British Shooting Show 2020

Pete Moore and Ed Jackson give you the low down on the latest BSS bash

Avery wet and windy NEC at Birmingham that, despite the awful weather, showed a good amount of new guns and gear, although the show was never that crowded, probably down to hurricane Dennis that put off those coming from a long way off. But saying that, attendance was still good.

• TIPPMANN ALPHA ELITE

  

  Shooting Supplies had their popular range of Tippmann Arms rifles at the show, including the new limited edition Alpha Elite. This AR15-style, .22LR, semi-auto is an upgraded version of the Elite-L. It comes with an aluminium upper and lower, fluted barrel, Elftmann single-stage match trigger, Fab- Defence 5-position butt and pistol grip. They are also planning on releasing a version that only includes the fluted barrel, called the Elite-LF. Visit; www.shootingsuppliesltd.co.uk

• ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AX MKIII

  

  Accuracy International (AI) had their updated AX MKIII multi-calibre, rifle on display. It is available in .338 Norma, .300 Norma, .300 Win Mag, .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor. New features show a magazine/calibre adaptor, forend grip and tube that includes an integral Arca-Swiss tripod mounting rail and two barricade stops. The adjustable butt-stock has been updated and a new ambidextrous, 3-position, AR15-style safety catch has been added. They also announced the formation of a new AI precision rifle shooting team. Visit; www.accuracyinternational.com

• AIR ARMS XTI-50

  

  The Air Arms (AA) XTI-50 prototype has been designed using input from competition shooters and will be the successor to the successful FTP 900. It is still in development, but the prototype included an integral, adjustable hamster, new regulator, competition Lothar Walther barrel, Titanium cylinder, adjustable stock and a windicator with spirit level. The single shot design is only available in .177 and they are planning on releasing HFT and FT versions. Visit; www.air-arms.co.uk

• FX AIRGUNS

  

  The Sportsman Gun Centre eclectic portfolio shows; Nightforce, Primary Arms, Accuracy International, Kofs, ATA, Steyr, Strasser and Smith & Wesson. Recently, they acquired FX Airguns, including the Impact MKII Compact, which has not been seen in the UK before. This design features FX’s smooth twist X barrel, match-grade trigger and side cocking lever. They also had the Turkish ATA Arms Turqua bolt-action centrefi re rifl e, which is going to be around the £500 mark, making it particularly good value. Should be getting one in for test very soon! Visit; www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk

• WEIHRAUCH HW110 GREY LAMINATE

  

  The Weihrauch HW110 Grey Laminate includes a new stock, which is suited to either hunting or target applications. This new PCP is the latest model from the German manufacturer and is an addition to their successful HW110 range. There were carbine and full-length versions on display, both featuring an adjustable butt plate, Picatinny rail, 2-stage match Rekord trigger, high efficiency silencer and 10-shot rotary magazine. Visit; www.weihrauch.co.uk

• KAHLES

  

  Two new items from Kahles, the first is their K18i, with its 30mm body tube and 1-8x24 spec, it’s aimed at IPSC and 3-gun competition, it comes with a throw lever and a simple 3-dot reticle. Of more general interest, is their Helia RF/M 7x25 laser rangefinder monocular. Neat and handy, it’s covered in brown rubber armour and features an OLED display (fi ve brightness settings) and displays in meter or yards. The EACfunction (Enhanced Angle Compensation) adjusts range for angle and it also takes temperature/air pressure measurement. There’s a scan mode and it’s good out to 2000m. Visit; www.kahles.at/en

• SMART SILENCERS

  

  A-TEC were showing three new moderators on the Jackson Rifles stand. The H2 and Larger H2 Mega and the Optima. Both are modular designs, so you can adjust the baffle sections to suit. Adding to this is their A-LOCK system, which sees an interrupted, ACME-type thread form adaptor that screws to the muzzle. The moddy drops on and a 60º twist locks is secretly, making it quicker to mount or dismount. A muzzle brake is available as is a blanking cap. Visit; www.jacksonrifl es.com

