Firearms at the British shooting Show 2018

I’ve decided to put a bit of a different spin on this year’s reporting on the BSS, with more pictures and less waffle. After all, I reckon what you really want to know is what’s current and new and if you’re interested then you can look deeper at the companies’websites. A bit like a big cork board for important messages, post cards and pictures. But first, the show has moved location from Stoneleigh Park to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC). I found it much easier to get to by road, with free parking and shuttle buses to the venue. All the exhibitors, regardless of what they specialised in were all in one huge hall but divided up by what they did.

Hawke Sports Optics

The main news from Hawke Optics is the introduction of the first focal plane (FFP) models. Once seen as old hat, this system means that at whatever magnification you set, your ballistic data as to correction values do not change, as it does on a second focal plane system. The Sidewinder FFP range consists of the 4-16 x 50 at £449, the 6-24 x 56 at £469, the 3-12 x 50 at £549 and the 5-25 x 56 at £599. All models have side focus, glass-etched reticles with red and green illumination, 5-level rheostat, 1⁄10 MRAD exposed and locking turrets and flip-up lens caps. www.uk.hawkeoptics.com

Viking Arms Ltd

Viking said that they will soon be receiving new scopes from Leupold and the American Rimfire in a down-scaled Ruger Precision, fully-adjustable stock, pistol grip, M-Lok free-floated tube, heavy barrel and Picatinny rail. The Target has the same heavy tube and mounting base with a laminate stock. For fans of the Merkel Helix, there’s a new Speedster, with a new look synthetic/adjustable stock. www.vikingarms.com

Raytrade UK

Since picking up the importation of Remington and Marlin, Raytrade UK has been working hard to re-establish these brands and showed a fine presence this year. Most notable was the news of the price drop on their Gen II 700 and their new tactical/chassis rifle at around £1500, both now being highly competitive. Also, they now distribute GPO of Germany and they have an interesting looking range of optics. www.raytradeuk.co.uk

RUAG AmmoTec UK Ltd

RUAG are now importing Norma reloading powders, these quality propellants offer the reloader yet another option, along with their latest loading manual for the recipes. Good news for Bergara fans with longer, 26-inch barreled version of the B14 HMR and BMP in some magnum calibres. And Kahles’ new and first laser rangefinder binocular, it looks good and is under £1400, so should prove popular. www.ruag.co.uk

Blaser Sporting

The big news was the Mauser M18; even bigger was the price drop to £766, they were originally quoting £936. It’s a tough and practical rifle, pre-threaded (15x1mm) and available in popular calibres. Sauer has a new addition; the 100 Pantera has a fluted barrel – it’s like their Keeper with an adjustable, synthetic profile-type stock. Finally, first exposure in the UK for Blaser’s Artemis scope range. www.blaser-sporting.com

Edgar Brothers Ltd

Hornady’s new ELD Match and X bullets and ammo are going down well with demand out stripping supply! www.shootingsports. edgarbrothers.com

GMK Ltd

I finally got to see the new Tikka T3 Tactical chassis system rifle and I was impressed; I’m yet to go hands-on but I hope to remedy that soon! www.gmk.co.uk

Highland Outdoors

I got news of the new GRS stock, the Bifrost, which is essentially an improved Berserk. www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk

Spartan Precision

Rob Gearing, Spartan’s MD, has more new stuff including the final version of their latest Sentinel tripod along with some new adaptors and ideas. The company is doing well worldwide, with many civilian and military customers queuing up. www.javelinbipod.co.uk

Schmidt & Bender

Schmidt & Bender had their usual stylish, black & white stand showing all their fine products, they’ll soon be sending us the Stratos 1-8x24, along with a PMII and Polar models for testing! www.schmidtundbender.de

John Rigby and Co Gunmakers Ltd

I swung by Rigby’s stand, always a pleasure to see those lovely Mauser 98s, including their new Highland Stalker, which I have on test. www.johnrigbyandco.com

Browning/ Winchester

Browning had the composite (synthetic) Maral straight-pull packages and as always lots of X-Bolts, Kite optics and Nomad QD scope mounts. www.browning.eu

Contacts

Hawke Optics: www.uk.hawkeoptics.com
Viking Arms Ltd: www.vikingarms.com
Raytrade UK: www.raytradeuk.co.uk
RUAG AmmoTec UK Ltd: www.ruag.co.uk
Blaser Sporting: www.blaser-sporting.com
Edgar Brothers Ltd: www.shootingsports.edgarbrothers.com
GMK Ltd: www.gmk.co.uk
Highland Outdoors: www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk
Spartan Precision: www.javelinbipod.co.uk
Schmidt and Bender: www.schmidtundbender.de
John Rigby and Co Gunmakers Ltd: www.johnrigbyandco.com
Browning Winchester: www.browning.eu