Edgar Brothers has won two awards from the Bushnell Outdoor Products group.

Edgar Brothers, which wholesales Bushnell brands Hoppes’s and Butler Creek in the UK, won the European Distributor of the Year award from the American company, while Edgar Brothers’ Paul Grimshaw won Best Performing Edgar Brothers Salesman.

Bushnell’s UK account manager Barry Grubb said: “The award was in recognition of the spectacular way Edgar Brothers launched and promoted the Hoppe’s and Butler Creek brands in the hunting and shooting market. The creativity used, the message delivered and the brand engagement is a testament to the great team at Edgar Brothers.”

Keeper of the chalk: Tony safeguards an East Yorkshire trout stream with the rifle

River keeper Tony Megson has to constantly stem the tide of various predators intent on taking his trout, but none is worse than the cormorant

Wild animals survive because nature has gifted them with extraordinary senses and an acute awareness of what is natural within their surroundings. This means they are rarely at ease, drop their guard only occasionally and are constantly on the lookout for anything that appears unusual within their world. This fight or flight phenomena is further heightened when they are away from their normal environment or have to break cover from their natural habitat.

Predators of all descriptions seem to be able to use these senses better than most, and their capture or culling can become something of a challenge. It was my responsibility to care for the upkeep, stocking and predator control on a small chalk stream, involving the removal of mink, pike and perch. This is an ongoing battle, as we all know remove one and another fills its place. But something new was happening – something I had not experienced before. It needed stopping immediately.

Fish were disappearing at an alarming rate. I was on top of the mink, and we had one or two smaller pike but nothing that would decimate the fish stocks to this level. My next thought turned to two-legged predators, and the only way to find out what was going on was to watch and wait.

The sun had not long risen when the first one appeared. Not walking down the bank with rod or net as anticipated, but gliding down to land on the water, shake itself off and then dive. Cormorants – of course. I should have known, but never having been troubled by them to any extent previously, I hadn’t thought of them. This was a new phenomenon, and it was one that would need addressing quickly.

I knew I wasn’t allowed to shoot them without a licence, so I implemented a process of attempting to deter them. This involved such ingenious methods as sticks with pieces of plastic bags on them, crow bangers, a gas gun and, and as a last resort, simply trying to have a human presence at the waterside. All these flashy, bangy things were effective for a couple of days or so – until the birds became accustomed to them. When the sticks with pieces of plastic on them seemingly started to act as runway lights, I thought I had better try something else. Even walking the bank merely caused the birds to take off, perch somewhere nearby, and return as soon as I had left the bankside.

Rapid flight: The second bird took off in haste

So it was to Natural England I turned. We agreed a rendezvous to meet and walk the stream while I explained the issues and enquired what was needed to attain a licence. It was soon apparent that I was not alone: neighbouring waters were suffering from an even greater influx of the black divers than we were.

With Natural England satisfied that we had done everything reasonably possible to deter the cormorants, we were granted a licence to shoot four. It was a relief to be granted the licence, and I thought that I would soon have the problem resolved. Why is it that nothing is ever as easy as you think it’s going to be?

My first outing was with the shotgun. I thought it would be easy: a quick walk down the back of the bank, pop up where I thought I had last seen the black marauder, and Bob’s your uncle. How naïve can you be? I had marked where I had first spotted the cormorant well enough, but when I appeared above the bank opposite my mark, the bird had submerged and resurfaced about 70 yards away. After a couple more failed tries at this, it became apparent that I would need to give some serious thought to my strategy.

The .22 rimfire was a possibility as there was a substantial backdrop on the far bank, but .22 rounds can ricochet off water. I needed something that would give me that little bit of extra distance and a flatter trajectory, and which would be less likely to ricochet – so I decided that my nifty CZ 455 .17 HMR rimfire was the tool for the job.

I chose an overhanging willow as my spot, and built a hide facing downstream with a safe, clear shot for at least 140 yards. Coupled with my leaf suit the set up was perfect – now it was just a matter of waiting. The wind picked up and it started to drizzle. The drizzle turned to rain, which, naturally, was blown straight into my face.

