Gun Trade News issue 89

JOHN ROTHERY SIGNS WALTHER DEAL

Announces new partnership with historic German arms manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH

John Rothery, a leading UK-based wholesaler of air rifles and shooting accessories, has announced a new deal with Carl Walther GmbH, now one of the world’s leading manufacturers of competition rifles.

This partnership will bring the latest in targetshooting technology to the UK market and is set to strengthen the presence of both companies in the shooting industry. The agreement should make it easier for UK customers to access a range of highquality air rifles, including pistols and rifles.

Carl Walther GmbH, established in 1886, has a rich history in the industry. At the very forefront of the international target shooting market, its excellent reputation has seen it become a firm favourite for numerous Olympic and world-renowned shooters.

For more than 137 years, Walther has been guided and motivated by innovation and enduring tradition.

As well as being a pioneer of firearms, it is synonymous with the development of innovative air rifles. Competitors throughout the world, including Olympic, Commonwealth, World, and international champions, put their trust in the technical perfection of Walther sporting guns. Today, the LG400, KK500, LP500, and newest family member the GSP500,

ACT NOW, BASC LAUNCH MAJOR CAMPAIGN

Gun Trade News is supporting BASC’s Act Now campaign, which aims to use the consultation process on Welsh licensing reforms to draw a line in the sand for the shooting community. Find out how you can get involved by reading Conor O’Gorman’s piece inside (p13), and by pulling out and sticking up the middle two pages of the magazine, which we’ve made into a handy pull-out poster for your office or shop. Please do encourage your staff and customers to take part too—let’s make our voices heard!

set the standards demanded by those looking for the very best in the competitive shooting market.

“We are very excited to partner with Walther. No matter where you go in the world, its name is recognised for its long history of innovation and quality,” said Sean O’Driscoll, Managing Director of John Rothery Wholesale. “Having distributed the LG400FT rifles over the last few years, we are proud to now be able to offer the full range of competition guns to our customers. We look forward to a longlasting and successful relationship.”

The new distribution agreement will allow John Rothery Wholesale to offer the complete range of air rifles and pistols from Walther, including models designed for competitive target shooting. The company plans to make these products available to customers through its wide network of retailers and trade channels.

Björn Dräger, Director of Sales for Walther, is also pleased with the arrangement, saying, “We are happy to have the opportunity to cooperate with John Rothery Wholesale, as the UK is a very important player in elite shooting sports. We always seek to have the best distribution in the market to fill all our customers’ needs and look for partners who

have a strong presence in their respective areas. We believe that this approach holds great promise for achieving our mutual targets, while also bringing our clients closer to our brand and the services we offer.”

Trade enquiries for Walther products can now be sent directly to the John Rothery team. Trade users

FIELDSPORTS PRESS ACQUIRES SHOOTING TIMES, SPORTING GUN, SHOOTINGUK.CO.UK AND THE SHOOTING SHOW FROM FUTURE PLC

Edinburgh-based publisher Fieldsports Press has announced that it has acquired Shooting Times & Country Magazine, Sporting Gun, ShootingUK .co.uk and YouTube channel The Shooting Show from Future Plc.

First published in 1882, Shooting Times is the only weekly title that focuses on news, game shooting, conservation and fieldsports. Sporting Gun began life in 1977 and is now the leading monthly publication in the UK, with the largest readership covering both game and clay shooting. ShootingUK.co.uk is an umbrella website for both titles and a comprehensive resource for articles, reviews and recipes. The Shooting Show was

launched in 2012 and offers weekly programmes to 275,000 subscribers.

Fieldsports Press’s co-founder Selena Barr commented on the acquisition: “I first started my career in magazines working in London back in 2005 as news editor on Shooting Times and stayed in that role for four years, so I have a real affection for the title. We are delighted to add these leading brands to our portfolio. Each of them has strong a brand identity and will further strengthen our offering to advertisers and readers alike.”

The new titles will transfer from Future Plc to Fieldsports Press on 1 May. We hope to have an interview with Fieldsports’ Simon Barr next issue.

can easily access pricing and availability information by calling 023 9224 5350, emailing sales@ bisley-uk.com, or visiting the John Rothery Wholesale website at bisley-uk.com. The website will soon feature an updated catalogue of Walther products to cater to the diverse needs of trade customers.

URAGAN 2 PRINCE

Made For The Hunt

Developed from the original Uragan (Slavic for hurricane), the Uragan 2 Prince is a compact and fast handling air rifle with excellent rear-biased balance and operation.

The 360mm barrel of the Prince features a new sound moderator and offers stunning accuracy. A crisp, adjustable trigger and fully ambidextrous biathlon-style side lever cocking system makes hitting the target easy for any shooter.

◆ Cold hammer forged barrel

◆ Biathlon side lever is easily changed for right and left hand configuration, no special tools required

◆ Pressure gauge

◆ Pressure regulator

◆ Weaver rail for scope, bipod

Available in Calibres .177 & .22

◆ Adjustable buttpad

◆ Safety catch

◆ 20 MOA sloped top weaver rail for optical sight

◆ Ability to mount extra sound moderator (silencer)

◆ Twin 210cc carbon air bottles

WE SAY

Let’s all put our shoulders to the wheel this month. The Act Now campaign from BASC is a timely bit of intervention that might just let us get on the front foot for once. Instead of waiting for the seemingly inevitable hammer of fate to fall on our heads, BASC have come up with a way for us to strike pre-emptively. I very much welcome Conor O’Gorman to our pages and I hope he will become a regular contributor.

So read what he has to say, stick the poster up in your office or shop, and go and take part in the Welsh Government’s survey of your opinion. I have. And then use social media to spread the word even further.

While you’re at it, I suggest you take up the Scottish Parliament’s offer to engage them in consultation too. It’s not as straightforward as filling in an online poll, but it can be done, and it will have an influence.

When it comes to matters such as these, we in the trade can sometimes offer a louder voice than the hobbyists and enthusiasts whose custom we rely on. When we get in touch with government representatives, they know that we come at these issues not just from an ideological viewpoint, but also with the welfare of our employees, and the considerable force of our wealth-creation capabilities, behind us. Rural communities need a thriving gun trade to survive.

We’ve recently demonstrated the impact we can have when we act in concert, during the lead consultation process. If Simon West is right, HSE is

giving serious consideration to our input, and at the very least has announced a delay in any action while it considers the mass of data provided to it. This is good news, and encouraging for the trade.

We should try to maintain the momentum it gives us to lobby more effectively and together. Divided we fall.

Steve

“ Rural communities need a thriving gun trade to survive ”

LAUNCHED

THE

INDUSTRY NEWS

Around the UK and abroad, all the top stories digested

Härkila and Byborre announce new innovative partnership

Swedish hunting clothes and equipment brand Härkila has announced that it is partnering with Dutch textile company Byborre to incorporate Byborre’s revolutionary knitting technology and responsible textiles into its best-selling products.

“We selected Härkila Hero Styles and made a mix with Byborre’s high-end look and functional knitting techniques to develop sustainable styles suitable for hunting,” said Henrik Horak, Designer at Härkila.

“To us it’s important to keep being innovative. We are constantly challenging ourselves to improve and better our clothing in both range and design, and Byborre is the perfect match to ensure a strong design for activewear while at the same time respecting traditions, since our industry is largely tied to traditions,” added Horak, who also remarked that the two companies share an innovative mindset and have a shared respect for nature, which is why the new designs are made from sustainably sourced wool and recycled materials.

The collaboration looks like being the perfect combination of heavy knowledge from the hunting industry with uncompromising functionality, and a 3D knitting technique that creates natural temperature regulation and increases the optical depth and enhances the camo effect. Härkila has a tradition of working with market leading and knowledgebased companies in their respective fields to ensure that they utilise modern, innovative technologies in designs and maintain their position among the best hunting brands in the world.

“The outdoors have always been the ultimate scene for pushing the boundaries of high performance materials and garments,” commented Arnoud Haverlag, CEO and co-founder at Byborre. “Working together with like-minded innovator and outdoor pioneer Härkila allows us to connect the desire to respect nature and our planet’s resources with our drive to make the best products out there.”

The new designs were launched on 1 March 2023.

Gamebore celebrates 50 years with new launch

Launched in East Yorkshire in 1973, Gamebore is marking its 50th anniversary by launching a special limited edition Gamebore 50 cartridge. Subsidised by Gamebore to celebrate the company’s anniversary but built with competition-level components including Diamond Shot usually reserved for their professional level products, Gamebore 50 is available in limited volume, in 12 gauge with 28grm of size 7.5 lead shot with a plastic or fibre wad, for a limited time, from all leading retailers.

Over an illustrious history now spanning five decades, the people at Gamebore past and present have worked hard to cement their position as a world leading ammunition brand. Motivated by a ceaseless desire to innovate, Gamebore’s dedicated research and development team continues to work on improving the performance of their products, from the introduction of their long established Diamond Shot to the recent launch of brand new technology including the Quad Seal and Bio Wad.

The company is deeply committed to innovation within the shotgun cartridge industry. Its research and development department works tirelessly to produce the highest quality products using only the best components. Gamebore holds quality standard BS

EN ISO 9001:2015 and is the only UK manufacturer with this certification—applicable to cartridge manufacture to in-house standards and customer specification including lead shot making, assembly, printing and packaging.

