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IWA 2022 Show report

IWA 2022 Show report

IWA is usually the highlight of my year, but unsurprisingly, 2022’s show was significantly smaller, with 40% fewer exhibitors and 20,000 visitors instead of 50,000. I won’t lie and say it was business as usual, but without some of the major players there, I had more time to check out some of the smaller and more innovative companies.

Sabatti

Sabatti has made some interesting rifles that don’t enjoy as much appreciation as they deserve. The latest Rover range seems to tick a lot of boxes, with integral Picatinny scope mounts atop the action, reliable mag feeding and a decent calibre range spanning all the usual suspects. The variety of stock options means the rifles will appeal to those wanting a tool or something more glam. The functionality is sound and I look forward to reviewing one! The highlight was the Pathfinder model, which shows a stainless build and adjustable comb.

Contact: Range Right - www.range-right.co.uk

CZ

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Although the CZ600 centrefire range was major news, we have seen them in use, so the big announcement was the availability of left hand specific, 457 rimfires in sporter formats like classic and varmint. The 457 LRP model is now treated to a black styling makeover and perhaps even more exciting is the news of an MDT chassis version, which is likely to astound the rimfire precision rifle market. It is essentially the LRP with a match chamber and fluted barrel paired to alternative furniture.

Contact: Sportsman Gun Centre www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk

Weihrauch

A prototype HW100 bullpup was on display and the company were keen to test market appeal for such a rifle. Although accused of being a little late to the party and behind the times with bullpups, I doubt any current HW100 owner wouldn’t smirk as they appreciate the utter reliability of the design, now with newer laminate furniture.

Contact: Hull Cartridge – www.weihrauch.co.uk

H&N

Airgun pellets were everywhere, including previously established manufacturers and countless new players from Turkey, among others. As well as endless low-cost Diabolo designs, slugs were the focus of innovation from the big players, with lead alloy composition and refined diameters closely attended to. Specific attention is being paid to hollow point cavity profiling and overall weight balancing to ensure stability, and as a user myself, I can see the appeal.

Contact: H&N - www.hn-sport.de/en

Pulsar

The new Merger binoculars from Pulsar are set to supersede the Accolades at the top of the thermal spotter line. The 640x480 pixel sensor with <25mK NETD is set to lead the way for image texture and being coupled to 2x independent batteries assures 10-hours of use in a more compact, conventional binocular format. Less boxy than the Accolade and more comfortable in the hands or when slung!
Contact: Thomas Jacks - www.thomasjacks.co.uk

Arken optics

Highland Outdoors has taken Arken optics onboard and their 6-24x50 SH-4 Gen II showed serious appeal in the sub £600 market for long-range shooting capability. The clicks were certainly transmitted with a confident tactile feel for fast multi-range capability. Eye relief has been kept modest at 3.5” and reticle focus was crisp. The left-side parallax was backlash-free and nothing really stood out as a ‘pretender’. I think this might be a serious contender!
Contact: Highland Outdoors www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk

Lowa boots

Lowa was showcasing pretty much every style of footwear in existence for outdoor civilian or military use. However, the most interesting hidden gems were the new styles and specific leather options available in good old plain brown, which are most suited to the hunting fraternity. The Z8s are a mid-weight boot with a taller support structure for off-road safety but less aggressive soles and lighter weight for the warmer summer months.
Contact: Lowa www.lowamilitaryboots.com

MTM

MTM always has something new to offer and now the divided ammo crate allows you to segregate multiple calibres or store accessories more easily. The overall dimensions are 21x11.2x7.5” and it shows tough carry handles and an O-ring moisture seal under the lid for long term reliability. The product is still proudly made in the USA and it won’t go brittle and crack at the slightest hint of frost. I rely on MTM products for my work every day!
Contact: Hannam’s Reloading - www.hannamsreloading.co.uk

Meopta

The New MeoSport R has arrived in a hunter friendly, 3-15x50 format with side parallax and illuminated reticle. A 90 MOA adjustment range will please the longer-range fans, although a simpler 4a reticle is featured, making the scope most suited to the daytime hunter wanting to appreciate European glass. The scope shows MeoBright coatings and locking zero-reset turrets.
Contact: RUAG AMMOTEC UK - www.ruag.co.uk

Hornady

As well as the latest CX (copper alloy expanding bullet), Hornady showed the ECX model, designed specifically for the European market in common metric calibres. It’s a stubbier bullet shape more suited to slow twist rates and European chamber dimensions. To the eye, the flat-tipped profile would indicate lower BCs for a closer range hunting culture, with 6.5, 7, 8 and 9.3mm versions, as well as .22 and .30 cal options. I suspect the UK will be drawn to the CX projectiles, but it’s good to see this US maker satisfying European tastes.
Contact: Edgar Brothers - www.edgarbrothers.com

GPO

GPO showed their latest compact binocular rangefinder; the 10x32 RangeGuide 2800. They will appeal to those wanting daylight long-range capability with less bulk than 42mm bodies. Here, magnesium is employed to lessen weight. They come with a 2800m capability and clinometer to correct for up and downhill use. What’s not to like from one of the proven optical trailblazers?
Contact: Raytrade UK - www.raytrade.co.uk

Spuhr

The SICS chassis is here from the technical maestro that is Hakan Spuhr. This eagerly awaited complement to all your current mounts and accessories for PRS rifles offers features I can’t start to list in detail here, but it’s well worth a look on the website to see if they are the details that you can’t live without. The execution is stunning and when handled, the balance and proportions are all we had hoped for. I can’t wait to see samples of this in use as I think it has set the bar high.
Contact: Spuhr - www.spuhr.biz

Aimpoint/GAIM

Aimpoint’s subsidiary, GAIM were inviting visitors to use the latest shooting simulator and after having personally used developmental iterations, particularly for wild boar use over the last 5 years, they are really hitting the target now. When paired to an Oculus heads-up display for a virtual environment, you literally put the headset on and handle the blank stock with Oculus sensors on it, for an utterly delightful submersion into the woodland for a hunt. It’s fantastic and available separately from the Oculus itself, plus it’s around £800, so incredibly tempting and I want one!
Contact: Aimpoint - www.aimpoint.com

Anschutz

When will we see some of these beautiful Anschutz 1782 centrefires brought into the UK? They come in the commonly preferred UK calibres and exhibit integral scope mounts. All the mechanical benefits of the Annie rimfires we know and love, alongside beautiful walnut in modern centrefire configurations. The brand stands out to me for this, and I’d love to see more of them.
Contact: RUAG AMMOTEC UK - www.ruag.co.uk

Steyr

As well as giant tactical rifles, Steyr has steadily encroached upon us with the Monobloc, addressing modern styling needs and ergonomic adjustability with assured engineering and mechanical performance. The range encompasses walnut to synthetics, with leather included for the fans. Steyr’s superb hammer forged barrels show fantastic thermal stability and I want to get my hands on one of these as soon as possible.
Contact: Sportsman Gun Centre www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk
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