Past tense: The .17 HMR proved to be deadly effective

Two hours passed. Of course I hadn’t brought a flask, as the birds had been coming at first light. Sun rises, bird arrives, shoot your cormorant and you go off home a happy man, right? Not this time.
When I first began my wildfowling career, I once asked an old, experienced fowler when I should pack up. He sucked on his pipe, thought for a minute and said: “Wait until you think nowt’s going to come, then give it another 20 minutes.” Sage words, or a brain addled by too many icy morning flights? Well, I was going to give it another 10 minutes and that was it.

Just then, in the distance, two barely discernible specks appeared – the black death. Would these choose my neighbour’s water, or would they favour the water where I was hidden? Which would be the more attractive? My question was quickly answered as they banked over and began to lose altitude. They were coming in. I chambered a round and tried to control my movements and breathing. Wings spread as air brakes, and the birds dropped down onto the water.

I quickly put the crosshairs of the Weaver scope onto the first bird, but before I could do anything else it had submerged. I scanned for the second, but it too had disappeared below the surface. Knowing how fast these things could swim underwater, I began frantically scanning all the water in my field of view.

My concern was unwarranted as one of the birds surfaced 80 or so yards away. The suppressed crack of the .17 HMR caused the second bird to beat the water frantically with its wings as it took off in haste. It took off alone.

The .17 had done its job admirably well, the spaniel collected the fallen bird, and we headed back to the warmth and dryness of the car. Funny how quickly you forget how cold and wet you’ve been when your quarry is in the bag, isn’t it?

Just as a badger cull in Northern Ireland appeared to become more likely, Welsh politicians opted to scrap a badger cull in Wales in favour of vaccination.

On 13 March Northern Ireland’s agriculture minister Michelle O’Neill said her department was carefully monitoring the situation in England, where a badger cull has been approved in two trial areas, and that it had not ruled out a cull to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis.

A week later, the Welsh government dropped its plans for a badger cull. Environment minister John Griffiths said a five-year vaccination programme would start in the north Pembrokeshire TB hot spot.

He said: “I have visited and spoken to a number of cattle farming families across Wales. I know just how difficult it is and how the consequences of TB can be devastating.

“At present I am not satisfied that a cull of badgers would be necessary to bring about a substantial reduction in cases of TB in cattle.”

Wales’s previous coalition government had planned a badger cull, but the Labour government put the plans on hold last year and commissioned a review of scientific evidence.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales said the decision was a “cowardly betrayal” of farmers.

FUW spokesman Brian Walters said: “According to the experts who have conducted the most significant research to date into badger vaccines, it would require a massive trial covering thousands of square miles of land just to establish whether vaccination can have an impact on cattle herd breakdown.

“By contrast, culling has been shown to reduce TB incidences in cattle herds and since the 1970s thousands of herds have achieved TB-free status following badger culling.

“When AMs previously voted in favour of a badger cull on successive occasions, it demonstrated that Wales was willing to take positive steps to eradicate TB.

“Those who have now gone back on their words have not just betrayed farmers in north Pembrokeshire but the industry as a whole. They should hang their heads in shame.”

Living up to the hype? Tim takes on the Merkel RX Helix’s reputation

Merkel’s RX Helix is commonly called the fastest take-down straight pull on the market. Tim Pilbeam tests those claims

The RX Helix manifesto states: “Hunting has moved on in the 21st century. It has become faster, more versatile and more exciting. This demands better gun ergonomics: ideal combination of responsiveness, speed and accuracy.” It continues: “The hunt doesn’t begin on the hunting grounds nowadays, but starts instead with the preparation for the journey to the hunt.” All sounds great, and UK importer Viking Arms’s claim that it is the fastest straight pull on the market had got me excited. But has Merkel really developed the best hunting gun for the 21st century?

Merkel is a well-known German manufacturer of luxury hunting rifles and shotguns, based in Suhl. The R in RX Helix refers to ‘Repetierer’, which is German for a bolt-action rifle, and the X has a double meaning: the Roman numeral stands for the launch year 2010 and is also from the Latin alphabet representing the word ‘Helix’. Helix refers to the way the bolt locks into the breech.

For this review, Viking Arms sent the Helix in .308 with a beautiful grade six walnut stock and an eye-catching wood finish, but it is the action and barrel that really sets the rifle apart. The Helix is a straight pull design, but the bolt is within a ‘closed system housing’. When the bolt is pulled right back, it does not extend behind the action, which means it does not hinder the shooter, especially when cycling rounds very quickly. As the bolt handle is positioned directly above the trigger guard, the trigger hand moves instantly to the bolt after a shot.