Gamebore provides a full range of products for shooters at every stage of their development, from the novice to the 27-time world champion. Its products are designed to develop your performance and help you achieve excellent results. They give equal consideration to the shooter, the gun and the target for all-round comfort with high performance. They also consider the environmental impact, developing greener options for shooting venues where lead-free pellets or non-plastic wads are required.

Movers & Shakers section and reach thousands of UK gun trade professionals. Contact Lee Hurst on 07 949 111 539

BGA announces new CEO

British Game Assurance (BGA) has announced that Louisa Clutterbuck will take on the position of Chief Executive, following the news that Liam Stokes will be standing down after three years at the helm.

Louisa said: “Having been part of the operational and strategic team at BGA for nearly five years and working to market game to new audiences through our public facing campaign, Eat

Wild, I see my new role as an amazing opportunity to grow that audience and instil in even more people a love of British game.”

Premier Guns appoints new MD

Morgan as Head of Operations after Mathew’s departure from the business.

Dan Harvey has been appointed Managing Director of Premier Guns and also replaces Mathew

Ruggles-Brise takes on Game Fair role

Stable Events has appointed Sam Ruggles-Brise to look after feature areas at The GWCT Scottish Game Fair at Scone Palace, The Game Fair at Ragley Hall and The GWCT Welsh Game Fair at Vaynol Park. Next year, his role will expand to include the Blenheim Horse Trials, Northern Shooting Show and LAPADA.

Highland partners with Spartan

Highland Outdoors has a new distribution partnership with Spartan Precision throughout commercial and defence sectors, effective from 1 April 2023.

Spartan Precision produces rifle and optic support systems that weigh less and achieve more. The Spartan team continues to pioneer solutions and practices, and to develop materials—there are some very exciting new product releases in the pipeline. Spartan hopes to discover stability, strength and adaptability in their new distribution partner, further enhancing their market share and the consumer experience.

“The Highland team are very excited to be working alongside Spartan Precision and pledge a substantial commitment to their products and team,”

Dan brings a wealth of experience with him, having started his life in the gun trade 20 years ago working with George Bate (Stafford) Ltd. He joined Premier Guns in 2015 and has already served as a board director at the well-established retailer. He knows the business very well and as well as overseeing day-to-day operations at Premier Guns has been instrumental in creating the new airgun showroom.

Sam has been working as a marketing consultant specialising in agribusiness since 2010. To find out more about him and his new role, see this month’s Quick Quiz on page 15.

commented Steve Kelly, Commercial Sales Director of Highland Outdoors Group. “We are very pleased to welcome Spartan Precision to our portfolio, and look forward to distributing their products. We relish the opportunity to increase Spartan’s market visibility, and to ensure that the Spartan product range is more readily accessible to local consumers.”

Green light for clay pigeon range

Plans for a clay pigeon shooting range have been given the green light because a council was too slow to make a decision. Proposals for a 5 hectare site near Pantgwyn Farm, in Whitemill, Carmarthenshire, were discussed by Carmarthenshire County Council in August 2021. The decision was deferred for a site visit but none was made in time. A Welsh government inspector has now ruled in the applicants’ favour. Carmarthenshire County Council has been approached for comment.

Fieldsports

Press acquires

Trout & Salmon

Fieldsports Press has acquired Trout & Salmon from Bauer Media Group to add to its new portfolio of titles as reported on the cover. The Edinburgh-based publisher said the existing editorial team will be transferring to Fieldsports Press, with Dominic Holtam continuing to lead the business as MD

Premier Guns Airgun Showroom

Premier Guns has opened a new Airgun Showroom at its retail site at Doveridge Clay Sports near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. The showroom, which was fitted out and stocked a couple of weeks ago, is already serving the public, with Dan Harvey having oversight and Adrian Hurley guiding the new initiative.

Countryman’s Weekly to become Countryman’s fortnightly

Countryman’s Weekly magazine has changed to being a fortnightly publication after many years as a weekly. The reasons for the shift are not clear, but it may be seen as a sign of weakness by competitors such as the newly reinvigorated Shooting Times Countryman’s Weekly is also becoming a 44-page magazine and lowering its subscription prices. If you have any questions or would like to subscribe, you can contact Countryman’s Weekly on 01752 762990.

Sunday lunch with Paul Whitehouse

Fanatical fisherman and TV comedian Paul Whitehouse is hosting Sunday lunch in The Game Fair Enclosure. “Gone Fishing’s gentle and humorous exploration of the joys of fishing, as well as the celebration of friendship and the simple pleasures of life, will be reflected in my vision for Sunday lunch at The Game Fair,” said Paul.

Bird flu restrictions lifted

Mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds have been lifted from 18 April 2023. This change means that poultry and other captive birds can again be kept outside in England and Wales, unless they are in a Protection Zone or Captive Bird (Monitoring)

Controlled Zone. Commenting on the change, Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, said: “Whilst the lifting of the mandatory housing measures will be welcome news to bird keepers, scrupulous bio-security remains the most critical form of defence to help keep your birds safe.”

Rigby engraver wins Cartier Award for Excellence

London gunmaker John Rigby & Co is celebrating after its engraver Karen Wallace won the Jacques Cartier Award for Excellence, presented at the 2023 Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards. Karen entered a Rigby bolt-action rifle magazine floor plate she had made, which was beautifully carved with scrollwork.

The national Cartier Award for Excellence recognises exceptional craftsmanship and artistry in jewellery making and other related fields. The prestigious award has been presented for 65 years but it has only been awarded 43 times as it is only given if there is a clear winner.

Karen’s win is particularly noteworthy because this is the first time that someone has won the award with an item not made from gold or silver. Hers is also the only item related to gunmaking that has ever won the award.

Rigby’s managing director, Marc Newton, said, “The Cartier Award is a well-deserved recognition of Karen’s exceptional talent and the outstanding quality of her work.”

Karen added: “I didn’t even know I was up for it

Last call for the Northern

The 2023 Northern Shooting Show is set to be the best ever, with record crowds expected across the event on 6-7 May at the Yorkshire Exhibition Centre. Content will be king at this year’s Northern, with lots of exciting and innovative new events being staged at the show. There will be Practical Shooting ranges for mini-rifle, for example—and you’ll get the chance to shoot the new .22lr rifle from Calibre Innovations. Visitors to the show will also be able to

get their hands on the Fortmeier M2002 chambered in .50 BMG—and fire it!

The organisers have told GTN they are in particularly pleased to see so many of the previous supporters of the show returning this year. “It’s great to see people returning after an absence,” commented Lee Hurst. “People such as Ladds Guns, Premier Guns, Daystate, Redbeck Shooting Supplies and Pellpax will help the Northern go from strength to strength.”

Welsh Game Fair announced

Following the success of the inaugural GWCT Welsh Game Fair, which welcomed 10,000 visitors last year, the event will return to Vaynol Estate in Gwynedd, North Wales, on 9-10 September 2023. As well as fishing, clay shooting, gundogs, game cookery, falconry, horses and hounds, rural crafts, and food and drink, last year’s Fair featured displays, live debates, shopping at hundreds of trade stands and family entertainment. The event also raised funds for

the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), a charity that conducts vital research into Wales’s most vulnerable species.

“The Welsh Game Fair delivered a special event to build on for this year,” said Stable Events MD James Gower. “The location was the perfect canvas on which to showcase the best of Welsh countryside and tradition. We are now busy working on this year’s event and have we some exciting surprises in store.”

until there and then. I wasn’t even paying attention! I genuinely had no idea it would even be considered. I am over the moon. I was shaking when my name was called out. I was just thinking, ‘I don’t want to fall up the stairs!’”

MSPs to allow consultation over new Wildlife Bill

Holyrood’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee has intervened in the processing of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill and demanded that a consultation process be allowed before the bill is passed into law. It had previously been expected that the bill would pass without fuss.

The new bill would hand sweeping powers to Scottish ministers to regulate game bird shooting through a licensing scheme. Initially the scheme would only apply to grouse, but little change would be required to apply it to other bird species.

The committee’s convener, Finlay Carson, said: “We all have a responsibility to improve wildlife welfare wherever possible. While scrutinising this bill, we also need to consider the economic, environmental and conservation impacts of the proposals, alongside existing wildlife practises.

“We would like to hear from members of the public, rural communities and stakeholders to help inform our scrutiny of this bill and to ensure an outcome that delivers in the best interests of wildlife welfare, the environment, the rural economy and sustainability of our rural communities.”

Consultations are open until May 5. Say your bit at https://tinyurl.com/grousebillconsultation

Auction buying patterns return to pre-Covid levels

The talk in the trade has been about low demand and low prices for British sporting guns—and of those that do sell going abroad. But the £2m headline sales figure and detailed results from the recent Holts auction make interesting reading.

Holts’ March sale delivered 87% of lots sold. This suggests that there is an appetite for sporting guns after all. But the fact that 60% of sales went to UK buyers—with the remaining 40% evenly distributed between the US and the rest of the world— tells a deeper story: that UK buyers are outnumbering the Americans by quite a way. The UK share was up 10% from Holts’ December sale and puts the figures back in line with pre-Covid levels.

