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Fresh out of the box

Ed Jackson reviews the standout kit and innovations launched at the 2026 British Shooting Show

Sporting Gun
Sporting Gun 12 May 2026
Fresh out of the box
Tracking the constant stream of new arrivals is a key part of my role, and the British Shooting Show remains the ultimate launchpad. It has been a prime opportunity for manufacturers and distributors to get their latest innovations directly into the hands of the public, and 2026 was no exception. I found some cracking gear on the floor this year; from thermal riflescopes to carbon-fibre centrefire rifles and over-and-under shotguns. Here is a taste of the standout releases on show.

Shotguns

ATA SP Pro 12 Competition Black

This shotgun is based on the ST Pro 12 Competition, which won Shotgun of the Year at The Great British Shooting Awards in 2024. Again, it is exceptionally well-priced and must surely be considered when looking for a gun of this type. I was impressed by the quality of wood on the demo gun, that’s for sure. The specification includes multi-chokes and a choice of 30 or 32” barrels. Make sure you check one out if you get the chance.

RRP: £1,199.99
sportsmanguncentre.co.uk

Beretta DT11 Supersport

Beretta is celebrating its 500th anniversary this year, and it marked the occasion in style at the show. This limited-edition competition shotgun, produced as a series of 500 units, features high-performance Steelium Pro barrels with extended, ported chokes. It offers enhanced ergonomics with a Grade 3 walnut stock, a redesigned palm swell and a slimmer beavertail fore-end. The wide receiver includes green enamelled details and a detachable, adjustable trigger group. On close inspection, I got to handle number one, and it was beautiful.

RRP: £9,600
gmk.co.uk

Browning 825 Game Prestige 12M

I was shown the latest guns during a tour of the Browning stand, but the Prestige was the one that stood out. Featuring Grade 4 Turkish walnut and detailed game scenes, this shotgun utilises a low-profile steel receiver with a silver nitride finish. It incorporates back-bored barrels, the mechanical Fire Lite 2 trigger and an Inflex II recoil pad. Combined with Invector DS chokes, it delivers exceptional balance and longevity for serious shooters.

RRP: £5,799
browning.eu

Optics

Swarovski Optik AT/ST Balance Spotting Scopes

I actually had the opportunity to review these before the show itself; however, I was pleased to see that they were attracting plenty of attention, and rightfully so. Featuring groundbreaking Swarobalance technology, these spotting scopes provide stabilised, handheld observation at high magnifications by processing 1,000 measurements per second. The AT features an angled design, an 18-45x magnification range, and a 65mm objective. The ST is straight, has a 14-35x magnification range, and has a 50mm objective. A groundbreaking product.

RRP: from £2,810
swarovskioptik.com

PAO HD Max 4-16×44 SF FFP Riflescope

It is absolutely crazy how affordable traditional optics have become, and being a fan of FFP reticles, I thought this one was worth mentioning. Measuring 230mm, this ultra-compact riflescope features a glass-etched first focal plane reticle and a 30mm aircraft-grade aluminium body. It offers side parallax adjustment down to 10 yards, lockable resettable turrets, and nitrogen-purged internals. Field-ready, it includes Picatinny mounts, an 80mm sunshade, flip-up lens covers, and a detachable zoom throw lever.

RRP: £239.99
shootingparty.uk

Delta Forest 8×42 / 10×42

I am a fan of Delta, owning a Titanium HD 2.5-15×56 riflescope, so I was pleased to hear that they are releasing some new binoculars. Available in 8×42 and 10×42 magnifications, they feature ED glass and BaK-4 roof prisms with phase-correction and dielectric coatings. The waterproof, nitrogen-filled magnesium-aluminium alloy chassis is wrapped in rubberised armour, while fully broadband multi-coated (FBMC) lenses deliver bright, high-contrast images with exceptional colour fidelity in the field. Not a bad price, either!

RRP: from £199.99
opticswarehouse.co.uk

Rifles

Bergara Cima Pro

Soon to be reviewed, this impressive, lightweight hunting rifle seamlessly blends striking aesthetics with cutting-edge materials. Weighing just 2.6kg, it utilises a CURE carbon-fibre barrel paired with a skeletonised Premier Gen II action in matte Cerakote. The specification includes a superb TriggerTech trigger and an ultra-rigid, autoclave carbon-fibre stock with a distinctive spiderweb splatter finish. The inclusion of a hinged floorplate ensures this high-performance platform delivers ultimate portability without sacrificing accuracy. One of my favourites of the show.

RRP: £2,980
edgarbrothers.com

Bergara B14 Sierra

Given the rising cost of equipment, I am always on the lookout for affordable, capable products, and my eyes were quickly drawn to this competitively priced rifle. Purposefully crafted for hunters, this accurate bolt-action is compatible with AICS-style magazines and features a streamlined design with a slim, threaded carbon-steel barrel finished in matte black Cerakote. The green, web-patterned stock features an adjustable cheekpiece, while the smooth action ensures consistent sub-MOA performance in rugged conditions.

RRP: £915
edgarbrothers.com

Sako 90 Finnlight

Although this rifle has been on the market for some time, it is still highly noteworthy due to its excellent reputation and competitive price point. Designed for hunters seeking reliability and performance, it features a rigid PA6 composite stock with a textured surface and synthetic, leather-like grips. It includes a threaded stainless steel barrelled action with an integrated Picatinny scope rail, a fluted barrel and a multi-adjustable trigger offering five pull-weight settings. It certainly warrants closer inspection.

RRP: from £1,970
gmk.co.uk

Thermal and Night Vision

Nocpix Quest S50R

Although there were all sorts of toys on the Nocpix stand, like the MATE Ultra S60R add-on, which won ‘Thermal Attachment of the Year’, these thermal binoculars were my main focus. They combine a traditional feel with a high-performance 1280x1024px sensor and a ≤15mK NETD. Featuring a 1,000m laser rangefinder and Reality+ AI algorithms, their waterproof, rubber-coated body delivers an immersive 60Hz viewing experience with a 50mm f1.1 lens and detection ranges reaching 2,600m.

RRP: £3,799
nocpix.uk

Hikmicro Alpex Pro Series – A50PL and A50P

The HikMicro stand was inundated with members of the public keen to get hands-on with the brand-new Alpex Pro series, which includes the A50PL and A50P, and builds on the immense success of the extremely popular Alpex, Alpex 4K, and Alpex 4K Lite digital day and night vision riflescopes. Being the owner of an Alpex 4K, I was impressed by the improvements that they have made; there is a notable reduction in weight and further improvement to what was already a great image.

RRP: £699.99 and £849.99 respectively
hikmicrotech.com

Pulsar Symbion LRF DXT50

Having a proper look at the flagship model in Pulsar’s product range is always a treat, and I was super impressed with the Symbion. This multispectral powerhouse combines a 1280×1024,12µm thermal sensor with 4K digital day and night vision. Featuring a 1,500m laser rangefinder and electronic image stabilisation, its magnesium alloy body houses a 50mm f1.0 lens, providing ≤20mK sNETD sensitivity and a 2,300m detection range for comprehensive observation in any conditions. Pricey, but spectacular.

RRP: £5,399.95
scottcountry.co.uk

Airguns

Weihrauch HW100 X Sporter Laminate

The airgunning community has long anticipated an update to the legendary Weihrauch HW100. Now designated as the HW100 X, this flagship PCP rifle comes with a high-efficiency silencer and a new internal regulator. Equipped with a lightweight 250 bar aluminium cylinder, it delivers a substantial increase in the shot count. The ambidextrous laminate stock incorporates a push-button-adjustable cheekpiece and an integrated M-LOK rail. With an ambidextrous safety and match-grade trigger, the rifle offers exceptional consistency in an attractive package.

RRP: £1,445
weihrauch.co.uk

BRK Ghost Zero

The BRK/Daystate stand this year was pretty impressive, boasting the usual array of top-tier airguns, including the new Zero. Featuring an incredibly rigid chassis and Huma-Air regulator, this modular PCP air rifle offers a versatile 300cc air cylinder. The rifle includes a fully shrouded match-grade barrel, a fast-change calibre system and a rear power wheel for fine-tuning performance. The adjustable sliding Picatinny rail and ambidextrous cocking lever ensure a fully customisable shooting platform.

RRP: from £1,395
brocock.co.uk

BSA Airsport-SL

Passing the BSA stand, I noticed a display showcasing the new, affordable and regulated Airsport-SL PCP airgun. The synthetic stock, combined with a 300cc, carbon-wrapped fixed bottle, made it stand out. The rifle also comes with a silencer included, a side-lever action, a BSA barrel, a Picatinny scope rail, and an adjustable match-grade trigger. Should you require a longer Picatinny accessory rail to protect the bottle and allow for mounting a bipod further forward, you can opt for an extension rail.

RRP: £899
bsaguns.co.uk

FX Leopard Composite Sniper FDE FAC

Although there was a new variant of the DRS on the Sportsman stand, alongside a new chronograph, I was drawn to this version of the Leopard. Built on the success of the flagship FX platform, this high-power FAC air rifle features a 700mm barrel and a lightweight, reinforced composite stock in Flat Dark Earth. Designed for precision, power and adaptability, it offers an unrivalled experience for shooters demanding a rugged yet highly adaptable long-range hunting system.

RRP: £1,198.99
sportsmanguncentre.co.uk
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