deep around a two-pence piece. Place this ‘brain that given moment.
in the burrow, and a wounding is always a board’ on a stick at 25 yards and hit it The more that we can embed the above
depressing experience, not least because it’s five times out of five, from sitting. If your techniques and approaches into our motor
avoidable. hardware set-up is good, but you can’t do memory and sub-conscious, the better shots
Without question, you need to know it first time, then you need to ask yourself we’ll become. Perhaps we don’t need to be
exactly where the animal’s brain is located if you’re willing to go out and potentially hitting that 10-pence piece five out of five
maim a sentient creature with a bungled after all. It should be ten out of ten. If we
Drawing your own brain board will remind you of its actual size
shot to the nose, teeth or forelegs. A aim high then our game will rise with us.
squirrel’s brain is not a perfect circle, but Best of luck with your
more of a squashed kidney. shooting, Charlie. ■
UNHOLY UNION
Springers and PCPs are complementary Charlie’s e-book
training tools. One of the great advantages ‘How to Shoot Spring
of a springer is that it’ll remind you of your Rifles’ is a useful
weaknesses. It’s also the perfect diagnostic resource for improving
tool to help you to improve your technique. your accuracy and is
If your hold or trigger press is in need of available for download
work, this will be obvious with a springer. via Amazon.

N O W AVA IL A B L E
THE 2018 BUYERS GUIDE
CMMBG18A
CMMBG18A

Improving on
improvement
Neil Price gets to work on the BSA Improved Model D
PART 1
T
here I was, walking around our
local Sainsbury’s store with my
good lady, doing the weekly grocery
1
shopping, when I heard my name being
called. When I looked around to see who
was calling me, I saw an old friend of
mine who I hadn’t seen for a couple of
years. Well, as one does, the little lady
carries on with the shopping, whilst we
men just stood there catching up on old
times and chewing the fat. As usual, the
2
subject of the conversation got round to
shooting, and he dropped it out that he
had found his father’s old air rifle, an old
BSA Improved Model ‘D’ in .177 calibre,
and asked if I could have a look at it, to very good, and the muzzle energy was a little guard when fitted is under tension, and
get it shooting as it should. He had done down on what these are capable of, so I set now that the tension has been released,
some research on it and thought that it about seeing if I could improve on it a little. the trigger guard has sprung forward so
had been manufactured in either 1913 or If your chrono’ only gives a muzzle that the screw holes are no longer in line.
1914. Well, I love these old guns so I asked velocity reading then to find the muzzle
him to drop it around to me, which he did
a couple of days later.
energy in ft/lbs use the formula (FPS x FPS
x Pellet Weight in Grains)/450240, i.e.
(777 x 777x 8.44) = 5095472.76, divide by
2 With the two retaining screws
removed, the trigger guard can be
angled downward and disengaged from
WARM IT UP 450240 = 11.32 f.p.e. the action.
The first thing to do was to see how it was
performing, so I warmed it up with a few
shots into my pellet trap and then did a
ten-shot string through my Skan chrono’,
1 The first thing to do is to remove the
two front trigger guard screws. These are
usually normal slot-type screws, but some
3 From the left-hand side of the action
remove the cocking link pivot pin
locking screw.
using unweighed JSB Exact pellets with time in the dim and distant past these have
an average weight of 8.44 grain
Well, a 63ft per second variation is not
been replaced on this rifle by hexagon drive
cap head screws. Notice how the trigger 4 From the right-hand side of the action
remove the cocking link pivot screw.
3 4

6 7
8
9 10 11
5 With the cocking link pivot pin

removed, the cocking link can be
angled away from the action and the
on this rifle, showed signs of screwdriver
slippage and subsequent screw-head damage.
The leather washer was a loose fit in the
springs were not in stock, but they did
have a one-piece alternative and the
leather washer kit.
cocking shoe removed from the piston compression chamber and was extremely The new leather washer can be
through the larger round cut-out at the hard, with no compliance in it at all. sized to the compression chamber by
end of the cocking slot in the action. So, a new mainspring and piston washer rotating it in a drill press or a lathe
set is required. Before ordering one you and using emery paper on the outside
6 With the trigger guard and trigger

adjusting screw removed, the trigger
spring pushes the trigger forward into a
have to strip the rifle down because there
were two compression chamber diameters;
1 inch diameter, and 1.1 inch diameter
diameter. When doing this, a lot of heat
is generated. Be sure to let the washer
cool down before trying it for fit in the
slot in the action. This is to ensure that and you have to order the correct one for compression chamber because it expands
the trigger block is correctly aligned to your rifle. I always enjoy a pleasant drive considerably with heat, and if you try
the action on reassembly. through the countryside to John Knibbs it hot then you will end up with an
(The Country Store) to get my spare parts, undersized seal. Remember, once you
7 The trigger has to be pulled slightly

to disengage the trigger from the slot
in the action before the trigger block can
contact details:
John Knibbs International Ltd

take material off, you cannot put it back
on again.
be unscrewed from the action. Hillside,

Shawbury Lane, 11 Once the leather washer has been
sized, it should be left to soak in
8 The trigger block can now be fully

unscrewed from the action. The
mainsprings on these rifles are very stiff,
Shustoke,
Warwickshire.
B46 2RR
Neatsfoot oil for a minimum of 48 hours to
soak through the leather thoroughly.
so care should be taken when nearing

the end of the thread, and preferably
industrial gloves worn to give your hands
Telephone: 01675 481006
VAT: 313 964848
URL: www.airgunspares.com
12 Here is the piston nicely cleaned
up with the sized and lubricated
leather washer screwed in position ready
a bit of protection. The original two-piece flat section for reassembly. ■
9 With the trigger block removed from

the action, the mainspring and
piston can be removed from the action.
This rifle has been taken apart sometime
in the past because there is a one piece
round section mainspring in there, and
the original equipment was two springs
manufactured from flat section. This
mainspring has been shortened and the
end left as cut, not flattened or ground.
10 The leather piston washer is
12
held on to the end of the piston
with a slot-head screw. This slot-head
screw, the same as all the other screws
PART 2 NEXT MONTH www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 65

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66 AIR GUNNER
thpu{luhujl
Clean bore,
accurate bore
The editor tells us how he gets his barrels squeaky clean
T
he whole subject of barrel cleaning can
evoke impassioned discussion between
those who believe that cleanliness
means accuracy, and those who say ‘if it
ain’t broken, don’t fix it – cleaning makes
things worse!’ I fall between the two camps.
My 12ft.lbs guns rarely get cleaned, but my
high-power rifle gets a bore clean every 200
pellets or so, more often if I’ve been doing
testing with different brands of pellet. My
experience shows a distinct drop off with a
dirty barrel in high-power guns, so this is
how I do my .22 cleaning.
GREAT WADS
VFG makes felt wad pellets for all calibres
and I use the ‘drilled’ ones that accept
the threaded adaptor on the pull-though
systems. In .177, I use a pull-through cable,
but for the bigger bores I find a Parker
Hale rod easier to use. Firstly, I remove
the silencer and then slide the rod, plus
adaptor, into the muzzle and up to the
breech. The plastic-coated shaft cannot Soaking the wad with pellet lube is quite safe for
the gun’s seals
harm the delicate muzzle this way. Next,
“ This sounds like a long chore, but once practised it takes just minutes,
and I can almost do it with my eyes shut”
I screw a drilled wad onto the adaptor fashioned 3-in-1 oil will do the job. How
followed by some Napier pellet lube. If far down the adaptor you screw the wad
you don’t have any pellet lube, some old dictates how snug a fit it will be in your
barrel’s rifling and, as they say, I like it
Note the dirt on the oil-soaked wad
tight! I believe that some friction helps to
lift lead and dirt from the rifling.
WET AND DRY The plastic-coated rod will not damage the rifling
I run three wads soaked with pellet lube
through and then enough dry ones until in the end.
they come out clean.. After this, I place a Woking carelessly from the muzzle could
drop of pellet lube on the rubber bolt probe be damaging, but being sensible, using the
seal to minimise the damage it does to the right kit and technique will give you a clean
big ‘O’ ring inside the magazine. Dry rubber bore without any harm, and that has to be a
running across dry rubber tends to catch good thing.
and can cause premature wear. One drop To find your nearest VFG retailer visit
of oil on the probe and a light lube on the www.bisley-uk.com and use their dealer
pellets is just right and can save you money locator function ■

New s e ri es
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Back to basics
H
ow much do you tighten screws, nuts
By using the short end of
and bolts on an air rifle? Well, not the hex key you will not
as much as some people think. I have over-tighten the bolts
had to strip air rifles on which either the
Incredible Hulk (in green mode) or Godzilla
had tightened the fixings. When you
consider that the normal size for fixings on
air rifles is usually from M3 to M6 – that is
3mm to 6mm in diameter – then it doesn’t
take a lot of over-exuberant tightening
before threads start to rip out and strip, so
a modicum of common sense has always to
be applied.
Most of the action to stock fixings are
either M5 or M6 and can be cross-head
screws, slot-head screws or hexagon-drive,
socket-head screws. For the cross-head
and slot-head screws, then hand-held
screwdrivers of the appropriate kind should
be used. These should be tightened until all
the slack is taken out of the fixing and then
further tightened by hand, by about half to
three-quarters of a turn. Stock fixings can
then easily be checked on the range after head screw, and I use the short end of the fixings on my rifles for correct tightness
some shots have been put through the gun hex key to do the tightening. I wind down every time I take them out of their gun slips.
to settle things in. The same can apply for the scope mount screws equally on each side However, I know that some owners would
hexagon-drive, socket-head screws when of the mount until all the free movement is want to have a ‘belt and braces’ approach
used for action to stock fixings. taken out of the mount and there is a gap of to maintenance to give them peace of mind
wqual size on the mount split line, on each after rebuilding their rifles. For those who
TIGHTENING MOUNTS
Extra care must be taken when tightening
scope mounts. The bore in scope mounts is “If the scope mount screws are over-tightened, then the scope
not a full circle, but is not quite a semi-
circle on each side. This means that when tube body can be compressed out of round”
the scope mounts are tightened around a
scope tube, there is a slight gap on each side of the mount. I then tighten the scope want to do this, then the best known of the
side, where the flat split lines of the mounts mount screws by turning each one about thread-locking compounds has the trade
come together. If the scope mount screws half a turn extra, using the short arm of the name of ‘Loctite’. There are many grades
are over-tightened, then the scope tube hex wrench only. of Loctite so you have to determine which
body can be compressed out of round. This one you are going to use. The list below
is known as ‘crimping’ the scope tube and A SMALL SPOT shows the most common types and their
ruins the telescopic sight. The way that I I am often asked if I recommend using a applications, but remember, whichever one
tighten scope mounts is to use the long side thread-locking compound on air rifle fixings. is used then only a small spot is required to
of the hexagon drive key to go into the cap Personally, I don’t because I check all the achieve the required result:
Ensure the gap is equal on both sides of the clamping rings

TYPE PURPOSE
Loctite 221 and 222 Easily removable, but will stop fixings from vibrating loose.
Loctite 270 and 276 High strength, will need high heat application to break the seal.
Loctite 243 A general purpose thread lock with medium holding strength,
about in the middle of the two above.
Loctite 290 Medium strength, but used on already assembled units so no
need to strip to apply.
Loctite 272 and 278 For high strength and high temperature applications.

zhml{Gmpyz{
Neil Price asks, ‘How Tight Is Tight?’
Gunsmith turn-
screws are the
best you can buy
Make sure you use the correct Loctite for the application
A badly worn bit can do this kind of damage to any screw Early signs of wear should have you checking your tools Damage like this ruins the look of your gun
TOOLS REQUIRED air rifles? If you do not want to go flat-blade screwdrivers, a set of cross-head
What are the most common tools needed to the expense of buying gunsmiths screwdrivers (yes, there are different
to do general maintenance tasks on turnscrews, then a good quality set of head sizes of crosshead screws) and a set
of hexagon-drive keys. These are more
commonly known as ‘Allen’ keys, but that
is a maker’s name and ‘hexagon drive keys’
is the generic denomination. Find out
what your gun needs and then buy the
correct set, either metric or imperial size.
A set of pin punches is required on a lot
of makes of rifles, and a small hammer,
either a quarter- or half-pound hammer
is sufficient. Always inspect your tools
carefully before and after use. If any
damage or wear can be seen on the tips of
any of the screwdrivers or hexagon-drive
screws, then discard them immediately.
Do not try to do ‘just one more job’ with
them because the consequences can be a
rounded-off head in the fixing, which can
be a big job to remove and can entail a lot
of time, money, and sometimes cosmetic
damage to your gun. ■