There might be more strength in the UK sales sector than we thought. And it might be that concerns about a lead-shot ban may be waning.

For more on the Holts sale, see Diggory Hadoke’s Auction View on page 28.

Firearm Security - Swing‘n’Slide Technology

KSeries

■ Designed for rifle or shotgun storage

■ Lockable ammunition compartment

■ High security digital keypad

■ Complete with anti-drill plate on door

■ Patented ‘swing and slide’ (anti-pry) door closure

■ Carpeted throughout

■ Durable heavy duty powder coated finish

LBA Range

■ Designed for rifle or shotgun storage

■ Lockable ammunition compartment

■ High security key lock

■ Patented ‘swing and slide’ (anti-pry) door closure

■ Carpeted throughout

■ Durable heavy duty powdercoated finish

LOKAWAY SWING ‘N’ SLIDE

Unique to Lokaway is our swing and slide system whereby the entire door slides and locks into the outer frame. This eliminates any leverage points and external hinges.

The Aircuda Max is a brand new, multi-shot PCP Air Rifle, co-branded with JTS®, its American designers and Lee Enfield (Guns) Ltd., Their UK partners. We have worked with the founders of JTS® of Katy, Texas for over a decade, and they have been our manufacturing partners for many of our most successful products, including the AirForceOne® Tornado gas ram pistol and the Lee Enfield SENTRY PCP Air Rifle. So, when they first reached-out to us with details of their new PCP, the Aircuda Max, we were excited to get involved in developing it to meet the exacting demands of the 12ft/lbs UK market.

We are delighted and enthusiastic about the rifle we have co-created and so, we hope, will be UK shooters too.

Aircuda Max

.177 or .22 PCP

2 Mags

1 Single Shot Tray

THE ADVANCED SPECIFICATION INCLUDES:-

Fully regulated action that delivers an astonishingly high number of ultra-consistent shots-220 in .22 and 150 in .177 11.4 ft/bs of muzzle energy

Precision-rifled, shrouded steel barrel, terminated with a removeable ½” thread protector to allow the addition of an external silencer

Striking hand-oiled Thumb-hole stock made from European beech, incorporating an adjustable cheek piece

Two Metal (Not plastic) magazines. 12 shot in .177 and 10 shot in .22

Single-shot tray

Superb slick and positive side-lever action

No fiddly and inconvenient fill-probes-instead a “Foster”-style quick disconnect fill fitting

Weaver/picatinny-style scope and under stock accessory rails

Under-stock fill and regulator pressure gauges

*Collect in person from our shop or Nationwide delivery to an RFD only

Unit 4C Birchbrook Industrial Park, Birchbrook Lane, Shenstone, Staffordshire WS14 0DJ Tel: 01543 480 361 Email: sales@shootingparty.uk

www.shootingparty.uk

“Most definitely the best new rifle I have reviewed for a very long time”

Dave Barham, Group Editor, Airgun World/Airgunner

BEST BUYS

Hikmicro Raptor RQ50L

Mat Manning tests Hikmicro’s Raptor RQ50L binoculars

Digital optics have come a long way in recent years, and Hikmicro’s Raptor RQ50L binoculars are at the front of the pack. Apart from providing thermal viewing in four colour palettes, they also deliver optical viewing in full HD colour by day and infrared at night. They can even produce a hybrid image that’s a fusion of thermal and infrared, and they have a built-in rangefinder.

There’s a battery-saving sensor that switches it to standby mode when you take them away from your eyes; it can record still images and video at the press of a button; it can connect to the Hikmicro Sight app via onboard wi-fi; and both eyepieces are width and dioptre adjustable to ensure perfect fit and focus. Add a tough travel case, two sets of rechargeable batteries (each with a continuous run time of up to eight hours), a fast-charger and a high-spec 640x512 sensor with image stabilisation

NEED TO KNOW

£3,999.99

n CONTACT: opticswarehouse.co.uk

n LENGTH: 217mm

n WEIGHT: 1,120g

n MAGNIFICATION: 3.4x (optical); 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x (digital)

n THERMAL DETECTION RANGE: Up to 2,600m

n FEATURES: 20mK high-sensitivity thermal camera, 1,000m laser rangefinder, 2560x1440 HD day and night camera, Sight app connection, multiple image modes, on board recording

to the mix, and you can see why this is arguably the most comprehensive day-and-night optic on the market. Of course, all that technology comes at a cost, and this pioneering unit retails for £3,999.99.

ALSO CONSIDER

PULSAR MERGER LRF XP50

These thermal imaging binoculars feature a laser rangefinder and still and video image recording. They have a detection range of up to 1,800m, a run time of up to 10 hours and are compatible with Pulsar’s

Stream Vision 2 app.

n PRICE: £4,649.95

n CONTACT: thomasjacks.com

That is a lot of money, but if you pick up a Hikmicro Raptor, look through it and see what it can do, you’ll will probably understand why it simply can’t be done for less.

ATN

Although these binoculars don’t offer thermal imaging, they deliver sharp infrared viewing and incorporate a laser rangefinder to accurately calculate distance out to 1,000m. Ballistic information exchange, 1080p video recording, dual wi-fi streaming and built-in IR illuminator.

n PRICE: £799

n CONTACT: uttings.co.uk

Daystate Grand Prix Prototype

Terry Doe feels privileged to shoot the rifle of an airgun genius

At this year’s British Shooting Show, Tony Belas of Daystate introduced me to Gavyn Jones, the man behind Precision Rifle Systems, who supply an amazing range of hardware options for Daystate. Gavyn puts a technical ignoramus like me at ease with simple descriptions of complicated processes and the benefits these bring to the world of shooting more efficiently. He knows inside out the cutting-edge design and manufacturing technology that creates his products, and he can modify every stage of their required applications. But through it all, Gavyn is a shooter, and he knows what shooters want.

PRS hardware does the job to the highest standards, and looks good doing it. Gavyn never underestimates the value of aesthetics, as one glance at this rifle will confirm. The rifle, used mainly for HFT, is a flawless study in metallic red, with highlights beaming at every fixture, courtesy of dozens of stainless steel bolts. Contrast is supplied via black fittings, with the greys of the carbon-fibre barrel shroud and action block easing the eye between the shiny stuff.

The combined effect is stunning, and every time I lifted the lid of the rifle case, the sight of

what Gavyn has built drew gasps and exclamations from all who saw it. Then, those assembled would invariably bend forward, their eyes darting from feature to feature with further positive comments.

Yes, as my mate remarked when he first saw what you’re looking at, here, the new Grand Prix won’t

be cheap, mainly because it will be extremely expensive to produce. But even with a projected RRP of around £3,500, this rifle will sell, because people always want the best. I can confirm that it’s right up there with the finest examples of air-powered technology I’ve ever used.

If you can justify the outlay, it should be useful for fox shooters and deerstalkers, as well as for after-dark ratting and rabbiting. I have also used it to spot the heat signatures of grey squirrels by day.

This compact thermal monocular is easy to use one-handed, has a rangefinder, weighs 320g and has a detection range of 1,300m. Run time is up to six hours and features include compass, wi-fi connectivity, and photo and video recording to onboard memory.

n PRICE: £2,399.99

n CONTACT: highlandoutdoors.com

PROVISIONAL SPECS

All subject to change

n MADE BY: Precision Rifle Systems / Daystate

n TYPE: Pre-charged, fully-adjustable, competition rifle

n CALIBRE: .22, .177 and others to be decided

n TRIGGER: 2-stage, multi-adjustable match design, with manual resettable safety

n STOCK TYPE: Anodised aluminium, multiadjustable

n WEIGHT: 5kg (11.1lbs)

n LENGTH: 939mm (37ins)

BINOX DAY AND NIGHT VISION

INFIRAY FINDER FH25R

Cricket II

The Cricket II is a solid and dependable bullpup from the Czech Republic, says Mat Manning

The KalibrGun Cricket has established quite a cult following over the past few years—something that can most likely be attributed to its combination of super-compact proportions, eyecatching design, reliable performance and solid build quality.

The gun has seen numerous tweaks since its inception in 2006, and the subject of this particular review, the Cricket II Tactical Carbon Fibre,

brings it bang up to date both in terms of styling and also performance.

This version of the iconic bullpup, made in the Czech Republic, has a recommended retail price of £1,950. That is serious money, but it buys you an accurate and dependable airgun that’s robust enough to survive heavy-handed use, and has certainly stood the test of time.

To sum up, I can see why the Cricket has earned

Longthorne Berkley

Even when I was missing with this gun I was smiling uncontrollably, and that may be its single best feature. Perhaps that statement may seem ridiculous, but then we are all different. To some function is everything and to some form is everything, and maybe what I feel when I pick this gun up will be of little consequence to you. For me, however, this X-factor is paramount when choosing a gun to own and pursue game with, and the Berkley has it in spades.

The biggest downside? The price. Not that it’s unfair, it’s just a substantial price increase over standard models, at almost £70,000.

