The Browning Maxus

The Browning Maxus is the latest in a long line of Browning semi auto shotguns.  Operated on a gas system, where the expanding gases that propel the shot are tapped off in the barrel to cycle the mechanism, the Browning Maxus uses oversized gas ports - something that seems to keep the mechanism cleaner than the average semi auto; and clean means reliable!

Bringing the Maxus up to the shoulder you are immediately impressed by it’s light weight and very slender fore end.  This adds to a feeling of ‘pointability’.  The fore end is different on the Maxus too - held in place by a latch type clip more usually seen on an over and under.

Shooting the Maxus the first impressions are borne out.  Light and quick handling.  I know a shotgun is a question of fit, but this gun seems to ‘come up’ just right (for me anyhow!) and blotted a few clays accordingly.  More impressive was a pair of geese bagged ‘left and right’.  The Maxus handled the heavy goose loads comfortably, and swung through smoothly - essential for a fast moving goose!

Unusually for a semi - the Maxus is bit of a looker too.  In the wood stocked version some tasteful engraving is set off by gold inlaid pheasants.  We also have the practical synthetic and the rare ‘carbon’ edition.  Play the movie above (requires quicktime) and see for yourself.

Gunmart seem to like the Maxus too - see here

New Bushcraft Gear

We’ve a whole new selection of bushcraft gear that has arrived.  An excellent camp cook set and Kuksa  cup made in a wood fibre and plastic mix.  The warmth of wood but the practicalities of plastic - just right for eating your porridge and a cup of pine needle tea!

Arrived are some very nicely finished Pukko knives.  Curly birch and reindeer handles in leather close fitting sheaths.  Good practical blades in high carbon steel.  We’ve a fairly rare drop point Pukko and a Pukko with a fire steel - the knife blade has a knick in the top to ensure a good shower of sparks.

There’s a few special folding knives too.  Spanish steel, wooden handles, a blade that has very positive opening action.  With a blade under three inches long it makes a great pocket carry.

Rivers West Eider Jacket

The best wild fowling jacket made ?  The Rivers West Eider is a dedicated wild fowling jacket.  Made in Rivers West own breathable watertight fleece.  This fleece is tough.  Reputedly made be barbed wire proof you can confidently sit in brambles and thickets to get into cover.

Anyhow - chances are that you may have seen Rivers West kit before - it was used by crew members followed by the TV programme 'The Deadliest Catch'.  Must be be good stuff.

Rivers West equip this jacket with magnetic closure pockets,  neoprene sealing cuffs, and a separate cartridge bag in real tree max 4 pattern.  The radial collar and hood provide good weather sealing as well as following the head when mounting a gun.  The is packed with well thought out features, from the cartridge bag to elasticated cartridge loops on either cuff.  Just right to store a handy goose load.

The jacket isn't seam sealed - the seams are welded for the ultimate in waterproofing.  Combine this with adjustable snug neoprene cuff and you have a warm watertight jacket.

Put together with Rivers West bibbed overalls this combo would make a great piece of gear for the foreshore or flighting pond.

There's a couple of youtube reviews by our cousins in the states - you can check them out here.

Remington Versamax

The new Remington Versamax is a truly multi role semi auto shotgun.  28g clay loads, 32g pigeon loads, and mighty 3 1/2 inch goose loads are all handled by the Versamax with no adjustment.

The Versamax extends the pedigree of Remington's semi automatic shotgun heritage.  From the ubiquitous '1100' to the present day Remington have always had a semi auto in their line up.  What sets the Versamax apart is it's ability to digest all sorts of loads.

Check it out on youtube digesting everything that's put through it...

It manages this by having a short stroke gas piston and a series of gas ports that are progressively covered up as the cartridge gets longer.  Short light loads have lots of gas ports open for for more energy to recycle the bolt.  Heavier longer loads cover up more gas ports meaning the bolt is not overstressed.  Simple.

The other benefit is the the hot gasses from the fired cartridge are not inside the mechanism long enough to condense out and leave residues behind.  This leads to a much cleaner action and the ability to keep going and going.  Have a look at the pile of empty cartridges in this clip.