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70 AIR GUNNER
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New s e ri es
The Hunter’s Way
I love the technology
I can use on my rat
shooting trips
Eddie Jones continues his series on hunting techniques with the much reviled rat
T
he next pest on my list is the rat. and less common. The length of the adult in colour, but similar to a human who has
This furry rodent is another favourite is usually between 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in), colour blindness, and one interesting fact
of mine to shoot and it can be found and the tail is roughly the same length as that surpised me when I was first told about
in every farmyard, at some degree of the body. Adult body weight averages 350 it is that they also see ultraviolet light.
population. Farmers hate seeing these g (12oz) for males and about 250g (9oz) When I shoot rats, I do it at night 99%
about, and if you are looking for a new for females. The rat can look very big of the time because they are predominantly
permission, this little rodent is one sure sometimes, and that is where the saying, nocturnal and it is the safest time for them
way of getting you sorted. Before we get ‘rats as big as cats’ comes from, but you will to venture out to feed. When you do get
into how I go about shooting them, let’s just never see one that big. a permission with good rat numbers, you
go through a few facts and get to know this will hear a lot of squeals and cries coming
destructive pest a little more. OPEN LARDER from the rats. These sound like they are
Most wild rats that you will encounter are Rats have fantastic hearing. It is very hard fighting cries, but they are mostly just
predominantly brown, although you will see to sneak up on a rat, so baiting stations are communicating with each other. Sometimes
a few variations, grey or even black in some a must if you want to shoot good numbers. there will be fighting rats, but it will be
cases – the black rat is a smaller species Their vision is also very good; they do see short-lived and they will just carry on with Ô

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The ground around their holes will be smooth
Their burrows will often be under buildings or equipment Their burrows can be under bushes, too They may look innocent but they bring big trouble
feeding afterwards. throughout the year if it has the right would certainly diminish that figure.
The rat is an omnivore; they will eat conditions, and a female can produce up to Diseases from rats are one of the
anything from fish, young birds, and five litters in one year. That is a remarkable main problems that we have to contend
they’ll even kill young rabbits. They have statistic when you think about it. It only with, especially in areas that have a
even been known to hunt in packs and takes five weeks for them to reach sexual high population, and the most common
bring down adult ducks in some parts of maturity, so if a female gave birth to are; Weil’s disease, rat bite fever,
the world. The main diet, though, is cereal around 10 young, and half were female, it cryptosporidiosis, viral haemorrhagic
and grain, which is why we get so many of is possible that by the time they have bred, fever, Q fever, and hantavirus pulmonary
these animals around farms, of course. A too, and their young have bred, we could syndrome. When shooting rats, we must
farmyard is like an open larder for these be looking in excess of over 8,000 rats from be on our guard and protect ourselves, so
creatures because they feed on much of one female in a matter of a few months. It is I always carry with me some disposable
what the farm animals eat. no wonder that they say you are never more gloves, baby wipes and antiseptic hand gel.
than 10 metres away from a rat, wherever I also carry a first aid kit. If you do manage
PROTECT YOURSELVES you go. Of course, 8,000 isn’t realistic to cut yourself where rats have been
When it comes to breeding, no other animal because conditions are never going to be present, it is better to be safe than sorry.
is as good as this one. The rat can reproduce that perfect; predators, and lack of food, In the past, I have picked up rats once shot,
The usual farmyard mess makes hiding from us easy It’s a great feeling to take a good bag of rats

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but I clean my hands straight afterwards, quiet and is quite populated you should
and I suggest you err on the side of caution, get a few shots off. You will benefit going
and don’t pick any up unless you’re wearing later on in the afternoon though, two hours
gloves. before dark is usually the best time to see
them moving about.
BAIT STATIONS Shooting after dark is certainly the
When trying to locate the rats’ best way to go. You can usually get away
living accommodation, it is pretty with a gun-mounted torch and have good
straightforward. You will often find runs numbers, and a red filter works very well
along walls and see droppings, and if the if you have one available. The rats don’t
runs are of soil, where they have walked seem to mind this colour shining on them,
so many times, it’ll be smooth. Look for but use it on the lowest setting possible.
holes under sheds, or between bales of hay, Night vision will be the ultimate way to
and also look for holes in banks. They are get big numbers, though, and there are
usually around 2-3 inches wide and will many types and makes at your disposal, so
have dirt kicked out – they look just like a choose wisely. If you only have one rifle
mini rabbit warren so you will easily be able then a ‘TV screen’ type will be the best
to identify them. Torches come in all shapes and sizes one. Nite Site and Sniperscope systems
You should also check any food storage work very well, and the latter is very cheap
areas where there could be gnawed feed bait if there are other food sources around. to buy and will do just as good a job as
bags, things chewed up for nesting material They seem to know that something is not the dearer Nite Site. If you have a spare
that will give you an idea of where the rats right when you first put them down, and it rifle, then dedicating it to night vision is a
are travelling. takes time for them to regard your bait as good choice. I prefer this unit because not
only is it like looking through a scope and
makes for steadier shots, but the rats will
“ Night vision will be the ultimate way to get big numbers, though, be oblivious to you being there, too, and
and there are many types and makes at your disposal” will feel a lot safer than having a torch
beam on them.
Well, now you know all about our little
When it comes to getting rats in a a safe source of nourishment. I remember pest, the rat, and I hope that you will get a
position to shoot them, baiting certainly putting down chocolate biscuits on one chance to shoot some – it is addictive and
works. I usually have cards already made shoot, and I watched the rats just walk very challenging. ■
up, with Nutella, peanut butter or Marmite around them all night and carry on feeding
on them – probably the only use for these on what they were used to. Sniperscope at http://www.sniperscope.
foods. Whoever thought of them had no So, how do we go about shooting co.uk/ £125
taste buds! Molasses is also a favourite these clever little rodents? There are two Yukon Photon https://www.
bait that I have used in the past with some approaches; one in the day time and the scottcountry.co.uk/ £550
success. other at night. The daytime shooting will
I prefer to set the bait stations for at get you fewer rats, without a doubt because, Torches:
least three days prior to shooting the rats. as I said, they are mostly nocturnal, but if Deben f900 from £120
You’d be surprised how they will ignore the you are shooting on a farm that is relatively Ledlenser from £30
I always have a first-aid kit and hand sanitizer with me A torch with a red beam will do the job
I like the Sniperscope system very much

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The best in the west

Philip Whiteman tells us why there’s so much to love about the Schofield revolver
A
nybody who played cowboys and
Indians as a kid, or who has seen The Schofield is a single-action revolver, its hammer
spur falling nicely under the thumb. The fixed
Clint Eastwood’s great western rear sight is built into the frame latch
Unforgiven will be drawn to ASG’s new
Schofield, which resembles the famous
19th century US Army revolver very
closely indeed.
It’s less well known that the Schofield
was in many ways a superior pistol to the
legendary single-action Colt ‘Peacemaker’,
not least because its hinged frame and built-
in extractor allowed it to be reloaded much
quicker than the gate-loading Colt. Shofields
were favoured by target shooters, as well
as outlaws like Jesse James and the movie’s
fictional ‘Schofield Kid’.
REFINEMENT
The Schofield was actually a refined version
of US gunmaker Smith & Wesson ’s .44
calibre No.3 revolver, which had found
favour with the Russian Army. The S & W is a large gun a little easier to conceal, things, ‘distressed black’. Straight out the
No.3 caught cavalry officer George Wheeler and most of them were stamped with the box, it is a very impressive piece. The ageing,
Schofield’s interest in 1870, when the US company’s name. It is said that fake Wells or distressing, has not been overdone, as
Army first tested and rejected it. Seeing & Fargo Schofields today outnumber the in some of the illustrations you might have
the design’s potential, George embarked highly-prized originals. seen online would suggest. The grips are the
on a series of improvements, including Today, importer Highland Outdoors is best we have seen so far. They do absolutely
redesigning the frame latch and improving supplying the ASG Schofield based on the look like wood and you have to lever off the
the grips, which led to the army reversing 1877 model, all-metal in construction and left-hand one, which covers the space for
its decision and purchasing a grand total of in two finishes; ‘ageing black’ with wood the CO2 bulb, to convince yourself that they
8,285 Shofields, as they were now known, effect grips and ‘steel grey’ with ivory- really are made from moulded plastic. The
between 1873 and 1879. effect grips. removable grip incorporates a bright, plated
An interesting Schofield factoid: the Allen key to tighten the usual grub screw,
Wells Fargo company purchased a large DISTRESSED BLACK which screws in out of sight to pierce the cap
number of Schofields for use by its own Our test model is the .177/4.5mm pellet-firing and seal the bulb.
employees. Many of these had their barrels version in ‘ageing’ black. I would call it ‘aged’, Like the 1870s original, the barrel and
shortened to five inches, making what or to use the antique trade’s term for such cylinder are unlatched by pulling back on Ô
ASG has got the ‘ageing black’ finish just right:

the Schofield looks like it’s been used but not abused!

jvY
the serrated thumb grip/rear sight. As the

barrel swings down, a star plate, driven
by a hidden pinion incorporated in the
hinge, extracts the dummy cartridges. Of
course, the thin brass shell of the original
firearm’s cartridges would have expanded on
discharge and, together with black powder
residue, tended to jam the cartridges in
place – so the combination of plenty of
leverage and automatic extraction of all six
cases gave the Schofield great advantage.
TRULY AMBIDEXTROUS
The hinged-frame revolver was perhaps
taken to its ultimate stage of development
by Webley. The Webley latch is more readily
released by a thumb lever extending down
on the left-hand side. However, the beauty
of the Schofield is that latch and grips are
truly ambidextrous and the gun can be
A modern addition, the safety is well
operated with either hand. Indeed, ASG positioned for ease and security of operation
have made a nice job of the engineering;
the fit and finish of the barrel lock are
exemplary, and there’s not the slightest lump, just as heavy, in fact, as the original. a more practical design, quickly thumbed off,
play when it is closed. However, it sits nicely in the hand, as the or on, without having to twist the gun in
Pellets are loaded simply by pushing 1870s Schofield was famed for doing. One the hand.
them into the soft plastic bushing at the obvious departure is that today’s version
base of each cartridge, located where the has a safety catch, in the form of a rather
primer would be. You do not actually need sharp-edged serrated thumb lever located
to remove the cartridges, but there’s no just behind the hammer. This safety is more
fun in that – especially when you can visually intrusive than
purchase spares and have them standing the frame-mounted
by preloaded, but if course entirely safe sliders used by Webley
because they are inert. and Umarex/Colt
The barrel is spring-loaded within the for their CO2
outer casting, and its breech end rides revolvers,
over the face of the cylinder to seat in a but it is
conical taper machined in each chamber, actually
minimising CO2 leakage. One strange thing
for a pellet-firer is that there’s no rifling.
Some mistake, we assumed, until ASG
confirmed that this is by design, and the
BB- and pellet-firing versions both have
smooth barrels and differ mechanically
only in the cartridge supplied.
BACK-TO-BACK
COMPARISON
Which brings us to how
well it shoots; weighing
in at 2lb 6oz in old
money (1.1kg) it
is a heavy old
Just like the 19th century original,

