Firearms at The Great British Shooting Show 2023

This year’s show has bounced back to the good times after COVID’s lean years. As well as January’s Shot Show in Vegas, new products got launched at Jagd & Hund in Germany, which meant they would be public and available to see at the NEC.

Mauser

The M18 has appeared in its fourth main variant now, the Fenris, which features a synthetic GRS stock and seems to fill the long-range varmint or semi-precision rifle role. It has a heavy barrel and is available in several calibres from .223 up to .300 Win Mag, plus has a 10-shot detachable magazine. The asymmetric, right-handed rifle shows an adjustable recoil pad and length of pull, as well QD sling swivels. It’s a well-defined package with a Picatinny rail and a crisp trigger too. Contact: www.mauser.com/uk

Winchester

Winchester’s Xpert follows on from the superb Wildcat semi-auto rifle in style and character. This time it’s a steel bolt-action with a button-rifled barrel. It comes in .22LR, weighs just 4.5lb and the ergonomics suit smaller shooters, plus it’s compatible with Ruger 10-22 magazines. Iron sights are supplied, but you can also fit a scope if desired. It’s screwcut as well to make sure you can hunt or plink quietly.

Seekins Precision

Seekins is offering four variants of the Havak rifle in the UK, with a stunning lifetime barrel warranty alongside their accuracy guarantee. These bolt-action centrefires include a composite stock or aluminium chassis, fluted barrels, fluted bolts, Picatinny rails and TriggerTech triggers. The barrels are fully floated and detachable magazines are offered. The £2770 Havak Pro Hunter looks like the pick of the bunch to me, and I’m excited to shoot one in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Contact: www.edgarbrothers.com

Blaser

The Silverstone variant of the R8 rifle is offered with Blaser’s inherent modularity in terms of calibres. The special appearance here is a brushed steel action and some suede leather inlays to the adjustable Ultimate stock with memory cheekpiece position. The barrel is fluted, and the bolt, handle and trigger all feature the company’s DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating for improved durability. The company’s Argali logo is applied to the forend’s suede leather underside and revealed on the red action indicator when the de-cocker is pushed forward for fire. Contact: www. blaser.de/en

Bergara

Bergara showed three new centrefires with variations around the B14 HMR format. They now offer a carbon-barrelled option or fluted steel, as well as muzzle brakes to cut recoil in the large calibres used for arduous mountain hunts. The HMR stock is offered alongside the new thumbhole unit and these rifles still represent stunning value. | cannot wait to see them in action, because they’re destined to deliver comfort as well as precision.

Contact: www.ruag.co.uk

Sako

Sako’s 100th-anniversary rifles were present at the show. The Explorer Carbon and Explorer Wood versions of this switch calibre rifle are available in common hunting calibres from .243 Winchester up to .375 H&H. The scope attaches to a barrel extension mount and it has a fully adjustable trigger as well as an action de-cocker to align its capabilities with other competing switch barrel rifles on the market. I’m looking forward to using one because, with toolless stock adjustability, it handles and fits like a glove.

Contact: www.gmk.co.uk