32
On Air
NEW GEAR ON SHOW
There was plenty of exciting new kit on display at the recent British Shooting Show, our own Mat Manning rounds up some of the highlights
BANG ON TARGET
MODULAR CUSTOMISATION
The Airgun Target Company, set up very recently by Max Biltcliffe and Tom Wright, was showing off its new range of high-quality steel targets. The men share a wealth of experience in computer-aided design and metal fabrication, and it certainly shows in the finished products, which feature a very clever slotted stand mechanism. The huge range of designs goes from familiar Rabbit, Crow and Fox to Muntjac, Cowboy, Gong Tree and much, much more – Max and Tom can even produce bespoke targets. They offer a choice of 3mm and 6mm steel cover sub-12 and FAC airguns as well as rimfire. airguntargetcompany.co.uk
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
Visitors were showing a lot of interest in the Magpul accessories for the Air Arms S510T Tactical. This gun is already enjoying impressive sales, and the further boost to its potential for modular customisation should make it even more popular. Owners looking to bling their Air Arms can choose from easy-fit accessories, including bipods, butt stocks, pistol grips, fore-grips and more. Colour choices include Flat Dark Earth (FDE), Olive Drab Green (ODG), Stealth Grey and Black, to suit a wide variety of tastes and applications. air-arms.co.uk
TO THE MAKS Another welcome newcomer to the airgun scene, AirMaks Arms was showcasing what promises to be some very impressive hardware. Made in the Czech Republic, these airguns combine tough build quality with precision engineering and slick tactical styling. The Caiman is a super-stubby bullpup with a sidelever action that is sure to appeal to shooters with a fondness for ultra-compact guns. Those who prefer their airguns to be more rifle-shaped are perhaps likely to gravitate towards the Katran. This versatile modular model has lots of modification options and is available in bottle or cylinder design in .177, .22 and .25 calibres. airmaksarms.com
Aselkon looks set to become a big name judging by the interest in the RayTrade stand. The Turkish business is a big player in engineering and has now applied its expertise to the production of a striking range of airguns, covering bullpups and full-length rifles with both bottle and cylinder powerplants. These airguns are styled with a balance between tactical functionality and rugged sporter aesthetics. Standout models include the RX6, which boasts sidelever cocking, magazine-fed loading, an eyecatching walnut stock and high shot capacity. raytradeuk.co.uk
MINI MARVEL
BAGS OF PROTECTION
The eagerly awaited Sightmark Wraith 4K Mini was getting a lot of attention on the Scott Country stand. Although extremely small, this digital day and night scope is very big on features. Compact and lightweight, the Mini is equipped with 2-16x magnification and delivers crisp 4K viewing with 3840x2160 CMOS sensor and 1280x720 FLCOS screen. Features include after-dark viewing with 300m detection range, colour daytime sight picture, built-in video recorder and a choice of 14 reticles in nine colours. Despite being packed with useful tech for round-the-clock hunting, this scaleddown Wraith remains affordable and simple to use. scottcountry.co.uk
NIGHT FANTASTIC Pard is renowned for producing affordable, compact and reliable night vision optics that punch way above their weight. The new NV008S and NV008S LRF, showcased on the Sportman Gun Centre stand, look set to take that reputation to another level. The latest model is sleek, compact and equipped with even more features than its predecessor. Its sharp colour daytime viewing and impressive night vision image quality are backed up by a ballistic calculator and a rangefinder (LRF model) that can accurately gauge distance to target out to 1,200m. With cant and vertical angle dials, video recording and easy operation, this is another winner from Pard. sportsmanguncentre.co.uk
As well as clothing for field and casual wear, all delivering reliable performance and affordability, Ridgeline also has a reputation for making good holdalls and gun bags, and the Performance Rifle Bag is no exception. Available in 48- or 52-inch length, this stylish bag offers serious protection for cherished airguns, with a reinforced spine and chunky foam padding. The bag has an eye-catching two-tone colour scheme and is equipped with an external zipped pocket, carry handles and an adjustable sling. ridgelineclothing.co.uk
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS One of the scopes on the Thomas Jacks stand was so new its name had yet to be confirmed. This telescopic sight from Microballistics is likely to be known as the Hybrid because it combines the performance of high-quality glass optics with a digital reticle. As well as fast, accurate zeroing, with the ability to save profiles for different gun and ammo combinations, the electronic technology supports a rangefinder and ballistic calculator that can adjust its aimpoint to compensate for the rise and fall of the pellet. It can even be paired with a mobile phone. thomasjacks.co.uk