When questioned on this, James Stewart of Longthorne explained: “Titanium is much harder to machine than steel. In the time it takes to make one of these titanium barrels I could make ten or more steel ones. The process is not only long, but the risk of it going wrong at any time is high as

20 /20

itself such a loyal following, and I have no doubt that the latest Tactical Carbon Fibre model will win it even more fans. It is a versatile and reliable bullpup and, most significantly, there is something very satisfying about shooting it. On top of that, it also feels like it is built like a tank. I only had the pleasure of shooting it for a few weeks, but it certainly felt like an airgun that should give years of good service with minimal maintenance.

NEED TO KNOW

n MANUFACTURER: KalibrGun, Czech Republic

n MODEL: Cricket II Tactical Carbon Fibre

n TYPE: Multi-shot bullpup PCP

n STOCK TYPE: Carbon-fibre tactical

titanium really doesn’t like being machined.” So there you have it. This gun sits firmly in my top five shotguns of all time. It has great looks, it’s great

to shoot and it just makes you happy to be around something so special. I look forward to any chance I get to shoot it once again.

ft.lbs. over 10 shots

n VARIATION (10 SHOTS): 9fps

n WEBSITE: vector-air.co.uk

GUN TEST GUN TEST

Shooting Times is published by Future Publishing and is available for wholesale from Marketforce on 0203 787 9101

NEED TO KNOW

n MANUFACTURER: Longthorne

n MODEL: Berkley

n CALIBRE: 28-bore

n ACTION: Sidelock over-and-under

n BARRELS: 32-in

n STOCK: Pistol-grip

n WEIGHT: 5lb 2oz

n STOCK: Pistol-grip

n CHOKES: Fixed choke (multi-choke as an option)

HANDLING Rear weighted but heavenly to handle

TRIGGER The excellence you’d expect

STOCK Beautifully engraved

VALUE Significant time goes in to each gun

OVERALL SCORE Firmly among my top five guns of all time

n PRICE: £69,161 plus VAT

Air 19 /20 19 /20 20 /20 19 /20 97 /100 ACTION AND BARRELS Innovative design — you won’t find better

n CONTACT: longthorneguns.com

This over-and-under is not only beautiful to look at, but its titanium barrels really make it something special to shoot, says Jonny Carter

HELP DEFEND SHOOTING

A massive response is needed to fight proposals that could shut down shooting in Wales Conor O’Gorman, head of BASC policy and campaigns, explains how shooting businesses can help

A public opinion survey has launched on proposals that could ban the release of pheasants and red-legged partridges anywhere in Wales.

Natural Resources Wales makes the proposals sound reasonable, but they are not. This is an attempt to take away shooting rights by an anti-shooting Welsh Government.

This is a Welsh Government that has denied covid funding to shooting businesses and banned pheasant shooting on public land.

Welsh Government ministers are on record stating that they do not support shooting.

What is happening in Wales is the thin end of a wedge and agencies in other countries are watching the outcome of this closely.

Will the shooting community put up a good fight and bury the consultation in red tape? Or will the antis win the popularity vote with a resounding yes to the proposals?

How to complete the survey

Your business can help us win because anyone, anywhere can complete the survey—which runs until 20 June—and the results will be used in decision making. Several thousand responses from business owners and employees will make a massive difference because the direct impacts you can evidence cannot be easily ignored.

To complete the survey, type www.basc.org.uk/ actnow into your web browser or scan the QR code provided with this article.

Should you wish to just answer ‘no’ to all the questions about the proposals it is fine to do so and it will take two minutes to submit your response.

If you would like to say more, please see some further guidance as follows:

Q1: Give your name.

Q2: Give your email address (optional).

Q3: Give the name of your business.

Q4: Say no. This is a proposed ban on releasing gamebirds which would shut down game shooting in Wales. Furthermore, government commissioned research on gamebird releasing is ongoing and safeguards are already in place for gamebird releasing on protected sites.

Q5: Say no. A licensing regime is unnecessary and unworkable and can be removed at any time, which would result in an automatic gamebird releasing ban.

Q6: Say no. There is already a strong ethos of selfregulation for gamebird releasing and it is unnecessary to make the GWCT sustainable release guidelines a legal requirement through a licencing regime. GWCT guidelines have been part of the Code of Good Shooting Practice for decades and compliance is high. Furthermore, the proposal for red-legged partridge is not fit for purpose as it does not recognise how their release is managed.

Q7: Say no. There is already a strong ethos of selfregulation for gamebird releasing and it is unnecessary to make the GWCT sustainable release guidelines a legal requirement through a licencing regime. GWCT guidelines have been part of the Code of Good Shooting Practice for decades and compliance is high.

Q8: Say no. This would add even more confusion to an already unnecessary and unworkable licensing regime.

The last four questions—Qs 9-12—invite views on

whether the proposals could in any way affect opportunities for people to use the Welsh language. You can skip these questions if you have no comments to make.

Share with your customers

Once you have completed the survey, or if you already did so before reading this article, please help encourage any visitors to your business to complete the survey.

On the BASC website are downloadable images you can use in emails or social media. There are also downloadable posters and leaflets to support the campaign against the proposals. Contact your regional BASC team if you would like us to visit you with leaflets.

Included with this issue of Gun Trade News is a pull out poster. Please put this poster up in your store if possible.

As we know, the shooting community includes a diverse range of opinions on live quarry shooting. Not everyone agrees.

To help with queries, you could tell your customers that shoots carefully manage the release of pheasants and red-legged partridges to ensure a sustainable harvest of wild food in Wales and that no evidence of negative impacts from gamebird releasing have been provided to justify a draconian licensing regime across Wales.

You could explain that the proposals are ideologically driven with an anti-shooting Welsh Government in power.

Perhaps tell customers how entwined shooting is with the rural community and that our countryside will change forever if we don’t all fight these proposals together as one voice.

Quick facts

If you would like to share some facts in your response or with others, you could say something along the following lines.

• The restriction proposals could lead to a loss of up to £7.4m spent annually on conservation projects by shoots across Wales, which would require the equivalent of up to 490 full-time jobs to fill the gap in managing vital habitats for rare and endangered plants and wildlife.

• The Welsh economy could suffer a blow of up to £75 million annually and the loss of up to 2,400 jobs, which will impact rural businesses including pubs and hotels.

Contact BASC

If you have ideas on how to help or need more advice than is available in this article or on the BASC website do please email me at conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk

Together we can win this fight.

■ To complete the survey, scan this QR code or type www. basc.org.uk/actnow into your web browser.

“ This is an attempt to take away shooting rights by an anti-shooting Welsh Government ”

THE GTN

SAM RUGGLESBRISE

Sam Ruggles-Brise is the nephew of the late Colonel Sir John Ruggles-Brise, the co-founder of The CLA Game Fair back in 1958. As the annual event celebrates its 65th anniversary, we talk in depth to Sam, who is now working as part of the organiser’s team

Please tell us who you are and who you work for

My name is Sam Ruggles-Brise and I am based in Essex. I work as a marketing consultant specialising in agribusiness. Most recently I have been appointed by Stable Events to look after feature areas at The GWCT Scottish Game Fair at Scone Palace, The Game Fair at Ragley Hall and The GWCT Welsh Game Fair.

How’s business?

I’m delighted to say that business is brisk and back to pre-covid days.

Up to anything new?

Stable Events is keeping me very busy. My role with them is to unearth exciting new features and attractions for their portfolio of game fairs. I am

looking for acts that are topical, relevant, entertaining and educational. Currently I am organising something very different—a networking event at The GWCT Scottish Game Fair for members of the Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Land & Estates. It’s about the unique landscape of Scotland, including the soil, climate and water all contributing to the distinct flavour and character of whisky.

Do you shoot? If so, why? And what?

Yes. I have shot all my life. I shot my first pheasant with an old .410 aged seven at my family’s estate, Spains Hall in Essex. I relish being out in the countryside, both shooting game and stalking deer.

I love all forms of shooting—driven pheasant, walked-up grouse and daybreak teal. I love cooking and particularly enjoy making dishes using game.

Aside from shooting, what are the other loves of your life?

I have two other passions—fly fishing and classic cars. I own a 20-year-old dark blue soft top Porsche 911 which is just tremendous to drive. It is my pride and joy. Driving it lifts the spirits and always put me in a great mood. It has now been fully restored so I plan to take it up to Scotland and drive the NC500 this summer. Fly fishing is also a major passion of mine. Standing chest deep in a river helps unscramble my mind.

Which other fieldsport/shooting businesses or organisations do you most admire, and why?

I am a lifelong member of the Countryside Alliance. I feel that all country folk need to fight back against the tsunami of opposition we are under. They have a difficult task but they do a great job.

What’s the biggest threat currently facing shooting, in your opinion?

Sadly, public perception. Joe Public seems to be so misinformed and influenced by organisations that vociferously slam fieldsports. We are in desperate need of a consortium that has one voice to explain the importance of shooting. There is a real lack of information and understanding. The public still seems to wrongly think fieldsports is just for toffs. We all know that shooting is a vital part of stewarding the countryside and plays an important role in conservation, but we need to communicate that properly.

What’s your favourite shooting read?

Fieldsports Journal. It is always a fantastic read. I

really enjoy the fact that there is a different guest editor for each issue. In particular I loved the issue that Sir Jackie Stewart put together.

And the best bit of kit you ever bought?

A new 30-06 stalking rifle from Sako which I use for reds in Scotland.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself or your organisation that we might not know

My uncle, Colonel Sir John Ruggles-Brise, was the co-founder of The CLA Game Fair. The original idea for the event came from Nigel Gray of The Game Conservancy Trust (now The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust) who approached him with the concept. At the time, my uncle was president of The Country Land Association (now The Country Land & Business Association) so they knew each other from various meetings, plus they shot together at Spains Hall. Initially the CLA dismissed the idea, so Sir John offered to underwrite the whole project for the enormous sum of £500. Eventually the CLA committee felt they could not let him shoulder all the risk, so the go-ahead was given. The first event was held at Stetchworth near Newmarket. They expected 2,000 people but 8,500 turned up. The rest is history!

If you could only eat one kind of soup for the rest of your life, what flavour would it be?

Beef consommé. It’s a really great warmer on cold winter days. GTN GTN

■ You can contact Sam via sam.rugglesbrise@thegamefair.org

“ Joe Public seems so misinformed and influenced by organisations that vociferously slam fieldsports ”

Sam is organising a networking event at The Scottish Game Fair

BEWARE OF TICKS!

ONE bright morning heading into the Easter holidays, I was enjoying my cup of coffee in the garden with my dogs by my side. I started going through my news app, as I usually do in the mornings, when an article caught my eye. “Rare tick disease found in England,” said the headline. This was not how I wanted to start my day, as if deerstalking wasn’t challenging enough. I was shocked to find out that the first case of tickborne encephalitis (TBE) was reported in Yorkshire that week. Although the case occurred in 2022, it marks the first locally acquired disease here in the UK; the last person who tested positive flew in from Europe.

Deerstalkers have always been high-risk when it comes to illnesses contracted from ticks. I have a healthy respect for, and fear of, ticks, as most stalkers do. Our fear so far involves Lyme disease, which has affected so many of our deerstalking community. TBE, unlike Lyme disease, is caused by a virus, not a bacterium. The virus has five subtypes which are closely related to viruses that cause yellow fever and dengue fever. Most reports suggest that the version of the disease in Europe seems milder than TBE contracted in the Far East. The worst forms of the disease involve inflammation of the brain and central nervous system, which can be rather nasty. Even those who survive the disease tend to have a significant number of neurological disabilities. The symptoms include severe headache, stiff neck, seizures, sudden confusion and changes of behaviour, according to the UKHSA government website. It is horrifying that we now must contend with a disease that will kill or disable far more aggressively than

Lyme disease. TBE has a higher mortality rate, at around 2% of cases. While the risk to the public is low, it is safe to assume that deerstalkers are in the high-risk group. Symptoms appear within the first two weeks of infection. Most people should recover without complications; those with lingering symptoms, however, can expect some neurological effects that might last a lifetime.

Shot in the arm

The good news is that vaccines do exist and have been around for some time. This is a vaccine you

cost of the vaccine to their employer as part of their standard risk assessment. Businesses that employ staff at risk of ticks should try to cover the cost of the vaccination to their staff. The cost is around £65 per jab on average; the complete course is around £200. With the cost of living on the rise and wages being squeezed, the timing of this disease is not ideal, but protection of deerstalkers must come first.

What makes this infection unique is that we have never had an instance of this locally transmitted disease in the UK until April this year. It is not known if the person infected was a deerstalker, nor

would have been asked to take if you had to travel to Asia, parts of Europe and Russia. The vaccine for TBE is not available on the NHS, but one can pay for it at travel clinics. Vaccination requires three separate jabs, with weeks in between. The first one should, technically, be administered a month prior to heading out, as you would for your summer travels. The first two vaccinations should protect you for up to a year, and a third jab would potentially take you up to three years. Those stalking in Scotland and high tick-burden areas of the country should take extra care. Deer managers who are employed by estates and businesses should be able to pass the

the circumstances of the infection. The protection from ticks remains the same: prevention is better than cure. Avoiding being bitten remains the best approach. We must operate under the same conditions that we operate for Lyme disease, the only difference being that one will not get a bulls-eye rash on one’s skin. There are no means of visually assessing infection, although the effects can be very acute. While TBE is far less common than Lyme, its impacts in the short term appear to be severe. It is important to understand that not all ticks carry the virus, but it is best to assume they do whenever a person is out and about.

Technically speaking, there have been three probable cases of TBE here in the UK. Previous reports have indicated that the virus does exist in Norfolk, Suffolk, Dorset and part of Hampshire. The mode of transmission remains unknown, and the way the virus is distributed inside the tick’s body is unclear. People should take this news seriously, as it is fair to expect an increase in incidence of TBE going forward. There are some suggestions that global warming is affecting tick life cycles. The increase in people spending time outside post-covid is also helping to accelerate tick-borne diseases in the UK and across the globe. Unsurprisingly, the second probable case of TBE was in Loch Earn in Scotland. Given the large number of deer in Scotland, this could become an ongoing issue for those working with deer. If this virus has been detected from as far down south as Dorset all the way to the Highlands of Scotland, then no county could really be free from it. A Swedish study recently found that TBE seems to be more prevalent in men than women, and the worst aspects of the disease also seem to manifest more in men. Given most stalkers in the UK are men, I would hazard a guess that similar trends might be observed here. To put it in perspective, Sweden has had nearly 3,000 reported cases of TBE between 2004 and 2017.

While there is no need for panic, it is only prudent that most stalkers in these high-risk areas should consider TBE vaccination from their nearest travel clinic. It’s very likely that the cases of all tick-borne diseases will increase in the coming years. TBE is one disease that we can do something about. I will be getting my first jab very soon. GTN GTN

Al Gabriel wants to alert us all to reports of a new tick-borne disease in the UK, one that is quite nasty and against which anyone who comes into contact with deer should take all precautions

“ People should take this news seriously, as it is fair to expect an increase in incidence of TBE ”

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has now been locally transmitted in the UK

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ECONOMIC CRIME

Are the banks really gunning for the trade? Or is there something else going on? Our legal expert

Stuart Farr looks at the facts

ORDINARILY, I am not a gambling man but, at the risk of my own health and wellbeing, I am willing to have a little flutter every now and again. This month, I’ll wager that there is something going terribly awry in the banking sector. This isn’t just a ‘gut feeling’ of mine either. You, the gun trade, are telling me this. Sadly, with increasing regularity.

At first, it started with the odd mention here and there of a business having its bank account and facilities literally shut down overnight by its own bankers—without warning and, seemingly, without consequence. Then another, and another. In at least one case, the trader concerned had itself become the victim of a fraud. Having dutifully reported the unfortunate incident to the bank, very soon afterwards, it was discovered that ‘punishment’ was instead being meted out to the business in the form of a frozen business bank account.

I believe the internet forums have been mooting this topic too. In one case, I saw a plea for any information about a bank caring enough to support an RFD and gun trade business.

So what is going on? Are the banks starting to abandon the gun trade altogether and deciding it is not the sort of business they want? It seems a naturally plausible conclusion to come to, doesn’t it?

After all, banks are answerable to their shareholders, and increasingly shareholders are both seeking and demanding what they perceive to be an ‘ethical’ approach when it comes to the banking business. This, as we all know, can be so easily manipulated at a local level, leaving RFDs potentially finding themselves with a target on their backs—one that has been placed there by the misinformed, or even their own risk-averse bank manager.

Trigger-itchy banking

Personally, I do not think it is as simple as all that. Trigger-itchy banking is a phenomenon I am encountering in other sectors too, ranging from medical device supplies and cake decoration manufacturing to restaurants and construction. This recent round of banking behaviour is not consistently aimed solely at the gun trade but—even so—it is important to try and understand what is going on, and the reasons why. After all, the banks are not going to tell you!

The long and short of it is that banks are now very twitchy about fraud, money laundering, funding of crime and terrorism. So much so, their systems are set on a hair trigger. Any sniff of trouble and there is a much greater tendency to pull down the shutters, seemingly without concern about the impact their actions may have on their own customers. It is quickly becoming yet another ‘new normal’.

Financial misconduct is costing the banking industry dearly. In 2022, the Financial Conduct Authority reported the issuance of fines of £215,834,156. However, this pales into insignificance compared to the year before. In 2021 fines were dished out to the tune of a staggering £567,765,219.95. In that year, HSBC was fined £63,946,800 for money laundering breaches, while National Westminster Bank PLC was fined £264,772,619.95 for three offences relating to breach of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007. Credit Suisse got away fair lightly in comparison, with fines totalling a mere £147,190,200 for financial crime, anti-bribery and corruption failings.

Even for a bank, these are eye-watering figures. It perhaps goes part of the way towards explaining why their attitudes and behaviours have changed

dramatically recently. Money laundering compliance is no longer being treated as a tick-box exercise. On the quiet, the banks have seemingly been putting their houses into better order. They have risk-assessed their customers with greater care and scrutiny, and those whom they consider to be more ‘high risk’ are beginning to feel the consequences. And I therefore suppose one might be willing to part with a fiver on a bet which affirms that those banking customers who sell guns and balaclavas are feeling doubtful that they will be assessed as being

stigate an Ombudsman complaint. In recent months, I have had cause to do this on several occasions for clients because, as one might reasonably expect, the initial complaint had fallen on deaf ears. The Ombudsman process, while slow due to the volume of complaints, has reaped rewards.