But how can the bolt knob travel such a short distance when the action is able to deal with both short and long rounds? This is where it gets smart: For every inch the bolt knob moves, the bolt face travels two inches. Merkel informs me: “The linear motion of the bolt handle is transmitted to the bolt head with a ratio of 1:2. It travels along a helical path as part of a special design, and moves gently and quietly into and out of the locking position.” This results in the quiet and fast cycling of rounds.

The cocking level in ‘safe’

I had to slowly cycle the bolt several times to accept that this is a clever piece of engineering. I only hope it doesn’t prove too complicated or expensive to repair after several years of use in the field.
With regard to safety, the Helix uses a manual cocking system, with a cocking lever located behind the action, simply located for the use of the thumb. Forward position puts the firing system under tension to fire; depress to return to safety. A Picatinny rail is integral to the action, allowing the fitting of Weaver-style mounts, accommodating most styles of optic.

Moving to the front of the bolt, the supreme German engineering once again shines. As the bolt is thrust forward, the bolt head rotates as it stops in the breach, locking all six lugs. This is about as safe at it gets, as some other makes of older straight pulls had apparent issues with bolts flying backwards after firing. As for the firing mechanism, without going into infinite detail of the whole linkage-driven hammer system, it apparently cannot be fired until the breech is fully locked, making it totally failsafe.

Many rifles are now designed to be easily portable, as well as being fully switchable, meaning the barrel and bolt head can be easily changed for another calibre. The Helix is no exception. To remove the 22in sporting weight barrel, press a button located to the underside of the wooden forend, slide forward and put away. Pull a lever downwards, situated to the left-hand side of the barrel, slide the barrel forward, and out she pops. It takes less than six seconds to remove and refit the barrel assembly. If the bolt is left in the forward position, the bolt head is locked and stays within the barrel when extracted. It is as easy as that.

As for dimensions, the rifle weighs in at 6¾lb (2.6kg) before optics and is 40in (110cm) long, making it a light and compact design – ideal for deer stalking or driven boar shooting. So far, so good – but I was beginning to worry that the accuracy might have been compromised by this new concept of straight pull bolt design mixed with the quick take down facility.

For this review, Zeiss kindly sent me the Duralyt 3-12×50 with an illuminated reticle. For ammunition, I used a variety of hunting rounds from 150 to 165 grains. I also used adjustable Millet Angle-Loc scope mounts, supplied by Edgar Brothers.

Up to the shoulder, the straight-cut stock immediately told me that the Helix is perfect for quick target acquisition. The model sent for this review was finished in grade six wood, which looks and feels fabulous. Moving forward, the chequered pistol grip and palm swell make me feel at one with the rifle. The robust cocking lever is also perfectly positioned for the thumb. To de-cock, I found the small release button, located at the top, a little fiddly to press down, especially when wearing gloves, but I don’t think this will be an issue with a little more practice.

The trigger, set at about 2.5lb, was a delight to use. After firing, lift or twist the trigger hand upwards, and you’ll instantly find the bolt handle. As with all straight pulls, unless you have used them for a long time, it does take time to train your mind to ‘pull’ and not ‘twist’ the bolt, but once I accepted that I do not need to pull the bolt back as far as most similar actions, I could squeeze off multiple shots in no time.

The expected levels of recoil and muzzle lift – this is a .308, after all – were the only factors that slowed me down taking another instant shot, owing to the slight change of sight picture when firing. As for accuracy, at 100 yards, the Helix shot all weights of bullet to 0.75-1in accuracy, which is more than adequate for its intended application. Point of impact did not change after barrel changes. When I was filming a piece for the Fieldsports Channel, despite shooting a volley of at least 20 shots in quick succession, it grouped a maximum of 1.5in at 100 yards, demonstrating the quality of the barrel.

Remove the forend: The first step of the speedy take-down process

Bearing in mind that the Helix starts at around £3,000, with the model on review retailing for £4,250, what is my honest opinion? When I first laid my hands on it, despite the obvious quality of the wood, I was not convinced about the feel of the quality of the action, as I always associated Merkel with top-end, high-quality guns. But my doubts didn’t last long. It has a quicker action than the Blaser R8 equivalent, and is easier to take down. The Helix’s main selling point is the shooter’s improved stability when taking multiple shots thanks to the short pull action, which is, in my opinion, superior to that of the hugely popular Blaser. A quicker and easier switchable system is a selling point, but this is normally undertaken before the hunt starts, so speed is not indispensable.

