Airgun Hunter: Top 10 Wet Weather Products

As the US Marines say; ‘if it ain’t raining, we ain’t training!’ Truth is; rain is something we know about in the UK, so being able to cope with it when out hunting is essential. Some might say why bother going out in the wet, well that’s your call? But being able to handle the weather with the right gear is a definite plus point. This is not a look at waterproof clothing, but a general feature on a range of diverse kit worth consideration. I have picked brands I favour but there’s a lot of good stuff out there that will do the same job!

BUTLER CREEK LENS COVERS

This almost ‘iconic’ brand of ‘flip-up’ lens covers are available in sizes to suit virtually all optics and are pretty much the industry standard when it comes to quality and ease of use. Both covers are sprung, so quickly ‘flip-up’, with the rear having a button release and the front a lug on the cover itself. They come in a range of sizes to fit just about any scope and simply slide into position due to their flexible collars. They can also be rotated to give a position you favour.
PRICES: FROM £12
Contact: Edgar Brothers 01625 613177 www.edgarbrothers.com

HAWKE LASER KIT

Lasers can be useful in wet weather when light levels are low, as they also help ‘train’ the eye on the quarry. Manufactured from black anodised aluminium, this 5mW eye-safe laser projects a 10mm dot at 10m and has a 50m range - ideal for airgun use. Windage and elevation are adjusted by two recessed grub screws that can be locked in place when set. The kit includes a Weaver Rail mount, 25mm scope mount suitable for clearing optics with 50mm objective lenses, integral tail and remote switches and a 1 X CR123A battery. It’s available with a green or red emitter.
PRICES: £52.99 (GREEN) £29.99 (RED)
Contact: Hawke Sports Optics 01394 387762 www.hawkeoptics.com

JACK PYKE TECHNICAL FEATHERLITE JACKET & TROUSERS

In my opinion it’s advisable to carry a waterproof suit. Using a Tasion Nylon outer, with a mesh liming, both the jacket and trousers are breathable, waterproof, tough yet light for ease of transportation and stowage! The jacket boasts an internal mesh pocket, two lower front pockets with zips and a weatherproof zip closure chest pocket. The zip-detachable, generously sized peaked hood has a top adjuster and elasticated draw cord. Other features include an elasticated waist cord and cuffs with Velcro fastenings. The front fastens with a double-zip, plus Velcro tab secured storm flap and underarm vents help regulate body temperature. The over trousers feature an elasticated waistband plus toggle adjust/lock draw cord, two side pockets with weatherproof zips, with Cordura reinforcement at the shin and ankle area. Side zips allow easy ‘pull on’ over boots and Velcro fastening ankle straps cinch them tight to your footwear. All zips are self-sealing plus elongated tabs enable them to be gripped easily in wet weather.
£36.95 SIZES S - XXXL £56 SIZES S - XXL
Contact: Jack Pyke Ltd www.jackpyke.co.uk

DEXSHELL SOCKS & HAT

Dexshell specialise in weatherproof socks, gloves and hats. The Hytherm Pro Socks are well suited to hunting in the harshest of conditions being both waterproof, breathable and with excellent insulating properties. The 3-ply build consists of an abrasionresistant nylon outer shell, A Porelle® waterproof, breathable membrane and merino wool, anti-pilling acrylic nylon inner. Their Waterproof Beanie Solo Hat is a ‘one size fits all’ design, with an acrylic outer and uses the same high performing Porelle® membrane with a Micro fleece fabric inner. Contact: Fordville Ltd. Tel: 0161 864 4666 for nearest stockists www.dexshell.co.uk
HAT £18.95 (BLACK)
SOCKS £28.95 SIZES S - XL

BISLEY PELLET POUCH

Measuring 4 ¼ x 4 ¾” when empty, this option is made from hardwearing green nylon, with double strengthened trim. The front, bottom section that holds the pellets is lined with a smooth waterproof inner. When the Velcro fastening front section is opened, both sides articulate out to reveal a spacious ‘holding area.’ The material used gives the pouch strength and can be folded back and over on itself to form a generous size belt loop.
PRICE: £6.99
Contact: John Rothery (Wholesale) Co Ltd www.bisley-uk.com

