Our cover story this month offers you a triple treat as Kyle Andrews has been out and about with a trio which might just be the hunter’s dream kit. He run the numbers on the Savage Impulse Predator rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, topped it off with the iAiming Gamechanger thermal scope and, just to make sure he was giving it his best shot, also attached a Spartan Javelin Lite bipod. Don’t miss his in-depth assessment and find out if this thrilling threesome might just be what you’re looking for. And speaking of hunting, Daniel O’Dea has been afield with the latest Asteroid-V2 Hunting Kit by Powa Beam which he says is “designed specifically with the shooter in mind, as it’s not just the intensity of the beam but how it’s focused”. Of course, before you can hunt game you have to spot it and that’s where binoculars come in handy. Matthew Godson has road-tested one of the new Habrok models from Hikmicro which he reckons will give you the edge in the ongoing hunt for feral pests. And with all our regular columns and features, there’s plenty to keep you entertained as midwinter bites

The story of Dean Tabone isn’t just remarkable . . . it’s utterly inspiring. Dealt the cruellest of blows aged just 13, Dean suffered life-threatening injuries during an accidental fall from a suspension bridge and was paralysed from the neck down. For most people that would have spelled the end of their passion for hunting – but not Dean. This month, Sam Garro charts the astonishing determination and will to succeed which saw Dean eventually travel to Africa and hunt some of the most sought-after game on earth. Elsewhere, we turn the review spotlight on the latest shotgun from Webley & Scott, a nifty little 20-gauge which had Paul Miller singing its praises. And as advances in firearm optics continue unabated, Matthew Godson takes a close look at the new iAiming laser range-finding thermal scope and its mind-boggling First Shot Auto Zero system. We’ve also run the numbers on a handy pocket-sized Garmin chronograph, a revolutionary rifle torch mount from Olight and three exceptional hunting knives by Kershaw. Thomas Tabor weighs in with plenty of tips to increase your chances of hunting success and Douglas Riach offers some sound advice on how to avoid biting and stinging critters which can ruin your day afield in an instant.

The cover story this month wraps up our Beretta BRX-1 Minecrafter custom build, which sees Mark van den Boogaart account for a ‘Black hog down’ as he takes the rifle afield and discovers its light weight, fast-cycling and quick handling make it the ideal companion for feral pest control. And swapping one barrel for two, Paul Miller was absolutely delighted with the latest side-by-side shotgun from Webley & Scott, the impressive 12-gauge Kilworth, which he says “felt alive in the hands yet perfectly controllable”. Returning to rifles, Con Kapralos went walkabout with the Remington 783 Synthetic Combo which he says is “an excellent rifle with a host of features unique to the model”. For something a bit different this month, Daniel O’Dea concludes his look at US SHOT Show 2024 and turns the spotlight on some uniquely American offerings. some of which will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. Other items under review this time include Leica Geovid rangefinder binoculars, a ZeroTech red dot sight and the latest Springbok bipod from Spartan.

Are you familiar with the feral challenge? If not, for our April cover story, Dave Pearce has all you need to know when it comes to tackling those animals which cause untold damage to the Australian landscape, while at the same time filling your freezer with all kinds of delicious cuts. Rifles under review this month include the Weatherby Model 307, that company’s first new offering in half a century, along with a Wedgetail pump-action and Hardy hybrid, while senior correspondent Rod Pascoe takes an in-depth look at the DR920L pistol from Shadow Systems. Daniel O’Dea visited the US SHOT Show in Las Vegas earlier this year and in the first of a two-part special takes a look at some of the new arrivals on the firearms scene. Other items in the spotlight this month include Champion targets, a Pixfra thermal scope, Axil Extreme earbuds and the Garmin Fenix smartwatch which will give you the edge if you decide to take up that feral challenge. And along with our regular columns, letters and features, there’s sure to be something of interest for everyone.