Alongside all of this, it is important that you know what is coming down the track. I urge you to keep your eyes peeled for new legislation that is on its way. It currently takes the form of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill.

The Bill also anticipates reforms to Companies House and greater transparency for limited partnerships. It will expand the powers of certain organisations, such as the Serious Fraud Office and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, too. If the Bill is passed into law, businesses will be able to avail themselves of a defence that, at all relevant times, they had in place reasonable procedures to prevent fraud, false accounting or money laundering.

Banks are likely to scrutinise their customers’ compliance, and so it is essential that your anti-fraud and anti-money laundering procedures exist and are kept up-to-date. Adequate training for all those who need it within your organisation is essential. This is no time to be complacent, because the cash flow of your business could be in jeopardy if you cannot demonstrate that you have taken all the necessary precautions to prevent economic crime.

‘low risk’ in any way, shape or form. In summary, I am becoming increasingly concerned that any form of fraud marker placed on a business account which has already been set with a hair trigger is quite possibly going to invoke a disproportionately harsh banking response.

Until this starts to settle down again, wherever possible, I would highly recommend that you keep in touch with your bank regularly, to keep them informed and on your side. If the worst happens, due to circumstances beyond your knowledge or control, be ready to complain promptly and, if necessary, in-

Corporate criminal liability

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill is aimed directly at tackling corporate criminal liability in the context of economic crime. It proposes to introduce a new ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence, and will extend to any commercial organisation—or any persons associated with such an organisation, such as its employees, agents or subsidiaries—that commits (or aids and abets) fraud, false accounting or an act of money laundering. It is modelled heavily on the Bribery Act 2010 and will apply to entities doing business in the UK.

In that respect, do also bear in mind that legislation of this kind often determines the ‘de minimis’ standard and that your bank, business partners, investors and such like may require even more from you. In that sense, given the possibilities I have mentioned regarding the perceptions of ‘risk’, the gun trade as a whole may need to consider whether it needs to adopt a ‘gold standard’ to ensure that scrutiny advanced in the name of ‘regulatory compliance’ is kept at a respectful distance.

Stuart Farr is a member of the GTA and a partner in Taylors solicitors. He welcomes contact from any trade organisation, especially those with a problem to resolve. GTN GTN

“ Money laundering compliance is no longer being treated as a tick-box exercise ”

DEVIL IN THE DETAIL

Simon West, head of the GTA, keeps us up to date with the lead consultation, celebrates The Stalking Show and has a timely reminder about the next black cloud on our horizon

FOLLOWING the 2,700 responses to the consultation on restrictions on lead in ammunition, the HSE justifiably added six months to their consideration period to assess the huge amount of data they received. The timeline will now see them make their recommendation to Ministers towards the end of the year.

The restriction proposals cover everything from lead shot to air pellets and, as we in the industry know, the technical, performance and suitability of lead and alternatives is a hugely complex area. I am reassured that the HSE and Environment Agency teams are studying the evidence in detail. They have asked supplementary questions to shooting organisations and have started visits to ranges and shooting grounds to understand the factors. The GTA is conducting further trials to provide more detail of performance characteristics of lead alternatives in a number of small rifle calibres.

On shotgun ammunition, we will continue to fight for longer transition periods. The 18 months originally proposed is completely unworkable. Even with our manufacturers embracing change, the long lead times for sourcing machines that are optimised for loading steel cartridges and the worldwide shortage of components mean it will take us years, not months. The two academic studies we submitted to the consultation indicate that about five years is required to be able to provide consumers with the quantities of alternatives required. Anything less

than that and shooting will be forced to stop through shortages of ammunition. Indeed, the situation could be worse, in that without products to sell our UK manufacturing sector could collapse.

There is a sad irony in the current proposed restriction timeline. Nowhere else in the world is a group of companies investing so much in developing effective, lead-free shotgun ammunition with the entirely voluntary additional benefit of bio-degradable wads. The game shooting community in the UK has long demanded ammunition that does not litter the countryside with polypropylene wads. The technical challenge of providing cup wads that protect barrels from steel shot and then bio-degrade in the field is no easy battle, but our manufacturers are well on the way to success. Let us hope that the HSE and EA recognise the achievements being made and allow our cartridge loaders in the UK time to be able to meet the needs of all. On behalf of the manufacturers, importers, retailers and shooters themselves, the GTA will continue to push for reasonable and proportionate transition times.

Stalking Show

We have just seen the delivery of another great Stalking Show in Staffordshire. From humble beginnings, this show has rapidly grown to attract stalkers and the trade alike. Our congratulations and thanks to David Freer and the team. Central to the show’s success appears to be the delivery of educational and inspirational content, and not just a retail opportunity. Jose Souto and Rachel Green will always pull in the crowds; experts like Frederic Hannah and the deer trackers will extend knowledge and introduce new skills; Charlie Jacoby will reassure and stiffen the sinews; and national treasure Ole Hedge Creeper will reveal another set of magical sounds to lure in the wildlife. Keep up the great work!

As the weather warms, there are plenty more shows on the horizon. The national events are key to keep drawing in newcomers to our sports, but so too are the regional and local events where shooting is less well represented. If you can find opportunities to support shooting at these shows, please engage. Retail is of course an opportunity, but so is helping

out our organisations and clubs that might be encouraged to recruit youngsters or represent the value shooting has to offer.

Acting now

I don’t need to remind you that shooting is under attack. Discussion of Plymouth and other high profile tragic events has now reached the political phase. We have seen the police and coroner’s reports and we are now in conversations at a national level on what might be reasonable and proportionate in our shared interests of maintaining public safety. I know where attention is needed, and it’s across the licensing system—not a knee-jerk change in legislation. All too quickly there were police call for changes in controls on shotguns. We all know that there were plenty of missed opportunities to restrict Jake Davison from his murderous campaign through already existing controls.

I would expect a government consultation on these matters later in the year. I hope to know more shortly. We must be ready to ensure that attention is paid to the areas of greatest concern. And at the same time, we must be ready to celebrate shooting and all it represents. Shooting provides us with our jobs, businesses and pastimes. It provides us with a meaningful connection with the countryside. We don’t need to convert everyone to shooting but we do need to tell our story and spread knowledge and understanding of what we do and live for. GTN GTN

“ We must be ready to ensure that attention is paid to the areas of greatest concern ”

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ORSTON GUNROOM

The one member of staff you couldn’t live without and why… Emily, my wife. She ensures the whole business is firing on all cylinders. She is never off the phone to suppliers, deals with the business accounts and developed our ‘we pay your license fee’ initiative where new shooters can get an £80 voucher towards their costs when buying a gun worth over £1,200.

Tell us a little more about yourself, and why you’re running a gunshop what your passions are in life…

I started shooting at the age of eight with a BSA air rifle at my grandparents’ farm. When I was 12 years old I progressed to a single-barrel Webley bolt action .410 and I was shooting rabbits.

I started on the clays in the same year, another single-barrel, this time a 12-gauge Investarm. For my 16th birthday my Grandad presented me with a 20bore Silver Pigeon. I had my first shooting lessons at Chatcombe Estate shooting ground, now Ian Coley Shooting School. I shot for Gloucestershire County team as a junior in ESP. I then took an opportunity to go to a GB training day with Ian Coley at Bisley, trying out the now defunct Double Trap. I then took this discipline up seriously and managed to qualify for the junior GB squad. My first trap gun was the Browning GTI, which I traded in for a custom fit Perazzi. As for my Silver Pigeon, I took it on a small partridge day last season. We are still very much ‘at one’ and I use it here on the ground for my game shooting lessons.

I then started a small clay ground and sporting agency at my grandparents’ farm aged just 18. I had two sport trap layouts to help fund my competitive shooting and the business snowballed from there. I have now successfully turned my passion of competing into helping develop new shooters and bringing others into the sport. I get such a buzz from watching people get hooked and progress and then succeed in clay and game shooting.

What has been the most successful product (or area) for you in the past year?

The Blaser shotguns are something that give me great confidence. The F16 and F3 have without doubt been our most successful product this past year. Not only is the wood always good and the German engineering of unquestionable quality, but we love the interchangeability of them all. The F3’s modular system means that we can swap and change barrels. So, as a retailer, we can offer way more customisation straight off the shelf. And all for around half the price of a Krieghoff. Blaser isn’t a brand that is mass produced like Browning or Beretta so there is naturally rather more detail and refinement in every product.

What’s your clientele like?

Like most gunshops, it’s mixed but predominantly

we see clay shooters on the clay ground. But we do see an influx of game shooters the closer we get to the shooting season, and of course throughout it.

What was your best day ever?

When we first moved up here we did open days and invited suppliers who gave some good deals, and we sold about 20 guns in one day!

Who’s your best customer?

The best customer is the one who comes back. The one who promotes the ground. We always reward loyalty here.

What’s your funniest or most memorable story about a customer?

A couple of years ago a gentleman came in and bought a left handed 694 adjustable. Jokingly, I said, “It’s a good job we’ve got some left handed cartridges in stock!” He took the bait and I lead him on for a little while until it wasn’t fair. How we laughed.