After shooting 200 rounds at animal targets out to 200 yards and simulated running boar at 80 yards, I appreciated the thought that had gone into the design and ergonomics. The grippable forend allows good hold of the rifle when cycling and the open field sights are one of the best I have used for a long time. The sturdy magazine was no problem to use and can be loaded from the top if required.

I have the pleasure of handling a wide variety of rifles for this magazine, and the acid test of a rifle is whether or not I miss it after returning it. That certainly applies with the new Helix – I would love to use it for a variety of my hunting. That said, with extra barrels (including bolt head) at £910 and magazines an extra £120, this would be a specialist buy.

As soon as I am lucky enough to point something long and noisy at a running boar, I know what my first choice of rifle will be. If you need an easily portable rifle with switchable barrels and you hunt running game, the Merkel Helix is, in my opinion, the market leader.

Aimed at getting people who have never shot before to try the sport, National Shooting Week looks to be bigger than ever in this Olympic year.

The Countryside Alliance’s David Taylor said: “Shooting is a very popular and safe sport, and this year the nation will witness the world’s finest shots at the Olympic Games. National Shooting Week allows people of all ages and all backgrounds to try this exciting sport for the first time. You never know – we may even discover an Olympian of the future.”

The BASC team, led by Dominic Griffith, measured 33 medal-class heads in 2011

Dominic Griffith reports on an exciting new trophy measuring alliance between BASC and Sporting Rifle

The BASC measuring system has been operating for four years. It is now set to expand, evolve and develop, in association with Sporting Rifle as a key partner, to help promote the BASC measuring service to deer stalkers.

The BASC service has seen a steady uptake among stalkers over the years and is now seen as an important part of the data record of successful deer management in the UK. Our vision is that a partnership of the largest shooting organisation in the UK with the only magazine specifically for deer stalkers will ensure many more trophies are brought forward for measurement and recording. This will contribute greatly to the archive of deer and in particular roe management in the UK since the 1950s. It will also ensure greater publicity is given to management practices that result in the presence of premium specimens.

For many years the CIC criteria have been the European benchmark for the measurement of quarry species. A number of UK organisations including the Forestry Commission, the British Deer Society, the St Hubert’s Club and other private outfitters have used the various measurement menus.

The BASC system has been benchmarked to the CIC criteria, but we are now going to introduce various changes and rationalisations that will make the measurement of deer antlers in the UK more accessible, more inclusive and more logical. We are confident that our system will still produce total scores that will be within 1-3 per cent of CIC measurements. This is the same differentiation that is normally found between all trained and experienced measurers, whatever their backgrounds – hence the requirement for panels of measurers in some European countries. Our aim is to ensure that BASC measurements remain comparable to those offered by other systems, but also bring in many previously unrecorded trophies and provide a significant contribution to UK data and statistics.

There will be more measurers, and those measurers will be located in the parts of the country where the premium trophies of the relevant species are being taken. Our aim, by having access to on-site measurers, is to include the significant proportion of trophies that are shot by foreign stalkers and are currently being taken out of the country without being measured. This will greatly enhance the records we keep. To achieve this, we will not be bound by the 90-day rule but will measure trophies fresh, and rely on the experienced experts involved to make appropriate weight deductions where heads are clearly ‘wet’. This is no more than what measurers did successfully for many years before official CIC involvement. The standards of measurement will not be compromised, and BASC will work rigorously to maintain quality control.

N Dewing with the highest scoring gold medal roe head of 2011

We will also introduce a new platinum award for roe and muntjac. There is such a difference between a roe head of 150 points and one of 130 that it seems inappropriate not to recognise that difference with a different award and a new medal. For roe of 150 points or more, and for muntjac of 70 points or more, BASC will now award a platinum medal, and recipients will automatically qualify for the annual Sporting Rifle dinner. All forms and certificates have been redesigned and new medals struck.

All the current formulas will have changes, some minor and some more significant. How else, for example, can you assess a sika or muntjac trophy other than by length of beams, span and tines? We, however, will not insist on the 90-day rule, which seems unnecessary for a measurement that does not include weight.

