Das Jagdmagazin mit Weitblick

When the gates of Hohe Jagd open in Salzburg, the heart of Austria’s hunting community starts beating faster. Balancing tradition and innovation, the show once again becomes a meeting place for hunters, manufacturers, and visionaries – and Schuss & Stille took a close look, gathering the most exciting news, trends, and innovations from the world of hunting, including a quiet world premiere.

For decades, Oberland Arms has been a fixed point of reference when it comes to precision-built AR-15 systems Made in Germany. Too often, however, the company is pigeonholed as a manufacturer for competition shooters and government agencies. Schuss & Stille spoke with founder Matthias Hainich about why modern semi-automatic rifles can offer real advantages in the field - and why, in his view, advanced technology and ethical hunting are not mutually exclusive.

How this compact centerfire cartridge clearly distances itself in real-world ballistic performance from the globally popular .17 HMR rimfire—and why that distinction matters in the field. We break down velocity, energy, effective range, and terminal impact to determine which hunters truly benefit from stepping up to the modern, faster, and more capable .17 Hornet.

When a company like Carl Walther—long associated primarily with handguns and competition rifles—returns to the hunting rifle market with a clean-sheet design, it deserves a closer look. At Jagd & Hund 2026 in Dortmund, Walther will present the new RS 3 to a broad hunting audience for the first time—and it’s already clear why this rifle is likely to spark serious discussion.

Held in late January 2026 in Las Vegas, the SHOT Show once again confirmed its status as the primary global trendsetter for the hunting and firearms industry. It is where manufacturers showcase what they plan to sell as “new” for the coming season—and, occasionally, what actually represents meaningful progress.

With the new Balance series, Swarovski Optik elevates the classic spotting scope to an entirely new level. For the first time, the Tyrolean premium manufacturer combines uncompromising glass quality with electronic image stabilization—solving one of the most persistent real-world challenges in hunting optics: fast, steady target identification without a cumbersome support or tripod.

Thermal clip-on optics have become a go-to tool for night hunting. They allow for confident target ID, better overall awareness, and smarter, safer shot decisions—as long as the unit is mounted correctly. Get the adapter choice or alignment wrong and you won’t just end up with a poor image; in the worst-case scenario, you can even affect point of impact. This guide breaks down, step by step, how to mount a clip-on the right way—and what hunters absolutely need to watch for.

Modern thermal technology is no longer a gadget—it has become an essential tool for responsible hunting. Clip-on thermal devices provide control, reliable target identification, and well-founded decision-making. Two units currently in high demand were tested extensively in real hunting conditions by experienced hunters and the Schuss & Stille team over several weeks: the ThermTec Hunt 650L with integrated laser rangefinder and the ThermTec Hunt635 PRO.

When every movement matters in the high country—and when the wind exposes even the most solid stance—a steady view can be the difference between success and a missed opportunity. With the new AT/ST Balance, SWAROVSKI OPTIK opens a bold new chapter in premium spotting-scope technology, promising nothing less than a rock-steady image without the need for a tripod.

Modern hunting technology begins where a system adapts uncompromisingly to the shooter. Akila stocks from Slovenia follow exactly this philosophy. Precisely machined, modular in design, and built around ergonomics and stability, they are made for hunters who don’t merely carry a rifle—they run it. Akila blends industrial precision with hunting tradition, positioning itself beyond trend-driven lightweight builds or pure tactical chassis systems.

In Gregor Unterberger’s workshop, old hunting rifles get their souls back. Between the scent of oil and the dust of seasoned wood, the Waffendoc brings pieces to life that have been carried by generations—rifles long since grown into something far greater than metal. And when a hunter takes such a restored firearm back into his hands, he feels it instantly: You can’t buy memory. But you can bring it back—carefully, faithfully.

The Blaser R8 Success brings together an ultra-short, highly maneuverable action and hand-selected walnut, uniting two worlds: modern, compact precision and the tactile, traditional soul of hunting. Schuss & Stille set out to explore why wood stocks are more than mere nostalgia—and for whom this timeless concept truly makes sense.

Minimalist. Timeless. Honest. The Sako 90 Grizzly is the kind of hunting rifle that tells its story through its lineage—not through marketing copy. Which is exactly why Schuss & Stille set out to take a closer look at it.

The last light hangs over the hillside. One breath, a faint swirl of mist, the soft click of the safety. In moments like these, you learn whether your gear is just equipment—or the calm inside the storm. Every seasoned hunter knows: a riflescope isn’t a luxury. It’s confidence, clarity, and control when it matters most. And that’s exactly where the ZEISS Conquest V4 steps in: with crisp optics, dead-repeatable mechanics, and—maybe most important of all—psychological trust.

In recent years, hunting optics have changed more quietly—and more profoundly—than at any other time. Where the hunt once ended in the fading twilight, it now begins with the press of a button. But what do these terms actually mean? Digital daylight mode, low-light enhancement, infrared night vision, thermal imaging—each operates differently, each reveals the world in its own way.

Some rifles you handle. Others you connect with. The Jakele J1 belongs to the latter. Thanks to Waffen Idl, the Austrian general importer, Schuss & Stille had the chance to take this modern hunting rifle on a weekend chamois hunt high in the Alps — a true field test between rock, snow, and silence.