The Great British Shooting Awards 2023

Midnight has struck and the voting public has made their feelings known, with thousands of you helping to pick the winners for the Great British Shooting Awards 2023, which returns for its fifth year. The Awards aim to give recognition to the products, organisations and people that make our industry tick. From cartridges to clothing or scopes to shotguns, they represent excellence in every corner of the market.

We have received hundreds of nominations and, thanks to our dedicated judging panel, we have whittled the competition down to just five shortlisted entries per category. For 15 of the 16 categories the winner will be picked by you, the shooting public; this includes rifles, ammunition, optics, night vision and thermal, as well as the gamekeeper and stalker of the year.

Last year you selected Mike Swan for the Outstanding Contribution to Conservation Award. Stalker of the Year went to our own Chris Dalton for the fourth consecutive year, while Scott MacKenzie took Gamekeeper of the Year and Gundog Trainer of the Year went to Ellena Swift. A special Lifetime Achievement Award also went to Mike Swan. Many brands, including Sportsman Gun Centre, Deerhunter, Browning and Swarovski, to name a few, were recognised, too.

Voting has now closed and the independent judges will adjudicate, with the results announced on 17 February 2023. Best of luck to all those shortlisted!

Here is the 2023 shortlist, listed in no special order – take a look.

Shooting apparel of the year

From technical to tweed, suits to socks – clothing and footwear designed specifically for the shooting market. All types of shooting – stalking, game, clay or target – and all price points considered.

• Shooterking Greenland Jacket 2.0
• Alan Paine Axford Men’s Field Coat
• Sasta Mehto WS Camo Jacket
• Brandecosse Stambecco Boots
• Schöffel Ptarmigan Tweed Classic Coat

Rifle ammunition of the year

This category is for metallic rounds used in hunting, competition or training. We want to hear about brands, models and calibres that have really performed.

• Sako Powerhead Blade 308 162gr lead-free
• Hornady CX
• Winchester Extreme Point Copper Impact
• Sellier & Bellot Exergy Blue (non-toxic)
• Hornady Precision Hunter 30-06

Shotgun ammunition of the year

In the second ammunition category we celebrate all manner of shotgun shells, from clay cartridges and pigeon loads to driven game and grouse. If it’s used and loved by the shooting public, it deserves to be nominated.

• Gamebore Regal Game 12G
• Gamebore Dark Storm Precision Steel with bio-wad
• Hull High Pheasant Extreme Hydrowad
• BioAmmo Blue
• Zenith Pro Eco Wad

Optics product of the year (over £1,000)

First, we celebrate the top-end optical products that run on traditional glass – be it a riflescope, binoculars, rangefinder or spotter. All countries of origin are considered.

• Leica Geovid 8×32 Pro
• Pulsar Merger LRF XP 50
• Steiner Ranger 8 Scope
• Swarovski Optik Spotting Scope: ATC/STC
• Hawke Frontier 34 FFP Riflescope

Optics product of the year (under £1,000)

The very best of budget optics that really do the job and don’t break the bank. Once again, all optics that run on traditional glass are welcomed, as long as they don’t break the £1,000 mark.

• Bushnell Fusion X Rangefinding binoculars
• Blaser RD20
• Element Helix
• GPO Spectra 4-16x50i Scope
• Hawke Sidewinder 30 SF

Night vision product of the year (over £1,500)

A focus on the top-end night vision products, including image intensifiers, digital and thermals. Which product has really innovated and pushed the boundaries the most?

• Zeiss DTC 3 n Guide TrackIR 35mm
• Pard SA62 Plus 45mm LRF
• HIKMICRO Falcon Pro (FQ50)

Night vision product of the year (under £1,500)

Looking at those night vision products that deliver the best bang for your buck. Once again, all image intensifiers, digital and thermals welcome, as long as they’re below £1,500.

• Sightmark Wraith 4K
• Pard NV008S LRF
• Guide TD210 Thermal Monocular
• ATN X-Sight 4K Pro
• Hikmicro Alpex Day & Night Scope

Airgun of the year

Celebrating the variety in the airgun market – rifles and pistols; PCPs, springers, gas-rams and CO2; hunting guns, plinkers, 10-metre and FT. But which airgun has had the most success with its target market?

• Stoeger Bullpup
• Rainson Edge-X
• RAW HMX1000
• Niksan Ozark
• Air Arms S510T Tactical

Rifle of the year

From .22LR up, we want the live-firing rifle that’s dominated the market for its intended use, whether that’s stalking, foxing or long-range targets. All price points eligible but it’s factory rifles only.

• Beretta BRX1
• CZ 457 LRP II .22LR
• Tikka .243 T3X Super Varmint
• Howa 1500
• Fierce CT Rage

Shotgun of the year

Over-and-under, side-by-side or semi-auto – we’re looking for the shotgun that’s had the most success in its market, whether that’s winning international medals or attracting newcomers to shooting. Game and clay guns are eligible, in any bore. Again, factory guns only, but all price points are considered.

• Beretta Silver Pigeon 5
• Caesar Guerini Invictus V Ascent
• Browning B525 Exquisite 12M
• Yildiz SPZ ME
• EJ Churchill Crown side-by-side

Gamekeeper of the year

Recognising the work done by gamekeepers at the coal face of land management every day. We want stories of keepers who clearly demonstrate the link between shooting and conservation, no matter the size of the estate or type of shooting.

• Paul Childerley
• Alan Edwards
• Colin Roper (Great Tew)
• Scott Mackenzie (Skye Gamekeeper)
• Andy Grey

Professional stalker of the year

For an outstanding UK-based stalker – all species and parts of the country considered equally – who provides good PR for shooting, always puts a smile on clients’ faces, and knows deer management is about much more than pulling a trigger.

• Charlie Blance
• Tim Harrison (Ledbury)
• Chris Dalton
• Matt Roberts (Grove Game Larder)
• Charles Smith-Jones

Gundog trainer of the year

An award to recognise the greatest contribution to the world of gundog trainers, with a focus on working in the field rather than trialling.

• Ellena Swift
• Nick Ridley
• Darren Kirk
• Diana Stevens
• Jayne Coly

Outstanding contribution to conservation

Anyone, UK-based or abroad, who has been at the forefront of population-level conservation efforts – for huntable quarry species or otherwise. We’re specifically looking for people who back up their words and put their own time and resources into conservation.

• Chris Abbott
• Mat Manning
• Richard Negus
• Alan Edwards
• Lindsay Waddell

Innovative product of the year

A category which rewards innovative products in the shooting market. Ammunition, apparel, optics, firearms, accessories, and products not covered in any other category are eligible – as long as they have really caused a stir. We’re looking for products that are set to play a big part in the future of field sports.

• Zeiss LRP S5
• HQS Hunter Suppressor
• Spypoint Flex Camera
• Sellier & Bellot Special Slug Sport
• Blaser Carbon Shooting Stick V2

Retailer of the year

Whether a newcomer or an industry stalwart, this is for the retailer that’s really gone the extra mile in attracting customers and presenting products in the best light. Any retailer that sells shooting equipment, accessories or apparel is accepted.

• Open vote – no shortlist

The sponsors

The Great British Shooting awards are in partnership with: