As a hunter you’re looking for every possible edge in the field and, with modern advances, there are more options now than ever before with thermal technology arguably the most useful. For our cover story this month, Matthew Godson has run the numbers on the latest Thermion 2 LRF XL60 from Pulsar, a riflescope combining high-definition thermal imaging with an integrated laser rangefinder which he reckons “stands out as a valuable tool” but be warned, it doesn’t come cheap! We’ve also put a couple of superb new rifles in the spotlight this month, Chris Redlich getting to grips with the Ruger American Gen 2 Scout for a trip that turned into an unbelievably close encounter with a huge wild boar which almost put an end to his hunting career. Elsewhere, Daniel O’Dea has been out and about with the latest Anschutz Model 1761, a firearm aimed at the small calibre Precision Rifle Series and one which he says only goes to enhance the Anschutz reputation of highly accurate and well-built firearms. Switching to shotguns and Paul Miller was suitably impressed by the Beretta 688 Performance 12-gauge which, in his vast experience, performed as well anything from the iconic Italian manufacturer and comes highly recommended. Completing one of our most eclectic editions of recent months we also focus on tripods, ammunition, knives and, courtesy of John Maxwell, take an inside look at ARES Armaments, a new player in the Aussie munitions sector based in South Australia. As ever our columns, features and Letters to the Editor are also on display to provide something for everyone as we bid farewell to another winter.

We’ve long known that shooting can be a family affair and, for this month’s cover story, seasoned rifleman and columnist Mark van den Boogaart has demonstrated just that by enlisting the help of his 12-year-old son in reviewing the latest .22LR offering from Tikka, the T1x Hunter, a rifle which he reckons is ‘accurate, functional and reliable, all of which meant it was perfect for a slightly nervous young man and first-time shooter’. Sticking with rifles, Daniel O’Dea heralds the ‘return’ of Smith & Wesson to the lever-gun arena. S&W and lever-guns we hear you ask? Well, read Daniel’s review of the Smith & Wesson 1854 and you’ll see exactly what he means. Also this month, senior correspondent Rod Pascoe lifts the lid on those often mysterious and sometimes misleading markings on firearms as he takes a deep dive into the world of proof markings, explaining exactly where, when and why they find their way on to every gun in our possession. The feral pig is a curse on farmers and rural land owners across most of Australia and this month Bonnie Nicol has outlined the 10,000 Ears project, a fascinating account of a joint venture between scientists and recreational hunters to tackle the crisis head-on. And speaking of hunters, don’t miss our spotlight on binoculars, as we run the rule over several pairs which can give you the edge next time you go bush in search of anything from the humble rabbit to a majestic trophy stag. And along with all our regular columns, features and letters to the editor, we feel there’s something for every shooter to enjoy in our August offering.

Our July magazine heralds a revamped Australian Shooter in which you’ll notice a few design changes and some new inclusions. We start our relaunch with a ‘Lefty’ Special in which some of our writers, all left-handed shooters, offer their take on the sport from an “outsider’s” point of view. Our CEO Tom Kenyon joined forces with regular contributors Mark van den Boogaart and Paul Miller to run their expert eyes over seven modern rifles and assess them in left-handed configuration. But don’t think these firearms are exclusively for the lefties, as they’re all available in right-hand mode too, so this is good information all round. We also have an eclectic mix of other lefty articles, from hand and eye dominance, putting together a custom-built left-handed hunting rifle and we hear the views of Aussie Olympian Aislin Jones who tells us what it’s like being an elite lefty shooter. Elsewhere this issue we launch Leaders in the Field, a new regular feature where some of the sport’s ‘go-getters’ open up on what they do and what it took to be where they are today. Of course all our usual columns are still on board along with Top Shots and Letters to the Editor so, before ‘normal service’ is resumed next month, let’s dedicate this issue to all those treasured southpaws in our ranks and tell them: “Don’t feel left out!”

Our June edition features an eclectic mix of articles to keep you entertained as winter descends. Among the firearms reviewed this month is an excellent offering from Springfield Armoury, with distributor Nioa offering us the Boundary chambered in .308 Winchester, a gun our reviewer reckons is aimed at those who “demand a lightweight rifle, engineered and manufactured from top-grade components and made to perform in all environments”. We’ve also ran the rule over the new Beretta BRX1, a modular and interesting rifle that’s completely ambidextrous, with right-to-left conversion being super-easy to achieve. And if hunting or pest control are on your winter agenda, Joseph Nugent recommends a handy and versatile Havoc bipod from US firm BOG which he found extremely helpful in boosting his success rate. The handgun enthusiasts out there will be interested in a new start-up industry based in Canberra, our man Rod Pascoe paying a flying visit to check out their range of holsters, magazine pouches and gun belts. We’ve also road-tested scope rings, hearing protection, a red dot sight and ammunition checker, while John Dunn has turned the spotlight on the stunning range of San Mai knives made by NT master knifemaker Steve Sunk. And with our regular columns, letters and competition reports, we have you covered as the nights grow longer.

As Australia continues its fight to control the ever-growing hordes of feral animals on the rampage, both primary producers and recreational hunters alike need every advantage available to them. And that’s where advancements in technology are vital, as demonstrated in this month’s cover story where Chris Redlich went in search of feral pigs and wild dogs with the help of the new Pulsar Telos XG-50 thermal monocular, making the most of its long-range and zoom features to put a few more predators on the ground. And speaking of long-range, Paul Miller has run the numbers on a superb rifle/scope combination from Remington and Leupold which opened his mind to the possibility of expanding his own hunting limits from 300m to around 500m. Still on rifles and Con Kapralos has got to grips with the latest bolt-action offering from Serbian player Zastava in their LK M70, which he reckons is aimed squarely at the rifle purist who’s a fan of the popular Mauser M98 action. Of course, firearms are no use to us without ammunition and the experienced Thomas Tabor has taken an in-depth look at ‘the good and bad’ of bullets and the importance of selecting projectiles which are fit for purpose. Elsewhere, Derek Nugent has some sound health advice for every outdoors man and woman, senior correspondent John Dunn turns his attention to bladeware and the ‘other’ American classic, while John Maxwell reports that Australian authorities are getting better at tracking 3D-printed guns.

It can sometimes be surprising how many like-minded fellow shooters are out and about in the community without us knowing it, and the subject of this month’s cover story is exactly that. Regular contributor Derek Nugent had no idea that when the people next door sold up and moved away, his new neighbour would be a keen shooter with a custom rifle that’s the stuff of dreams. The pair have since become regular shooting and hunting buddies and no doubt will be for years to come. We have a couple of excellent rifles under review this month, with Daniel O’Dea running the numbers on the Blaser R8 Professional Success, while Chris Redlich has nothing but praise for the superb Benelli Lupo High Precision. Products in the spotlight this time include Sordin Supreme Pro-X electronic earmuffs, Howa deluxe walnut rifle stocks, the affordable Pecar Black Carbon riflescope, Pro-Shot cleaning gear to keep your firearms in tip-top condition and a new range of hard gun case from Pro-Tactical. And with competition reports, readers’ letters and our usual range of columns and advice, we feel there’s plenty going on in this issue.

The humble air rifle was an introduction to shooting for many, if not most of us and, like the majority of things nowadays, air rifle technology has come a long way. So this month we salute and celebrate that often overlooked aspect of this great sport with a deep dive into all things air rifle. We’ve put a few aspects of the genre under the spotlight with a look at some of the rifles themselves as well as pellets, both modern and retro, and a purpose-built air pellet chronograph. Elsewhere we take a look at hearing protection, a thermal imaging riflescope and a superb new range of shotgun shells by Italian manufacturer NSI, while senior correspondent Rod Pascoe has everything the budding hand-gunner needs to know about buying his or her first handgun. And of course we have our regular columns, readers’ letters and competitions as we bid farewell to another summer.

For our cover story this month, Joe Norris has documented the touching story of his good friend Trevor, tragically diagnosed with a terminal illness yet keen to make the trip to Africa in search of a trophy Cape buffalo. Read about how Trevor’s loyal mates rallied round and helped turn his dream into reality in what was a hunting expedition like no other. We’ve put three superb rifles in the spotlight this month, starting with the Chapuis X4 which had Mark van den Boogaart singing its praises as he describes it as “an elegant and finely-crafted rifle made for adventure, representative of a quality not often seen at your local gunshop”. Paul Miller freely admits he was in ‘lefty heaven’ when he laid his hands on the Tikka T3X Veil ‘Wideland’, a rifle made at the Sako factory in Finland and one which he says will be difficult for the partnership to improve on. And Ben Unten enjoyed his time with the Rossi R95 Triple Black lever-action, a rifle which had him harking back to the golden age of Hollywood and watching classic John Wayne movies with his dad. Other items under review this time around include ammunition, red dot sights, a long-range torch, binoculars and a reliable riflescope well under the competitive $1000 price point. And of course we have all our regulars columns, letters and the ever-popular Top Shots.