the extractor racks out - and then snaps
back in - as the barrel is swung down

jvY
Here’s the best group we got at 7m with the rifled-barrel .177 Webley MkVI ... ...and this is the smooth-bore Schofield’s best at the same range: very impressive!
If the safety is reminiscent of the kind the pellet version of the .455 Webley, which only that, but Schofield’s fixed sights – and
you’d find on a shotgun, so is the wide, has a rifled barrel an inch or so shorter than the Webley’s – were spot-on, both laterally
grooved rib that runs along the top of the the Schofield’s. Both guns were fitted with and in compensating for pellet drop at the
Schofield’s barrel. The foresight blade – fresh CO2 bulbs, loaded with Rifle Premium fairly typical CO2 pistol range at which we
pinned in place on the original – is rather Series flathead pellets, and to ensure that were shooting.
wide and visually fills the V-notch of the gas pressures were consistent, full loads of So, in ASG’s Schofield we have a
fixed rear sight. Whilst the Editor was not
keen on the sight picture, I found it easy
enough to aim when held at arm’s length, in “The Schofield was actually a refined version of
classic one-handed shooting style.
In the interest of testing the gun’s US gunmaker Smith & Wesson’s .44 calibre No.3 revolver”
accuracy, rather than the shooter’s
steadiness of aim, we cheated by steadying six shots were fired from each in turn. beautifully finished airgun that not only
it on a padded rest. Not quite believing that The results were surprising; the diameter looks, feels and operates like the famed
a smooth barrel could match a rifled one, we of the grouping was pretty close, the 19th century original, but one that shoots
ran a careful back-to-back comparison with smooth-bore Schofield performing almost straight, too. What’s not to like about such
the closest equivalent CO2 revolver to hand, as well as the rifled-barrel Webley. Not a fine replica! ■
SPECIFICATION
Model: Schofield (black aged finish)
Length: 12.6” (320mm)
Weight: 2 lbs 6oz (1035g)
Shot capacity: 6
Power: 12 gramme CO2
Trigger: Single-action only
Pellets: Lead or BB
Web: www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk
No need for an Allen key - there’s

a hex drive built into the left grip RRP £179.99

jvY
Race Ready!
The editor looks back at his competition days through the sights of a familiar pistol
The Race Gun runs on standard 12 CO2 and loves the Excite lead BBs
A
couple of years ago, I was competing perfectly, adding control during fast-fire
in a superb adrenalin-fuelled sport – sequences. It really does fit like a glove.
IPAS or Iron Plate Action Shooting, Further, it comes drilled and tapped to
where competitors shot steel plates as accept a bridge-style Weaver rail that will
fast as they could against the clock. The carry any type of red-dot or holographic
maxim was ‘shoot fast … but don’t miss’ sight you might choose.
and I loved it. Most people chose to shoot
the ubiquitous CO2 8-shot rotary magazine NOT ACCEPTED
pistols because lead pellets were mandatory; The lightweight 6mm ammo never did find
steel BBs will bounce back with ferocious acceptance during my time in the sport,
velocity, which is downright dangerous. and most people stuck with pellet-firing Cycling was perfect with this superb pellet
Like a few others, I experimented with 6mm Umarex pistols, but a recent innovation
airsoft guns, but they lacked the accuracy that I’ve been enjoying has encouraged energy just like a traditional lead pellet,
and power to clang the steel plates loudly me to try this delicious pistol again. hugely reducing the chance of ricochets
enough for the range office to score you Alongside the 6mm airsoft ammo version, and rebounds. I’ve shot enough to have
properly. Umarex always offered a 4.5mm BB-firing confidence in them, so now was the time to
The 6mm pistol I was using was the model. There is now a good supply of 4.5mm try. I filled the magazine that holds both
dreamy UX Race Gun that copies full-bore copper-coated lead BBs, manufactured to a the pellets and the 12 gramme CO2 capsule
action competition pistols in that the very high standard, that work flawlessly in and pressed it firmly into the magazine
ergonomics are fully developed to help us place of the steel and I wanted to know if well. Like every detail of this pistol, the
to shoot quickly with full control. All the my dream gun would digest them as well as mag’ well has been modified for speed.
levers and buttons are extended so that all the other guns I’ve tried. At its base it has wide flares that help to
they can be reached from the shooting hold, The great advantage of these pellets guide the mag’ in, reducing the chance of
and the shape of the grip fills the hand is that they flatten and disperse their snagging and losing time during a reload.

jvY
The extended controls have been well thought out
The shot cycle is very fast, making double-taps great fun
‘topping up’ can get messy and I saw many

competitors miss again and again, so their
three spare shots were soon gone. A reload
takes just too long and you’re pretty much
out of the competition. That’s not going to
happen with the Racegun – 16 top-up shots
must be enough for anybody.
For me, these pellets add a new lease
of life to this already superb gun, which
makes me think of competing again.
The safety and slide release sat perfectly under my thumbs With no modifications at all, this pistol
would be competitive and perhaps have an
SUPERB CONTROL engage the slide in an instant. advantage over modified eight-shot guns.
Once loaded, I racked the slide and then On top of the bridge, I fitted the For non-competitors it’s simply a lovely
pressed down on the huge, ambidextrous Competition II holographic sight included in thing to shoot, either as a simple plinker
safety lever, so that the gun was now the set, that I know very well. The dot you or rapid-fire can blaster, and the icing on
cocked and loaded. This is just like see is green and has two levels of brightness, the cake is that despite all its advanced
handling a firearm, which adds greatly to which is very important. On a bright, sunny features it’s not expensive either. There’s
the experience for me. Because the slide is day some dots are too dim to acquire, but nothing else like this on the market and if
covered in part by the sight bridge, Umarex this one served me well in all weathers, so I speed is your thing, you need a good look
added an extension bar that allows you to know it will do the same for you. at this superb pistol. ■
Because the slide cocks the hammer on
Every feature of this gun is built for speed
each shot, you have a true, single-action
trigger that’s short and light in its action.
This makes a huge difference for fast-fire
sequences because the less you need to
move your trigger finger, the less you move
SPECIFICATION
off target, making accurate shooting that Manufacturer: Umarex
much easier.
Importer: John Rothery Wholesale
Many competitors simply shot the
Umarex pistols straight from the box, Web: www.bisley-uk.com
or employed gunsmiths to make the Model: Racegun Set
modifications you see already done on Length: 10.5” (27cm)
the Racegun, but even modified to the
maximum, they were still eight-shot guns. Weight: 2.46lbs (1115g)
The Racegun holds 21 BBs which is a huge Shots: 21
advantage and I’ll explain why. Trigger: Single-action only
ALL ABOUT THE SHOT COUNT

Most courses of fire involve five plates,
and if you shoot accurately, eight-shots RRP £199.95
are plenty. However, once you miss a plate

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hjj|yhjGth{{lyz
Accuracy matters
Mark Camoccio continues his series on choosing the right rifle
L
ast month, I began to focus on the Break-barrel spring guns
requirements of hunting with an are fast-handling in a
hunting scenario
airgun. This month, I’ll conclude the
overview, and we’ll start to look at the
hardware options.
ACCURACY REQUIREMENTS
Many rifles may have to be rejected on the
raw accuracy stakes alone, at least until the
shooter’s skills are well and truly honed.
If a gun can only manage a 1.75inch group
at 30 yards, say, when all the conditions
are right, then the chances are that
again, when the heat is on in the field,
the effective range, governed by our self
imposed target of hitting an inch circle, is
severely limited. Hence a rifle that is ideal
as a plinking/practise tool, might have to
be deemed unsuitable against live stuff – or
at the very least, kept for ultra-close work.
By contrast, top-class hunting rifles from
the big names, capable of drilling five shots
in a tight cluster at the zero range, might
be more likely to reproduce an acceptable
group when shot away from the comfort
zone. Being able to print ‘one-hole groups’
from a rest, stands for nothing at the end
of the day. Shoot the chosen gun again and
again, from the standing, kneeling and
sitting positions that we are forced to adopt
when the quarry presents itself, and that
same one-inch rule applies when it matters.
With time, and with the right kit,
confidence and results will come, but until
then, self-regulation has to be the key.
TECHNOLOGY
Remember to use the technology now
available to us, too. Mil-dot reticles have
come of age and most manufacturers now
build these into their scope designs. For the
uninitiated, these offer spaced reference
dots on the reticle that allow the shooter to Ô
Rangefinders can really help, so use the technology

hjj|yhjGth{{lyz
bracket a target, where the size is roughly

known, in order to gauge the approximate
distance. In addition, the market is now
awash with hand-held, laser rangefinding
devices that are both extremely accurate,
and relatively cheap. When I hunt, I try not
to forget mine, and the confidence it brings
is enormous because it helps to eliminate
more human error. It can even close the
advantage gap in regard to .22 vs .177, since
once the range is known, the trajectory can
be simply factored into the shot. Absurdly,
I’ve heard calls of ‘unsporting’ from some
quarters regarding these devices, (yes
really!) yet as stated before, anything that
minimises the chance of a misplaced shot,
and us wounding the quarry, has to be a
good idea.
KEEP PRACTISING Diana’s 280 Classic is a top-quality spring gun

As it turns out then, hunting isn’t a
God-given right after all; and given the that just handles really well, has plenty
parameters of acceptable accuracy required, of downrange performance and features
are we all actually up to the task? Just keep where it matters. Whilst the super-compact
practising and as your skills increase, so Diana 280 Classic is just one of the very best
will that effective range. Until then, you break-barrels available, coming as it does
owe it to yourself and most importantly, the with a quality trigger, good build quality,
quarry to stay strictly within the limits of and superb accuracy potential. The Walther
your own ability! Terrus is another slick model, scaled down
and well proportioned, yet extremely well
MAKING THAT SELECTION made and finished. Weihrauch, of course,
Aspects such as rangefinders I’m sure will Respect for our quarry has to mean clean kills feature here and I’ve picked their HW95K
be dealt with in more detail, further down model for its relative lightweight, superb
the line, but for now, we are concerned with thought needs to be applied where hunting is finish, and great accuracy, but if weight isn’t
the end goal of selecting the kit for the job. concerned. Whichever gun we take out into an issue, then their mighty HW80 is another
So, as I hope has been demonstrated, much the field needs to be sufficiently powerful obvious choice.
Next month, I’ll conclude the process,
“a rifle that is ideal as a plinking/practise tool, might have to cover PCPs multi-shots, and confirm my
selection of favourites that are worth
be deemed unsuitable against live stuff” serious consideration. ■
The classic break-barrel can be ideal Only when our skills are up to the task should we hunt
and accurate to maximise the chance of a
clean kill. This has to discount very cheap
bottom end fare, and to a large extent,
CO2-powered guns, given their low power
and propensity for power fluctuation due to
temperature change. So what sort of airgun
is best suited to hunting? Well, the answer is
pretty well a variety across the board.
SPRING-POWERED GUNS
Spring-power still accounts for a huge slice
of airgun sales, and the quality varies
enormously, but the traditional break-barrel
design can be ideal; super-fast to cock and
reload, and often quite lightweight, so easy
to carry for extended periods in the field.
A time-honoured design indeed, and whilst
there are undoubtedly many cheaper options
on the market that are well up to the job,
the break-barrels that have made my short
list here, are quite special. Webley’s Stingray
Hunter OS Quantum is a bold, robust gun,

Kral Puncher Armour
£499
ឣ Futuristic Look SHOT

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AIR GUNNER 87
o|u{pun
Rat Splats
Jamie Chandler loses his ratting virginity with a frantic evening’s shooting!
A £25 red P20 torch and scope mount from eBay was more than up to the job
W
hen called on to carry out pest The other day I got a message from my sack of salt, just in case I needed a pinch or
control, the most important thing, farmer friend, Tom. It read, ‘Please come two to go with the invasion story.
as I see it, is to action the request. and shoot my rats, they’re everywhere
As you guys will know from reading my (crying emoji)’. I’ve known Tom for yonks IN ALL DIRECTIONS
articles, and I know from many, many and his ability to downplay things has I met Tom in his yard after dark at 6.30pm,
more often freezing cold days and nights always impressed me. If Tom were to win and we talked about where the rats might
of sitting still for hours and seeing no sign Euro Millions, land a date with Selina Gomez be. Tom kept to his ‘everywhere’ story, and
of the reported invaders, things can be a and be given a new combine harvester free, I kept to my ‘of course they are!’, mantra
little different to what was reported. The all in the same day, he’d describe that day quietly in the back of my mind. Tom took
main point, though, is that I have been as ‘not bad’. Of course, I said ‘yes’ to his a red lamp and we went on a walk around
there at short notice and value my part of cry for help and we agreed an evening, but to see where might be best to set up, and
the relationship with the landowner enough along with my .22 BSA Scorpion SE, Hills as he flicked the beam around a sack store,
to do so, come rain or shine, but I do find pump and a tin of Air Arms Field Diablos, my cynical voice was banished forever. The
myself now feeling the gentle throb of some tinned cat food that I would puree floor of the store erupted as about 15 rats,
cynicism whenever I hear, “I’ve seen loads with a fork on arrival, and my red-lensed the size of my size 9 boots in body, ran in all
of them.” P20 scope mountable torch, I also took a directions as we closed in. The bushes next