NIKWAX CLEANING & WATERPROOFING AGENTS

Key words that apply to outdoor wear are they need to be water/windproof and breathable. Cleaning in normal washing powder can have disastrous results on their effectiveness. To maintain integrity, it’s necessary to clean and in some cases ‘treat them’ with specialised solutions, designed specifically for the materials used. Nikwax specialise in the production of high quality cleaning and waterproofing products and by far have the most comprehensive range available. Here’s a small selection, available in 300ml and larger containers, either as solutions or in pump-action spray cans. Space restricts me detailing everything, but the products shown are all useful to the all-weather airgun hunter, as they prolong the life and enhance the performance of outdoor wear. Prices from: SRP £4.75- £8.25 for any product in 300ml format.
Contact Nikwax 01892 786 400 www.nikwax.com

RIDGELINE WARRIOR EXP HUNTING BOOT

‘Wellies’ aren’t a popular choice anymore! This high leg design uses full grain wax leather, treated to a waterproof outer, plus a Hydro Guard membrane and Thinsulate insulating liner. All metal lace retainers are treated to be fully weather resistant and are configured as four pairs of eyelets and four speed hooks. Plus there’s also a ‘lace guide hasp’ set on the generously padded tongue. The rugged build includes a thick and deep cut outer sole, also fitted with a full rubber rand configured to give extra protection at the toe and heel. Above this is a ‘flex panel’ for wearer comfort. The aggressive cleat and lug layout of the rubber composite Hyper Grip outsole gives good traction on a variety of terrain and is easy to clean.
PRICE: £189.99
Sizes: 6 – 14UK Contact: Highland Outdoors 0845 099 0252 www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk

NAPIER CORROSION INHIBITORS

Rain + rifle = rust! Even if rain hasn’t been forecast, I always take two items invaluable for protecting the metalwork of my guns; Napier’s Field Patches and a sachet of Super VP90. The former are a quick and efficient way of protecting your gun, as each sachet contains a full sized Super Clean patch, which is impregnated with 2ml of Napier Gun Oil, this is sufficient to completely clean and rust proof your air rifle, both inside and out. It also contains their VP90 - a powerful Vapour Phase Corrosion Inhibitor, ensuring that any metal surface is completely rust proof. It can be placed inside a gunbag or at home in a gun cabinet. The advanced vapour phase action deposits/bonds an invisible monomolecular coating on any exposed metal surface but leaves other materials such as glass, plastic, wood, leather etc. totally unaffected. Price: Field Patch (Pack of Ten) SRP £6.98 One Sachet of Super VP90 SRP £4.37
Contact: Napier of London 01235 812993 www.napieruk.com

RWS GUN CLEANER & GUN OIL

RWS Gun Cleaner and Gun Oil are available in 200ml aerosol cans for ease of dispensing. The Cleaner offers a two-in-one action. It not only contains safe solvents to remove fouling from your gun without degreasing it, but also leaves a microfilm layer of oil to help protect it, it’s ideal for barrels, as it contains a lubricant. The Gun Oil will penetrate all areas of your gun, giving complete protection to all metal parts. It contains VP90 corrosion inhibitors, which ensure penetration to even the most inaccessible components.
PRICES:£8.95 EACH
Contact: RUAG AMMOTEC UK Ltd 01579362319 www.ruag.co.uk

SEAL SKINZ SHOOTING GLOVES WITH FOLD BACK TRIGGER FINGER

Seal Skinz use what they term an ‘Aqua Dynamic Design.’ The 3-layer build incorporates rip-stop fabric on the outer back of the gloves, while their patented StretchDry membrane plays a major role in their effectiveness and overall performance. I say this because not only are they completely waterproof and breathable, the ‘StretchDry Technology’ allows them to stretch, which is something some waterproof membranes can’t. This results in the gloves fitting closely, giving next to skin dry comfort.
PRICE: £49.95 SIZES XS - XL
Contact: Bushwear 0845 226 0469 www.bushwear.co.uk www.sealskinz.com