For fallow and red we have taken a different view. Since weight amounts to typically no more than 2-4 per cent of their respective scores, we feel it is perfectly acceptable to make an educated guess as to weight where the measurement cannot actually be taken. This will mean that shoulder-mounted red and fallow will now be eligible for a measurement and the certificate will be marked as estimated weight. We feel that experts in their species should have little problem assessing likely weight. We will also add a 130 per cent rule to upper beam measurement to ensure antlers lacking a second tine can still be eligible for upper beam measurement.

Having been a CIC measurer until 2007, I am particularly interested in the roe formula. It certainly selects the correct criteria and makes the proper definition of a premium trophy, but it is not without fault. Where possible we have made changes that will define a trophy with greater logic, but without changing the nature of its comparison to those recorded since the 1950s. With roe, weight amounts to 30-40 per cent of the total score. It is far too important a criterion to estimate, so shoulder-mounted roe trophies will still be ineligible for measurement. However, we will estimate weight loss for ‘wet’ trophies, thus abandoning the need for the 90-day rule.

The highest scoring silver head of 2011, from T Moore in Wiltshire

We will make several other alterations to make our formula more logical. At the moment, for example, span scores rise in graduations from 0 to 4 depending upon width-length ratio, but then drop from 4 to 0 rather arbitrarily, often penalising a perfectly pleasing trophy. Our system will create a score in equal graduations from 0 to 4 back to 0. Colour will be scored from a colour chart, and the additional tine scores have been completely overhauled to avoid effectively scoring the same thing twice. We will also list all those trophies over 100 points, as this still recognises what is clearly an excellent roe.

Anyone who has ever tried to measure a Chinese water deer tusk using a steel tape will be aware that the circumference can be manipulated by how hard you pull the tape. This undermines circumference measurements to the extent that they add nothing at all to a measurement, and on top of that the measurement is almost always 30mm anyway. The BASC system will measure canine length only and reclassify the medal award as if the circumference measurement was 30mm.

All this is work in progress, and everything will be subject to constant scrutiny and review. We want this to be ‘by stalkers for stalkers’ and, to that end, if there is anyone who feels they have a particular contribution to make, we would be very pleased to hear from you. In the meantime, thank you to all those of you who have supported this programme since its inception in 2008.

Scottish Natural Heritage has advised that a number of changes to the law for shooting deer out of season have now come into effect.

SNH must now authorise any deer culled out of season, and the exemption for owners and occupiers has been removed.
Robbie Kernahan, SNH’s head of wildlife operations, said: “I’d like to reassure owners and occupiers that they won’t have to get authority from us every time they need to cull deer and protect their interests.

“We can now issue both specific and general authorisations, so we intend to issue a general licence to owners and occupiers who need to cull deer to prevent damage to farmland or enclosed woodland.”

General licences will cover the period from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013, but will not include the shooting of female deer from 1 April to 31 August. For more information, visit www.snh.gov.uk.

Doubled up: The Tikka T3 Stainless Varmint (left) and the Kimber SVT (right)

Putting two .223 Rem heavy barrel varmint rifles to the test, Byron Pace pits a Kimber and a Tikka against each other and awaits the results

Getting off the phone with Riflecraft left my head spinning. I was about to take delivery of a curiously short, heavy and marvellously unique varmint rifle, with possibly the fattest barrel I had ever seen. This rifle was designed purely with varminting in mind, providing the maximum accuracy and manoeuvrability possible when shooting from a vehicle. It was with great anticipation I awaited my delivery of the Kimber SVT. Providing an exciting comparison to this largely unknown offering from America, GMK had sent over the popular Tikka T3 in the varmint stainless model.

The build ethos of the Kimber is bold. It really has only one function, and the SVT’s design doesn’t apologise for that or leave you in any doubt that this rifle will be most at home shooting from a static position. The chunky, swelled laminate stock cradles the calibre-specific Mauser-type action – but fitted with a fluted 18in bull barrel, the famously feather-light Kimber had transformed into a weighty brute. At 8lb 5oz unscoped, this was a heavy rifle with a lot of attitude.

The Tikka came with a much more modest synthetic stock, a thinner, un-fluted barrel of 20in, and the slick action so familiar to Tikka rifles. A full pound lighter, the more conventional stock shape makes it more endearing to use in the field.

The Tikka's two-position safety, with the action enclosed on top. By contrast, the Kimber has a three-position safety

With perfect testing weather gracing our shores, the range showdown came to a head quickly. To keep everything fair, both rifles were shot from 100 yards off the same Harris bipod, with the butt supported on a sandbag. Each rifle would be tested using Federal V-Shoks loaded with 40-55 grain bullets, and 55-grain Sako Game/ArrowHeads.

