HuntsNT Links

HuntsNT - Hunting Guiding Expo in Albury/Wodonga

We attended the Hunting Guiding Expo in Albury/Wodonga over the weekend of the 9th & 10th of February in 2008. On the Saturday we were overwhelmed, there must have been 4000 people come through. Sunday was more manageable and we had time to talk at some length with visitors to our stand. There was a good balance of exhibitors we had some interesting chats with some of them, even bought a couple of items. In summary a great event that exceeded our expectations. To Peter Costin, the organiser a job well done, we will be back!

9.3 x62 320gn Woodleigh from boars

Woodleigh Bullets

Woodleigh Bullets, what can we say that has not already been said about Australia’s iconic big game bullet manufacturer? Woodleigh has gained an enviable reputation for a range of bullets from 6.5mm to 700 calibres. Woodleigh bullets are really a semi premium bullet and as such their construction and the way they work need to be understood to get the most out of their design. Woodleigh bullets are a weight and momentum bullet and will succeed if velocity parameters are adhered to. We prefer to use the heaviest weight bullets for big boars, water buffalo and banteng. We appreciate that higher velocities will be achieved with lighter bullets but most game are taken under 200 metres there isn’t that much difference in trajectories over 200 to 300 yards. There is also little difference between Protected Point or Round Nose trajectories. Examples of our thinking and experience on this are to use 220 or 240gn in 308 cal in 338 we recommend 250 and 300gn. In 9.3 cal 286gn for boars and 320gn for buff and banteng and for the 375’s we recommend the 350gn. Use the same rules for the larger calibres and you won’t be disappointed. Get the picture, velocity isn’t that critical and big at jogging pace is beautiful. 

Photos supplied by Neale Chandler - Neale’s custom 404 Jeffery and Woodleigh Hydo’s

Woodleigh bullets, an Australian product, proven the world over in the toughest hunting environments.  

There is no doubt there are myriad of choices when it comes to optics. Over the years we have owned and used numerous brands of telescopic sights manufactured in Europe, USA and Japan.  

When it came time to put new optics on our guide rifles we didn't have any clear choices but we had very clear guidelines. We needed reliability structural integrity to handle the rigours of day to day use by not so caring clients in a very tough environment, bull dust, heat and humidity. We wanted value for money, in other words we didn't want to pay $200 for junk or $1500 for top of the line European models. The optics had to be first class with extra long eye relief, over 3.5 inches as an absolute minimum.

So where to now? Whenever we have spoken to Peter Van Meurs from Pro Cal Trading in Victoria he has always commented how he had been more than impressed with Weaver Grand Slam scopes. Peter is probably one of the most knowledgeable persons in the gun trade and is also a highly competent gunsmith with the skills to build his own rifle actions. Peter also holds the World Record group size at 500 metres, .960 to be exact! It's fair to say we hold Pete's opinion in the highest regard. Peter told us the Grand Slams were a very high quality scope and far superior to mid range priced Leupolds. However Peter recommended we look at the new Classic Extreme and the decision was made and we opted for Weaver Classic Extreme. 

That was in 2007, since then the Weavers have been on top of a 416 Remington Magnum, a 375 H & H and a 338 06. The optics are better than good, the 4 inches of eye relief is massive and much appreciated with big calibres. So far our Weavers have survived heavy recoil, wet seasons, bull dust and being dropped and bounced around in 4WD's. Weaver scopes can be purchased at the right price direct from the USA through The Optics Zone.

In addition to Weaver Scopes, The Optic Zone also distributes Clearidge Optics which have both a basic range and their top of the line XP5 scopes. In 2010 we purchased an XP5  2.5 - 12.5 x 40 to mount on a Sako 270 Winchester to use on rusa deer in New Caledonia as well as spotlighting foxes and shooting the smaller boars and pigs in Queensland. Three professional hunters compared the XP5 to a Bushnell Elite 6500 and a Leupold VX3.  There wasn’t much in it, but the XP5 was rated as a superior scope in regards to resolution and light gathering. The XP5 also has a massive 4 inches of eye relief which is very important for us as we prefer rifles with longer lengths of pull and also to use on the big bores. In summary the Clearidge XP5 is a high quality scope available through the US outlet The Optics Zone, at a very competitive price compared to its competition. Unfortunately for us, Clearidge don’t manufacture a big game style scope, but if they did we would have one mounted on the 458 Lott

Warne Scope Mounts

What else can be said about these built like a brick dunny scope mounts. Warne have stood the test of time and are arguably the most respected scope mounts in this country. All our rifles utilise the Warne Maxima mounting system and have stood up to some very rough tumble treatment as well as handling some solid recoil. Our Quick Detach mounts allow us to remove scopes for road and air travel with a 100% guarantee of returning to point of aim. All this in the various climatic conditions Australia is capable of throwing at us. Warne utilise Torx Screws which means there is no screw head stripping dramas which can be experienced with blade or Allen Key heads. Until they build a better mouse trap, Warne Mounts will be part of the HuntsNT water buffalo and wild boar guided hunting operations in the Northern Territory

Alex Beer Co - Custom Rifle Revolver Maker. Tasmania

Alex Beer is the HuntsNT gunsm
ithof choice and if you get the opportunity see some of Alexs’ work first hand, you too will be suitably impressed. Alex can build a complete rifle including doubles as well as revolvers, including the entire action from scratch, and there aren't too many gunsmiths in the world let alone Australia who have those skills to make that claim.

Attention to detail the objective to not only produce a firearm of the highest quality but to also build a firearm that best suits his client, sets Alex apart from the crowd. Alex, however is no snob and applies the same care and diligence to the bread butter projects such as bedding, re barrelling or trigger tune ups.

An enthusiast probably never buys a work of art, but wisely invests in it for themselves future generations. Perhaps this defines an Alex Beer masterpiece?

In our opinion Alex Beer is truly the gunsmith’s gunsmith.

Dingo Gun Products - quality leather gun products

Steve Reed is the owner of Dingo gun products. Steve makes the entire product range himself, here in Australia, no mass production rubbish. Just a quick glance at his superb leather products with their robust stitching and you quickly determine Dingo is quality made to last. The good thing about Dingo is that although Steve's products are top class they are very competitively priced. HuntsNT use the Dingo Open Slide cartridge holder as it very practical and adds an element of safety, giving instant finger tip access to 8 cartridges, and when the situation is hot, that’s what we want. Steve's attitude to his business is probably summed up in a comment made to us "the day Dingo goes offshore to produce a cheaper but inferior product is the day I close the doors" Dingo, no compromise! and neither should you.