August 2024 - Australian Shooter

The Skout Epoch air rifle was developed over a five-year period and looks nothing like a conventional timber-stocked rifle, rather a wholly futuristic firearm with its carbon fibre components and matt black chassis more in keeping with the tactical look we’ve become familiar with. For our cover story this month, we take an in-depth look at this revolutionary air-gun that features rechargeable electrical computer controls which allow tuning and a hammerless valve system. As reviewer Paul Miller points out: “Serious air rifle geeks will undoubtedly be thrilled by the technology.” Sticking with firearms, Daniel O’Dea has gone bush with a Bushpig shotgun from Turkish firm Axor Arms and while it may not win any prizes in the beauty stakes, it does have several new, innovative and redeemable features. Also under review this month is a double-whammy from ZeroTech, as we unbox their ADV 4-24×50 riflescope and 20-60×80 spotting scope and put them to the test, and also run the numbers on an iconic and all-purpose hunting knife from Ka-Bar. The passing of firearms writer Nick Harvey has left a hole in the Australian shooting landscape that will probably never be filled and, in a tribute of his own to the great man, Chris Redlich has penned a touching piece on his connection to a true Aussie gun legend