The consistency of the Tikka across all ammunition was impressive. At worst the three-shot groups opened up to 0.87in shooting Sako GameHeads, while its favourite, the 40-grain Nosler-loaded Federals, printed a cluster of just 0.48in. Given the twist rate of 1-12in, this range of bullet weights is where the Tikka would be most comfortable.

With the trigger on the Kimber brought down to a clean 1.5lb break, the wide blade helped to facilitate a precise and controlled release. Overtravel, sear engagement and pull weight are fully adjustable. Like the Tikka, the SVT performed respectably across all the ammunition, never grouping three shots at more than 0.9in. In this case it was the 55-grain Sako ArrowHeads that found particular favour, returning 0.65in groups with regular repetition.

The 1-in-9 twist of the Kimber lends itself to slightly heavier bullets, with 55 grains at the bottom end of the spectrum. With this in mind I hand-loaded some 64-grain Bergers. After a little tweaking, five shots slammed into the target with a ragged hole barely bigger than a five-pence piece. I am sure it would have shot heavier bullets with equal success too. The ability to load these heavier weights makes the rifle an excellent choice if you have longer-range shooting in mind.

With both rifles moderated, the extra weight of the Kimber did help anchor the rifle. I dare say it would shoot quite well even if not shouldered. This weight is hugely beneficial for taking long-range shots on small targets, but doesn’t lend itself well to hiking across rough terrain. The Kimber SVT is the type of rifle you will reach for along with the keys to the Land Rover. I could see this becoming a firm favourite with those looking for a dedicated foxing rifle. Dropping sharply down from the bulbous forend, the pistol grip is specifically designed to aid control when shooting off a rest. I did, however, find the stock a little too large for my hands, and would have found a slimmer profile more comfortable – but my hands aren’t particularly big.

The action on the Kimber has been stripped down but still functions flawlessly

The Tikka, on the other hand, was a nice compromise in weight. Heavy enough to dampen the recoil and aid accurate down-range performance, it would still be manageable as a stalking rifle. Indeed, it is much more suitable for those hunters who find themselves propelled across the landscape with two legs instead of 2.5 litres and 120 horses. With a flat-bottomed forend and raised synthetic cheek rest, it is not the prettiest stock in the world, but is certainly functional. A less plastic feel and the addition of rubberised grips would have been nice, but the stock does the job well and is comfortable to shoot.

Operating both rifles was a joy. The positive, controlled-feed action of the Kimber has been stripped down to the minimum specifications, producing the sweetest little Mauser action on the market. It functioned flawlessly. If I have one criticism it is in the extractor claw guide, which is secured to the bolt shaft by a single swivelling ring. Given the slimmed-down nature of the action, the guide is very thin and floats over a long section of the bolt – it is noticeably flexible. I would have preferred to see it secured to the shaft in two places. However, this has never caused any functional issue. The handle, meanwhile, is not quite to my taste and could be more refined in design. I would have expected a rifle such as this to have been fitted with more of a tactical handle, as found on Kimber’s ProVarmint model.

The Tikka action is incredibly strong, with substantial twin recoil lugs encasing the cartridge head in a deep recessed face. The clean lines of the uncluttered bolt facilitate the famously slick push feed loading, with a tried-and-tested plunger and sprung claw extraction. With the action enclosed on top, it remains as stiff and rigid as possible with only a side ejection port. My preference, however, is always for an open action, firstly for ease of top loading but also with safety in mind. In the dark, my final safety check is to stick my pinkie in the chamber to feel for a cartridge. This isn’t possible in the Tikka; nor is top loading owing to the magazine design. This, however, is more a personal observation.

Fitted with a custom-made one-piece Riflecraft Weaver rail, the Kimber is also a bit tricky to top load – although I have to say this 0MOA rail it is very well made and fits perfectly. I would recommend using this as your mounting method on the Kimber.

Apart from the functional design of the two different actions, the differentiating factor is the ethos behind each rifle. Whereas Kimber has stripped everything back to the minimum specifications, the Tikka’s ‘one size fits all’ action is far longer and bulkier than it needs to be for a .223 Rem. This is evident from looking at the magazine, where a quarter of the space is blocked out.