o|u{pun
to the store shook as they scurried back to EXPLOSIVE ACTION

their nests, and behind sacks and walls we I was sitting at about 25 metres, and bang
could hear the scurrying, screeching and on zero from the back of the barn, and
scraping of rats dashing about. the red light was perfect for picking up
We moved to a grain store and outside shine without the glare spooking the rats.
disturbed 10 of the biggest rats I’ve seen. Tom I would need to aim a little lower if any
offered to take me up and show me the rats rats presented themselves at the front of
about his pheasant feeders, but with time the barn, to compensate for trajectory, but
ticking on, we agreed that it was probably a nothing too complicated. There was barely
better idea just to try around the yard. any wind, so we kept to whispering.
By using my Rifleman rifle sticks and
READY TO GO sweeping the barn with the torch every five
At this point, I should mention that I hadn’t In body, these rats were at least the size of my size 9 wellie minutes, I could cover most of it with a clear,
ever shot rats before. It’s partly because we
have always carried out an effective poison
programme on my main permission, in “This was faster than I had imagined. The fifth was taken
conjunction with the farmer’s wishes, and
partly because I’m not interested in eating sweeping right and a sixth on a grain bag”
them, so have had little interest in hunting
them. So, it was weird and exciting to think We agreed that the first store would be wide view at x 6 magnification on the scope.
that having shot an airgun since before I the best, considering the numbers spotted. The first few sweeps were unsuccessful, but
had body hair, I was about to pop my rat I decided to forgo the cat-food bait idea we could hear movement and see the odd
cherry! As mentioned at the beginning, and hoped to bag a few just by sitting flash, so remained hopeful of a shot.
I have sat there for hours waiting for rat and waiting. After a quick check of the On the next sweep, the action exploded.
onslaughts that have never shown, but this Scorpion’s zero and the swift addition A big rat at the front of the barn under a
was my first time on a concentrated rat of my scope-mounted lamp, and we were pallet was first to go with a clean head-shot.
hunt, with actual rats present! ready for action. A second burst left, only to stop a couple of Ô
Tom sweeps the seed store with the torch beam, looking for scaly tails

o|u{pun
metres on and be taken; a third rat, another

metre on, and a fourth just behind it, all in
the space of what felt like seconds. This was
faster than I had imagined. The fifth was
taken sweeping right and a sixth on a grain
bag. Four more perished in six minutes as
we did away with regimented sweeps whilst
the rats were showing. Shots 11, 12 and 13
all missed, and bearing in mind our pin-
point accuracy previously, thoughts about
running low on air, knocking the scope and
a blocked barrel came flooding in, until I
had a ‘flash bulb’ moment, and remembered
that we only had a 10-shot magazine!
FUN AND FRANTIC

A slightly protracted reload ensued because,
in my excitement and the darkness, I
had kicked the tin of pellets over, but
once fully stuffed, we resumed sweeping
at five-minute intervals. Tom took three
rats from the bushes on the left as fast
as he could reload, with some admirable
bolt skills, and I followed with two more
between seed sacks. One crossed so near in
front of us that the shot ricocheted off the The action had been at times fast and furious
concrete. On the next sweep, another four
were dropped behind grain bags and under sacks, or been lost in brambles. Tom insisted provision of meat that I get through normal
pallets. We reloaded and gave it 10 minutes that the rats be left because he had a store- hunting was missing. Rats need controlling
before commencing our sweep tactic again. cleaning company coming the next day that and I will help out whenever asked, but
The rats seemed to catch on to us and the had appropriate protective clothing to deal having scored more kills in two hours
action dropped. We continued, but with a with the carcasses. than I normally do in a week, valuing the
shot every two, then three, then five, then For me, it was an amazingly fun and carcass as a food source was missing from
10 minutes … and with the cold creeping frantic first time out hunting rats. I can see the experience. Perhaps I’m a bit idealistic,
through, we called it quits. We had kept a why others love it, having had 40 shots for maybe we each take something different
tally and counted 30 confirmed kills, but 30 rats in about about two hours. Looking from hunting, but either way, I’ll certainly
quite a few had fallen behind or between back, though, the satisfaction in the be back if called upon. ■
Tom shines the lamp, and rats scurry in every direction Excellent marksmanship from Tom dropped this rat, threading the pellet through the scrub bushes
Mankie the cat, failed rat catcher and one reason that
poison was a no-no

THIS SCOPE!
WIN
OUR SURVEY SAYS ….

his magazine is created every month with the sole objective of making it better and better. Previous surveys have been hugely
T making an enjoyable read and thereby entertaining the buyer.

Because of this, it’s important that I hear from you about
what’s good and perhaps, not so good, to help me to steer the ship
helpful and changed several aspects of the magazine for the better
and I hope this one will do the same.
If you prefer not to remove this page, please make a photocopy or
on the right course. Please take a few minutes to complete the short take a digital photo and email it to me at phill.price@archant.co.uk.
survey below which will help me to be aware exactly of what you This month I’ll pull a winner who will wind a brand new scope from
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wjwGw|tw
Time for Independence

Mark Camoccio brings us part one of why he loves PCP pumps
P
urchase a pre-charged pneumatic
airgun, and your next big decision has
to be the method by which you charge
it up. Most shooters I know have opted to
invest in a diver’s air bottle, which has to
be filled periodically at the local diving
shop, or increasingly gun shop, via an air
compressor, for a small fee. Once filled,
the bottle should last a good few weeks or
longer, but you do have added aggravation
with safety tests being required further
down the line. The system never really
appealed to me, but in the interests of
owning a PCP, I played the game and went
along with it.
Diving bottles can be quite heavy, and
stupidly, I gave myself a hernia a few years
ago (yes, really!) trying to lift a 15litre,
monster of a bottle out of the shed in a lazy
fashion, instead of moving things out of the
way first. I paid the price, and it put me off
lugging heavy bottles about on a regular
basis – for good!
INDEPENDENCE DAY
So what if you fancy the idea of recoilless
pneumatic shooting, but baulk at the
idea of high pressure air storage, and the
annoyance of all that entails? Well, there
is an alternative in the form of the airgun
pump, and I have been a huge fan of the
system for some while now.
OK, those early designs were fairly awful
and I remember being asked to have a go
of one at a range, when they first hit the
market, and it was a real back-breaking
affair, for sure, but later designs have
well and truly cracked the physics, and
when top British pump specialist, Hill, got
involved, it was inevitable that their wealth
of experience and quality manufacturing
processes would result in a serious end
product of note.
I’ve used a Hill pump from quite early
on, but in the spotlight here is their latest
incarnation, the MK4, which I’ve had on
long-term loan.
BUILD QUALITY
Ernest H. Hill is a British manufacturer,
based in Sheffield, widely renowned and
respected for producing pumps for a variety
of applications. Consider that they supply
their products to companies such as BSA,
This is a top-quality item John Rothery, Air Arms, Walther, Weihrauch
and Anschutz – we’re talking serious

wjwGw|tw
It comes as a kit The Hill pump

comes with or
without the
Dry-pac unit
endorsement here. The pump weighs 6.5lbs, ASSEMBLY in convenient sachets. The Dry-pac unit just
which gives some idea of just how sturdy it Basic guidance notes are printed on the twists and pulls apart; the medium is carefully
is, whilst the maximum filling pressure is side of the box itself, and assembly is poured in and the unit resealed. Now, the Dry-
now 275bar, which is super-high for a pump. a simple task, requiring no tools other pac air filter pod assembly is pushed down the
The Hill pump comes supplied in a smart than a spanner for the final tightening of rod and over the two ‘O’ rings at the base, until
box, in its component form, but assembly the airline hose. Assembly is as follows; a full air seal is achieved. Next, the handle bars
is quite straightforward and completed in unscrew the plastic collar nut from the can be screwed into place at the top by hand,
minutes. The pump can be bought with or
without the optional Dry-Pac air-drying
system, and mine has it included. The box “it was inevitable that their wealth of experience and quality manufacturing
includes everything needed to get you up
and running, including silicone grease
processes would result in a serious end product”
and the Dry-Pac medium. Pick up the main
compression tube assembly, and the solid, aluminium base block and put to one side. and then the air hose can be screwed into its
sturdy construction, quality and finish The moulded plastic base is then pushed socket within the base. The Hill MK4 is now
overall, is immediately apparent. over and down the main rod, until it seats ready for use.
The new moulded footplate is larger than around the pressure gauge and block. The Next time out, we’ll see how it performs.■
the previous one, and the pressure gauge plastic collar is screwed back into place to
that comes pre-fitted is both clearly marked lock the base plate in position. Hill Airgun Pump MK4 £187.80 SRP with
and easy to read. Pressure in bar is marked If you have the Dry-pac pod, this needs to Dry-pac air filter / £163 without
in black, whilst corresponding psi figures be first filled with the medium, which has Contact Ernest H.Hill Tel 0114 2484882
are in red. the appearance of mustard seeds, and is sold www.airriflepump.com
The flexible
hose exits from
the base
Assembly of all the

A high-quality gauge is fitted parts is simple

hpyn|uGjvsslj{pvu
Lincoln Jeffries/ BSA Part 5: Pre-WW1 The Making of Marksmen By John Atkins
Additional images courtesy of Trevor Adams, Colin Currie, Bob White and the Preparatory Schools Rifle Association
W
hilst reading a book called The
Victorian Country Child by Pamela
FIGURE 1
Horn, the late airgun collector, John
Burton, spotted a reference to airguns in
Devon at the end of the 19th century. John
sent me details in June 1998 recalling these
events of a century before. In a chapter titled,
‘Going to School’, it appears ‘military drill’ had
been introduced in the playground as a break-
time activity for the boys since the 1870s.
Later, at Wasperton School in Warwickshire,
the log-book entry for 1 February 1898,
records that ‘twenty pairs of “Dumb-bells”’ has
been received for the children.
Elsewhere, physical exercise and drill
along these lines became accepted as
part of the regular routine, and during
the South African War at the very end of COMPETITIVE TARGET SHOOTING target shooting matches were held in
Victoria’s reign, a special impetus was given I found this extract from an ‘S. & F. London’ public houses during the 1890s, and all
to this trend in some Devon Schools when page included in the Studio Editions reprint the pre-Great War years, using airguns, in
servicemen were engaged as drill sergeants. of the Victorian Catalogue of Household Birmingham and elsewhere in England. The
Indeed, at the parish of Thurlestone, the Goods, back in 2001, and it’s reproduced pubs sponsored shooting teams, with prizes,
boys were even provided with toy guns, by permission of the publishers. Note such as a leg of mutton for the winning
sailor suits and two airguns ‘in the hope of the leather shot pouch with brass lever team, that were sometimes paid for by the
making them good marksmen’, under the charger, also advertised, that would have losing team. However, I’d been thinking
direction of the local RNVR coastguard, but been inspirational to W. Bowdler for his about their serious use by younger shooters
this early, few schools seem to have taken air-rifle pellet charger that I featured for training purposes in those days before
their military duties as seriously as this. last month. Cased Bussey air rifles, as per WW1, in addition to the Boy Scout activities
There are no pictures or clues of what the advertisement engraving, are seen in I covered in my two ‘Scouting for Airguns’
these early airguns used by the Thurlestone Figures 2 and 3, both found in New Zealand articles published in Air Gunner in June
lads were in those pre-BSA air rifle days. and the photographs come courtesy of well- 2000 and May 2009, when I linked airgun
Most likely imported German ‘Gem’-style known collector Dr. Trevor Adams. Note the products (either by name or use) historically
airguns; possibly American models – or even plungers used for direct straight cocking to the Boy Scout Movement formed by Major-
British manufacture from George Gibson and the different barrel lengths. The General Lord Baden-Powell in 1907/8. In
Bussey, Museum Works, Rye Lane, Peckham long-barrel version bears the serial number these articles, I told how shooting had been
covered by his 1876 air pistol Patent no. 2079, whilst the carbine is numbered 2128, on the Scout agenda from the start, to tie
526. Contrary to the belief of some, the suggesting that a fair number were made, in with national trends from the very early
Bussey airguns had been made in sufficient although serial numbers of many goods years of the last century. Then airgun clubs
numbers to warrant advertising them mail often started on 1,000 or more, to give the had become popular, thanks to the lessons
order, as can be seen top centre in Figure 1 illusion of popularity and good sales. learned during the Boer War, and the efforts
above the ‘Gem’ illustrations. It’s well documented that competitive of Field Marshall Lord Roberts, who urged
the development of rifle clubs and a ‘nation
of riflemen’.
TARGET ARRAYS
Recently, gun historian Colin Currie, kindly
sent me an unused, authorised target card
for airgun use by the Preparatory Schools
Rifle Association (PSRA) and this opened my
FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3
hpyn|uGjvsslj{pvu
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 5
HEAD’S PRAISE FOR BSA

