What to look out for at the British Shooting Show 2019
Britain's biggest shooting show returns to the Birmingham NEC on 15-17 February 2019
The show covers all types of shooting and shooting-related interests, with 600 exhibitors on hand
Thousands of shooting enthusiasts will descend on the NEC in Birmingham for the 2019 British Shooting Show.
Shooting Times asked organiser John Allison why the show has proven increasingly popular. He explained it simply: “We get to know our visitors and find out what they want.”
The show brings something new each year and the NEC offers the perfect space to host the 600-plus retailers, manufacturers and distributors who will be showing
off their latest kit and many “show only” bargains.
There are thousands of new and second-hand shotguns, rifles and air rifles, plus optics, night-vision and thermal-imaging kit, hunting knives, gundog equipment, country clothing and footwear to choose from.
Win
Many stands at the show are running special deals and competitions daily. Visit the Zeiss stand on B10 to win a pair of Victory RF 10×42 laser rangefinders worth £2,600. Meanwhile, the first 100 people to visit Premier Guns on stand C7 each day will receive a gun-fit voucher worth £75, and Air Arms on B20 is running a competition to win an Ultimate Sporter R rifle, Hawke Sidewinder scope and bag.
Optics, rifles and more
Shooting Times optics reviewer Chris Parkin will be investigating new thermal-imaging and night- vision products, including the Pulsar Accolade XP50 LRF and the rifle version, the Pulsar Trail XP50 LRF.
In addition, the Pulsar Digisight N455 will be launched into the UK and European market. Visitors can try out optics on the NiteSite stand, which features a dark tunnel. Finally, GMK will be showing off the Sako 85 Carbon Wolf rifle.
Airgunners will appreciate the manufacturers’ ranges where they can try guns before they buy them. Game shooters will once again be able to enjoy the thrill of driven shooting on the show’s high-tech simulator. Meanwhile, outside the show halls, there will be a circuit to test drive a range of Subaru models.
Demonstrations
In the demonstration area, Chris Green will show wildfowling and decoying techniques. Ralph Skripek, the “Wild Chef”, will demonstrate pigeon decoying followed by a game cookery session. Gundog expert Andy Cullen MBE has a new display packed with brilliant tips on how to achieve the best working relationship between you and your dog.
The Gamekeeping Hall is hosted by the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) and features specialist keepering products and associated services. Take any trophies you have along to the CIC trophy measurers on the NGO stand.
It is worth downloading the free official British Shooting Show app — available for iOS and Android — before your visit to enable you to plan your day.
What does the future hold for the British Shooting Show? John said: “We would like to bring more international companies to the attention of the British shooting public, though we are always going to put a key focus on UK manufacturers too.”
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The British Shooting Show
LOCATION: NEC, North Avenue, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT
DATES: 15-17 February 2019
OPENING TIMES: 9am-4pm daily. Free parking
TICKETS: Free for children under 15 years, adults £20 on the day. Cheaper tickets available in advance online here.
Come and chat to us
We always enjoy meeting our readers and hearing what you have to say. Come and say hello on stand D7 where you can pick up the latest copies of Shooting Times, Sporting Gun and Shooting Gazette for £1 and take out a special subscription deal saving up to 42%, plus a special gift.