What do you anticipate will be the biggest trends

for the next year?

I’m seeing that the high-end stuff isn’t really being affected. I think there’s more of a buy once, buy well mentality. The mid to bottom end has become more sporadic of late but things like the F3 have withstood the political battering and jiggery pokery.

When you order stock, what’s the first thing you put down?

Ammo. It’s like going pigeon shooting without any decoys… We aren’t predominately a rifle shop but being a Browning partner dealer we do get a good deal on the Winchester ammo and we keep all the popular flavours in stock. We are very pleased to stock the new B&P green core cartridge in both Game and Clay.

Any other interesting facts about the business? We are probably one of the youngest couples who own and run a shooting ground or gunshop. I’m 37 and Emily is 31. We think this is a huge benefit because it means we are both forward thinking rather than stuck in the past. We also have a game area here

with 15 traps, two high towers, and an eight pegged grouse butt.

What for you is the best thing about working in a gunshop?

The best thing is seeing everyone’s passion pour out when they clap their eyes on their dream gun. We really love to see our regulars, and because there is so much variety in the ground it attracts different crews—from regular recreational shooters to people coming to shoot our permanent sport trap set up. We love getting creative, bringing in the clay snooker and the Friday Club is so good because it is mostly composed of people we have brought into the sport ourselves.

Are people surprised when you tell them you own/run a gunshop?

No, not really. Though it is a fantastic conversation point and always ends up with another ‘non shooter’ coming to give it a go! GTN

After our sojourn into the world of ‘Stand of the Month’ last issue, we return to our regular format this month with a trip to meet Dan Martin of the Orston Gunroom

“ I had two sport trap layouts to fund my shooting and the business snowballed from there ”

Dan Martin runs Orston with his wife Emily and their assistant, Gary

have three staff: me, my wife Emily and Gary the Gunroom Assistant. Emily and I are jointowners of the business.

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STAYING AHEAD OF THE PACK

Mat Manning catches up with Tony Belas of Daystate to find out how the business manages to keep on pushing the boundaries of airgun design

MM What is your job title and what exactly does your role entail?

TB I do many jobs and have many roles, but I would say my main job now is media and marketing coordinator. Daystate recognised a few years ago that we’re in a brave new world of social media and online marketing and made big strides to be involved at the top level. The way we sell air rifles now in 2023 is completely different to ten years ago and involves more people and a lot more effort. Over the same time, the importance of overseas sales has dramatically increased, again making online marketing even more relevant.

MM Daystate doesn’t hold back when it comes to innovation, and the electronic Alpha Wolf has been described as the most technologically advanced airgun in the world. Can you tell us a bit about this airgun and some of its most distinctive features?

TB The development for the Alpha Wolf started in 2017 when, after 16 years of developing electronic CDT systems, we wanted to use the knowledge gained to produce a completely new design. There are so many new features in this rifle it would take pages to list them. Suffice to say that you have a rifle here that is multi-adjustable, and designed to be child’s play to be just that.

The Alpha Wolf features a built-in chronograph, interchangeable barrel and interchangeable calibre system. It will shoot just about any type of ammunition you can find on the market at whatever velocity you wish. There’s never been an air rifle more advanced or easier to work with.

MM The Alpha Wolf has already had an update in the shape for the Safari model. What are the key differences with this version compared with the first Alpha Wolfs to roll off the production line?

TB The Alpha Wolf benefits from two years of Delta Wolf development. Apart from the Safari stock and bronze metalwork, the Safari Edition introduces a new ultra valve which, in high power versions, releases a further 15 percent of energy, making the new Alpha Wolf Safari edition the most powerful Daystate that the company has ever made. From February 2023, all Alpha and Delta Wolf rifles contain this new valve and programming.

MM The Alpha Wolf incorporates some seriously advanced electronics. Is this level of sophisticated tuneability aimed more at elite airgun shooters or is it also relevant to regular, everyday airgunners?

TB From the very start, the intention was to make it simple, useable and relevant to all airgun shooters. We knew that some manufacturers were able to achieve some impressive results mechanically, but you almost needed a degree in airgun tuning and a load of extra equipment and accessories to tune them properly. We set out to electronically duplicate that level of adjustability, but for it to be simple to operate and repeatable. But even without this level of adjustability, the rifle is still technically way ahead of anything that has come before.

MM Many of Daystate’s technological advance-

ments trickle down into more affordable models made by your sister company BRK (Brocock). The BRK Ghost looks a lot like the Daystate Delta Wolf. Can you tell us about the BRK Ghost and how it came to be?

TB The Ghost did indeed start off as a mechanical version of the Delta Wolf and contains the same valve, barrel and Huma-Air regulator. Our trials and development with the Delta and Alpha Wolf meant that from the off the BRK Ghost was going to be solid. The result is a pretty robust design. Modern shooters, especially abroad, demand adjustable power, and that has been built into the Ghost both in the FAC model—which contains a regulator

adjuster as well as a 20-level power wheel—and on the 12ft/lb version, and has been geared via patented power adjuster so that each click drops the velocity off by approximately five feet per second. That’s pretty useful if you’re going to be tuning a rifle for a specific pellet.

MM How has the BRK (Brocock) Ghost been received by the airgunning community?

TB From the day of its launch the rifle has been pretty much sold out, and production has now been stepped up. One of the restrictions on the Ghost is the main chassis, which takes three hours to make on a highly sophisticated five-axis CNC machine

requiring a complex 64 toolings for each block. The result is excellent, but the disadvantage is making enough blocks to satisfy demand. The advantage is that it’s very difficult and expensive for our competitors to copy this level of engineering, and that is one of the key reasons why the rifle is so stable.

MM I hear that a new version of the Daystate Red Wolf has recently been unveiled. What is it called and what are its key features and updates?

TB The new rifle is called the Red Wolf Grand Prix. It features an exclusive chassis made for Daystate by PRS—a company that Daystate already works closely with for accessories. It’s fair to say that we are very impressed with the work of this company. Consequently, we have signed an exclusive agreement with PRS—as we have with HumaAir regulators, Walther barrels and Minelli stocks. (see page 9 for more on the Grand Prix). By pairing with acknowledged experts in the field, Daystate can offer as standard components that would normally have to be bought as an aftermarket kit. This is something that is done frequently in cars and motorcycles, but rarely in airguns as most manufacturers cannot afford to use parts they do not manufacture themselves. Daystate and BRK/ Brocock’s position in the market and slightly higher price point allows us to select the very best components from the very best suppliers and offer them as standard in our rifles.

MM Daystate has been pushing the limits of airgun design and development for four decades now. The electronic range of guns seems to represent the pinnacle of that journey. Is there still anywhere to go in terms of progressing airgun performance, and where might that be?

TB There is always more to come, and we usually have about a dozen projects in development. The days when you could design a rifle and still be making it 30 years later are over, and if Western companies wish to be competitive against an increasing tide of eastern European air rifles, then it’s important to have a technological and design advantage. Without that, they will be overtaken by new manufacturers who can produce cheaper rifles due to subsidised materials and far lower labour costs. The cost of being in the UK is comparatively high, and if shooters are going to be asked to spend at that level, it’s vital that we offer something truly unique, exciting to own and, ultimately, better than the rest. GTN GTN

“ There are so many new features in the Alpha Wolf it would take pages to list them ”

Tony Belas out in the field with the pioneering Daystate Alpha Wolf

The new Safari edition gives the electronic Alpha Wolf a more rugged aesthetic

JUST A SHOT AWAY

Diggory Hadoke was impressed by the prices made at the Holts sale in March and wonders if this is the beginning of a new trend for the year’s other sales

THE big news of March was the huge success of Holts, which broke all records to date and underscored the strength the Norfolk auctioneer has, in what has been a pretty variable market in recent years. Notwithstanding the generally low prices boxlocks appear to command, and a fairly gloomy outlook among many shooters about the future viability of their old British guns when lead ammunition is no longer available, Holts are selling everything.

On the second day of the sale, Holts reported a stunning 91% of all lots offered as sold. This is quite outstanding. Historically, it has not been unusual for auctions to be left with up to a third of items unsold after bidding is over. The total sales figure over two days was 87% and the sealed bids added 60% of items listed there to that, which is also solid.

When I discussed the sale with a Holts representative after the headline sales figure of £2 million was announced, he was quick to mention that percentage sales are a better indication of the state of a market than are headline figures in cash terms.

What is the secret of this success? Reputation, stability, effective marketing, a well-oiled in-and-out process. These are certainly key factors. However, when it comes to selling on the day, a good bit of the magic is in placing the right estimates on each item. Vendors naturally want to put on a high reserve because they want as much money as they can get. Auctioneers know that a high reserve can kill interest in a lot. Low estimates get people interested. A low estimate gets them to investigate a gun; it gets them invested personally in wanting it. Once that process has started, it leads to bidding, and it can lead to a lot of competition. Once involved, it is hard to drop out, especially if it is a thing you have convinced yourself you want and something you are not likely to see again in a hurry.