Testimonials from users appeared in The
Improved B.S.A. Air Rifle catalogue under
‘Opinions’ where, in a letter dated 25th
March, 1906, The Headmaster of Kirkley
House School, South Lowestoft wrote: ‘I am
much obliged for the rifles. We tried the
pistol stock one on Friday with our Sergeant.
We all thought it a splendid weapon. I
immediately wrote off to all my parents to
obtain permission for their sons to get one.
On receiving their answer I will put an order
in your agent’s hands here, who called on
me yesterday. The smaller rifle arrived here
yesterday, so I have not been able to try
it out, but I think it will do excellently for
the smaller boys. I shall certainly keep the
pistol stock one anyhow.’
eyes to the activities both past and present holes in one’s lawn for the ball to drop into! From the above testimonial, it sounds
of the Association. I was intrigued by the Obviously, for short range putting only; as if the rifles were at the school on a free
very novel design of Robert Ramsbottom’s from a distance it wouldn’t be easy to see trial, with a view to being purchased by the
Clock Face Target as seen in Figure 4. As you the opening in the horseshoe with it being school, and that the smaller rifle was a ‘Light’
can see from the card, it’s a registered design pinned flat on the grass. Pattern with straight-hand stock, and the
comprising a conventional bull’s eye target, Digging deeper in The Sporting Goods one with a pistol-hand butt was an ‘Ordinary’
surrounded by concentric circles scoring 4, 3 Review, I found in the March 1903 copy, that Pattern air rifle, because 1906 was four years
and 2, centered within a wide, non-scoring Robert Ramsbottom of 81 Market Street, too early for the Head to have been referring
circular zone. The ‘outer’ is the clock face Manchester was summoned for an explosives to a BSA Boy’s Model or first ‘Junior’ Pattern
divided up with Roman numerals. I’m unsure storage irregularity. He said he had been at air rifle as seen in Figure 8 – they didn’t
of the rules for using this card, but 30 feet is that address for 20 years (i.e. since 1883). appear until January 1910. Dwarfed by the
representing 500 yards. The modern logo of In September, 1904, he also set up many .22 Sporting Pattern rifle above it, this one
the PSRA is reproduced as Figure 5. useful target arrays; three targets fixed for is fitted with optional extras, namely factory
Collectors know that the ‘Ramsbottom’ competition, and five moveable for practice; fitted for 2/6d (12½p) sling eyes at either 3d Ô
name also appeared on the many Fred. he introduced initial outfits to get clubs
Cox ‘Britannia’ air rifles (Figure 6) that started, consisting of the above target set-up,
Robert Ramsbottom sold under the name two guns, spare targets, slugs, a Secretary’s Figure 1: G. G. Bussey’s airgun advertised along with
‘Gem’-types. From an ‘S. & F. London’ page included in
of ‘Anglo Sure-Shot Mark 1’ from his shop book and membership cards – at a total cost the Studio Editions reprint of the ‘Victorian Catalogue
as a leading Manchester sports dealer. I of five guineas (£5.5s [£5.25]). In addition of Household Goods’
discovered during a stint at the British to the ‘Britannia’ air rifles seen in Figure 7 Figure 2: A long-barrel version of Bussey’s airgun
Library, Colindale, that he had also invented that retailer Robert Ramsbottom very likely bears the serial number 2079. [Photo: Dr. Trevor
Adams]
the game of ‘Putinshu’ in the late 1890s – a supplied, the BSA air rifles in both Ordinary
Figure 3: This shorter-barrel version of the Bussey is
species of lawn golf using horseshoes nailed and Light patterns were much used by the numbered 2128. Note accessory plunger to cock the
down on the turf, rather than digging Preparatory Schools Rifle Association. mainspring. [Photo: Dr. Trevor Adams]
Figure 4: R. Ramsbottom’s Clock Face Target marked:

‘Preparatory School Air Rifle Association’. [Image
courtesy of Colin Currie]
FIGURE 6
Figure 5: The modern logo of the PSRA. [Courtesy of
the Preparatory Schools Rifle Association UK]
Figure 6: ‘Anglo Sure-Shot Mark I Made only for R.

Ramsbottom Manchester’ reads the retailer’s stamping
on Cox Britannia serial no. 1420

hpyn|uGjvsslj{pvu
(1p) each for screwing into the trigger

guard or stock – or 6d (2½p) versions for
fitting into a barrel dovetail (Figure 9) rather FIGURE 7
than on a barrel band as with the Military
Patterns. Also, a factory-fitted, barrel-
mounted, No. 21 open sight costing 5
shillings (25p) when supplied on new
rifles instead of the standard No. 10 sight.
If supplied separately, it cost an extra 7
shillings (35p) when it probably came boxed
in a little cardboard carton.
A further Junior or Boys’ Pattern
rifle is seen left in Figure 10. The
second rifle from the left is the slim cylinder
‘Juvenile’ (or second model Junior) with two
Light models, one with the cheaper straight
hand or ‘Registered Stock’, as named by
Lincoln Jeffries, and the other with pistol-
grip stock. Another testimonial suggested
FIGURE 8
the BSA was a splendid rifle for teaching
the recruits how to shoot, giving him great and with the Association’s permission, have shooting was taught at Temple Grove in
opportunity for home practice and also good included some of their brief history within the 1870s, whilst at Mostyn House School,
for experienced shots, as it kept them in this editorial, relying much on Mr. Place’s Parkgate, Cheshire (1855 to 2010) there was
aiming practice during the winter months. writings. I looked on the Internet to find out a cadet corps as early as 1860. A photograph
Back in July 1985, I showed a pair of first about the present-day activities of the PSRA of the Mostyn teams appears as Figure 12
Junior Pattern BSA air rifles inside their and found that of great interest, too. in two-tier formation of front-rank kneeling
original case, serial numbers 43349 and Geoffrey Place explained that in the 1860s boys in semi-defensive position, and rear-
43385, the latter being rather dilapidated the French were causing anxiety in Europe, rank lads aiming over their heads with
and minus its trigger guard, so it’s probably leading to the formation of the National .303 carbines. In 1905 an Air Rifle League
received rough treatment from previous Rifle Association, the Volunteer Forces, and was formed, which became the Preparatory
youthful users down the years. What’s cadet corps in several public schools. A few Schools Rifle Association (PSRA).
additionally interesting about this brace of prep schools were a part of this movement; Mrs. Mary Eveleigh, the secretary/
small BSA air rifles is that we actually know treasurer of the PSRA, who is on the British
the original owner from the brass plate on Shooting Sports Council, informs that
top of the case, as it reads: ‘CLARE HOUSE
FIGURE 10 she found my article about the Lincoln
SCHOOL 1911’. This would have been a school Jeffries rifle very interesting. Mary was in
where pupils were taught the noble art of possession of one of the original Lincoln
rifle shooting from an early age as part of Jeffries /BSAs which was owned by Grenfell
the school curriculum. of Mostyn House School, and sold this
Bob White, who sent me the photos of his historically important air rifle last year as
cased Junior Pattern BSAs, was interested to she was only holding it on behalf of the
locate Clare House School. Not so he can give owner, the school having been in the same
them their rifles back, of course, but simply family over six generations.
out of interest to know where it was, but no The outbreak of the South African War
one seemed to know. This time, I am showing in 1899 caused a much greater fervour of
the two BSA Junior rifles out of their rather military zeal and the idea of inexpensive
tatty old case as Figure 11. By now, I hope club shooting using miniature, or small-
someone will have fitted a replacement guard. bore, rifles was vigorously advocated by the
The fitted case contains an old oil bottle and ill-fated Major-General Charles Luard, who
there are two central compartments to house had worked tirelessly to stress the need
pellet boxes. to create civilian rifle clubs to practise
shooting throughout the land in order to
PREP SCHOOL RIFLE SKILLS defend their country in case of invasion.
Colin Currie also sent me a two-page
‘history’, condensed from the full story by PUBLIC INTEREST
the late Mr. Geoffrey Place, regarding the When shooting suddenly became nationally
founding of the Preparatory Schools Rifle popular, Algernon George Grenfell, the
Association. I found this really fascinating headmaster of Mostyn House School since
1890, persuaded the adjutant at Eton,
Captain Soltau-Symons (secretary to the
Public Schools Ashburton Committee) to
arrange an annual match for prep schools,
using .303 carbines at 100 yards, which
FIGURE 9
F was advertised in February 1905. Many

hpyn|uGjvsslj{pvu
Figure 7: Cox Britannias, both .177 ‘Ramsbottom’s

Anglo Sure-Shot Mark Is. Top: Serial number 1420
with see-saw rearsight and additional ‘SR’ tang
peep sight. Lower: Serial number 820 with correct
intermediate rearsight and ‘AGP’ (A. G. Parker)
aperture sight. [Author’s Collection]
Figure 8: The .177 BSA ‘Junior’ serial no. 29329 of

early 1910, dwarfed by the 1911 Sporting Pattern .22
above; serial no. 40238. [Author’s Collection]
Figure 9: This sling eye dovetailed into the barrel

cost 6d (2.5p) and fitting two sling eyes to a BSA air
rifle cost 2/6d (12.5p). The second eye for screwing
into trigger guard or stock cost a further 3d (1p) and
FIGURE 11 FIGURE 12 a brown leather sling with two snap hooks was 1/6d
(7.5p)
Figure 10: Left to right: 1910 Junior Pattern serial no.

manufacturers were being encouraged organisation did the trick, and 99 schools had 30242 .177 cal. 34”; 1912/13 Juvenile Pattern Boy’s
to produce better designs, due to public joined by December. Grenfell was secretary, model serial no. 65650 .177, 35.5” and two Light
Pattern rifles: serial nos. 54878 (May 1912); 58764
interest in the smaller and cheaper rifles, but Ramsbottom’s firm did the work. (June /Nov. 1912) both 39.25” and .177. [Author’s
and several prep schools, including Meanwhile, the .22 users asked Captain Collection]
Grenfell’s, had tried the new .22 miniature Soltau-Symons to arrange a meeting of Figure 11: In 1911, this brace of BSA First Junior
Pattern air rifles were the property of Clare House
rifles. The forward-thinking Herbert Bull interested headmasters in December 1905. School. [Photo courtesy of R. G. White]
(Wellington House) suggested that some Thirty came, one of whom represented 14
Figure 12: In 1903 Mostyn House School’s shooting
rules should be drawn up under which prep others, This meeting agreed to set up a team used ex-army .303 carbines. This team won all
schools could shoot matches. A problem at Preparatory Schools Rifle Association and it its matches. [Courtesy of the Preparatory Schools
Rifle Association UK]
that time was that the calibre had yet to was intended from the start to incorporate
become standardised and there were .22, the Air Rifle Association already formed. In Figure 13: Mostyn House School Shooting VIII.
Winners of the St. David’s Shield March 1913, scoring
.23 and .245 cartridge rifles on the market, February 1906 the first Annual Meeting was 588 out of 600. [Courtesy of the Preparatory Schools
Rifle Association UK]
so Bull’s suggestion, like Grenfell’s .303 held and the PSRA was formally established.
proposal, produced small response. Figure 13 shows Mostyn House School Figure 14: Mostyn House School. Four shooting VIIIs.
St. David’s Shield. Xmas Term 1914. [Courtesy of the
Enter that enterprising Manchester sports Shooting VIII. The now faded caption tells Preparatory Schools Rifle Association UK]
dealer, Robert Ramsbottom, who met A.G. us that they were the winners of the St.
Grenfell at this point. Robert’s speciality was David’s Shield in March 1913. Top row: G.
air rifles and he had helped to form and equip M. Doman, I.O. Williamson, Moore, D.S.A. four shooting VIIIs during Christmas term,
over 300 clubs in the membership of the McDougall with Junior pattern BSA. Middle: 1914 at Mostyn House School.
North British Air Rifle Association. He and The name of the boy (left) is lost in time. To the best of my knowledge, the airgun
Grenfell jumped at the chance they offered Centre: G. C. Hodgson Esq., Williams. division of the PSRA has received little
each other; in July, 1905 all 411 prep schools Front: F. J. Griffiths, R. H. Edelstone, both publicity that I can recall in the entire history
were circulated with an invitation to join using Lincoln Jeffries foresight protectors. of UK airgun magazines – since August 1977.
the Preparatory Schools Air Rifle Association Their score was 588 out of 600, proving I feel this was remiss of me, so I’m pleased to
and with it went an invitation to a free trial they were already marksmen. The team is incorporate this brief history now and include
of Ramsbottom’s air rifle kit: two rifles, stop wearing gloves, but whether they actually more photographs later to make amends.
butt, targets and pellets. The novelty, low shot in gloves, or it was just cold for the
price, the free trial and Robert Ramsbottom’s photograph, I know not. Figure 14 features SOURCES: The History of the Preparatory
Schools Rifle Association UK: The Founding
of the Association by Geoffrey Place; The
Sporting Goods Review, March 1903 and
September 1904; The Victorian Country Child
by Pamela Horn (A. Sutton Publishing) ISBN:
0 86299 776 3; Studio Editions reprint of The
Victorian Catalogue of Household Goods.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: My thanks to Colin

Currie for instigating this article and to Mary
Eveleigh for the use of archive images of the
PSRA. Thanks also to Dr. Trevor Adams and
Bob White for photographs and input. ■
FIGURE 14
FIGURE 13

SWAP SHOP
REMEMBER you DO NOT have to be a registered firearms dealer (RFD) to sell your airgun as part of a private transaction,
and this transaction DOES NOT have to be ‘face to face’ – although you must ensure that the buyer is over 18 years of age.
Are you looking to sell a gun? Dedicated gun enthusiasts read Air Shop, Evolution House, 2-6 Easthampstead Road, Wokingham,
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buy! Alternatively, is there a gun you’ve been trying to find? Are you and a maximum of 40 words and make all cheques or PO’s payable
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and selling needs, Swap Shop is here! For only £4.00 (40 words our next issue. We cannot guarantee which issue your advert will
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on our website. We are now able to accept your advert at www. phone, though for any further information call Sharon on 01189
airgunshooting.co.uk or by post addressed to Air Gunner Swap 742 524
WANTED, Daisy 1894 ‘Spitting CUSTOM MADE TITANIUM LG WANTED, beech stock for 3-4 METAL GUN CABINET,
Image’ BB gun (Winchester 73 Dominator Walther in grey laminate AA400/410. Check your never used, original locks, keys
replica), any model especially stock. Ideal for HFT shooters. cupboards and cabinets get in etc. Buyer collects £40.
‘Centenary Models’ with real wood £1,250 ono. Tel: 07790 678320. touch! Text please in first instance, Tel: 0172 8648739 (Suffolk).
stock etc. Will travel to collect. 07786 010805.
Tel: 01865 876417 (Oxford). 1946 BSA CADET, excellent .22 SMK 19 AIR RIFLE as new.
original condition, clear photo LINCOLN JEFFERIES SERIAL Removable Hawke telescopic sight
AIR ARMS FTP 900 etching £140. 1960 Relum 322 NO.134 COLLECTORS RIFLE. and silencer. Khaki canvas carry
.177 12FT.LBS. right hand, Tornado .22, excellent condition One of the very first batch early case. Powerful gun but no FAC
clinical performance and precision, (re-live your adolescence!) £85. 1905, lowest serial number that I required as just below the limit,
6 months old. Only used once to Richter Optik 3-9 x 50 E telescopic am aware of. Believe that it is in £120. Tel: 07973 191837.
zero on an indoor range. Complete sight. Illuminated mil-dot reticle, pretty much original standard
with hard case. Sale due to ill boxed, brand new. Unwanted gift components. Pictures available on AIRGUN WORLD MAGAZINES
health. New £1,699 will take £40. Tel: 07774 751583 request. Offers ITRO £450. FOR SALE. Volume 1, starting
£1,300. Also if required new (Evesham). Tel: 01305 821301 (Dorset). August 1977 issue 1 to present
Hawke Sidewinder 30 HK4002-3- day. First 29 volumes in binders,
12 x 50 half mil-dot, lens covers, WEIHRAUCH 97K .22, good FX VERMINATOR .22, two 40 volumes plus several annuals,
sunshade and side wheel £340. condition, scope and silencer magazines, fill probe, scope and £150 (Due to weight of magazines,
Tel: 07860 704014 (Camberley). £250. Webley Vulcan with scope gun case. Two tins of pellets buyer collects).
£170. Falcon Light Hunter .22 with (approx 1000). Cluson Pro Spoter Tel: 01207 571726
COMETA ORION BP .177, brand scope and silencer as new £380. lamp, silencer. New Jack Pyke (Durham).
new only had pellets through to Diana .22 break-barrel £50. boots, tags still on size 9.
sight the scope. Nikko Panamax Tel: 01608 684824 £750 no offers. AIR ARMS TX200 one of the first
3-9x50 half mil-dot also new. 12 (Warwickshire). Tel: 07928 502187 (North Wales). under-lever spring-loaded models
shot magazine and padded that looks great, handles well and
lockable hard case. £500 or very BSA LIGHTNING XLSE .22, .22 PARKER HALE PHOENIX still looks great. Handles well and
near offer. Tel: 07484 684816 scope SMK 4x40, walnut stock. with scope, bipod, sling, silencer still shoots like new. Comes with
(North Yorkshire). Purchased but not used £235. plus 300bar bottle/gauges and Tasco scope, rifle bag. Bargain at
Also Air Arms TX200, stock only. enough spares to build two more £138. Photo’s of the gun available.
BSA SUPERSPORT .22, Webley Shortened version with cheek rise rifles. Three for one, great deal Tel: 07548 917139 (Birmingham).
Tempest .22 with fleece-lined bag, piece, vgc £50. Postage available. £500. Tel: 07780 332298.
Hatsan 60s .22 very little Tel: 01209 612600 (Cornwall). DAYSTATE AIR RANGER
use and still boxed. AIR ARMS TX200, walnut stock, TACTICAL .177 with 2
Tel: 07526 676036 (S. Bucks). FWB 65 TARGET PISTOL made full V- Mac, internal tune plus magazines, Light Stream 4.5-14 x
April 1981. Mint condition, wood trigger tune. Owned from new, 44 scope, Harris bipod, sling,
HW100 .22 complete with 3 and metal unmarked in case (not 4-years. Sportsmatch mounts, £800 or £950 with 12 litre bottle
magazines and single-shot tray. original). Ideal for a collector. Hawke Airmax scope, front and and gauge. Webley Stingray 11
Hawke Airmax 30 4-16 scope, Occasionally used. Handling and rear sling swivels, an absolutely Quatro .22, Stoeger 3-9 x 40
Harris bipod, sling and gun bag. All mechanical condition exceptional brilliant gun, everything smooth scope, sling, slip £200. Buyer
in excellent condition. £800 ovno. £299. Tel: 07786 010805 and as new condition, £575 ono. collects. Tel: 07762 435596
Tel: 07742 292208 (Hertfordshire). (West Midlands). Tele: 0774 8228961 (Kent). (Preston).
The editor reserves the right to edit adverts as may be required. Swap Shop is a service offered to readers who wish to undertake private transactions between themselves. There is no
need for such transactions to be made face to face (unless an airgun is FAC-rated), but Air Gunner requests that all due caution is excercised when buying or selling an airgun. You must
adhere to the current airgun laws. You can’t buy an airgun if you are under 18 years old. The Swap Shop is not offered to those who sell airguns as part of a business.

Daystate Redwolf, Wolverine R & Renegade HR.
Orders now being taken. All other models available.
Airgun and Accessories to suit every budget.
On site Air fills, Airgun repairs and servicing in store.
2F WHITBY ROAD, ELLESMERE PORT CH65 8AD
Monday – Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm, Closed Wednesdays and Sundays
Repairing and tuning for all types of Air Rifles

PCP’s Co2 gas & specialising in
spring piston rifles
www.agrtuning.co.uk Sole UK distributor of

Tel: 07912 466 917
AIR GUNNER 101

GUN SHOPS
Directory Key: Trade Associations: BASC Trade
Member
GTA Trade
Member
COUNTRYSIDE
ALLIANCE
Countryside Alliance
Trade Member Items stocked: Airguns Pistols
Airguns Pistols Clothing/ Knives
Clothing/
Optics Footwear
Optics Footwear Knives
Pellets&& AirSoft Archery
Decoys Pellets
Decoys
Accessories AirSoft
Hides Accessories
&&Hides
Archery&& Gunsafes
Equipment Gun
Equipment safes
MELBOURNE TACKLE AND GUN

Scotland 64 Church Street, Melbourne
Derbyshire DE73 8EJ
Tel: 01332 862091
Email: melbournegun@tiscali.co.uk
Northern Web: melbournegun.com
Ireland
Opening hours: 9am–5.30pm every day, except Sunday
Credit cards:
North
A busy gun shop established for over 20 years, selling an
extensive range of new and secondhand shotguns, sporting
rifles and air rifles with all ammunition and equipment.
A large range of outdoor waterproof clothing. Part exchange
welcome. Secondhand guns wanted. Gunsmith available.
CITY AIRWEAPONS LINCOLN LTD

154a Newark Road,
Lincoln LN5 8QJ
Central Tel: 01522 576238
Web: www.cityairweaponslincoln.co.uk
East Credit cards:
Wales
Mail order to other RFDs. Theoben Specialist including FAC.
Combo deals available on new and used air weapons. Probably
the best prices in the area. Cash for Airweapons. Part X welcome.
London Specialist repairs. Classic airweapons bought and sold. FAC
& South conversions. On-site charging facilities. Large selection of pellets,
South West East quantity discounts.
IBSTOCK GUN & TACKLE

Isle of Wight 61-63 Chapel Street
Ibstock
Leicester
LE67 6HF
Tel: 01530 260901
BROM SPORTS
WALES Web: www.Ibstocktackle.co.uk
Brom Sports, 66 Widemarsh St Wide range of air rifles, scopes and accessories at discount
Hereford HR4 9HG prices. Daystate stockist. ALL REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN
DRAGON FIELD SPORTS Tel: 01432 344610 Guns always wanted – Cash paid.
8 Egerton Street, Wrexham Town Centre Web: www.bromsports.co.uk
Tel: 01978 290990 Email: bromsportshereford@yahoo.co.uk
Fax: 01978 311141 Opening hours: Open 9 ’till 5 Tuesday to Saturday
Email: dragonfieldsports@googlemail.com Bank holiday Mondays 10am–3pm LONDON & S.E.
Web: www.dragonfieldsports.co.uk Credit cards:
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9am–5pm
Credit cards: HEREFORD’S AIRGUN SPECIALISTS. A large range of Air guns
and accessories available including: Air Arms, BSA, Daystate,
Webley, Crossman, SMK, Hawke and many more. Also available, CRAWLEY SURPLUS STORE DBL SUSSEX LTD
Air Cylinder charging, Archery, Crossbows, Soft Air, Repairs & Unit 2 Access House, Stephenson Way,
Full range of: Air Rifles, Air Pistols, CO2 Pistols, Shotguns, servicing and much more. A family friendly outlet, with help and Three Bridges, Crawley RH10 1TN
Firearms. Also: Scopes, Lamps, Ammo, Camo Clothing, Archery. advice always available.
Servicing and Repairs.
Tel: 01293 525880
Fax: 01293 522749
KEXBY FIELD SPORTS Email: sales@surplusstore.co.uk
CENTRAL High Street, Kexby, Gainsborough, Web: www.airpistols.co.uk
DN21 5LZ Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9.30am–5.30pm
Tel: 01427 787157 Credit cards:
DRAPERS AIRGUN CENTRE Mob: 07776 282324
124–128 Hartley Road, Nottingham NG7 3AJ Email: kexbycountrystore@btinternet.com
Tel: 01159 702525 Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8.30am–7pm, We have moved to a larger showroom with a testing range and
Email: sales@drapers-airguns.co.uk Sat 8.30am–5.30pm, Sun 9am–12pm free parking. Always a large range of CO2 pistols, rifles, airsoft
Web: www.drapers-airguns.co.uk Credit cards: guns, gas blow back pistols. Major brands stocked, SMK,
Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday 9am–5.30pm Umarex, Weihrauch, Air Arms, Gamo, BSA, Brocock. Large range
Closed Sundays and Mondays of clothing and accessories. Visit online www.airpistols.co.uk.
Credit cards:
New and used air rifles. Most leading brands stocked.
Part exchange a pleasure. Try before you buy.
Scopes, lamps, slings, gun bags, clothing, boots,
The Midlands largest Airgun Showroom and Sales Experts. Selling wellingtons, camo nets, poles, decoys etc. C&H WESTON
Everything you need to get started or uprade!
everything from spare parts to accessories to the most sought after 12 East Street, Brighton,
rifles and collectors pieces! We supply everything from new and used Sussex BN1 1HP
airguns and their accessories through to clothing, hunting knives and SHOOTING PARTY Tel: 01273 326338/733832
binoculars, and we offer a great service at the shop itself along with
competitive prices. Easily accessible from the M1 motorway as well as Unit 4C, Birchbrook Industrial Estate, Fax: 01273 720107
Newark/Melton directions, with ample parking very close by. Birchbrook Lane, Shenstone, Staffordshire WS14 0DJ Email: info@chweston.co.uk
Tel: 01543 480361 Web: www.chweston.co.uk
WALKERS OF TROWELL Web: www.shootingparty.uk Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9–5.30. Sun & Bank Hol 10.30–4.30
Credit cards: Credit cards:
Nottingham Road, Trowell,
Nottingham NG9 3PA
Tel: 0115 9307798
Email: sales@walkersoftrowell.com We are the exclusive importer and Distributor of PAO Rifle & Pistol Established 1819, C&H Weston offer a friendly service.
Credit cards: scopes, sights, lasers and Range Finders and the AirForceOne range We stock all good brands such as Air Arms, BSA, Daystate,
of Airguns & Accessories, including the MOSIN-NAGANT Steel BB Falcon, Brocock, Weihrauch, Gamo, Theoben, FX.
Stockists of: Daystate, BSA, Weihrauch, Air Arms, Rifle , the Trophy & Taichi Pistols and Panther pellets. 100 + Airguns Massive pellet range, chronographs, scales, gun cabinets,
Umarex, Hawke, plus a large range of Pellets & Accessories. always in stock. Used airguns always wanted – cash paid. Try before servicing. Scopes by Lightstream, Hawke, Nikko, BSA,
Fishing Tackle & Outdoor Clothing. you buy in our indoor range. MTC, Nikon, AGS. PX a pleasure.
Services offered: Gunsmith Repairs & Compressed
Servicing Air
Power
Testing
Range
Facilities
Credit
available To advertise your gunshop on these pages please call us on 01189 742 514
G. E. FULTON PARK STREET GUNS

Bisley Camp, Brookwood 1-2 Park Street Lane, Park St. COUNTRYSIDE SCOTLAND
ALLIANCE
Woking, Surrey GU24 0NZ St. Albans, Herts AL2 2NE
Tel: 01483 473204 Tel: 01727 872646 / 872669 LOCHMABEN SHOOTING SUPPLIES
Fax: 01483 475011 Fax: 01727 875449
5-6 Laverockhall Farm Road,
Email: gefulton@btconnect.com Email: parkstreetguns@talk21.com
Lochmaben, Lockerbie, DG11 1RE
Web: www.fultonsofbisley.com Web: www.gunshot.co.uk
Tel: 01387 811079
Opening hours: 9.00am - 5.30pm Mon - Sun 7 days a week Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9–5.30, Sat 9–5
Web: www.lochmabenshootingsupplies.co.uk
Credit cards: Credit cards: Opening hours: Tues-Fri 10-6pm, Sat 9-4pm
Sun by appointment, Mon Closed.
Credit cards:
Stockists of BSA, Air Arms, Gamo, Weihrauch. New and used air We sell all major makes of airguns including BSA, Weihrauch,
rifles and accessories. Scopes. Fitting service. Pre-charged, CO2, Gamo, Daystate, Umarex and more. All pellets and decoying
spring power. Service and repair of all guns. equipment. Also in-house airgun smith service and power testing
facilities. Friendly and knowledgeable service – always! Scottish Government approved 30m and 10m indoor shooting ranges. We
cater for .22 rimfire and air guns. We also hire guns to use on our ranges. No
licenses required! Fully stocked shop and gun room. New and used rifles/
CHICHESTER ARMOURY RONNIE SUNSHINES shotguns/airguns
43 West St, Chichester, COUNTRYSIDE
ALLIANCE 4 Canalside, Northbridge Road WONDERLAND AIRGUNS
Sussex PO19 1RP Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 1EG
Tel: 01243 774687 Tel/Fax: 01442 872829 97 + 101 Lothian Road,Edinburgh EH3 9AN
Email: enquiries@chiarm.co.uk Email: info@ronniesunshines.com Tel: 0131 229 6428
Web: www.chiarm.co.uk Web: www.ronniesunshines.com Fax: 0131 229 7625
Opening hours: 9.30-1 2-5.00 Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9am–5pm Email: sales@wonderlandmodels.com
Credit cards: Credit cards: Web: www.wonderlandairguns.com
Opening hours: 9.30am–6pm
Credit cards:
Good selection of new and used air rifles, stocking spring and
pre-charged guns. Help and advice always available. Hertfordshire’s leading Airgun Specialists we stock Weihrauch, Daystate,
Air Arms, BSA, Logun, SMK, and many more. Plus a large range of CO2 Edinburgh’s leading air rifle, air pistol, airgun pellet and
pistols, scopes, clothing and a comprehensive stock of airgun accessories. accessories supplier. We are dealers for Air Arms, Anics, BSA,
EMMETT & STONE COUNTRY SPORTS We are also Bushcraft and Survival specialists supplying all the kit you need Crosman, Gamo, Sportsmarketing, Umarex, Webley and
to survive. Come and visit our shop and Try before you buy on our purpose Weihrauch. We also stock BB guns, pellets and targets. We
Wilton Farm, Marlow Road built indoor range. Or visit our website www.ronniesunshines.com stock the full range of Barnett slingshots and archery equipment.
Little Marlow, Bucks SL7 3RR
Tel: 01628 474187
PORTSMOUTH GUN CENTRE GLASGOW & EDINBURGH FIELD SPORTS
Email: info@emmettandstone.co.uk
Web: www.emmettandstone.co.uk 295 London Road, Portsmouth PO2 9HF Unit 1, The Point Retail Park,
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm Tel: 02392 660 574 Email: sales@portsmouthguncentre.com 29 Saracen St, Glasgow G22 5HT
Credit cards: Tel: 0141 212 8880
We stock rifles, pistols, shotguns, airguns and black powder weapons. Edinburgh Field Sports, Unit E Granton Retail Park,
Keeping the leading brands in stock, the business can accommodate all 65 West Harbour Road, Edinburgh, EH5 1PW
enquiries from customers and shooters alike. Complimenting the vast Web: www.glasgowfieldsports.co.uk
RFD to RFD transfers. Large stock of new & used guns in stock from all range of firearms, Portsmouth Gun Centre also carries a large amount of
the major brands: Air Arms, BSA, Crossman, Gamo, Daystate, Weihrauch, accessories, ammunition, clothing and miscellaneous shooting equipment. Credit cards:
Umarex, Webley, Theoben, FX, Sig. Cylinder filling on site. 50m Air Rifle
Range. All air guns servicing undertaken.
STRINGTOWN SUPPLIES Central Scotland’s premier retailers of shooting and hunting equipment and clothing.
MAY OF LONDON LTD 29 High Street, Polegate
21-23 Cherry Tree Rise,
East Sussex BN26 5AB EAST
Tel: 01323 488844
Buckhurst hill, Essex IG9 6EU
Email: stringtownsupplies@btinternet.com COUNTRY SPORTING GUNS
Tel: 0208 504 5946
Web: www.stringtownsupplies.com
Email: trueshot@btconnect.com Cannons Cottage, Punchbowl Lane, Brothertoft,
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stringtownsurplus Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 3SB
Web: www.mayoflondon.com
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9.30am–5.30pm, Sun 10.30am–2.30pm Line 1: 01205 311246
Opening hours: Tues–Fri 9.30am–6pm, Sat 9.30am–5.30pm
Credit cards: Line 2: 01205 369470
Credit cards:
Email: stvdxn440@gmail.com
Why not visit our amazing shop (‘The Aladdin’s Cave’ as its
known!) Secondhand and new airguns. Air Arms, BSA, Crosman,
Web: www.countrysportingguns.co.uk
Gamo, Hawke, SMK, Umarex, Webley, Weihrauch etc. Plus: Army Opening hours: Mon – Sat 9am–5.30pm
Air rifle and pistol sales and servicing. Dive cylinders and filling surplus, camo clothing, Jack Pyke, archery, crossbows, airsoft, We now sell impact airguns!!
station on-site, indoor range, vast range of goods and accessories. de-acts, paintball. Mail order service. Also dealer to dealer. We supply airguns and shooting accessories, stocking all major air
Expert and friendly advice always given. We also sell shotguns,
rifle brands, optics and silencers. Setup and tuning service. We are
rifles, cartridges, ammunition, clays, cabinets and clothing.
selected BSA area dealers. Sporting rifles and shotguns including ammo.
BICESTER TARGET New and secondhand rifles and shotguns. SHOOTING RANGE. We buy
GREENFIELDS AIRGUN CENTRE airguns. This is the home of the Grand European 80 Varmint air rifle.
Walton Moore offices
The Shooting Grounds, Sturry Hill, Sturry, Canterbury 6 Grange Mews, Station Road T.R. ROBB
CT2 0NG Launton, Near Bicester,
Tel: 01227 713222 Oxfordshire, OX26 5EG 316 High Road, South Benfleet
Fax: 01227 710611 Tel: 01869 45 71 70 Essex SS7 5HB Tel: 01268 752888
Email: sales@greenfieldsshooting.co.uk Email: info@bicestertarget.co.uk Web: www.trrobb.com
Web: www.greenfieldsshooting.co.uk Web: www.bicestertarget.co.uk
Opening hours: Tues–Sat 8.30am–5.30pm.
Sun 9am–1.00pm. Closed Mon Unique to Bicester Target and unlike any other air gun outlet, every Full range of air rifles and pistols. Soft-air and Simmons scope
rifle and pistol in our shop is available to test and try out, making specialist. Tuning kits and Customising Service.
Credit cards: sure that the rifle or pistol you choose is the correct one for you not
only in terms of fit, but also is correct for the discipline of shooting
you choose to undertake. This concept really is where we stand PNEUMATIC BALLISTICS
Stockists of BSA, Webley, Air Arms, Logun, Weihrauch, Gamo out from any other retailer.
and many more. Helpful Friendly Advice Always Available. C/o Fern House, The Street, Sheeting,
Essex CM22 7LR
Tel: 01493 733462 | 07917 160314
Email: enquiries@pneumaticballistics.com
Web: www.pneumaticballistics.com
TO ADVERTISE YOUR GUN SHOP ON THESE PAGES PLEASE CALL US ON Opening hours: Mon to Sat 9am–5pm
Credit cards:
01189 742 514 An innovative developer and retailer of revolutionary technology for
Air Rifles. We sell new and used rifles and shooting accessories including
pellet magazines which we manufacture ourselves. We offer repairs
and servicing for most makes of firearms which is carried out by our
experienced gunmaker. Go to our website to find out more.
GUN SHOPS
Directory Key: Trade Associations: BASC Trade
Member
GTA Trade
Member
COUNTRYSIDE
ALLIANCE
Countryside Alliance
Trade Member Items stocked:
ADVERTISE YOUR GUNSHOP
Airguns
01189 742 514
Pistols Optics Clothing/
Footwear Knives
Decoys Pellets &
& Hides Accessories AirSoft
Archery & Gunsmith &
Equipment Gun safes Repairs
MOOREDGES AIRGUNS
The Chantreys, Mooredges Road, Thorne,
Doncaster DN8 5RY
North Tel: 01405 741706
Fax: 01405 740936
Email: info@mooredges.com
Twitter: @Mooredges_info Web: www.mooredges.com
Opening hours: Open 6 days a week, closed Tuesdays.
Mon - Sat 9.00am - 5.30pm. Sun 10.00am - 4.00pm.
Open Bank Holidays
Credit cards:
Extensive range of all leading airguns, scopes and accessories.

