Reviews

Hyundai was once known as a cheap and cheerful manufacturer, but things have changed in recent years. The South Korean outfit has upped its game considerably and that progress is very evident in the new Hyundai Santa Fe. But could it be an alternative to the usual suspects on the gravel on a shoot day?…

Sako decided in the 1990s that it was time to replace the Finnscout, a popular .22 rimfire that dated back to 1972. The new rifle was deliberately fashioned as a miniature version of Sako’s full-bore rifles but it differed radically from the Finnscout. Design apart, some metal assemblies, including trigger-guards and magazines, were replaced by…

Our verdict on the Browning B15 Beauchamp In the world of gunmaking, you have to accept that the breechloading shotgun design was perfected at the turn of the past century. Very little is new or groundbreaking in mechanical design. The biggest change has been the way in which guns are produced; machines replacing men and…

Being of a certain age, I remember the William Powell catalogue arriving via Royal Mail as the harbinger of the coming season. Though it was full of all things new and exciting, I never dwelt on the pages of tweed suits and leather goods but turned straight to the back where the William Powell shotgun…

The CZ 511 is essentially the same gun as the older Brno 581 which had previously been in production since the 1950s, the newer name simply reflecting the rebranding of Brno to CZ. Its design therefore comes with a strong pedigree, and even owners of older Brno models report that their rifles still shoot well…

Beretta shotguns can often come at a price that is not for the faint-hearted. The premium EELL version of the DT11, for example, is a superb piece of engineering with the finest selected woodwork and exquisitely hand-engraved decoration and is aimed at the top end of the competition circuit right up to Olympic level. It…

The Sauer 100 Classic XT synthetic is designed as a no-nonsense practical sporting arm and the XT models are the entry-level rifles — offering value but with the Sauer quality. Alternative models have walnut or synthetic stocks, with classic Sporter stock arrangements or stainless steel finishes too. Perhaps the adjustable stocked synthetic Pantera or laminate…

The new Breda Zenith L is set up to be a game gun. As such, it has a solid sighting rib that tapers from 11mm to 7mm, as well as a solid joining rib. The action has restrained foliate engraving and is polished, with parts of it being brushed steel. I liked the brush steel,…

I was surprised when I learned that the Volvo XC90 has been on our roads for 18 years. The overall silhouette hasn’t changed dramatically in two decades, but it is an entirely different matter when it comes to propelling the Swedish beast. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you the Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription…

To many, the name of Anschutz is synonymous with a range of top-quality rifles, air rifles and air pistols used by competition shooters. The manufacturer’s products continue to be the most commonly seen in the Olympics 50m .22LR events, while its Fortner rifles are widely used by winter biathlon competitors. The company is based in…

I really appreciate an accurate .22 rimfire. A popular rifle for vermin control, it deserves to have a bit of thought and money spent on it. Bergara makes superb barrels as well as complete rifles, and has recently branched out into the rimfire market. The Spanish firm is usually known for the accuracy of its…