This is ultimately a cost-saving exercise, but from a practical standpoint makes very little difference apart from weight, and the fact that the action is probably stronger than it needs to be in these smaller calibres. The upside is that if you ever feel like re-barrelling your rifle, you will have a greater spectrum of calibres to choose from.

Neat though it would be, this isn’t a win-and-lose conclusion. If you want a sole purpose varmint rifle to shoot from a vehicle, or a static position at long distance, the Kimber SVT is the rifle for you. I certainly would be happy spending the extra £500. If, on the other hand, you need to be more mobile, possibly doubling the rifle up for stalking, then the Tikka T3 will tick all the boxes. Value-wise, the Tikka is a hard contender to beat for all-round use. With the aftermarket options now available to replace the plastic components, the Tikka becomes an even more enticing option. Decide what you want the rifle for first, then pick the rifle to suit.

Lincolnshire police is to outsource its firearms licensing process to the private sector.

Barry Young, chairman of Lincolnshire Police Authority, said this would make Lincolnshire the “leanest police force in Britain,” and that it would contribute to the force’s goal of putting 97 per cent of its warranted officers in front-line roles.

A spokesperson for the force’s firearms licensing department said G4S would look at making the process more efficient, but that there would be no dramatic changes to firearms licensing in the area.

The 10-year contract with G4S took effect from the start of this financial year, and contains an option for an extension to 15 years.

The Association of Chief Police Officers recently proposed increases to licence fees, which would see shooters pay £93.80 for a shotgun or firearm licence. In its report it admitted the existence of “inefficiencies” within the licensing system, which it said it would work with stakeholders to address.

Testing indicated you can’t get much more out of a varminting calibre than Hornady manages

‘Ten bullets through one hole’ was the vision of Joyce Hornady over 60 years ago. Hornady, like many other ammunition manufacturers, was the main supplier of rounds to the military, but Joyce had a passion for improving accuracy, and never looked back. Now it is the largest independent supplier of bullets in the USA.

I am familiar with this brand as I have been using 75-grain V-Max for several years in my .243 RPA. Suffice to say, I fire these critters out to 1,000 yards, and shoot chunky 168-grain .308 rounds way beyond 600 yards. Be it the gun or the ammo, they are formidable, and they have also accounted for hundreds of foxes.

I specialise in varminting and have been testing the Superformance Varmint and the Varmint Express in many rifles of late, so what sets them apart from the rest?

The Superformance Varmint is available in four chamberings: .222 Remington, .223, .22-250 and the .243 Winchester. They boast enhanced velocity by using proprietary blended powder formulations, compared to other factory-loaded ammunition in these specific calibres. Apparently the powder (propellant) burns more completely within the barrel, which Hornady claims will deliver 100-200fps higher speed, without increasing recoil. The flatter trajectory is no doubt sustained by the well-proven polymer V-MAX bullets, which, owing to the superior ballistic coefficients, are less susceptible to wind drift. The table below quotes some very impressive statistics – I think you would agree you cannot get much more out of these calibres.

Top speed: The added velocity is a welcome boost when foxing at longer ranges

I tested the 50-grain V-MAX in .22-250 with the Savage BTCSS and 26in barrel, and found the velocities shy by 50fps of the 4,000fps as stated, probably owing to the cold weather. More importantly, the maximum variation in muzzle velocities was only 42fps.

The Varmint Express boasts 16 different varieties of ammunition, covering seven calibres from .204 Ruger to .243 Remington, using mostly the V-Max bullets, with a select few adopting HP or NTX bullets. Every round is individually inspected before leaving the factory, ensuring ‘no cosmetic flaws and imperfections’. The brass is made to the highest tolerances for reliable feeding, corrosion resistance and ability to withstand maximum chamber pressures. The V-Max bullet achieves rapid fragmentation with all varmint shooting velocities – I can vouch for its effectiveness when shooting crows and rabbits out beyond 400 yards.

I have tested the Varmint Express in .204 Ruger, .223, .220 Swift and .243 calibres and cannot fault them for their consistency and performance. The .220 Swift Varmint Express when tested in the Remington VS-SF was very accurate, shooting below 0.5MOA, with very similar variations in muzzle velocity as the Superformance rounds. If you require high quality varmint ammunition that performs, you will not be disappointed with Hornady.

For more information contact the main importers for Hornady ammunition at www.edgarbrothers.com.