Signing up for a guided hunt can be a hit and miss affair and for this month’s cover story, Sam Garro has outline both the benefits and pitfalls of engaging a professional hunter and what you can expect, though he warns things won’t always go to plan. Under review this month is the latest addition to the iconic Winchester Model 70 family – the Extreme Weather. Equipped with a synthetic stock, this is Winchester’s answer to its competitors’ mountain rifles and our reviewer reckons this one will please any hunter looking for a modernised version of what is a classic rifleman’s rifle. And senior correspondent Rod Pascoe has laid his hands on the Canik Rival pistol, a new offering from the Turkish manufacturer which he says will appeal to anyone after a functional, solid, striker-fired handgun that’s affordable yet has all the attributes for competition shooting. Nathan Besh had his patience tested when buying air rifles from Ukraine but says ultimately the experience was a positive one, with the three firearms from Zbroia proving worth the wait. We also turn the spotlight on scopes, knives, tripods, hunting gear, gun-cleaning kits and knife sharpeners which, along with our regular columns and features, will ensure you have plenty to keep you occupied as we bid farewell to another summer.

As our membership continues to grow and more and more people head for the country, we’re asked on a regular basis for recommendations on binoculars for hunting and outdoor use in general. So for our cover story this month, Nick Rositano has done just that and ventured on a deer hunt equipped with the latest offering from Aussie firm ZeroTech in their flagship Trace 15×56 ED binos which won’t break the bank yet did everything our reviewer asked of them. Elsewhere this month, Daniel O’Dea has received the all-improved Taipan X rifle from Southern Cross Small Arms, an upgraded version of their Taipan Light which is now no longer just a pump-action but a straight-pull too. And sticking with firearms, John McDougall has been out and about with a nifty little shotgun from Turkish player Yildiz in their Elegant 20-gauge with its stylish lines, walnut stock and single-trigger ejector mechanical action, while for handgun enthusiasts Dick Eussen hails the Israeli-made Desert Eagle 1911 in 9mm Luger. We also run the numbers on scopes, swags, night-vision optics and personal locator beacons and, with all our regular columns and features, we’re off to a flying start in 2024!

When Ray Dennis wanted to shoot his new Barrett rifle in .50 BMG he was told he wouldn’t be issued a Commissioner’s Permit unless he had access to an approved firing range. “So I built my own,” he told Australian Shooter. The end result is the Klondyke Range Complex on Klondyke Station, a vast sheep property in far western NSW with a series of five shooting ranges available to those with a need to wring out large calibre and long-range options and we were granted exclusive access.

Carrying out pest control in the dark using either thermal or night vision optics can certainly help boost your efficiency and the latest offering from Pulsar provides great flexibility at a reasonable price tag. The Pulsar DIGEX C50 is a digital day and night vision riflescope which gives you round-the-clock capability thanks to its different lens and sensor operating modes to generate great results at any time of day.

For its latest lever action rifle – the 1895 SBL – Marlin has taken a historic design and thrust it into the modern arena. Although not a new design to Marlin, gone is the sleek, non-existent pistol grip of yesteryear’s lever, replaced with a modern and more vertical grip which reflects shotgun design, promoting responsive and accurate offhand targeting without affecting the function of a smooth lever-action. And combined with a 1.5-4×20 VX-Freedom scope by Leupold, the pair make for a formidable hunting combination.

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These days, shooters are spoiled for choice when it comes to scopes, but what characteristics most benefit hunters? Thomas Tabor explores the various riflescope components and gives some great advice.

Savage rifles have long enjoyed a well-earned reputation for producing accurate rifles and the 110 High Country is no exception. According to reviewer Mark van den Boogaart, “It’s a classy rifle, at a really affordable price point, and more importantly it’s a straight and accurate shooter.”

Years of hunting have taught Derek Nugent how to gear up for a successful hunt. He’s developed a three-tiered hierarchy around not only what to carry on a hunt, but also how to efficiently do so, saying, “there is little benefit in carrying gear which in all likelihood is simply along for the walk”.

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