• BLADE TECH G2 VIVO

  

  Blade Tech were offering a huge variety of knives and tools on their stand, including their G2 Vivo sharpener. It uses polished tungsten carbide technology and can sharpen dull edges on any non-serrated knife blade along with garden shears, scissors, scythes, loppers and axes. It comes with a bright orange finish to make it easy to find and is manufactured from aircraft grade aluminium. Visit; www.bladetech.co.uk

• CHAPUIS ARMES C135 SUPER ORION ARTISAN

  

  GMK had a selection of new products, including the Lokaway LB and LBA range of gun safes, the re-styled Beretta EELL Classic and the new Stoeger XM1, which is the brand’s fi rst ever PCP airgun. They also had the new Chapuis Armes C35 Super Orion Classic and C135 Super Orion Artisan shotguns on display. The latter includes; 30” barrels, Mobil chokes, hand-finished engraving, a Prince of Wales, grade 5 walnut stock, single non-selective trigger, auto safety, rounded forend and narrow solid top rib. It is available right-hand only in 12 gauge and comes steel-proofed. Visit; www.gmk.co.uk

• MARLIN 1895 STOCKS

  

  Raytrade UK had a wide variety of new products from their brands, which included some new laminate furniture for Marlin 1895 lever-actions. Manufactured by Form Rifle Stocks, the new wood can easily be retrofitted and includes an adjustable cheek piece. They will be available in a variety of colours and they are planning on manufacturing a version for the popular Marlin 1894. Also, on the stand was a selection of Spartan Precision support systems, a new long barrelled revolver from Chiappa, the new Spectra line of rifle scopes from GPO and a fresh rifle from Remington, called the Model 700 American Hunter. It comes in 6.5 Creedmoor with a Cerakote finish, Bell & Carlson stock and a 20” fluted barrel with 5R rifling. Visit; www.raytradeuk.co.uk

• NEW 22 SEMIS

  

  New from Asset SHIELD is the Kriss Vector 22 CRB. Using the same chassis as their centrefire semi-auto rifle and pistol series, the 22LR gun shows a basic, blowback bolt system and a 10-round mag (30s coming soon). It has a telescopic butt, M-Lok, free-fl oat forend and a 16” threaded barrel (probably 1/2x28UNEF) plus it’s very different from your normal; 22AR. Also, on show a pair of CZ75-like LBPs, which look very well made, both guns are on our test list. Visit; www.shieldsights.com

• BOWMAN FLURRY MASTER TRAILER

  

  Bowman had a variety of clay traps on display, including the Flurry Master Trailer. It uses their reliable, powerful, multi-clay Supermatch 8 trap. It can throw a standard clay 150m every 1.5 seconds and has carousel capacity options of 150 and 300. It can be tilted left or right by up to 40°, allowing it to send curling clays. The operator can sit on the trailer adjusting the traps elevation and direction, or fix it in position and remotely operate it using a 50m cable or wireless radio release. Visit; www.bowmantraps.co.uk

• HAWKE VANTAGE SCOPES

  

  Hawke had some of their latest scopes on display, including some new, wide angle (WA) additions to their Vantage range. The 4-16x50 has a 30mm body tube and includes side focus and a choice of two illuminated reticles. The first includes subtensions specifically for .22LR Subsonic ammunition, the second features ones for the .17 HMR rimfire. They have also released a 3-9x42, which includes an illuminated reticle and subtensions for 223/.308. Visit; uk.hawkeoptics.com

• LEICA PRS 5-30X56I

  

  The Leica PRS 5-30x56i has a 34mm body tube and a First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle, with 90% light transmission. It offers 32 Mils of internal elevation adjustment. The multi-turn turret show 10 Mils per rotation, includes tactile/visible rotation indicator and can be zeroed without any tools. There are three reticles available, all illuminated; the classic L-4a, the L-Ballistic with hold marks, and the L-PRB for precision rifle shooting. A sunshade and screw-in throw lever are included. Visit; www.leica-camera.com