So bidding wars begin and they can take sales figures way beyond the ideal reserve, even if that is significantly higher than the one actually set. It might be hard for vendors, but auctioneers will ask that they be trusted. They know how to sell guns, and though their strategy might not make sense to the layman, it often works.

The evidence for this can be seen in the sale figures. Guns and rifles selling beyond their high estimates make notable conversation pieces, not to mention very happy vendors. Imagine you are prepared to accept £3,000 for a gun and hand it over with that in mind, only to be given a cheque a few months later for £5,000. Well, that happened to quite a few vendors after the March sale. A nice Army & Navy Lee Speed .303 with a reserve of £700 made £2,600.

A Daniel Fraser 6.5 Mannlicher reserved at £1,000 made £4,300. Another Lee Speed by BSA with a low estimate of £500 made £1,600.

Pre-war rifles

Pre-war rifles on the obsolete (Section 58) calibre list, of which over 20 new ones were added just a couple of years ago, have risen steeply, with one Mannlicher 8x56 in this sale selling for £3,200 from a reserve of just £600. The vendor would actually have been happy with £500 when he consigned it.

The sale was not dominated by a small number of high value items but had a good spread across a range of prices. This gave a good indication of where the market sits with ‘normal’ shooters and collectors.

Sales to UK buyers in the Holts November sale amounted to 50%. That figure rose in March to 60%. The remaining 40% was fairly evenly split between the USA and the rest of the world (mostly Europe). This brings Holts’ sale back to the look of their traditional buyer’s split—showing that today’s market is not dissimilar to what it has been historically. The major difference is that prices for certain items— such as big bore shotguns and 2-inch chambered 12-bores—are significantly lower than they were a decade ago.

Bidding is still conducted mostly in the room, by in-person bid, commission bid or by telephone. However, online sales platform Invaluable handles some—especially American—bidders online; and the British bidder increasingly uses the UK-based equivalent, The Saleroom, in the same way—especially for buying air guns and obsolete calibre guns and rifles.

All this suggests that despite the ongoing problems with income and inflation and a troubled economy, even here in the UK the buying patterns of those who are involved with sporting guns have been steadily returning to pre-pandemic norms.

It will be interesting to see if there are any corresponding trends when Gavin Gardiner holds his sale on 26 April in Pulborough. His catalogue arrived on Good Friday with 256 lots, including Section 5, Section 1 and Section 2 firearms, some air rifles and several pages of cases, and ephemera, including a ‘kit to build a 4-bore hammer gun’.

Pairs included 1970s 12-bore Holland & Holland ‘Royals’, a nice pair of 16-bores by the same make, and a pair of 1992 David McKay Brown 20-bore round actions, with a reserve of £20,000, which would be a steal. The only thing hampering their spec was the currently unfashionable 27-in barrels. The catalogue ends with a 1996 Holland & Holland ‘Sporting’ 20-bore. With that model on sale in London now for £75,000, the £22,000 reserve Gavin placed on it looked very good value, even with commission paid. Not everyone is shopping at the high end, however, and I noticed Gavin also had a BSA Lee Speed priced at a modest £350-£500. With Holts setting the pace, we shall have to see how the rest of the trade follows this summer. What we do know already is that people are buying guns. People are buying British guns and people are even buying boxlocks. Set the prices right and the appetite is there. This does deliver a measure of hope that recovery, or at least stability, is entering the market. Watches and classic car sales are currently holding steady and guns attract a similar sort of buyer. Will they prove more resistant to the current troubles facing the country at large?

Lead shot

The talk about lead shot seems to have died down somewhat after the initial impact made when the forthcoming changes were first announced. Perhaps the truth is that prices have now reached the level where British guns again look very good value. For evidence, consider a Charles Lancaster 12-bore boxlock non-ejector that Gavin Gardiner is selling this month. It is a good quality, English boxlock game gun with 30-in barrels, retaining some original finish and nice engraving, and is expected to make £100£150. It costs more than that to fill my Land Rover with diesel. GTN GTN

“ What we do know is that people are buying British guns and they are even buying boxlocks ”

Lot 216 in the Gavin Gardiner Catalogue is a lovely pair of Mckay Browns. Will they go past their reserve?

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EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!

Caroline Roddis tries not to get in a flap about the latest attacks on shooting in the media

BY the time you read this we will have experienced the first test of the government’s new emergency alert system. Or, if my nightmares inspired by the film Kingsman: The Secret Service are anything to go by, you won’t be reading this at all – the system will have been secretly designed to subdue the entire population before they have to live through the ever-worsening consequences of Brexit. (If you’re a fan of Brexit, just replace that last bit with whichever current government scandal takes your fancy, that group is hardly lacking in motive at the moment…)

I’m generally in favour of emergency alerts— even if they’re just a way to ensure I’m not wasting my last moments on this planet watching Cash in the Attic—but I do have a slight issue with the way this one has been set up. According to a Sky News article: “The message will be received on 4G and 5G mobile phones along with sound and vibration for up to 10 seconds, even if devices are on silent.” Even though I know 3G is being phased out over the next couple of years, it does still feel like they’ve not really considered how to get the alerts to people in the most rural areas of the country—unless they’re working on the principle that people in the most rural areas are also the safest, in which case the first time they’ll know anything is wrong is when they make their once-a-decade visit to London and remark upon how nice it is without so many people. The kicker is that getting signal to difficult areas is demonstrably possible, if people are willing to spend time and money on it. How do I know this? Because in the past few weeks headlines have reported that the partnership between Nokia and NASA has finally paid off, and that as a result they’re sending 4G to the moon. To the MOON! I rest my case.

Act Now

Anyway… Alerts, in general, are a good thing. And I don’t just mean the government kind. If you look at the way shooting organisations have responded to the Welsh consultation on game bird releasing, it’s much the same thing—an emergency communication to the entire community that there is danger ahead. Helpfully, the alert in this case made taking action beyond easy—responding to the consultation using the Countryside Alliance system online took about 15 seconds.

A similar alert, inevitably, has gone out to all the people who are interested in banning fieldsports. The Hunt Saboteurs Association, for example, has a guide to responding to the consultation on its website, along with the statement that: “This licensing scheme represents a unique opportunity to significantly curtail shooting operations in Wales.”

This does seem to support what Rachel Evans, director of Countryside Alliance Wales, is quoted in the Telegraph as saying: “After the battle over hunting and the damage caused to Labour in the countryside, they will be incredibly cautious about repeating that experience by banning shooting of game outright. But anti-shooting activists, emboldened by the legislation in Wales, could seek to chip away at shooting, banning it in all but name.”

Consultations aren’t always the sexiest thing for the media to cover, and despite game shooting stories often being good clickbait, the story has only been featured thus far in publications like the Telegraph, Spectator and various farming news outlets. Given the nature of these publications, and the fact that the shooting organisations were incredibly quick to respond to the consultation, it’s unsurprising that the coverage gives the case against the proposals

a decent hearing. Or, in the case of the Spectator’s Steerpike gossip column, just takes the mick out of them entirely:

“Imagine the scene: you’re sat in the First Minister’s office in Cardiff Bay. Your desk groans under the weight of the great issues of state: a crumbling health service, a botched roads review, mismanaged millions and conditions so bad even your own staff are going on strike. So, what do you do to win the masses back on side? Announce a licensing scheme to regulate the release of game birds. Brilliant!”

Appearance

The BBC’s Farming Today hauled both BASC’s director for Wales and (inevitably) Mark Avery onto the programme to discuss this issue in more detail. The presenter interviewed them both separately, a standard format which allowed her to put the oppo-

sition’s points to each interviewee, but which always leaves me wishing that they’d just been allowed to talk to each other and thrash things out.

As with a lot of these radio interviews, I was left feeling like the average listener wasn’t provided with a huge amount that was going to make them question whichever viewpoint they currently held. Whilst both interviewees were articulate enough (and I have to say, despite Avery occasionally sounding like an old man shouting at clouds, he came across as the more personable and, dare I say it, reasonable of the two), neither discussed the actual details of the studies around gamebird releasing, or how these can or should be evaluated—something which would have been the most use in any discussion about the consultation.

That’s not to say they didn’t come tantalisingly close. When contesting BASC’s statement that this

consultation was the ‘thin end of the wedge’, Avery said: “Let’s just remember that the report that Defra was influenced by, looking at the impacts of releasing huge numbers of pheasants of pheasants and red leg partridges, was part-funded by BASC, so they can’t say there isn’t a problem.”

With only seven minutes for the whole segment on the Welsh consultation it’s not surprising that the interviewer didn’t have time to drill down into any statements, but with so few specifics mentioned, anyone interested by the debate would have had to have spent a bit of time googling to find out any more information (presuming, of course, they live in an area with internet coverage, like, for example, the Sea of Serenity).

It’s certainly not the BBC’s problem—or at least not one in the top 1,000—but it was a lesson in how important facts and figures, rather than vague observations, can be in these debates. Overall, I was left feeling that if we’re going to have an emergency alert system for shooting, we should also have some kind of bat signal which summons some lab-coatwearing person from the GWCT. Next time you see a giant grey partridge symbol highlighted against the night sky, you’ll know that somehow, somewhere, science is coming to the rescue. GTN GTN

“ It was a lesson in how important facts and figures, rather than vague observations, can be ”

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