Central Also a wide range of camo clothing and footwear available.
East WIRRAL GUNS

Wales 2F Whitby Rd, Ellesmere
Port, South Wirral
CH65 8AD
Tel: 0151 355 6666
Opening hours: Monday –
London Friday 10am-5pm
& South Saturday 10am-3pm.
East Closed Wednesdays &
South West Sundays
Email: shop@wirralguns.co.uk Web: www.wirralguns.co.uk
Credit cards: Finance available
Isle of Wight
Air rifles, Air pistols & Accessories from all manufacturers.
Air fills for PCP & Paintball, Air gun repairs. Airguns to suit
everyone’s budget £££.
NORTH WARRINGTON GUNS SOUTH WEST

53 Norris Street, Warrington, Cheshire WA2 7RJ
SUNDERLAND SCUBA CENTRE Tel: 01925 415901
Email: sales@warringtonguns.com IAN HODGE SHOOTING & FIELD SPORTS
4A Atkinsons Buildings, Trimdon Street
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear SR4 6AH Web: www.warringtonguns.com Penbarn, Burlawn, Wadebridge,
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm Cornwall PL27 7LA
Tel: 01915 670147
Sat 9am - 4.30pm Tel: 01208 813651
Email: contact@sunderlandairguns.com
Credit cards: Email: sales@ianhodgefieldsports.co.uk
Web: www.sunderlandairguns.com
Web: www.ianhodgefieldsports.co.uk
Opening hours: 9.00-5.30 Mon-Fri | 9.00-4.30 Sat | 10.00-3.00 Sun
Selection of air rifles including BSA, Air Arms, Daystate, Cometa, Credit cards:
Credit cards:
Brocock, Webley, Weihrauch, Edgar, FX, Walther and more. Rimfire
and centre fire rifles, shotguns, ammunition and cartridges available here.
Stockists of Weihrauch, Webley, BSA, Norica, Gamo, Hammerli, scopes, BURY AIR GUNS Cornwall’s premier gun shop. New and used guns and accessories.
lamps, pellets and accessories. Airsoft guns stocked, crossbows & archery Ian Hodge Fieldsports has been supplying fieldsports accessories
available. Guns serviced and repaired. Airgun and cylinder refills to 300 bar. 12 Bolton Street, Bury & equipment since 1991. From small beginnings the business has
Lancashire BL9 0LQ grown to be one of the foremost mail order retailers in the country.
TONY’S CAMO & AIRGUN CENTRE Tel: 0161 764 1915
Web: www.buryairguns.co.uk
Moorcroft Mews, High St, Saltney, Chester, Flintshire CH4 8SH COUNTRYWIDE
Tel: 01244 681191 Web: www.tonyscamo.co.uk and www.burysports.co.uk
Email: sales@burysports.co.uk Bradford Road, Melksham,
Opening hours: Tue - Sat 9am - 5:30 pm
Opening hours: 9.15 - 5.00 Closed Sunday Wiltshire, SN12 8LQ
Credit cards: Tel: 01225 701473
Email: enquiries@countrywidefarmers.co.uk
A huge range of guns, accessories Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8.30-18.00,
and clothing. See website for more details. The North’s largest airgun, sports and trophy store established Sat 8.30-17.30, Sun 10-16.00
1959. Only fifteen minutes from Manchester city centre,
Junction 2 M66, opposite the East Lancashire steam railway. Credit cards:
PHOENIX FIELD SPORTS SUPPLIES
37-41 High Street, Old Town, Bridlington
East Yorkshire YO164PR BRADFORD STALKER
Tel: 01262 605512 Ouston Bank Farm, Ouston, Offers a great selection of new & used air guns. Stockists of Weirauch,
Email: info@fieldgear.co.uk Chester Le Street, County BSA, Air Arms, Daystate, Gamo, Umarex, SMK and Crosman. Gun
Opening hours: Wed - Sat 10am - 5pm Durham, DH2 1BB repair on site. Good selection of scopes on site. Other stores located
Tel: 0191 4100565 in Bearley, Bourton on the Water, Chepstow, Chipping Norton,
(Closed Monday and Tuesday)
Gloucester, Ledbury, Melton Mowbray, Salisbury and Thornbury.
Credit cards: Email: contact@bradfordstalker.co.uk Web: www.bradfordstalker.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon- Fri 9.00 – 5.30 / Sat 9.00 – 5.00
Shooting, Fishing & Archery Equipment - Air rifles: Weihrauch, Walther, Credit cards: Finance available CRACKSHOT - DEVON
Crosman, Hammerli, Kral, Diana and Remington. Shotguns: Sabbati and
Investarm etc. Pellets: RWS, Crosman, Walther, Lanes, Remington and 1 & 2 Sabre Close,
Visit our spacious showroom with hassle free on site parking. Wide range
Diana etc. PCP air bottles. Working dog equipment: Whistles, Heathfield, Newton Abbot,
of rifles & pistols: BSA, Weihrauch, Daystate, Webley, Brocock, FX, Air
dummies, leads, sticks, etc. Also: Cartridges,Victory cartridges, gunslips, Devon GB, TQ12 6TW
Arms, Gamo, Umarex, Walther. Clothing & accessories inc Night vision,
Hawke optics, clothing and footwear. Sportchief clothing range. Jack
Scopes, cylinders, bags, pellets, lamping equipment. Airgun & cylinder Tel: 01626 242971
Pyke stockists Clulite litelamps, battery packs, torches, bags, equipment,
refills available, services & repairs arranged. Email: info@crackshot.uk
safety eyewear, ear defenders, camo nets, pocket knives and decoys.
Web: www.crackshot.uk
WIGHILL PARK GUNS Opening hours: Mon - Sat 9 - 5
MANCHESTER AIR GUNS
Wighill Park, Nr Tadcaster, Credit cards:
470 Oldham Road, Failsworth, North Yorkshire LS24 8BW
Manchester M35 0FH Tel: 01937 833757 Fax: 01937 530563
Tel: 0161 681 7947 Email: info@wighillparkguns.co.uk
Web: www.manchesterairguns.com Web: www.wighillparkguns.co.uk
Email: info@manchesterairguns.com Opening hours: Wed - Sat 9-5 Devon’s leading Airgun Specialists we stock Weihrauch,
Hours: 10 - 5 Mon - Sat. Open most bank holidays until 2 Credit cards: Daystate, Air Arms, BSA and many more. Plus a large range of
Credit cards: All credit cards accepted CO2 pistols, scopes, and a comprehensive stock of airgun
accessories. We are also Bushcraft and Survival specialists
supplying all the kit you need to survive. Come and visit our shop
Britain’s first Airgun Only Gunshop (since 1977). Visit one of Britain‘s best stocked Airgun Shops in the heart of the and Try before you buy on our purpose built indoor range. Or visit:
Large stocks of airguns, scopes and pellets. Servicing, repairs Yorkshire countryside. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY ON OUR www.crackshot.uk
and re-blueing. Free advice with pleasure! INDOOR RANGE. Part exchange a specialty.
104 AIR GUNNER

AIR GUNNER
zwypunlyz
Top value gun

The editor looks at the latest version of Crosman’s popular break-barrel
M
any people coming into the grand
sport of airgunning need a rifle that’s
good and solid, yet simple to own and
operate. Shop owners have told me that £200
is the magic number that people often set
as a budget, and the manufacturers know it.
Lots of them have a ‘bundle’ that includes the
rifle, scope and mounts that retail exactly at
that price and it’s become very competitive
between them, which is good for us. Crosman
has exactly that and it seems they’ve added
some high-quality extras to make their
offering that much more appealing. The
Phantom II is a classic break-barrel springer
at its heart. It wears an ambidextrous
synthetic stock that is tough and unaffected
by moisture or mud, and its long, sporting
lines are enhanced by a full-length barrel
shroud/silencer, adding to the good looks and
cutting muzzle noise somewhat.
The scope they chose for the outfit is The whole package feels solid and well balanced on aim
“Crosman really deserves all the praise it gets for

offering such a scope at this price”
their own brand, Center Point 3-9 x 40, that an objective-mounted parallax adjuster, which
has a mil-dot-style reticle, which is a nice is superb. Most scopes in this class do not
touch. Windage and elevation adjusters are feature this vital facility, and it makes a huge
the exposed kind that are easy to turn, even difference to the clarity of your view and the
with gloved hands, although it must be noted elimination of parallax error, a major source
that they have no locking mechanism. What of inaccuracy. Crosman really deserves all the
separates this scope from many in this class is praise it gets for offering such a scope at this To get such a high spec’ scope at this price is excellent
price. Another excellent feature is that it sits
A manual safety sits in front of the trigger blade
in a one-piece mount that’s stronger and more
reliable than two-piece mounts, on a recoiling
gun. Again, credit is due.
The firing cycle is impressive, being smooth
SPECIFICATION
and quiet, telling us that the spring guides
Manufacturer: Crosman
are doing their job well, as is the silencer.
Over the chronograph, the Phantom delivered Importer: www.a-s-i.co.uk
a healthy 11.3ft.lbs. with the Air Arms Field Tel: 01728 688555
Diablo, my standard test pellet, which also Model: Phantom II kit
displayed good accuracy. At 25 yards, I was
getting 1” groups, only spoilt now and then
Type: Spring-piston
by the odd flyer taking it out to an inch and Action: Break-barrel
a half now and then. This level of accuracy is Trigger: Two-stage
right at the top for guns like this, showing Length: 44” (112cm)
that Crosman knew what they were doing
when they built this package. The Phantom Weight: 8.4lbs (3.8k)
feels good and solid in your hands, has a very
high specification, and the performance to
back that up, so in my eyes it’s one of the
best rifles in this class. ■
RRP £199.99
ul{Gtvu{o MAY ISSUE ON SALE 28TH MARCH 2018
THE FINAL FRONTIER
Has the editor found his dream scope at last?
MASSIVE
MAG’!
Does this new pellet-firing pistol

have the biggest mag’ yet?

Air Gunner April 2018

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WIN A BSA SCORPION

BSA’s Scorpion SE Camo

TAKE CHILLI’S CHALLENGE!

WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR

Ofﬁce Manager Sharon Wells 01189 742524

03 ED’S LETTER 37 JIM CHAPMAN 50 PLAY THE JOKER

4 AIR GUNNER www.airgunshooting.co.uk

BSA’s Scorpion SE Camo

gets The Big Test Stealthy

TAKE CHILLI’S CHALLENGE! BSA’s Scorpion SE Camo

59 CHARLIE PORTLOCK 77 AGEING BLACK SUBSCRIBE

64 NEIL PRICE 80 UP TO SPEED SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

YOUR DETAILS (mandatory to complete)

67 CLEAN UP 94 PUMP IT UP!

To clean, or not to clean? The editor

Mark Camoccio reveals his appreciation

Air Gunner – Please start my subscription for £33.50

To the manager (Bank name)

demonstrates how he cleans a barrel of a Hill Air Pump kit Address

68 BACK TO BASICS 96 AIRGUN COLLECTION

BSA riﬂes - the youth aspect

using tools ﬁt for purpose Signature

payable to Archant Community Media Ltd for £48

71 THE HUNTER’S WAY 105 TOP VALUE!

www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 5

The Tac Pack range combines scope,

The AirStream pellet has

Brand New and British! Northern Shooting Show

www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 7

This BB-ﬁring SMLE replica is sure to be a big hit

Terriﬁc Test Day

Armex becomes GunPower distributor

These innovative guns will now be

8 AIR GUNNER www.airgunshooting.co.uk

www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 9

10 AIR GUNNER www.airgunshooting.co.uk

www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 11

Power check Mark replied:

Maximum or maximise? Hello Wayne

12 AIR GUNNER www.airgunshooting.co.uk

“The ONLY way to check the muzzle energy

www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 13

A Refreshing New Concept in Air Gun Retail

01869 45 71 70 | WWW.BICESTERTARGET.CO.UK facebook.com/bicestertargetuk

www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 17

Instructions Instructions ■ A dartboard (or you can make your

18 AIR GUNNER www.airgunshooting.co.uk

20 AIR GUNNER www.airgunshooting.co.uk

A little tape on the metal work completed the camo ﬁnish

www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 23

rubbery and offers a pleasant grip all over

RELIABLE AND SLICK

24 AIR GUNNER www.airgunshooting.co.uk

The trigger blade is cast metal and totally rigid

www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 25

against the second, and breaking cleanly

26 AIR GUNNER www.airgunshooting.co.uk

Brushed tricot with laminated membrane

Many sticks will allow

www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIR GUNNER 37

recognised the intrinsic accuracy when

NOT FOR EVERY SHOT

However, I’m often out on the open