• BERGARA & MEOPTA

  

  RUAG are now the Meopta importers and this classic Czech brand is upgrading with more up to date optics, in keeping with what we shooters want. Their Optika 6 range shows, tactical turrets, calibre-specific reticles and even throw levers at good money. Bergara have added some very nice synthetic stocked B14 models, as always at good money. They now offer two rimfire guns: the B14R Trainer Carbon (wrapped barrel) and the Steel (steel barrel). Based on the centrefire short action, they have a 10-round capacity and will fit existing and compatible furniture. There was also the new range of Turkish Derya semi-auto competition shotguns. Visit; www.ruag.co.uk

• BLASER GROUP

  

  The K95 single shot Ultimate Carbon is joined by a synthetic version, the Ultimate, same thing, but less money. Sauer’s latest is the carbon fibre stocked 101 Highland XTC, the different furniture drops the weight but increase the cost. Mauser’s M18, has now gone up market, with two new options; the Fieldhunt has a medium 19mm, 22” fluted barrel, green and black stock with height adjustable comb/cheekpiece and adjustable trigger. Simpler is the Woodhunt with a 20”/19mm, iron sighted barrel and adjustable trigger. All three are threaded and currently in 308 Win only, doubtless that will change. Their new, steerable Quad Stix have proved very popular too. Visit; www.blaser-group.com

• VIKING ARMS

  

  Big news at Viking is the acquisition of Mossberg. This brand originally known for its repeating shotguns has been producing bolt-action rifles for some time, that includes the same box magazine fed action in two different styles; the Patriot is your more standard hunter in various options, the MVP is a more tactical/precision gun with synthetic and chassis system stock options, using AR-type mags in 223 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor and 308 Win. Value for money is hard to beat and they shoot. For the practical shotgunner there’s the JM 940 Pro, a hi-cap semi-auto designed by top US shooter Jerry Miculek; again, price and features make it a winner. Visit; www.vikingarms.com

• SCHMEISSER’S’ BACK

  

  Edgars were showing some new and improved straight-pull ARs from Schmeisser. Seen them before a few years ago, but back then they did not think side-cocking was important! Well, now it seems they do, as they have added this vital control any self-respecting AR shooter considers mandatory. The build shows the usual suspects, telescopic butt, ambi controls, free-float forend and all the usual options. Prices look to start sub £2000, so they’d better be good. Visit; www.shootingsports.edgarbrothers.com

• PULSAR DIGEX DIGITAL RIFLESCOPE

  

  Pulsar have used the day scope layout from the Thermion and launched the new Digex Digital Riflescope. It is built using an all-metal housing and comes with an anti-wear coating. It incorporates a highly sensitive 1280x720 HD CMOS sensor, has a wide selection of brightness and contrast settings, quality fast optics, high magnification and a powerful, integral IR giving it a 500m night time ability. Its long list of features includes; integrated video/sound recorder, 4-16x variable magnification, scalable ballistic reticles, picture-in-picture mode, high-calibre recoil resistance and a compound, continuous power system. Visit; www.thomasjacks.co.uk

• HIGHLAND OUTDOORS

  

  Highland were showing for the first time some Sig Sauer rifles, along with Howa’s new rimfire, the M1100; it looks good with a semi-target stock and 18” barrel. Not sure on calibres but assume it will be 22LR, 22WMR and 17HMR? They seems to have added to their CO2/BB guns with some more pistols and the cutest US M1 Carbine copy. Sig Sauer Elector Optics have upgraded their BDX rangefinder BDC optics system, plus Highland now handle Diana airguns. And now there’s a long barrelled/ carbine version of their CO2-powred, VMX air pistol, rated up to 9 ft/lbs. Visit; www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk