Kite Optics Stabi One: This tiny companion can deliver a surprising advantage in the field. Some pieces of gear simply have to be experienced firsthand. The Schuss & Stille team put the KITE OPTICS STABI ONE through its paces – a compact monocular, barely larger than the palm of your hand and weighing almost nothing in your backpack, yet featuring technology usually reserved for much larger optical devices: active image stabilization. Our first reaction was naturally skeptical. Can such a small device really provide a genuine advantage for hunters? Can a 10× magnification actually be used effectively without a tripod? And is a compact monocular more than just a technical gadget? After several outings in the field – and especially during alpine chamois hunts – the answer is surprisingly clear: Yes. But with limitations. The concept behind the KITE STABI ONE is simple: maximum mobility with minimum weight. Especially during mountain hunts, every gram matters. Anyone climbing steep terrain for hours carefully considers which pieces of equipment truly deserve a place in the backpack. A quality binocular remains essential, but additional optics for specific situations are often left behind. This is exactly where the STABI ONE comes into play. It disappears easily into a jacket pocket and is always ready when needed. No tripod. No support system. No complicated setup. Simply switch it on, raise it to your eye, and start observing. And this spontaneous usability is perhaps its greatest strength. 10× Magnification Without the Shake? The biggest surprise comes from the image stabilization. Using 10× magnification handheld usually means every tiny movement becomes visible. Your heartbeat, breathing, and even slight hand tremors are amplified at higher magnification. The STABI ONE almost feels like a little piece of optical magic. Once the stabilization is activated, the image becomes noticeably calmer. The movement does not disappear completely, but the device transforms a shaky observation into a remarkably steady viewing experience. Especially when identifying game at longer distances, this advantage becomes obvious. You can stay on the animal longer, recognize details more easily, and experience less fatigue during extended glassing sessions. The Image Quality Is Surprisingly Good Of course, expectations need to remain realistic. A compact monocular cannot physically compete with a premium 42 mm or 50 mm hunting binocular. But here is where the STABI ONE impresses: For its size, the optical performance is remarkable. Colors appear natural, central sharpness is convincing, and the combination of 10× magnification and a stabilized image creates a level of usefulness that exceeds what the specifications alone might suggest. The small KITE performs at its best in daylight. During an alpine chamois hunt, where large mountain slopes need to be systematically searched, the STABI ONE shows exactly what it was designed for. Observing a young stag through the STABI ONE. The Unexpected Partner: Your Smartphone The STABI ONE paired with the adapter that uses a magnetic connection to repeatedly align the compact monocular precisely with the smartphone. The real “aha moment” came when we combined the STABI ONE with a smartphone. We used the KITE STABI ONE together with an iPhone 16 Pro – and were genuinely surprised by the possibilities. The setup: 10× optical magnification through the STABI ONE additional magnification through the smartphone camera steady image capture thanks to the built-in stabilization The results were impressive. During one test, we were able to observe a stag at approximately 430 meters (470 yards) distance. Naturally, the image quality cannot compete with a professional digiscoping setup using a spotting scope and adapter – but for a device of this size, the performance was remarkable. The real advantage is practicality: quickly documenting observations, capturing moments from the field, and preserving memorable encounters. Note: The stag images were captured using the STABI ONE and an iPhone 16 Pro and subsequently processed using Adobe Photoshop. Note: The images of the tree stump have not been digitally enhanced or edited. Where Physics Sets the Limits As impressive as the STABI ONE performs during daylight, the limitations of its compact design become apparent as light fades. At dusk, larger optics simply have more available light-gathering capability. The compact design means: smaller objective lenses reduced light transmission fewer reserves in low-light conditions While a premium hunting binocular with a large exit pupil can continue producing a bright, detailed image well into twilight, the STABI ONE gradually becomes darker and loses contrast. This is not a weakness of the device – it is simply physics. A lightweight companion cannot simultaneously offer ultra-low weight and the light-gathering ability of a large premium optic. The STABI ONE impressed the entire Schuss & Stille team. A Perfect Companion for Mountain Hunting? This is where we see the STABI ONE’s most exciting application. Especially during chamois hunting, every advantage counts. On the climb, every gram saved matters. When scanning distant slopes, the 10× magnification provides valuable reach. And once game is located, the stabilization helps the hunter remain calm, focused, and comfortable during extended observation. The KITE OPTICS STABI ONE is not a replacement for a full-size hunting binocular. But it does not try to be. It is a specialist. A lightweight, highly portable tool that provides a real advantage through its image stabilization. The combination of 10× magnification, a steady image, and smartphone compatibility makes it a fascinating companion – especially in alpine environments. Our verdict: The little giant of mountain optics. For daylight alpine hunting? A clear recommendation. The KITE OPTICS STABI ONE is available directly from the manufacturer (MSRP: €399) or from our friend and partner Alpen Adria Jagd & Sportwaffen in Villach, Austria.

This payment record from 1526 is considered the official starting point of Beretta’s company history and remains preserved in the State Archives of Venice to this day. In 1526, Bartolomeo Beretta delivered 185 arquebus barrels to the Arsenal of Venice. Five hundred years later, the Beretta name stands for far more than shotguns and pistols. It represents a global group of companies, centuries of Italian craftsmanship—and a corporate culture that left even our firearms expert David Mischkulnig deeply impressed. There are corporate anniversaries. And then there is Beretta. Any company that reaches 25, 50, or 100 years has every reason to be proud. At Beretta, even a century suddenly seems almost modest. In 2026, the company from Gardone Val Trompia celebrates 500 years of continuous history—half a millennium shaped by gunmaking, family heritage, wars, technological revolutions, social upheaval, and industrial progress. Our Shot & Stillness firearms expert, David Mischkulnig of Alpen Adria Jagd in Villach, Austria, traveled to Italy for the anniversary celebrations. And although he had visited Beretta several times before, his reaction was much the same as ever: genuine enthusiasm. “It’s incredible,” he says. “Definitely one of the best firearms manufacturers in the world. Extremely clean production, extremely precise—and at the same time, there is an unbelievable amount of tradition throughout the entire company.” But for Mischkulnig, something else matters even more: despite its size, Beretta does not feel like a faceless industrial corporation. “This isn’t some soulless company simply churning out guns, like certain other European manufacturers. You can see that traditional DNA reflected in the products. And they put enormous emphasis on making sure everything works exactly as it should.” It All Started With a Piece of Paper Beretta’s history can be dated with remarkable precision. On October 3, 1526, master gunmaker Bartolomeo Beretta of Gardone delivered 185 arquebus barrels to the Arsenal of the Republic of Venice. He was paid 296 ducats for the order. The corresponding payment record is still preserved in the State Archives of Venice and is regarded as the official starting point of the company’s history. Today, that seemingly ordinary document is almost as significant as some of the historic firearms produced by Beretta itself. It provides evidence of an extraordinary continuity: since 1526, the company has remained shaped and led by the same family—now in its 15th generation. Beretta describes itself as the world’s oldest active firearms manufacturer, while Beretta Holding goes even further, referring to the company as the world’s oldest continuously operating manufacturing enterprise. Put that into perspective. When Bartolomeo Beretta was shipping gun barrels to Venice, modern nation-states as we know them did not exist. There were no railroads, no electricity, and certainly no industrial mass production. Columbus’s first voyage across the Atlantic was only a few decades in the past. And in Gardone, men were already forging gun barrels. The Invoice in Venice The State Archives of Venice. That is precisely why David’s anniversary trip took him not only to Gardone Val Trompia, but also to Venice. There, the group was able to see the historic document on which Beretta’s official story begins. For a firearms dealer and hands-on gun enthusiast like Mischkulnig, this was more than ceremonial nostalgia. It created a direct link between today’s Beretta products and the world from which the company emerged. Walking through the narrow streets of Venice, surrounded by centuries-old architecture and visiting traditional Venetian mask makers, it became clear what Beretta appears to be trying to convey with its 500th anniversary. This is not simply about the number 500. It is about Italian craftsmanship as a cultural continuum. Traditional Venetian carnival masks are still created through numerous individual steps, guided by experience, judgment, and the human hand. Later, in Gardone, you encounter much the same philosophy. Only there, the materials are steel and walnut. Gardone Val Trompia: The Heart Still Beats in the Same Place Mention Beretta today and most shooters may first think of a Beretta 92 pistol, a DT11, a Silver Pigeon, or, more recently, the BRX1 straight-pull rifle. But to truly understand the company, you have to go to Gardone Val Trompia. Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta is still headquartered there today. David describes the facility with a single word: “Massive.” Inside the factory, modern machining centers, quality-control systems, and digital product development exist alongside traditional gunsmithing. Beretta conducts much of its research and development in-house—from engineering and simulation to prototyping and industrialization. The company currently reports more than 220 active patents, with roughly 1,400 patents filed over the course of its history. The numbers behind the historic name make one thing clear: today’s Beretta has little in common with the romantic image of a tiny artisan gun shop. According to Beretta Holding, Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta employs approximately 937 people, exports to around 80 countries, and produces roughly 1,500 firearms per day. Eighty-two employees work directly in research and development. And yet, within those very same walls, you still find engravers working steel by hand with hammer and chisel. That contrast is exactly what makes Beretta so fascinating. Between CNC Machines and the Engraver’s Chisel The Beretta logo: three arrows, three hits—and a philosophy that has accompanied the company for generations. The famous trademark traces its roots to the motto “Dare in Brocca,” coined by Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio—a phrase that essentially means to hit the mark. Inspired by naval warfare, the three-arrow symbol became Beretta’s official trademark in 1949 and has since become a visual representation of the precision associated with the Beretta name. For Mischkulnig, the visit to Beretta’s custom gun and engraving departments was therefore one of the most impressive parts of the entire trip. Here, firearms leave the world of purely functional tools and enter another realm altogether. At the Pietro Beretta Custom Atelier, highly exclusive one-off guns and limited-production pieces are created for individual customers. Stocks are fitted to the shooter. Wood is personally selected. Metal components receive extensive hand-finishing. Engraving can be tailored entirely to the customer’s wishes. According to Beretta, particularly elaborate projects can require an engraver to spend 1,000 hours or more on a single firearm. The result can be closer to fine art than conventional firearms production. A Beretta SO10 EELL, for example, may feature hunting scenes, landscapes, portraits, gold inlays, or enamel work. Even the leather cases for these guns are handcrafted in the Gardone atelier and individually fitted to each firearm. That helps explain David’s fascination. At Beretta, two worlds exist side by side. On one side: highly automated modern manufacturing. On the other: an engraver spending hour after hour working on only a few square inches of steel. Beretta Has Become Much Bigger Than Beretta Another thing quickly becomes apparent during a visit: when people talk about “Beretta” today, they have to distinguish between Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta and Beretta Holding. The northern Italian firearms manufacturer has evolved into one of the most important international groups in the hunting, shooting, optics, and ammunition industries. Today, Beretta Holding includes more than 50 companies, over 20 brands, and roughly 6,000 employees. For 2025, the group reports approximately €1.68 billion in revenue and €254 million in earnings. For hunters and shooters, its roster of brands reads almost like a walk through a very well-stocked gun store. Alongside Beretta, the group includes names such as Benelli, Franchi, Sako, Tikka, Steiner, Burris, Stoeger, Uberti, Chapuis Armes, Holland & Holland, and Hausken. Following the acquisition of the former RUAG Ammotec ammunition business, the group also includes major ammunition brands such as Norma, RWS, Geco, Rottweil, and SwissP. That means Beretta can now provide a substantial portion of virtually everything a hunter might need: rifle, shotgun, handgun, ammunition, optics, suppressor, apparel, and accessories. And much of it comes from brands that continue to operate with completely independent identities. Sako and Tikka: Finnish Precision Under Italian Ownership For hunters in particular, the Sako and Tikka side of Beretta Holding is especially interesting. Sako continues to represent Finnish bolt-action rifles and precision firearms, while Tikka rifles are also developed and manufactured by Sako in Finland. According to the manufacturer, every Tikka rifle must pass an accuracy test before leaving the factory and is required to shoot sub-MOA groups. This is where Beretta’s corporate strategy becomes particularly clear. The group does not necessarily absorb brands and erase their identities. Instead, their heritage and technical character remain intact. A Sako remains Finnish. A Benelli remains Italian. A Holland & Holland remains British. Beretta Holding simply provides the larger structure around them. Benelli: Italy’s Other Major Pillar With Benelli, the group also owns one of the world’s leading manufacturers of semiautomatic shotguns. Production remains in Urbino, Italy. Beretta Holding specifically describes Benelli as a technology-driven brand whose development and manufacturing are concentrated at that location. The coexistence of two major Italian firearms brands demonstrates just how broad the group has become. Beretta has traditionally been strong in over-under shotguns and pistols and is increasingly active in the rifle market. Benelli, meanwhile, has become synonymous around the world with semiautomatic shotguns. Franchi serves different price points and applications again. Together, the brands create an exceptionally broad portfolio within a single corporate group. Holland & Holland: When Even Beretta Buys Luxury At the opposite end of the spectrum sits Holland & Holland. The legendary London gunmaker has been part of the Beretta Group since 2021 and remains one of the most prestigious names in traditional British gunmaking. According to Beretta Holding, roughly 50 handcrafted guns are produced there each year. The fact that Beretta—a company that is itself practically synonymous with historic European gunmaking—would acquire a name like Holland & Holland says a great deal about the scale and ambition of the group. This is no longer merely about gaining market share. It is also about preserving expertise, tradition, and different schools of European gunmaking. Steiner, Burris, and Hausken Beretta has also built a substantial position in the optics and accessories market. Germany’s Steiner and American optics manufacturer Burris are both part of the group, as is Norwegian suppressor manufacturer Hausken. For the customer, the result is something close to an ecosystem: A rifle from Finland. Optics from Germany. Ammunition from Sweden or Germany. A suppressor from Norway. And ultimately, all of it belongs to the same corporate family. The Big Move: Norma, RWS, Geco, and Rottweil Beretta took a decisive strategic step in 2022, when Beretta Holding acquired the ammunition business of RUAG Ammotec. In a single transaction, 16 companies in 12 countries and approximately 2,700 employees joined the group. More importantly, some of Europe’s most recognizable ammunition brands moved under the Beretta umbrella: RWS, Norma, Geco, and Rottweil. The acquisition filled a major strategic gap. A company group that already manufactured firearms, optics, and accessories could now produce one of the most important consumable products in shooting and hunting: ammunition. At that point, Beretta had definitively evolved from a firearms manufacturer into a comprehensive hunting and shooting group. And Yet, a Shotgun Is Still a Shotgun The economic scale of Beretta Holding is impressive. Yet interestingly, that is not what David Mischkulnig talks about most. What fascinates him are different things. Clean workmanship. Fit. Finish. Wood. Machining. And one very simple question: Does the product work? During the visit, the group spent an entire day on the shooting range. They were able to test a variety of firearms and also attended product training sessions covering technical details, spare parts, and future developments. They were even shown upcoming products. Which ones? That is where David laughs. He is still under embargo. He will only reveal this much: new or revised models are planned within the shotgun lineup, and further developments in handguns were also presented. There are also updates to rifles that should prove interesting both for hunters and for shooters interested in longer-range applications. For now, he cannot say more. Which, of course, only makes us more curious. Beretta Is Celebrating Its Anniversary With New Guns, Too Beretta has already officially introduced several commemorative firearms for its 500th anniversary. Among them is the BRX1 500 Years Limited Edition. Exactly 1,526 rifles will be produced—a direct reference to the year in which Beretta’s documented history began. For the first time, the anniversary version of the straight-pull rifle comes standard with a walnut stock and fore-end, along with an elaborately decorated nickel-plated receiver. The 687 Silver Pigeon 500 Years is also being offered as a commemorative model. Beretta plans to produce 1,526 hunting versions and 1,526 sporting versions. Customers who purchase and register a new Beretta firearm in selected markets during 2026 may also receive a special anniversary medallion created specifically for the occasion. It was developed in cooperation with Italy’s official state mint and printing institute. Beretta, in other words, is not treating its 500th birthday as a single event. The anniversary stretches across an entire year of firearms, collectibles, apparel, and celebrations. How Does a Company Survive for 500 Years? Customers purchasing a Beretta during the anniversary year may receive this special 500th-anniversary medallion. Perhaps that is the most fascinating question of all. Beretta has watched kingdoms rise and fall. Wars. Revolutions. Industrialization. Two world wars. The digital age. And now artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing. So why is the company still here? Pietro Gussalli Beretta once summed up the philosophy behind the company in a simple idea: you may be old, but you must never become old. Innovation, in other words, is what allows tradition to survive. That thought may explain Beretta better than any anniversary film ever could. Tradition alone is not enough. A company that spends 500 years admiring its own past probably never reaches its 500th anniversary. Beretta, by contrast, continues to invest heavily in research, production technology, and new markets. In 2022 alone, group-wide research and development spending amounted to roughly €25 million, while manufacturing capacity was expanded and production processes continued to become increasingly digital. And That Is Exactly Why David Came Away Impressed Shot & Stillness firearms expert David Mischkulnig came away deeply impressed by Beretta, its products, and five centuries of gunmaking history. Which brings us back to David. After his trip to Italy, the number 500 is not what stayed with him most. What remains is the feeling that despite its enormous scale, Beretta still understands where it came from. “You can see that traditional DNA in every product,” he says. At first, that may sound almost sentimental. But once you have stood inside an engraving atelier where craftsmen work by hand while state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment operates only a few yards away, you begin to understand exactly what he means. Beretta appears to have learned something fundamental: Tradition does not mean keeping old technology alive simply because it is old. Tradition means passing on a standard. To the next generation. And to the next machine.

Schuss & Stille took the ThermTec Ventus 650L into the Austrian Alps for a real-world chamois hunt. Thermal imaging, 4K day and night vision, a laser rangefinder, photo and video recording—the ThermTec Ventus 650L is designed to replace several pieces of gear with one binocular-style unit. On paper, that sounds impressive. But how does a digital multispectral binocular perform in the very environment where premium European glass has ruled for decades? "Schuss & Stille" took the Ventus into the Austrian Alps on a summer chamois hunt—in broad daylight, in steep mountain terrain, and at distances that have little in common with the usual close-range thermal demonstrations. The valley is still dark when we start climbing. Above us, the mountains are little more than silhouettes against a slowly brightening sky. Step by step, we gain elevation. Chamois hunting rarely begins comfortably. It begins with heavy legs, wet grass, the first sweat building under your jacket, and the knowledge that every vertical foot you gain will eventually have to be descended again. Then the first light hits the peaks. It is early August in the Austrian Alps, chamois season is open, and somewhere between alpine scrub, rock bands, scree slopes, and shaded gullies, our quarry is out there. Along for the hunt is a piece of equipment that has generated a surprising amount of discussion lately: the ThermTec Ventus 650L. Thermtec Ventus 650L It is a digital multispectral binocular that combines a thermal imaging sensor, a high-resolution day/night channel, a laser rangefinder, and digital photo and video capability in one binocular-style housing. ThermTec equips the 650L with a 640×512 thermal sensor, a 12-micron pixel pitch, a NETD of less than 15 mK, and a 50mm F/1.0 thermal objective. The claimed thermal detection range reaches up to 2,600 meters. Running alongside it is a 12-megapixel digital channel with 3536×3536 resolution and a 50mm F/1.4 lens. Add to that a laser rangefinder reaching 1,000 meters, a 1600×1200 AMOLED display, and selectable 850nm and 940nm infrared illumination. That is a lot of technology. But spec sheets do not hunt. Why Test It on Chamois? Search YouTube for the Ventus 650L and you will find impressive footage: wild boar at close range, roe deer along a timber edge, red deer standing in open fields. Thermal images where every animal seems to leap off the screen. It looks spectacular. But if I have a boar standing 20 yards in front of me, how easily a thermal unit detects it is no longer the most interesting question. We wanted to know something else: What does this technology bring to the hunter when game is actually difficult to find? Not in a wildlife park. Not over bait. Not at 80 yards in the middle of a mowed field. We wanted to test it in the high mountains—among rock, shadow, alpine scrub, loose scree, broken terrain, and distances where an animal can become little more than a few pixels in your field of view. There was another reason this test interested us: we were hunting in full daylight. That is exactly where Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss, and Kahles optics traditionally dominate. Can a digital binocular genuinely compete here? Or does thermal imaging and 4K video become little more than a technical gimmick once the sun comes up? The First Aha Moment Comes on the Climb The answer arrives earlier than expected. Still on the ascent, we glass the opposite slope. The distance is substantial. Through a conventional binocular, we can make out shapes and terrain. Then we switch to thermal. Suddenly, something appears. A bright thermal signature sits in the middle of an otherwise inconspicuous patch of mountainside. We look again. Range it. 1,045 meters. More than a kilometer. Red deer. At that range the animal does not fill the screen. The image is not razor sharp. And there is no question that you cannot make a responsible identification based solely on the thermal channel at that distance. But that is not the point. The point is that we found the animal. Detection is where the Ventus is at its strongest. With a conventional binocular, the eye searches for patterns. It tries to separate the line of a back from a branch, notice movement between brush, or pick up a subtle change in color against the hillside. Thermal imaging works differently. It separates temperature differences. The animal is not necessarily rendered more beautifully. It is simply made more obvious. And in mountain country, that can make all the difference. The Ventus 650L carries a thermal sensitivity rating of NETD <15 mK. In simple terms, the lower the NETD value, the smaller the temperature differences the sensor can distinguish. That becomes particularly useful when thermal contrast is weak, humidity is high, or the background is cluttered and complex. ThermTec combines this with its TSR image-processing system and what the company describes as AI-assisted calibration. Chamois Hunting with the ThermTec Ventus 650L 50 Millimeters Instead of Wide Angle Within ThermTec’s Ventus lineup, the 650L is clearly the long-range model. Its 50mm thermal objective provides a field of view of 8.8 × 7 degrees, or roughly 15.4 × 12.3 meters at 100 meters. Native thermal magnification is 3.7×, with digital magnification extending to 14.8×. ThermTec rates the unit for up to 2,600 meters of theoretical detection range. The smaller Ventus 635L, with its 35mm objective, is more focused on offering a wider field of view. For chamois hunting, the 650L’s long-range orientation makes a lot of sense. You are not usually scanning thick cover at 40 yards. You are searching gullies. Alpine scrub. Rock bands. Opposite slopes. In that environment, range matters. 833 Grams of Technology in Your Hands The first thing you notice when you pick up the Ventus is that this is not a conventional 8×42. According to ThermTec, the unit weighs 833 grams and measures 164 × 127.6 × 73 millimeters. It carries an IP67 rating for protection against dust and temporary immersion. Interpupillary distance is adjustable from 60 to 72mm, with diopter correction up to ±5. Even so, the Ventus does not feel excessively bulky. Quite the opposite. Over several weeks of use, the ergonomics surprised us in a positive way. The housing feels solid in both hands, the thumbs naturally find their position underneath the body, and after a little familiarization the key controls can be operated without looking. One detail we particularly liked is the mechanical power switch. Off. Standby. On. During the hunt, we generally left the Ventus in the middle standby position. A quick flick of the switch brings it to life almost immediately. That sounds like a small thing. It is not. If a piece of hunting electronics makes you wait ten seconds every time you want to use it, even the most impressive technology eventually becomes frustrating. The Ventus behaves differently. Raise it. Switch it on. Glass. Two Channels, Two Focus Adjustments The controls follow a logical layout. The thermal and digital channels each have their own focus adjustment. That means there is a little more setup involved initially, but it also allows each channel to be focused independently for the distance you are observing. The central multifunction wheel handles magnification and menu navigation. Pressing or moving the control lets the user switch between imaging channels. Dedicated buttons handle rangefinding and photo/video recording. The Ventus also includes picture-in-picture, six thermal color palettes, heat tracking, a digital compass, electronic image stabilization, and 64GB of internal storage. Photos, video, and audio can all be recorded directly to the device. That sounds dangerously close to gadget overload. In the field, however, several of these features prove genuinely useful. The Rangefinder Is More Than an Add-On The integrated laser rangefinder was one of the biggest surprises of the test. ThermTec rates it to 1,000 meters with ±1 meter accuracy. The laser operates at 905nm and is Class 1. Nice on paper. Extremely useful in the mountains. Mountain terrain is notoriously deceptive when it comes to distance. Across valleys and between opposing slopes, familiar visual reference points disappear. An animal may stand below a terrain break with a deep gully behind it, and what looks like 220 meters can quickly turn into 300. Our chamois buck eventually appears at roughly 300 meters. One push of a button. Range confirmed. No reaching for a separate rangefinder. No pulling a second device from a pocket. No losing the animal and having to find it again. This is where you begin to understand why a multispectral binocular can be more than the sum of its sensors. And Then the Chamois Buck Appears We finally reach our glassing position. Now comes the part of chamois hunting that cannot be rushed. Sit. Watch. Wait. The mountain slowly begins to come alive. Marmots. A fox. Roe deer. Movement at different elevations. For a hunter, there may be few things better than simply watching wildlife move through its natural habitat without immediately having to turn that observation into a shot opportunity. Then he appears. A chamois buck. In a conventional camera image, he is part of the landscape: brown hide, gray rock, green vegetation. In thermal, things are different. The buck separates clearly from the background. Not because thermal imaging is magic, but because his body temperature differs from much of the terrain around him. The Ventus does this with its 640×512 sensor, 50mm thermal objective, and a 50Hz refresh rate. The image is displayed on a 0.5-inch AMOLED with 1600×1200 resolution. Three hundred meters is not a demonstration distance. It is hunting distance. And at that range, the system works. Where Thermal Imaging Starts to Struggle Our test also revealed the other side of the equation. Later in the day, the sun is high. Rock surfaces heat up. Slabs facing the sun absorb more energy than shaded surfaces. Hot rock and deep shade alternate across the mountain. Now the thermal image becomes much busier. A chamois standing in front of sun-heated rock can become significantly harder to separate thermally than an animal on cool ground early in the morning. Even a sub-15 mK sensor cannot change the laws of physics. That may be one of the most important takeaways from this test: Thermal imaging is not X-ray vision. It can make game incredibly easy to detect—but only when sufficient thermal contrast exists. When the rock is fully heated, it often makes sense to switch immediately to the digital daytime channel. The 4K Channel: Good—but Not Yet Swarovski Good This is where things get interesting. The Ventus digital channel uses a 12-megapixel, 3536×3536 sensor. Native optical magnification is 4×, with digital magnification up to 16×. Field of view is 8.1 × 8.1 degrees. At 4×, the daytime image is surprisingly pleasant. Colors look good. Contrast is respectable. Game animals are easy enough to recognize. Then you begin to zoom. Six power. Eight power. And this is where digital reality catches up. The image becomes increasingly processed. Fine textures soften. Hair detail and small rock structures begin to smear. The image-processing algorithm is trying to extract more information from the sensor, but digital magnification cannot create detail that was never captured in the first place. This is where a truly high-end conventional binocular still shows its strength. Glass is still glass. A premium optical binocular needs no processor, no battery, and no algorithm. It delivers a true optical image with excellent dynamic range, fine detail, and natural depth. The Ventus does not fully replace that yet. But the gap is getting smaller. And there is one obvious point in the Ventus’ favor: A Swarovski cannot see heat. At Night, the Concept Becomes Complete The IR illuminator sits on the underside of the Ventus and can be removed via a threaded wheel. A selector allows the user to switch between 940nm and 850nm illumination. Although our primary test took place during daylight, the Ventus is designed for an entirely different world after dark. At night, the digital sensor works in conjunction with the IR illuminator. ThermTec lists a range of up to 400 meters with 850nm and approximately 350 meters with 940nm. Generally speaking, 850nm offers greater range, but the emitter can produce a faint visible red glow. 940nm is more discreet, though range is slightly reduced. That leaves the hunter with three fundamentally different viewing tools in one unit: Driving roe buck recorded in digital night-vision mode at approximately 150 meters. Thermal imaging for fast game detection. Digital day/night imaging for identifying structure and detail. Laser rangefinding for immediate distance confirmation. Then add photo, video, audio, and a number of electronic assistance features. That combination—not any single headline feature—is what makes the Ventus interesting. Chest Harness Instead of Swinging from Your Neck In the mountains, practical usability is determined by more than sensor specifications. A device can be technically brilliant, but if it bangs against your chest on every uphill step or gets in the way when scrambling, eventually it ends up in the pack. The Ventus is carried in a chest pouch. The unit stays close to the body. Both hands remain free while climbing. Yet it can still be accessed within seconds. For a binocular in this weight class, that makes a lot of sense. Because 833 grams plus batteries is not something most hunters will want hanging from a traditional neck strap all day. Batteries: Common Rather Than Proprietary Power comes from two replaceable 18650 lithium-ion batteries. ThermTec claims approximately six hours of operating time. We like that setup. Not because six hours is extraordinary. For a full day in the mountains, it means you should probably carry spares. The advantage is the battery format itself. 18650 cells are widely available. For multi-day hunts, extra batteries are easy to carry, and you are not dependent on some built-in proprietary battery pack that becomes useless once empty. What Surprised Us Most After one or two months with the Ventus 650L, it is not the spectacular close-range thermal image that sticks with us. It is how natural the workflow eventually becomes. Scan the slope. Thermal. There is something. Switch to daylight. Identify. Range. 312 meters. Record. Keep watching. That workflow changes the way you search terrain. But the Ventus does not automatically replace a conventional binocular. Instead, it gives the hunter visual abilities a traditional binocular simply cannot provide. And that, to us, is its greatest strength. The Future Is Not Cheap All of this technology comes at a price. In Austria, the ThermTec Ventus 650L currently sells for roughly €3,600 to €3,700. That is serious money. So the obvious question becomes: Who actually needs one? For the hunter who spends most of his time watching a timber edge at 100 yards, a conventional binocular paired with a separate thermal monocular may still make more financial sense. But for hunters who regularly hunt large open properties, mountainous country, or dramatically changing light conditions—and who frequently use thermal, digital optics, and rangefinding—the Ventus offers an unusually compact all-in-one system. Not a Binocular Killer Yet—but It Is Getting Damn Close We went into the mountains with a simple question: Do you really need something like this? After the test, our answer is not “absolutely.” But it certainly is not “just a toy,” either. The ThermTec Ventus 650L impressed us most in situations where technology cannot be staged for the camera. On the early climb. Across an opposing slope. At 800 meters and beyond. When locating an animal quickly. When switching instantly between thermal and daylight channels. And when using a rangefinder that still performed impressively close to its stated maximum range. Its weakness appears exactly where the comparison against world-class optical glass becomes toughest: the digital daytime image at higher magnification and in difficult lighting. There is still room for improvement there. But that is exactly why this device is so interesting. Thermal sensors are getting better. Image processors are getting better. Displays are getting better. Algorithms are getting better. And if ThermTec—or another manufacturer—eventually brings the digital daytime channel of a system like this to the level of true premium European glass, the question will no longer be whether a multispectral binocular can replace a traditional hunting binocular. The question will be: When? The Ventus 650L is not quite there yet. But on our chamois hunt in the Austrian Alps, it showed us that the distance between traditional glass and the next generation of hunting optics may be a lot shorter than many traditionalists would like to believe. Transparency Note The ThermTec Ventus 650L was provided to Schuss & Stille on loan for this field test by ThermFox Austria, the Austrian importer and distributor of ThermTec products. The unit is also available from Alpen Adria Jagd & Sportwaffen in Villach. The loan of the test unit had no influence on the content, evaluation, or final verdict of this review.

David is impressed by the Mauser M18 Extreme: a straightforward hunting rifle that’s incredibly hard to break. Some hunting rifles only come out of the safe on bluebird days. Fine walnut stocks, beautifully polished actions, and glossy finishes that make every scratch feel like a personal loss. Then there are rifles like the Mauser M18 Extreme. This isn't a rifle built to spend its life in a gun safe. It's built for steep mountain hunts, relentless rain, freezing winter sits, and demanding tracking jobs. In short, it's designed for those days when your equipment simply has to work—no matter what Mother Nature throws at you. That was exactly the question Shot & Stillness firearms expert David set out to answer. Does the Mauser M18 Extreme truly live up to its name? Is it simply an affordable polymer-stocked rifle with a Cerakote finish, or does it carry the DNA of a manufacturer whose name has been synonymous with legendary firearms for well over a century? The Rifle That Changed Firearms History Mention the name Mauser, and one rifle immediately comes to mind: the legendary Mauser 98. Few bolt-action rifles have influenced modern sporting firearms as profoundly as Paul Mauser's revolutionary design. The story began in the late 19th century. Mauser introduced his first successful military rifles in the 1870s, but the real breakthrough came in 1898 with the introduction of the Gewehr 98. Its controlled-round feed, massive claw extractor, and three-safety-lug design quickly became the benchmark for reliability. Millions were produced, and even today many premium hunting rifles still borrow heavily from its engineering principles. But hunters have changed. Today's sportsmen expect lightweight rifles, suppressor-ready barrels, weather-resistant finishes, shorter overall length, and prices that don't put quality hunting rifles out of reach for newcomers. That changing market gave birth to the Mauser M18. When Mauser introduced the rifle in 2018, it deliberately marketed it as a "people's hunting rifle"—a no-nonsense bolt gun focused on reliability, accuracy, and rugged field performance instead of luxury. Rather than investing in expensive walnut stocks or overly complicated engineering, Mauser concentrated on what truly matters in the field: dependable function. Why "Extreme"? "I like rifles that can actually take a beating." — David One look at the rifle makes it clear that the M18 Extreme is built differently. Its gray Natural Stone polymer stock, fluted barrel, and Cerakote Tungsten finish immediately distinguish it from the standard M18. Mauser describes it as the all-weather member of the M18 family—a rifle engineered specifically for the harshest hunting conditions. Factory features include: Cerakote protective finish, Fluted barrel, M15x1 threaded muzzle, Weatherproof polymer stock, Soft-grip inserts for improved control. For David, that's exactly where the rifle shines. "I like rifles that can take abuse. Every hunter knows what happens in real life. Rain, mud, snow, climbing over rocks, falling on steep slopes—this is exactly what a rifle like this is built for." Mountain hunters know the reality. Rain turns into mud. Mud turns into grit. Snow melts into water. Sooner or later, every blued rifle starts showing its age. The M18 Extreme was designed to worry less about cosmetics—and more about getting the job done. Not a Safe Queen—A Working Rifle David has known the M18 since its original launch. He still remembers Mauser's first dealer presentation. Every rifle arrived inside a sealed wooden crate. Dealers weren't allowed to open them until the official launch time. "That was a pretty exciting moment," David recalls with a smile. The original M18 looked considerably simpler. Black polymer stock. No fluting. No Cerakote. Just a straightforward hunting rifle. Today's M18 Extreme feels far more refined. More modern. More durable. Yet it hasn't lost its original identity. As David puts it: "It's not meant to impress people. It's meant to work." And that's exactly what defines this rifle. No unnecessary gimmicks. No flashy machining. No expensive materials simply for the sake of appearance. Everything serves a practical purpose. The Stock: Simple—but Honest You can certainly tell where Mauser kept the price under control. The polymer stock isn't the most refined in its class. David doesn't hide his criticism. "You can definitely see where they saved a little money." Some molding lines and small finishing details could be cleaner. But once you're actually hunting, other characteristics become much more important than perfect cosmetics. The textured Soft-Grip panels provide excellent traction—even with wet gloves. The stock shoulders naturally. Recoil is well managed by the recoil pad. One feature David particularly appreciates is the large opening in the buttstock. It provides enough space to store a bore snake or compact cleaning kit—an often-overlooked detail that becomes incredibly useful after a rainy day in the mountains or following a long tracking job. Sometimes it's the simplest ideas that make the biggest difference in the field. Cerakote: More Than Just a Trend For decades, traditional blued steel was the standard for hunting rifles. But today's hunters expect more. Suppressors trap moisture. Short-barreled rifles spend more time in harsh terrain. Rain, snow, and mud have become everyday realities for mountain hunters. That's why Mauser chose a Cerakote ceramic coating for the M18 Extreme. Originally developed for military applications, Cerakote provides significantly better protection against corrosion, abrasion, and harsh weather than conventional bluing. Anyone who regularly hunts in wet conditions knows the problem. Moisture trapped beneath a suppressor or sling can quickly become the starting point for rust . David considers the Cerakote finish one of the rifle's greatest strengths. "If you hunt in every kind of weather, you'll appreciate Cerakote very quickly. You simply worry less when your rifle gets completely soaked." That doesn't mean the rifle is maintenance-free. David points out that dirt and lubricant can still mix inside the action. Like many coated bolt systems, neglecting regular cleaning can eventually create an abrasive paste that affects smooth operation. His advice is simple. "Wipe it clean after the hunt. It takes less than a minute, and the bolt runs smoothly again." Three Locking Lugs – A 60-Degree Bolt Throw The 60-degree bolt lift allows for lower scope mounting, providing improved clearance between the bolt handle and the optic while promoting a more natural cheek weld and faster target acquisition. At the heart of the M18 Extreme sits a modern three-lug bolt. Unlike the legendary Mauser 98, which locked using two massive front lugs, the M18 uses three locking lugs positioned around the bolt head. The result is a 60-degree bolt lift. That shorter bolt throw offers several practical advantages. Large scopes have more clearance. The bolt cycles faster. Low scope mounting becomes much easier. For David, this is one of the rifle's biggest selling points. "With a Picatinny rail I can mount the scope extremely low over the bore. That's exactly how I like it." A lower optic position naturally improves cheek weld and allows for faster target acquisition—especially during quick follow-up shots. A Practical Three-Position Safety Mauser equips the M18 Extreme with a classic three-position safety, a design trusted by hunters for generations. Position 1: Fire. Position 2: Trigger blocked while the bolt remains operational, allowing safe loading and unloading. Position 3: Both trigger and bolt are locked. David particularly appreciates the middle position. "I can unload the rifle safely without ever placing it in firing mode." It's a simple feature, but one that's especially valuable during driven hunts or when climbing into a vehicle at the end of the day. Cold Hammer-Forged Barrel Like many premium European manufacturers, Mauser relies on cold hammer-forged barrels. The manufacturing process produces exceptional durability and highly consistent internal dimensions. For the Extreme model, Mauser adds a fluted barrel. Fluting slightly reduces weight while increasing surface area for improved cooling. It also gives the rifle a distinctive appearance. Whether fluting noticeably improves accuracy remains a topic of debate among shooters. David takes a far more practical view. "Maybe—but it definitely looks great." Magazine and Practical Field Use The detachable polymer magazine also earned David's approval. It locks securely into place. Feeds reliably. Releases easily when needed. Just as importantly, the magazine release is well protected against accidental activation. That may sound like a small detail. But anyone who's spent a full day climbing steep mountain terrain understands how frustrating it would be to discover a missing magazine halfway through a hunt. Mit der Mauser M18 Extreme am Schießstand David testing the Mauser M18 Extreme at the shooting range. For this evaluation, David tested the Mauser M18 Extreme chambered in .308 Winchester. The rifle was fitted with a KAHLES Helia 2.4–12x56 mounted on a Picatinny rail with Recknagel AKM rings. Suppression duties were handled by a modular Mauser suppressor, while the test ammunition was Norma ODIN. As the shooting session progressed, the barrel became noticeably warm. Heat mirage rising from the suppressor made precise aiming increasingly difficult. Yet the rifle continued to produce remarkably consistent groups. David summed it up in his usual straightforward style. "This rifle simply shoots." Sometimes, that's all that needs to be said. Shot after shot landed close together. According to David, carefully fired three-shot groups could easily be covered with a 10-cent coin. Perhaps even more impressive than the absolute precision was its consistency. Many affordable hunting rifles begin to open their groups as barrel temperatures rise. The M18 Extreme showed very little point-of-impact shift, even after multiple consecutive strings. For a working hunting rifle in this price category, that's an excellent result. The Trigger The Mauser M18 Extreme's trigger is on the heavier side, but it breaks exceptionally clean, delivering the crisp and predictable feel hunters appreciate in the field. One aspect surprised David. Mauser lists the trigger pull weight at approximately 1,500 grams (3.3 pounds). Subjectively, it felt somewhat heavy. But it also broke exceptionally clean. "It's crisp. No creep. No overtravel. That's exactly what I want from a hunting trigger." Competitive precision shooters may prefer lighter trigger pulls. For practical hunting applications, however, David believes Mauser struck the right balance. Cold weather. Heavy gloves. Stress. A slightly heavier trigger can actually contribute to safer firearm handling under real hunting conditions. Where Does the M18 Extreme Fit? Today's bolt-action rifle market has never been more competitive. The Mauser M18 Extreme goes head-to-head with respected rifles including: Sauer 100 Tikka T3x Lite Bergara B14 Extreme Rössler Signature CZ 600 Winchester XPR Each offers outstanding accuracy. Each has its own strengths. Tikka is famous for its exceptionally smooth bolt. Bergara earns praise for its outstanding barrels. Sauer is known for refined bolt operation. Mauser focuses on rugged dependability. David sees today's market realistically. "Honestly, there aren't many bad hunting rifles anymore. The real differences are in the details—and in what matters most to you as a hunter." The Mauser M18 Extreme does exactly what it's designed to do. It delivers excellent accuracy, performs with unwavering reliability, and shrugs off rain, snow, mud, and the toughest field conditions without hesitation. In the end, that's exactly what serious hunters expect from a working hunting rifle—and the M18 Extreme delivers. Are There Any Weaknesses? Absolutely. The M18 Extreme isn't a luxury rifle. The polymer stock shows a few molding marks. Some finishing details could be cleaner. Several internal components are polymer instead of aluminum or steel. Hunters looking for hand-finished walnut stocks and premium machining may not find what they're looking for here. But Mauser never intended to build a collector's piece. This rifle was designed as a working tool. And good tools are meant to show honest wear. After spending considerable time behind the rifle, David's conclusion was remarkably clear. "The M18 Extreme does exactly what it's supposed to do. It shoots exceptionally well, it's reliable, and it handles rain, snow, mud, and hard hunting conditions without complaint. Honestly, that's everything I expect from a hunting rifle."

In Austria, the police can now also inspect whether hunting firearms are stored securely. Austria’s new firearms law is bringing hunting rifles and shotguns under closer police scrutiny. Hunters are expected to keep every document in order—but early inspections suggest that not every officer enforcing the new rules fully understands them yet. Two police officers are standing at the front door. They are there to conduct a firearms inspection. The gun safe is opened. Storage conditions are checked. Registered firearms are compared with the official records. In the past, inspections mainly focused on handguns, revolvers, and other Category B firearms. Now officers are also taking a closer look at the hunting rifles and shotguns inside the safe. So far, that seems reasonable enough. Then one of the officers asks to see the hunter’s license and the corresponding proof of payment. At first, that is not unusual either. In the Austrian state of Carinthia, a hunting license is only valid when accompanied by proof that the required fees for the current year have been paid. But then the officer makes a statement that leaves the hunter puzzled: “The payment receipt cannot be more than six months old.” That could be a problem. The hunting-license fee is not paid twice a year. It is paid once annually. Anyone who pays in January and is inspected in August will naturally have a receipt that is more than six months old. Does that suddenly make the hunting license invalid? Of course not. When Enforcement Falls Behind the Law The incident was reported to Schuss & Stille. Whether every word was spoken exactly as described cannot be independently verified after the fact. But the central issue is clear: Nothing in Carinthia’s hunting law states that the payment receipt may be no more than six months old. What the law requires is proof that the hunting-license fee, association membership fee, and mandatory hunting-liability insurance have been paid for the current calendar year. A hunter who pays everything properly in January still has the correct receipt in December. That makes this more than just an odd story from a firearms inspection. It reveals where Austria’s new gun law is still grinding against reality. The rules have changed. Inspections have expanded. Yet not every officer appears to fully understand how federal firearms law, state hunting law, and Austria’s different hunting-license systems fit together. That is not a reason to condemn the police as a whole. A patrol officer cannot be expected to carry an entire legal library in his head. Austria has one federal firearms law, nine separate state hunting laws, different hunting-license systems, and a long list of transitional provisions. Still, hunters have every right to expect that an inspection will be conducted according to the law as it actually exists—not according to a deadline that exists nowhere in the statute books. Will Every Hunting Gun Now Be Inspected? A great deal of half-knowledge is currently circulating about the new inspections. One distinction is especially important. Anyone who holds an Austrian firearms possession permit or firearms carry permit is subject to periodic reviews of legal reliability. These inspections generally take place every five years and are usually conducted by police on behalf of the firearms authority. During such an inspection, officers may now also examine the secure storage of existing Category C firearms. That means the inspection may no longer stop with a handgun or semi-automatic firearm. A bolt-action rifle, break-action rifle, or shotgun may also be included. But that does not mean every Austrian hunter should expect police at the door simply because he owns a deer rifle. A hunter who owns only Category C firearms under the authority of a valid hunting license does not automatically fall under the five-year inspection cycle for that reason alone. Owning a hunting rifle on the basis of a hunting license does not, by itself, trigger regular periodic inspections. The situation changes when the hunter also holds additional firearms permits, or when authorities have specific reasons to question the person’s legal reliability or the secure storage of the firearms. Put simply: If a hunter also holds a firearms possession permit or carry permit, police may inspect his rifles and shotguns during the regular review. If he owns only Category C firearms on the basis of his hunting license, police do not automatically show up every five years. That distinction matters. And every officer standing in front of an open gun safe should understand it. The Hunting License Becomes a Key Document Austria’s amended firearms law has been fully in force since April 28, 2026. As a general rule, acquiring and possessing Category C firearms now requires an appropriate legal authorization. Hunters, however, retain an important exemption. A valid hunting license still allows them to acquire, possess, and carry typical hunting firearms such as rifles and shotguns. In most cases, a separate firearms possession permit is not required. That gives the hunting license even greater importance. It is no longer merely the document that allows a hunter to enter the field. The legal authority to own and carry the firearms used in everyday hunting now depends directly on its validity. Suddenly, an ordinary payment receipt becomes an important piece of documentation. In Carinthia, for example, it is not enough to present the hunting license in its familiar green holder. The required payment records must accompany it. For most hunters, that requirement is nothing new. What is new is that these papers may now receive far more attention during a firearms inspection. A Four-Week Wait - even with a Hunting License The process of buying a firearm has changed as well. Anyone purchasing a firearm in a particular category for the first time must generally wait four weeks before taking possession of it. This so-called cooling-off period also applies, in principle, to hunters. Passing the hunting examination and holding a valid hunting license do not automatically allow a new rifle to leave the dealer’s shop on the day of purchase. For a newly licensed hunter, that can feel difficult to understand. He may have spent months preparing for the examination. He has studied wildlife biology, hunting law, firearms handling, and safety. He has passed the test, obtained his hunting license, and finally found the right rifle. Yet the rifle must still remain with the dealer for another four weeks. Lawmakers intend the waiting period to prevent impulsive firearm purchases during moments of personal crisis. Whether that rule serves the same purpose for a fully trained hunter as it does for an entirely unprepared first-time buyer remains open to debate. The requirement applies nonetheless. Private firearm sales have also become more formal. A rifle can no longer simply change hands in exchange for cash and a handshake. The transfer and registration must generally be handled through an authorized firearms dealer, who checks the buyer’s identity, legal eligibility, and whether a waiting period applies. Austria’s firearms law has therefore become more than simply stricter. Above all, it has become more bureaucratic. More Inspections Require Better Knowledge There is nothing inherently wrong with subjecting hunting firearms to closer scrutiny. A rifle remains a firearm whether it wears a fine walnut stock, a synthetic chassis, or an expensive European scope. Anyone who owns firearms has a duty to store them securely. There should be no serious debate about that within the hunting community. Inspections may even serve the interests of responsible gun owners. They separate those who take their obligations seriously from those who believe a loaded rifle behind the bedroom door qualifies as secure storage. But an inspection only works when both sides understand the rules. Hunters are expected to pay their license fees, register their firearms correctly, follow storage requirements, meet every deadline, and present the proper documentation. In return, they should be able to expect that an inspecting officer will not invent a six-month expiration period that does not exist in the law. During a firearms inspection, incorrect information is not a minor matter. The hunter is standing inside his own home with two police officers in front of him. The gun safe is open. Every statement carries added weight. When an officer declares that a document is invalid, few people will immediately pull the state hunting code from a desk drawer and begin a legal argument. Most hunters will first feel uncertain. That is precisely why the new law requires clear training, understandable instructions, and consistent inspection procedures—not only for gun owners, but also for the people responsible for enforcing it. This Is Not a Hunt for Police Mistakes It would be wrong to turn one incident into a sweeping story about an “uninformed police force.” Officers themselves face a difficult assignment. They are being asked to enforce a heavily revised firearms law that even experienced gun owners may struggle to understand without guidance. On top of that come state-specific hunting regulations that differ across Austria. The problem, therefore, may not rest entirely with the individual officer. It may also lie within a system that is quick to pass new obligations but slower to explain them clearly. A law is not successfully implemented simply because it appears in the Federal Law Gazette. It is successfully implemented when firearms authorities, police officers, dealers, hunters, and gun owners all understand the same rules—and apply them in the same way. Austria does not appear to be there yet. Trust Is a Two-Way-Street The hunting license remains a powerful document for Austrian hunters. It allows them to acquire, possess, and carry the firearms required for responsible hunting. That legal trust comes with obligations. Hunters must store their guns safely. They must keep their paperwork in order. And they must accept that firearm ownership may be subject to inspection. But trust works both ways. When the government expects citizens to know every deadline, it must ensure that the authorities enforcing those deadlines know the rules as well. When lawmakers expand inspections, they must prepare officers to conduct them properly. And when the state promises legal certainty, it cannot allow new requirements to be invented at the hunter’s front door.

Firearms expert David with his Ferlach-built Mauser 98, crafted by Karl Hauptmann. Some hunting rifles come and go. Others define an entire era. The Mauser 98 belongs firmly in the latter category. For Shot & Stillness, firearms expert David of Alpen Adria Jagd in Villach takes a close look at a classic Ferlach sporting conversion—and explains why this supposedly outdated design is anything but obsolete. There is no carbon-fiber barrel on the table. No detachable box magazine. No digital clip-on optic. Instead, there is steel. Walnut. An old four-power scope. A fixed internal magazine, a German double-set trigger and a bolt-action design officially adopted as a German military rifle in 1898. And yet, nothing about it feels like a museum piece. The Mauser 98 is a reminder that progress does not always mean starting over. Some mechanical solutions are so sound that later generations can do little more than refine them, simplify them or adapt them to modern manufacturing methods. “It is a legend almost everyone knows,” David says. “Extremely reliable, proven all over the world, manufactured by the millions and copied just as many times.” Modern manufacturers still like to describe the Model 98 action as the ancestor of today’s bolt-action rifle. More than 125 years after its introduction, new sporting rifles are still being built around the same basic design—from comparatively plain working rifles to lavishly engraved bespoke guns. From Military Rifle to Ferlach Sporting Arm A true piece of gunmaking craftsmanship. The Gewehr 98 was officially adopted by the German Empire on April 5, 1898. Developed under the direction of Paul Mauser, it was created in response to the shortcomings of earlier military rifles. Its rugged action, fixed box magazine and generous safety margins established a new benchmark for bolt-action design. Its history is inseparable from the two world wars. But reducing the Model 98 to its military service would overlook its broader importance. Sporting and target rifles based on the action appeared early on, and after the wars, countless military receivers were transformed into hunting rifles by skilled gunsmiths. In Europe’s traditional gunmaking centers, many of those conversions ended up bearing little resemblance to the original service rifle. New barrels, carefully shaped stocks, set triggers, sporting safeties, scope mounts and engraving turned former military arms into highly individual hunting rifles. That is exactly the kind of rifle David is holding. In his assessment, this military Model 98 action was converted into a sporting rifle in 1968. The barrel was made in Ferlach, Austria, one of Europe’s most respected gunmaking centers. The rifle wears a traditionally styled walnut stock with a slight hogback comb, Bavarian cheekpiece, fine checkering and a ventilated rubber recoil pad. “There is a tremendous amount of work in a rifle like this,” David explains. “Converting a military action properly into a clean, accurate sporting rifle takes time. That is also why high-quality Mauser conversions can cost serious money.” The Mauser 98 world stretches from affordable former military rifles to newly manufactured luxury bolt guns. A current Mauser 98 Standard Expert, for example, is offered with a newly made action, steel magazine floorplate and high-grade walnut stock. Its list price starts at more than 13,000 euros. Bespoke rifles with custom engraving, exceptional stock blanks and extensive handwork can cost far more. The underlying action remains fundamentally the same. The difference lies in material selection, fit, finish, engraving, stock work and, above all, the number of hours invested by the gunmaker. Two Lugs Carry the Load - The Third Waits for Trouble The bolt features two massive front locking lugs and a third lug as an additional safety reserve. The heart of the Mauser 98 is its bolt action. Two massive locking lugs sit at the front of the bolt and absorb the forces generated during normal firing. A third lug is positioned farther back. Under ordinary conditions, it carries no load. Its job begins only if the primary locking system should fail. “The third lug is my backup,” David says. That additional safety lug was one of the major improvements over earlier Mauser actions. The design also incorporates gas-escape ports in the bolt and a substantial gas shield at the bolt shroud. In the event of a serious primer or case failure, hot gas is intended to be directed away from the shooter’s face and, among other paths, down toward the magazine well. David knows from unpleasant personal experience how valuable those safety margins can be. About 15 years ago, an obstruction remained in one of his rifle barrels and caused a massive overpressure event. The magazine floorplate blew out and the stock broke, but David was not injured. Today, he tells the story with his usual dry humor. It should not, however, be taken as encouragement to test the limits of any rifle. If there is even the slightest suspicion of a bore obstruction, defective cartridge or abnormal report, the firearm must not be fired again. It should be unloaded and inspected by a qualified gunsmith. The Mauser 98’s safety features are impressive. They are no substitute for proper handling or a professional inspection of an older firearm. Controlled-Round Feed: The Cartridge Never Gets Away David demonstrates how the long extractor claw captures and controls the cartridge. One of the defining features of the Mauser 98 is its controlled-round-feed system. As the bolt moves forward, the cartridge rises from the magazine and its rim slides beneath the long extractor claw. From that point onward, the cartridge is mechanically controlled by the bolt. It is not simply pushed loose into the chamber. It remains captured throughout the feeding cycle. The long extractor engages the cartridge before the bolt is fully locked. When the action is opened, the extractor pulls the case from the chamber. At the rear of the action, the case strikes the fixed ejector and is thrown out to the side. “That is exactly what makes these actions so reliable,” David says. Mauser continues to emphasize the combination of a long claw extractor and controlled-round feed. The system is particularly valued on dangerous-game rifles because it is designed to feed and extract reliably during rapid cycling, from awkward shooting positions and under difficult field conditions. A traditional Model 98 should generally be loaded from the magazine. If a cartridge is simply dropped into the ejection port and the bolt is closed over it, the extractor claw must snap over the case rim. Some modified actions tolerate this better than others, but feeding from the magazine is the method for which the classic action was designed. A Magazine You Cannot Leave at Home The fixed box magazine features a hinged floorplate, allowing the cartridges to be unloaded through the bottom. David is a strong supporter of fixed internal box magazines. His reasoning is simple. “You cannot lose the magazine, and you cannot leave it at home.” Cartridges are pressed into the fixed magazine from above. The original military rifle could be loaded with stripper clips, and the corresponding receiver cutout can still be seen on many sporting conversions. The rifle shown here has a hinged floorplate. This allows the cartridges to be removed through the bottom of the magazine without cycling every round through the action. On many military Model 98 rifles, the follower also prevents the bolt from closing once the magazine is empty. For a soldier, this provided immediate feedback that the final round had been fired. To close the empty action, the follower must be pressed down slightly. The modern standard Mauser 98 still uses a top-loading fixed magazine, typically with a capacity of five rounds plus one in the chamber. Magnum versions generally carry fewer cartridges, depending on the chambering and model. The Wing-Safety: Secure, but Not Scope-Friendly The distinctive three-position wing safety sits on the bolt shroud. Few components are as closely associated with the Mauser 98 as its large wing safety on the bolt shroud. It acts directly on the firing pin and has three positions. With the lever to the left, the rifle is ready to fire. In the center position, the firing pin is blocked but the bolt can still be opened, allowing the rifle to be unloaded while on safe. In the right-hand position, both the firing pin and the bolt are locked. From a mechanical safety standpoint, blocking the firing pin directly is a compelling design. When mounting a modern scope, however, the tall wing safety can create problems. The rifle featured here carries an old fixed four-power Kahles Helia. There is very little room between the safety lever and the ocular housing. Larger scopes or optics mounted especially low may interfere with the original safety. For that reason, many sporting conversions were—and still are—equipped with low-profile side safeties or alternative safety systems. These allow a scope to sit lower but alter some of the rifle’s original appearance. For now, David wants to preserve the rifle’s traditional character. “The old four-power scope suits the rifle,” he says. “I am not going to hunt beyond 100 meters with it anyway.” A 90-Degree Bolt Lift - and a Swept Bolt Handle The two front locking lugs require a 90-degree bolt lift. On military rifles with a straight bolt handle, the handle can strike a low-mounted scope when the action is opened. For that reason, the bolt handles on classic sporting conversions were often bent, forged down or replaced. This creates clearance beneath the optic and also places the handle within easier reach during cycling. At first glance, such work may appear simple. In reality, it demands experience, dimensional accuracy and a clean finish. On a historic conversion, small details such as these determine whether a rifle merely functions or feels like a complete and carefully executed piece of gunmaking. German Double-Set Trigger: Roughly 3½ Ounces Between Finger and Shot The Ferlach Mauser 98 is fitted with a traditional German double-set trigger. This rifle features a German double-set trigger. The rear trigger is used to set the mechanism, while the front trigger fires the rifle. According to David, setting the trigger reduces the pull weight to approximately 100 grams, or about 3½ ounces. A trigger this light can allow an exceptionally precise shot release, but it demands disciplined handling. The trigger should be set only immediately before the intended shot. If the shot is not taken, the mechanism must be unset according to the design of the specific rifle and in strict compliance with safe gun-handling procedures. Owners should avoid making trigger adjustments unless they have the required knowledge and experience. Older set triggers in particular should be inspected by a competent gunsmith. A trigger that is adjusted too lightly, contaminated or worn can present a serious safety risk.v Old Scope Mounts and the Art of Zeroing The mounting system beneath the old Kahles scope tells its own story of traditional European gunmaking. Modern scopes typically provide both windage and elevation adjustments in the optic itself. On older systems, windage was sometimes corrected through the mount. The scope on this Ferlach Mauser has elevation adjustment only. Horizontal point of impact is corrected by fitting or shifting a wedge in the front mounting base. What appears cumbersome today was once standard practice. A mount of this type had to be precisely fitted, soldered or screwed into place, and then properly regulated on the range. The labor involved helps explain why a handcrafted pivot mount or claw mount can still cost several hundred euros. David raises another important point: Not every historic conversion is automatically safe. On some older scope installations, material was milled from the receiver ring to accommodate a mounting base. If too much steel was removed or the work was poorly executed, the strength of the receiver may have been compromised. The concern is that later reinforcement plates or soldered bases can hide such modifications. Anyone considering the purchase, reproofing or rechambering of an old Mauser should not judge the rifle by appearance alone. The action, barrel, locking surfaces, proof marks, scope-mount holes and any welding or soldering should be inspected by an experienced gunsmith or proof authority. A 25½-Inch Barrel and a European Classic The featured rifle has a barrel measuring approximately 65 centimeters, or 25½ inches, and is chambered in 7×64 Brenneke. Wilhelm Brenneke introduced the 7×64 in 1917. As a rimless hunting cartridge, it was ideally suited to bolt-action rifles and went on to become one of the great European sporting cartridges, particularly in German-speaking countries. Its combination of a relatively flat trajectory, broad bullet selection and sufficient power for much of Europe’s hoofed game made it popular with generations of hunters. The long barrel suits the slim lines of the Ferlach rifle and also allows the cartridge to perform efficiently. David has no intention of cutting this particular barrel to accommodate a suppressor. “On another working rifle, a conversion may make sense,” he says. “But this one should remain exactly as it is.” Modernization can be appropriate on less collectible sporting conversions. New stocks, modern triggers, lower safeties, contemporary scope mounts and—after proper evaluation—a threaded muzzle are all possible. With a historic rifle, however, the practical benefit should always be weighed against the loss of originality and potential collector value. David put the Ferlach-built Mauser 98 through its paces on the range. On the Range: The Old Action Still Delivers For the range test, David chooses the RWS Kegelspitz load with an 8-gram bullet, equivalent to roughly 123 grains. From a 60-centimeter, or 23.6-inch, test barrel, the manufacturer lists a muzzle velocity of 965 meters per second, approximately 3,166 feet per second. From the Mauser’s 65-centimeter barrel, David’s chronograph records about 970 meters per second, or roughly 3,182 feet per second—a plausible result that closely matches the published figure. The RWS Kegelspitz is a traditional cup-and-core soft-point design. In 7×64, it has long been offered in several bullet weights. David suspects the rifle may originally have been regulated in the 1960s with a similar load. The first shots confirm that the old Mauser can still shoot. At 100 meters—about 109 yards—the group lands approximately 2 centimeters, or just under an inch, low. Naturally, target definition through an old fixed four-power scope with a small objective lens is not comparable to that of a modern hunting optic. Even so, the rifle produces a group more than adequate for practical hunting. David deliberately leaves the zero alone. “I will shoot it only out to 100 meters,” he says. “If I hold high on the shoulder, it is right where it needs to be. Why start hammering on a rifle that already does exactly what it is supposed to do?” That may be the most honest moment of the entire test. The Mauser 98 does not need to prove that it can compete with a modern long-range rifle. It does not need to print tiny groups at 500 yards or accept thermal clip-on optics. This particular rifle will go into the field once or twice a year. Not because it does everything better, but because hunting with it feels different. More deliberate. Slower. Perhaps even a little more meaningful. Old Does Not Mean Obsolete A Mauser 98 does not have to gather dust in a gun cabinet. The action still supports an enormous range of possible modifications. Stocks, triggers, safeties and mounting systems are available in numerous configurations. Gunsmiths continue to turn old actions into rugged tracking rifles, general-purpose hunting rifles and completely new luxury sporting arms. But not every old Mauser is automatically a bargain. The market ranges from crudely altered military rifles with questionable scope mounts and worn barrels to beautifully executed one-off Ferlach rifles. Before buying, a competent gunsmith should inspect the proof status, receiver, barrel, chamber, headspace, trigger, safety and mounting system. The value of a high-grade sporting rifle is not determined by the word “Mauser” alone. What matters is the origin and condition of the action, the quality of the barrel, the gunsmith’s work, the stock blank, engraving and available documentation. A basic working Mauser may cost only a few hundred euros. A newly built luxury rifle on a premium Model 98 action can cost as much as a car. Both share the same mechanical ancestry. They are not the same product. A Rifle That Rejects the Throwaway Mentality What remains after the range session? A sporting rifle converted in 1968 still functions reliably. Its bolt can be stripped without specialized tools. The long extractor pulls cases cleanly from the chamber. The set trigger breaks crisply. The safety acts directly on the firing pin. And despite its modest optical capabilities, the old Kahles scope still places bullets where they need to go for hunting. “It shot well back then, it shoots well today, and it will keep doing exactly that,” David says. Perhaps that is the real secret of the Mauser 98. It is not legendary simply because it is old. It became old because the design works. Modern hunting rifles are lighter, more modular and often more convenient. They offer manual cocking systems, detachable magazines, short bolt lifts and interfaces for digital optics. All of that has merit. But the Mauser 98 reminds us what a good hunting rifle must do at its core. It must feed the cartridge reliably. It must lock securely. It must extract the case. It must hit the target. And it must continue doing so after the fashions, the optics and several generations of hunters have all changed. After more than 125 years, that is no longer nostalgia. It is proof of quality.

A Look Inside ThermTec’s Showroom Thermal imaging technology has fundamentally changed hunting over the past decade. What once depended on luck, favorable conditions, or years of field experience can now often be detected at distances of several hundred yards. But how are modern thermal devices actually developed? What happens between the sensor, the software, and the final image that appears in the eyepiece? And what are the engineers behind the scenes working on today? Shot & Stillness sat down with Ariel Yang of ThermTec to discuss failed prototypes, common misconceptions about thermal imaging, and whether modern technology truly makes hunters better. Shot & Stillness: Ariel, how many wild boars have your developers actually observed through thermal devices? Ariel Yang: It’s difficult to put an exact number on it. Hunting in China is highly regulated, so our engineers don’t have the same opportunities to gain hands-on hunting experience as hunters in Europe or Australia. That’s why we work very closely with professional hunters, wildlife managers, conservation specialists, and field operators. Feedback from different regions is incredibly valuable because hunting environments, game species, and field conditions vary significantly around the world. As a developer, what do you see in a thermal image that a hunter might overlook? Modern thermal imaging is no longer just about sensors. A good example is our adaptive AGC technology. It continuously adjusts contrast and gain levels. Extremely hot areas are automatically balanced, while subtle temperature differences in the background are enhanced. As a result, users can see details that would otherwise disappear in overly bright or dark portions of the image. European Hunters as Product Developers The Schuss & Stille team is currently testing the ThermTec Ventus binoculars – the closest thing to an “all-in-one solution” a hunter could ask for. How has your cooperation with European hunting partners evolved over the years? It has become much closer. Years ago, the relationship was mainly focused on products and distribution. Today, we learn directly from real-world hunting experience. European hunting is deeply rooted in tradition, responsibility, and local expertise. An Austrian mountain hunter faces completely different challenges than a wild boar hunter in Eastern Europe. For us, this cooperation works both ways. On one hand, direct field feedback helps us improve our products. On the other, we learn a tremendous amount about how experienced hunters make decisions in real hunting situations. Often, small practical details matter far more than impressive technical specifications on paper. Which technical specification do you believe hunters tend to overestimate? Without question, thermal sensitivity—commonly known as the NETD value. Of course, it is important. However, many people use it as the sole indicator of image quality. In reality, the final image is the result of the entire system working together: the sensor, the lens, the display, and the software. An excellent NETD value means very little if the optics or image-processing algorithms can’t keep up. NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) The NETD value describes the thermal sensitivity of a thermal imaging camera. Simply put, it indicates how small a temperature difference the camera can detect. NETD is measured in millikelvin (mK). The lower the NETD value, the better the camera’s ability to distinguish subtle temperature differences. Imagine a roe buck with a surface temperature of 28°C (82.4°F) standing against a background measuring 27.98°C (82.36°F). NETD 50 mK (0.05°C): The temperature difference is barely visible, resulting in a noisy image with reduced contrast. NETD 20 mK (0.02°C): The temperature difference is clearly detected, allowing the animal to stand out sharply from the background. A Look Inside ThermTec’s Lens Coating Laboratory Sensor or Software: What Creates the Better Image? How much of image quality comes from hardware versus software? Generally speaking, about 60 percent of image quality comes from the sensor and thermal optics. The remaining 40 percent comes from software algorithms and image processing. That’s where many of today’s most exciting innovations are happening. Do modern thermal devices make hunters better? I wouldn’t say they automatically make hunters better, but they often make them more effective and safer. Thermal technology allows observations that would have been nearly impossible in the past, especially at night. At the same time, wildlife has adapted. Wild boar, for example, often emerge significantly later than they did years ago. As a result, many hunters who don’t specifically pursue wild boar are now using thermal devices simply because they provide a much better understanding of what’s happening in their hunting area. The Biggest Hollywood Myth What features do hunters frequently wish for that remain technically impossible? Many people’s understanding of thermal imaging comes from movies. In Hollywood, thermal cameras can see through walls, forests, and almost anything else. In reality, that’s simply impossible. Thermal devices only detect infrared radiation emitted from visible surfaces. They cannot see through trees, terrain, buildings, or solid obstacles. A clear line of sight will always remain essential. How many prototypes never make it to market? Surprisingly many. Roughly 70 to 80 percent of early development prototypes are eventually discarded. Even among functional alpha and beta versions, another 30 to 40 percent fail during testing. Out of ten completely new product platforms, typically only two or three ever reach mass production. Lens Coating at ThermTec Austria Isn't Texas Do Austrian and German hunters want different things than hunters in Australia or the United States? Absolutely. Hunting regulations, terrain, game species, and hunting traditions vary enormously from region to region. Naturally, expectations for thermal equipment differ as well. That’s why we don’t develop products solely for a global market. We pay very close attention to regional requirements and local hunting conditions. Do you design products differently for mountain hunters and hunters in flat terrain? Yes, very much so. The challenges couldn’t be more different. In mountainous environments, long observation distances, rapidly changing temperatures, and complex terrain play a major role. In forests, however, hunters often deal with shorter engagement distances, fast target acquisition, and numerous visual obstructions. That’s why we tailor hardware, optics, and image-processing algorithms to specific hunting applications. Where do you see thermal imaging technology heading in the next few years? We clearly see a trend toward dual-technology systems. Thermal imaging remains indispensable, particularly in fog, poor weather, and for long-range detection. At the same time, digital optics provide additional detail for positive target identification. Devices such as our Ventus already demonstrate where the industry is heading. Thermal imaging and digital technology are being combined into a single compact system. In the future, hunters won’t need to carry multiple devices. Instead, they’ll have access to all relevant information through one integrated platform. Thank you for your time, Ariel. The conversation with Ariel Yang demonstrates that modern thermal imaging is about far more than sensor resolution and technical specifications. Behind every device are years of development, countless discarded prototypes, and continuous collaboration with hunters from around the world. And perhaps the most important takeaway is this: Technology does not determine hunting success—the hunter does. Thermal imaging devices provide information. The responsibility for interpreting that information correctly will always remain in the hands of the hunter.

I chose this small mountain meadow, surrounded by dense forest, as my calling stand. It looked like the perfect place for a mature roe buck to step into the open. For more than three decades, I’ve worked in the media industry. It’s a profession where speed often determines success. The next story. The next headline. The next big opportunity. Always faster. Always pushing forward. Without realizing it, I carried that mindset with me into the woods. And during this year’s roe deer rut, nature reminded me just how wrong that approach can be. Because hunting cannot be rushed. I had barely settled into my stand before I reached for the call. At first, I called softly. Then more aggressively. I wanted to make the buck move. I wanted him to respond—quickly. Surely something had to happen. And something did. The buck answered. But instead of stepping into the meadow, curiosity kept him hidden in the timber. One moment behind a spruce, the next concealed by thick brush. I could hear him. I could sense him. But I never truly saw him. Not because he outsmarted me. Because I never gave him the opportunity to approach on his own terms. I tried to force my pace onto the hunt. That was my mistake. Looking back, the lesson is obvious. Had I simply waited another ten or fifteen minutes, watched the woods settle, allowed the silence to work its magic, and only then begun calling softly, the outcome might have been different. Or maybe not. But I would have been hunting on nature’s schedule instead of my own. Later, I talked about the experience with our hunting psychologist, Nika. She smiled. “Humility,” she said. “You can’t bend hunting to your will. You can’t force a roe buck to do what you want. Nature has its own rhythm. Respect it.” Those words reach far beyond hunting. Perhaps that’s the greatest lesson the rut has to offer. It doesn’t just teach us how a mature roe buck behaves—it reveals something about ourselves. It reminds us how difficult it has become to simply wait. To observe. To be still. Yet those quiet moments often produce the most memorable encounters. Hunting doesn’t reward impatience. It rewards awareness. And sometimes, the greatest trophy isn’t the buck you bring home. It’s leaving the woods with a little more humility than you had when you walked in. Because nature cannot be hurried. But it always rewards those willing to move at its pace.

Test rifle provided by Austrian importer Waffen Idl. It is short. Slim. So light that you almost have to pick it up twice to believe it. There is no oversized receiver, no aggressive styling, and no attempt to impress with military-inspired looks. At first glance, the German-made Jakele J1 appears almost understated. And that’s precisely its greatest strength. Because this hunting rifle from Bavaria refuses to follow convention. Instead, it introduces an entirely different way of thinking about hunting rifles—and it all starts with the distinctive hook behind the bolt that has become the rifle’s unmistakable trademark. “The Jakele J1 is the rifle with the hook,” says Schuss & Stille firearms expert David with a smile. He doesn’t mean that as criticism. Quite the opposite. The hook-shaped cocking lever defines the J1’s identity and ultimately determines whether a hunter truly understands the rifle. David has been familiar with the J1 for years. “The rifle had almost no growing pains. Accuracy, reliability, overall performance—it simply worked from the beginning.” That alone is impressive, since entirely new rifle designs often require several generations before they earn hunters’ trust in the field. Built for Hunters Who Walk According to David, the Jakele J1 feels perfectly at home in mountainous hunting regions like Austria, Bavaria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol. Unlike many modern rifles, it doesn’t try to be everything at once. It isn’t designed as a driven-hunt workhorse. It isn’t a tactical long-range chassis rifle. And it certainly isn’t built around oversized magazines. Instead, the J1 was designed for hunters who spend their days hiking mountain trails, stalking game through dense forests, or sitting patiently in remote stands. At only 5.7–6 pounds (2.6–2.7 kg) with an overall length of roughly 38 inches (97 cm), it remains comfortable to carry even after an entire day in the mountains. David likes to describe it as “a break-action rifle without the break action.” It’s an unexpectedly accurate comparison. The Jakele offers the compact handling, elegant balance, and quick pointing characteristics of a traditional single-shot stalking rifle—but still gives hunters the ability to fire rapid follow-up shots. The detachable magazine holds two cartridges, with one additional round in the chamber. A 2+1 capacity may sound modest in today’s era of high-capacity detachable magazines. But with the J1, that wasn’t an engineering limitation. It was an intentional design decision. “How often do you really need more than three shots while stalking or sitting in a stand?” David asks. Every experienced hunter already knows the answer. The J1 was designed around Central European hunting traditions—making one deliberate, ethical shot on roe deer, chamois, red stag, or fox. Hunters looking for a rifle built for high-volume shooting during large driven hunts will likely find better options elsewhere. The Hook That Automatically De-Cocks Positioned just behind the trigger is Jakele’s signature cocking hook, operated naturally with the middle finger to cock the rifle before firing. The first time you handle the Jakele J1, the cocking system feels unfamiliar. Instead of using a conventional tang safety or sliding cocking piece, Jakele places a distinctive hook beneath the bolt. Pull it rearward with your fingers, and the rifle is cocked. Release it without firing… …and the rifle instantly de-cocks itself. That’s where its greatest safety advantage becomes obvious. Most manually cocked hunting rifles require the shooter to consciously remember to de-cock after deciding not to fire. With the Jakele, that happens automatically. The moment tension on the hook disappears, the firing mechanism safely returns to its uncocked state. “The first time I used it, I actually forgot to cock the rifle,” David laughs. He settled behind the rifle, squeezed the trigger… Nothing happened. Only after Austrian importer Robert Idl reminded him did he realize that everything on the J1 begins with the hook. After only a few repetitions, however, the motion becomes completely natural. Since your fingers already rest in that position while gripping the rifle, cocking quickly turns into an instinctive movement. David also dismisses one common concern. Many hunters worry that the hook could snag clothing or gear. In practice, he says, the hook is well protected inside the trigger guard area and never became an issue during carrying or shooting. For additional security, the rifle also features a secondary safety that completely locks the firing mechanism. Locking Directly Into the Barrel The J1 locks directly into the barrel, creating a rigid, exceptionally strong lock-up that forms the foundation for its outstanding accuracy. Mechanically, the Jakele J1 is a straight-pull bolt-action rifle using a rotating bolt head that locks directly into the barrel extension. Although the concept shares similarities with other modern straight-pull systems such as the Merkel Helix, Jakele developed an entirely independent design. As the bolt closes, internal cam surfaces rotate the bolt head into battery. If the bolt isn’t fully locked, the rifle simply cannot fire. That’s an important safety feature under real hunting conditions. If dirt enters the action—or if a cartridge isn’t fully seated—the bolt cannot lock completely. Instead of allowing an unsafe shot, the rifle simply refuses to fire. The receiver itself measures only about 36 millimeters wide, giving the rifle an incredibly slim appearance. Yet beneath those elegant lines hides surprising strength. David measured wall thicknesses approaching 8 millimeters in some areas, resulting in exceptional rigidity—one of the key ingredients behind the rifle’s outstanding accuracy. A Stock Designed for Traditional Hunters The test rifle featured Jakele’s Alpin Bavaria stock. It combines elements of a thumbhole stock with the graceful lines of traditional Bavarian hunting rifles. The pronounced Bavarian cheekpiece, ergonomic pistol grip, and flowing contours create a classic appearance without looking outdated. The grip angle naturally positions the trigger hand, while the slim dimensions make the rifle easy to handle for shooters of all sizes. David has noticed that many female hunters are particularly drawn to the Jakele. Its light weight, compact dimensions, and excellent balance make it especially comfortable for smaller-framed shooters. Hunters wanting maximum durability can easily swap to Jakele’s synthetic stock. The change requires no gunsmith. All necessary tools are conveniently stored inside the fore-end, allowing the same rifle to transition from an elegant walnut hunting rifle to a rugged mountain rifle within minutes. Firearms expert David came away thoroughly impressed with the Jakele J1, calling it one of the most innovative hunting rifles he has tested in recent years. Barrel Changes Made Simple Owners can also replace barrels themselves. Jakele uses a unique 360-degree clamping system, which securely surrounds the barrel without allowing any vertical or horizontal movement. According to David, no calibrated torque wrench is required. The system itself determines when the barrel is correctly seated. The only important requirement is keeping all contact surfaces clean. Jakele’s cold hammer-forged barrels are manufactured in Germany and chambered for a wide variety of hunting cartridges—from classic deer calibers all the way up to .300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm PRC. David believes the 7mm PRC is especially attractive for mountain hunters seeking exceptional long-range ballistics. Lightweight Doesn't Mean Difficult Ultra-light hunting rifles often demand more from the shooter. Less weight means less stability, more noticeable recoil, and greater sensitivity to shooting technique. The Jakele is no exception. During testing, David found that the lightweight rifle required slightly more attention on sandbags than a heavy precision rifle. It responds more noticeably to pressure and body position. But that isn’t a flaw in the rifle. It’s simply physics. With a suppressor installed, recoil in .308 Winchester remained surprisingly soft. David describes the rifle as exceptionally pleasant to shoot. Testing included Norma ODIN, which delivered excellent reliability and impressive accuracy. The rifle also performed extremely well with RWS Evolution, RWS Speed Tip Professional, Sako Super Hammerhead, and Hornady ELD-X ammunition. David’s conclusion couldn’t have been clearer: “Its accuracy is outstanding.” The Jakele J1 delivered outstanding accuracy in our test chambered in .308 Winchester, producing consistently tight groups and impressive real-world performance on the range. Keep the Chamber Clean One characteristic every Jakele owner should know concerns maintenance. Because of its precisely fitted straight-pull action, the rifle reacts more noticeably to dirt inside the chamber than rifles with looser tolerances. Moisture, fingerprints, or even light surface corrosion can make bolt operation feel slightly stiffer. That’s not unique to the Jakele—it simply reflects the tighter tolerances common in premium hunting rifles. Regular cleaning with a chamber brush quickly restores the silky-smooth bolt operation. Plenty of Mounting Options Jakele chose a practical approach for optics. The J1 accepts mounts based on the popular Blaser saddle mount interface, giving hunters access to numerous mounting solutions. Jakele also offers its own Precision Mount, featuring adjustable side levers that require no tools for fine adjustment. The test rifle carried a Noblex 2–12x50 riflescope, an excellent match for the rifle’s intended purpose. A standard M14x1 muzzle thread allows the installation of most common suppressors while preserving the rifle’s slim profile. Jakele also offers its own lightweight bipod system, while hunters can alternatively install a flush-mounted Spartan adapter inside the fore-end. Premium Price, Unique Value The Jakele J1 is unquestionably a premium rifle. Synthetic-stock models begin around €4,500, while walnut-stock versions approach €6,000, depending on configuration. Naturally, comparisons to the Blaser R8 are inevitable. Yet the two rifles represent very different philosophies. The Blaser emphasizes modularity and versatility. The Jakele focuses on minimal weight, elegant handling, and perhaps the most intuitive manual cocking system currently available. Hunters searching for high-capacity magazines or tactical accessories may look elsewhere. But anyone wanting an exceptionally lightweight, remarkably safe stalking rifle will discover one of Europe’s most original hunting rifle designs. Innovation from Bavaria Behind the Jakele J1 stands Jakele Jagd + Natur GmbH, a family-owned company based in Bavaria’s Upper Palatinate region. Long before entering the rifle market, Jakele earned a strong reputation among European hunters for premium hunting accessories, gun safes, rifle racks, backpacks, and outdoor equipment. Founder Andreas Jakele chose not to copy existing straight-pull actions. Instead, he set out to create something entirely original. The result is a rifle that combines German engineering with fresh thinking—proof that family-owned companies can still challenge some of Europe’s biggest names through innovation rather than tradition. A Rifle for Hunters Who Choose Deliberately The Jakele J1 isn’t built for everyone. It’s too specialized. Too unconventional. Perhaps even a little stubborn. But that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. It blends the graceful handling of a classic break-action hunting rifle with the speed of a modern straight-pull action. Its distinctive cocking hook takes only a few minutes to master but rewards the hunter with one of the most intuitive safety systems available today. Add excellent accuracy, outstanding workmanship, and remarkably low weight, and the result is something genuinely different. David summed it up perfectly after leaving the range: “It’s light, it handles beautifully, and it shoots.” At the end of the day, that’s exactly what a hunting rifle should do.

Sometimes, Nothing Happens Some hunts stay with us because of a magnificent roe buck. Others because of a once-in-a-lifetime shot. But then there are the quiet mornings or evenings when nothing measurable happens at all. No harvest. No hero shot. Just time spent in the woods. Ironically, those are often the moments that reveal what hunting is truly about. For many European hunters, the roe deer rut is the emotional highlight of the season. Every call on the roe call could lure an old buck from his bedding cover. Every movement between the spruce trees sends your pulse racing. But while social media celebrates antlers and grip-and-grin photos, real hunting often begins where no camera is watching. Sometimes, it begins in the rain. A Mountain Hunting Ground Wrapped in Silence High above the valley, where dark spruce forests climb steep mountainsides and the rugged peaks of the Julian Alps stretch across the horizon, hunting takes on an entirely different meaning. On this summer afternoon, the mountains repeatedly disappear behind low clouds as gentle rain drifts across the ridgelines. The landscape feels timeless—almost sacred. From the wooden hunting stand, the view sweeps across alpine meadows, forest openings, and dense timber. Up here, life slows down. Rain softens every sound until all that remains is the whisper of the wind through the trees. It’s a landscape that commands respect—and quietly reminds us just how small we really are. From the stand, the view stretches across alpine meadows, timber cuts, and steep forested mountainsides. When the Woods Set the Pace Fine raindrops filter through the canopy above. They drum softly against the roof of the stand while the breeze carries the scent of pine resin, wet earth, and moss. Clothing slowly becomes damp. Binocular lenses begin to fog. Time itself seems to move more slowly. And that’s when the realization comes. The hunter isn’t in control. Not the caller. Not the latest rifle. Not the finest optics. The forest decides. The weather decides. The buck decides. We can choose the right location, play the wind, and make the perfect sequence of calls. Everything beyond that is outside our control. A Lesson in Humility Perhaps that is hunting’s greatest gift. Modern life convinces us that everything can be planned. Schedules. Travel. Weather forecasts. Success. There’s an app, an algorithm, or a calendar for almost everything. But on a quiet hunting stand, that illusion quickly disappears. Only the present moment matters. Those who obsess over success grow restless. Those who begin to truly observe the woods discover a world hidden from everyday life. A woodpecker hammers somewhere in the timber. A Eurasian jay loudly announces every intruder. A snail slowly crosses the rain-soaked wooden railing. A roe doe slips past with her fawns, but no buck follows. From a hunting perspective, nothing may happen. Yet everything happens. More Than Filling a Tag Looking toward the rugged peaks of the Julian Alps. Too often, hunting is reduced to the moment the trigger breaks. But anyone who has spent countless summers in a stand during the roe rut knows the finest memories are often made without firing a shot. They’re found in the fog slowly rising through the spruce trees while the Julian Alps fade behind a veil of mist. They’re found in raindrops falling from the roof of the stand as your eyes wander across the mountains. Up there, even time seems to lose its meaning. During the rut, it’s tempting to force success. Call again. Louder this time. Move to another stand. Experienced hunters know better. The biggest bucks often appear the moment you’ve stopped expecting them. The Greatest Luxury of Modern Life Patience has become one of the rarest qualities in today’s world. Hunting demands it. Hours spent sitting in a summer rain teach us that not every minute has to produce something. Silence isn’t emptiness. Waiting isn’t wasted time. In fact, it may be the greatest luxury hunting still offers. For a few precious hours, there are no emails, no deadlines, no notifications. Only the forest. The rain. The mountains. And the rhythm of your own breathing. The Forest Owes Us Nothing A hunter’s view from the stand into the quiet mountain forest. Every wildlife sighting is a gift. Every stalk is a privilege. Every mature buck that silently disappears back into the timber reminds us who truly belongs here. Nature owes us nothing. And that’s exactly why every successful hunt feels so meaningful. Perhaps that is the true magic of the roe deer rut. Not harvesting an old buck. But realizing that we are visitors—not owners. When you finally climb down after hours in the rain—completely soaked, without ever firing a shot, yet carrying the quiet feeling that you’ve experienced something genuine—that hunt may have been more successful than many others. Because Shot & Stillness isn’t simply about pursuing game. It’s about pursuing the moments that teach humility. The moments when the forest speaks louder than we do. The moments when the timeless Julian Alps, standing through centuries of rain, wind, and snow, remind us that true greatness is often found in silence. That’s where hunting begins—long before a trigger is ever pulled.

The Norma ODIN shown here in .300 Winchester Magnum When the first boxes of Norma ODIN arrived at Shot & Stillness, firearms expert David didn’t rush to the range. Instead, he took his time examining the new ammunition. “Whenever Norma introduces a completely new hunting cartridge, it’s worth taking a closer look,” he says. Within minutes, one thing became obvious: the Swedish manufacturer hadn’t simply released another copper bullet. The ODIN is designed to become Norma’s flagship in the world of premium lead-free hunting ammunition. Even before you pick up the first cartridge, the packaging grabs your attention. For decades, Norma was instantly recognizable by its classic yellow-and-red boxes. The ODIN takes a completely different approach. Finished in deep black with bold gold accents, a hunter carrying a moose across his shoulders, and the striking ODIN logo, the box immediately conveys a premium feel. It’s modern, clean, and unmistakably Scandinavian—exactly what you’d expect from a company aiming to redefine its premium ammunition lineup. A Cartridge That Sparks Curiosity As David removes the first cartridge from the box, his attention immediately shifts to the bullet itself. Its sleek profile, black surface treatment, and distinctive polymer tip set it apart from traditional hunting bullets. “This already looks like modern long-range technology,” was his first reaction. Anyone familiar with today’s precision hunting bullets will immediately recognize the aerodynamic design. The boat-tail base and streamlined polymer tip clearly show that Norma wasn’t designing this bullet solely for whitetail stands in thick timber. The ODIN is equally at home in open country, mountain terrain, and anywhere hunters may need to stretch the distance while maintaining confidence in their shot. Why the Name ODIN? The name couldn’t be more fitting. In Norse mythology, Odin is the god of wisdom, knowledge, and foresight—and he’s also closely associated with the hunt. Those are exactly the qualities Norma wants this cartridge to represent. Rather than emphasizing brute force, the ODIN is built around precision, consistency, and predictable terminal performance under real hunting conditions. Copper Bullets Have Come of Age Lead-free bullets haven’t always enjoyed the best reputation. Earlier generations sometimes struggled to expand reliably at longer distances, proved sensitive to varying impact velocities, or left significant copper fouling inside the barrel. But bullet technology has evolved dramatically over the past decade. The Norma ODIN demonstrates just how far modern monolithic hunting bullets have come. Machined entirely from solid copper, it contains no lead core. As a result, it retains nearly all of its weight after impact, delivering deep penetration and controlled energy transfer. For hunters, that means: Reliable exit wounds Exceptional weight retention Controlled expansion Minimal fragmentation Reduced meat damage The Black Coating Isn't Just for Looks One feature immediately caught David’s eye. “Take a look at this finish,” he says. The black coating is much more than a cosmetic touch. Norma calls the technology NAFT—Norma Anti Friction Technology. Originally developed for precision shooting applications, the coating offers several practical advantages. It reduces friction between bullet and barrel during firing, helping minimize copper fouling while promoting more consistent velocities and making barrel cleaning easier. Hunters who spend plenty of time practicing at the range are likely to appreciate those benefits. Built for the Modern Hunter Traditional hunting bullets were often optimized for shots inside 150 yards. Today’s hunters operate in a very different world. Thermal optics, laser rangefinders, premium rifles, and precision scopes have transformed modern hunting. At Shot & Stillness, rifles such as the Bergara Premier Elevate, Sako 100, Rössler Signature, and Bergara Cima Proare regularly tested—rifles capable of delivering exceptional accuracy well beyond typical hunting distances. The ODIN was clearly designed with that level of performance in mind. Our firearms expert David has become a strong believer in the Norma ODIN—and so far, the ammunition has consistently lived up to its promise. One Bullet for Nearly Every European Big Game Species Norma positions the ODIN as an all-around hunting bullet. Whether pursuing roe deer, Alpine chamois, wild boar, or mature red stag, the company claims the bullet delivers reliable terminal performance across an exceptionally wide range of impact velocities. One of its most impressive features is its broad expansion window. Even at lower velocities encountered during longer shots, the polymer tip is designed to initiate dependable expansion—an important advantage for mountain hunters, where shooting distances can vary dramatically. Experienced Austrian Hunters Are Already Impressed Before beginning his own field testing, David spoke with several experienced hunters from Austria’s Carinthia region—hunters who harvest significant numbers of game every season and judge ammunition by field performance rather than marketing claims. One observation came up repeatedly: the ODIN delivers remarkably controlled terminal performance. According to their experiences, the bullet expands reliably, consistently produces exit wounds, and minimizes meat damage. Even when a shot lands slightly farther back than intended, several hunters reported noticeably less bloodshot meat than they’ve seen with many other hunting bullets. That immediately caught David’s attention. “Every hunter knows that not every shot is textbook perfect,” he explains. “That’s exactly why it’s so important to use ammunition that performs predictably and minimizes unnecessary meat loss, even when conditions aren’t ideal.” Of course, firsthand stories don’t replace independent testing. But when numerous experienced hunters independently describe the same strengths, it’s certainly worth paying attention. The Shot & Stillness team also relies on Norma ODIN for our rifle reviews and field tests. The Norma ODIN appears to be a thoughtful answer to the demands of today’s hunters. Combining a monolithic copper bullet, advanced aerodynamic design, innovative surface coating, and dependable performance across a wide range of hunting distances, it has all the ingredients of a premium modern hunting load. Whether it ultimately earns a place among Europe’s finest hunting bullets remains to be seen. One thing is already clear, however: the Norma ODIN has the potential to become a new benchmark for serious hunters. And that’s exactly why Shot & Stillness will continue following its journey—from the moment it came out of the box to the moment it proves itself where every hunting bullet is ultimately judged: in the field.

Firearms expert David is thoroughly impressed by the Sako 100. The Sako 100 is no ordinary bolt-action rifle. It is a switch-barrel platform, a purpose-built travel rifle, a classically styled hunting arm, and a technological flagship all rolled into one. Developed to mark the Finnish manufacturer’s 100th anniversary, it was designed to represent nothing less than the very best of a century of Sako gunmaking. For Shot & Stillness, firearms expert David of Alpen Adria Jagd in Villach put the Sako 100 through its paces to find out whether this much-discussed do-it-all rifle really shoots as well as its reputation suggests. In Austria, the Sako 100 still has an almost mythical status. Hunters know the images from Finland: the elegant lines, dark walnut stock, and distinctive switch-barrel system. Yet even experienced Sako owners have often seen the Finnish company’s flagship rifle only in brochures or online videos. “A lot of people have heard about it, but very few have actually held one,” David says. To him, the Sako 100 is the company’s ultimate all-purpose rifle—a premium platform intended to cover as many hunting applications as possible with a single familiar system. That is an ambitious promise. It is also one Sako has deliberately made. A Century of Finnish Rifle Craftsmanship Sako’s history reaches back to the years following Finnish independence. A firearms workshop was established for the Finnish Civil Guard in 1919. On April 1, 1921, it became an independent company—a date now officially recognized as Sako’s birthday. In 1927, the company moved to Riihimäki, where its headquarters remain today. Ammunition production began in 1929, in-house barrel manufacturing followed in 1932, and stock production started in 1938. Sako has been part of the Beretta Holding group since 2000. Over the decades, the brand built its reputation on three fundamental qualities: exceptionally smooth bolt operation, cold-hammer-forged barrels, and remarkably consistent manufacturing standards. Rifles such as the Sako 75, Sako 85, and today’s Sako 90 represent the company’s traditional bolt-action lineage. The S20, by contrast, took Sako in a more modern and modular direction. For its anniversary rifle, Sako set out to unite both worlds: Nordic practicality and classic European gunmaking tradition. Sako describes the Model 100 as the culmination of a century of rifle development. The company positions it as a premium hunting rifle for stalking, stand hunting, driven hunts, and international hunting travel. David still remembers the rifle’s unveiling. “I was waiting for the video early that morning,” he recalls. “Sako produced an incredibly strong trailer—Finland, snow, hunting, wilderness. It immediately showed what kind of hunter this rifle was built for.” That hunter is someone who does not want to travel with a collection of different rifles, but instead wants one familiar platform capable of handling different species, continents, and cartridges. The Sako 100 was introduced to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary. Classic Lines, Modern Engineering Our test rifle is the Sako 100 Explorer Wood. At first glance, it remains far more faithful to the appearance of a traditional hunting rifle than many other modular platforms. The two-piece walnut stock features a schnabel-style fore-end and a buttstock with subtle Monte Carlo influences. According to Sako, the wooden components are hand-finished, while rosewood details and checkering reinforce the rifle’s traditional character. Sako also offers the Explorer Carbon, fitted with a dimensionally stable carbon-fiber stock produced through an RTM molding process. The walnut on our test rifle displays rich figure and immediately delivers the sense of quality expected at this price point. An orange recoil pad adds a deliberately traditional touch. “An orange recoil pad looks especially good on a finely stocked rifle,” David says. “You see it on a lot of classic British rifles. It gets dirty fairly quickly, but it is easy enough to clean.” The pistol grip is relatively steep, reflecting a trend now seen on many modern hunting rifles. A more vertical grip angle allows the shooting hand to remain relaxed, particularly when shooting from a seated position, from a blind, or from a supported rest. Length of pull cannot be altered with spacers. However, the trigger blade can be moved approximately seven millimeters forward or backward, providing some adjustment for hand size and trigger-finger placement. The trigger itself can be set to six different pull-weight levels between 750 and 1,750 grams—approximately 1.65 to 3.86 pounds—without disassembling the rifle. A Tool Hidden in the Buttstock David demonstrates how Sako neatly integrated the multifunction tool into the stock. One small but highly practical detail sits beneath a cover in the buttstock. Sako has installed a multifunction tool directly inside the rifle. In the field, it can be used to work on the barrel attachment, scope mounting system, buttstock, and trigger position. For a regular barrel change, Sako also supplies a dedicated torque wrench. The barrel-retaining screws are tightened to seven newton-meters. David particularly appreciates the fact that the tool does not lie loose inside the rifle case. “Sako must have realized that people like me would otherwise leave the tool at home,” he says with a laugh. “It is always inside the rifle, it is difficult to lose, and it still does not feel cheap. The cover locks cleanly and quietly.” On a rifle specifically designed for international travel, this is more than a gimmick. Any hunter who has arrived on the other side of the world only to discover that an essential wrench is still sitting in the gun room back home will immediately understand the value of the design. Manual Cocking Instead of a Conventional Safety The manual cocking control can be pushed forward slowly and quietly. One of the Sako 100’s defining features is its manual cocking system. When the rifle is decocked, the firing-pin spring is not under full tension. The rifle becomes ready to fire only when the cocking control is pushed forward. A separate release allows the mechanism to be decocked again. The system combines manual cocking with an internal firing-pin safety. A separate bolt-release control also allows the action to be opened while the rifle remains decocked. This means the Sako 100 can be loaded or unloaded without first cocking the firing mechanism. In practice, the cocking control can be operated quickly with an audible click or, with a little care, moved forward slowly and relatively quietly. “It works extremely cleanly,” David says. “The rifle stays decocked until I am genuinely ready to shoot. I can still open the bolt to load or unload it. That is exactly how a modern manual cocking system should work.” Our test rifle had already traveled to numerous trade shows and demonstrations across Europe. The mechanism had likely been operated by countless people. Despite that use, it showed no noticeable play or functional problems. That matters on a premium rifle. An impressive mechanism is not enough. It must continue to operate reliably after extensive handling and real-world use. The Classic Sako Bolt The bolt of the Sako 100. Opening the action reveals a quality for which Sako has been known for decades: exceptionally smooth bolt travel. The bolt uses three locking lugs and a 60-degree lift. This provides ample clearance between the bolt handle and a low-mounted scope. Dual ejectors are intended to deliver reliable case ejection, particularly with the larger and heavier cases used by magnum cartridges. The bolt is treated with a DLC coating. DLC stands for “diamond-like carbon,” a hard carbon-based surface treatment. According to Sako, the process creates a highly wear-resistant and smooth surface that also retains lubricant and improves corrosion resistance. The action and barrel are protected with Cerakote Elite. This thin ceramic coating is designed to improve resistance to abrasion, reduce friction, and protect the metal against dirt and environmental exposure. During the test, the bolt’s effortless movement was immediately apparent. Even when light sideways pressure was applied, it showed no tendency to bind. “The bolt throw is classic Sako,” David says. “Extremely smooth and beautifully finished, with no scratching and no unnecessary play.” The bolt handle ends in Sako’s familiar open-sided spherical knob. Shooters who prefer a larger gripping surface can fit an additional oversized bolt knob. The elegant Sako 100 fitted with a Kahles riflescope. Metal Where Metal Belongs Sako largely avoids polymer in the rifle’s structural and mechanically stressed components. The trigger guard and trigger blade are metal, as is the detachable magazine. The magazine uses a double-stack design but can still be loaded from the top while seated in the rifle. Its controlled-release system is intended to prevent accidental loss. Different magazine configurations are used for the various cartridge families. The magazine does not simply drop free at the touch of an exposed button. It must first be pushed slightly inward before the release is activated. This makes accidental removal while carrying the rifle or moving through thick cover far less likely. “Sako magazines have always been among the best,” David says. “They are strong, they feed cleanly, and they do not feel like a cheap component added as an afterthought.” In the premium-rifle segment, details like this often determine the overall impression. Even a beautifully machined receiver quickly loses its appeal when a lightweight polymer magazine rattles beneath it. The Heart of the Rifle: The Switch-Barrel System The Sako 100’s barrel can be changed quickly and easily. At its core, the Sako 100 is a switch-barrel rifle. The barrel, magazine, and—depending on the cartridge family—the bolt can all be exchanged. This allows the same stock, trigger, and operating system to be used for widely different hunting applications. The official cartridge selection ranges from .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and 6.5 Creedmoor to .30-06 Springfield, 8×57 IS, and 9.3×62, as well as 7mm Remington Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .375 Holland & Holland. That gives the platform enough versatility to cover virtually the entire spectrum of European hunting and a significant portion of traditional international big-game hunting. Changing the barrel takes only a few steps: remove the bolt, loosen the retaining system, replace the barrel, lightly snug the screws, reinstall the bolt, and then torque the screws to seven newton-meters. The screws remain captive in the system and cannot easily be lost. The most important design detail, however, is the scope mounting arrangement. The scope base is attached directly to the barrel rather than the receiver. As a result, the barrel and its zeroed optic remain together as a single unit. When a prepared barrel-and-scope combination is installed, the point of impact is intended to remain unchanged. Sako specifically promotes the system as capable of returning to zero without requiring the barrel to be sighted in again. In practice, a responsible hunter should still fire at least one confirmation shot after any disassembly. Nevertheless, the technical concept is convincing: all components directly influencing point of impact remain attached to one another. David sees this as the rifle’s greatest advantage for hunters who travel regularly. “I can keep a barrel stored with its dedicated scope already zeroed,” he explains. “At home, I might use a .300 Winchester Magnum. For a different hunt, I can install another barrel with the appropriate magazine and, when necessary, a different bolt. The rifle’s handling remains exactly the same.” A switch-barrel rifle only delivers its full advantage when the alternate barrels and optics are prepared intelligently. A shooter who repeatedly moves the same scope between barrels and then has to re-zero each combination greatly reduces the practical benefit of the system. Aluminum V-Bedding for Repeatable Accuracy For a switch-barrel system to remain accurate over time, the barrel must return to precisely the same position after every installation. Sako uses a full-length aluminum V-bedding system designed to create a solid, form-fitting, and repeatable connection between the barrel and the action assembly. With the barrel removed, the defined bearing surfaces are easy to see. The barrel does not merely rest on a simple flat surface. Instead, it is guided by precisely shaped contact points. A substantial recoil lug absorbs the forces generated during firing. The bolt locks directly into the barrel. Chamber pressure is therefore contained within the barrel-and-bolt assembly rather than being transferred through separate locking surfaces in the receiver. David considers this an especially sound engineering solution. “Direct locking into the barrel is one of the best designs in my opinion,” he says. “The connection is stable, mechanically logical, and provides an excellent foundation for accuracy.” The Optilock mounting system on the Sako 100. Optilock Is Still Optilock Our test rifle was fitted with a Kahles Helia 3.5–18×50, mounted using Sako’s new barrel-mounted bridge and traditional Optilock rings. The Optilock system uses synthetic inserts inside the rings. These inserts help align the scope without placing unnecessary stress on the tube, compensate for minor misalignment between the rings, and protect the scope from pressure marks. The concept is not new, but it is well proven. Other manufacturers later adopted similar solutions. The Kahles is a well-balanced match for the Sako 100. Its 3.5-power low end remains usable for relatively quick shots at shorter distances, while 18-power magnification provides ample capability for precision shooting at extended ranges. David was particularly impressed by the scope’s light transmission. The target area in the shooting tunnel was dark, with the paper target positioned against a black background. Even under those conditions, the image remained bright and well defined. He did criticize the tactile feel of the adjustment turrets. “The adjustments work,” David says. “But to me, the clicks feel a little less sharply defined than those on some Swarovski or Schmidt & Bender scopes.” That criticism applies to the optic, not the rifle. David tested the Sako 100 on the shooting range. Test Configuration: .300 Winchester Magnum The rifle was tested with Norma Oryx ammunition loaded with a 180-grain bullet. Our Sako 100 Explorer Wood was chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum. The magnum barrel measures approximately 24.4 inches. That is not particularly compact in the field, but it allows the cartridge to make far better use of its ballistic potential than many of today’s short-barreled configurations. A Svemko Standard 1.0 suppressor was fitted to the muzzle. The ammunition used a 180-grain bullet, equivalent to 11.7 grams. The complete setup—including rifle, scope, mounting system, and suppressor—weighed roughly 11 pounds. Depending on configuration and barrel length, the bare rifle weighs approximately 7.9 to 8.4 pounds. That means the Sako 100 is not an ultralight mountain rifle. “The weight is something that has to be addressed honestly,” David says. “If you want quality, a substantial steel action, a long magnum barrel, and a stable switch-barrel platform, you have to be willing to carry some weight.” On a demanding chamois hunt involving 5,000 vertical feet of climbing, every additional ounce becomes noticeable. From a blind, during a moderate stalk, or on an international hunting trip, however, that weight steadies the rifle and reduces felt recoil. The carbon version trims some weight, but it still does not turn the Sako 100 into a no-compromise ultralight rifle. Firearms expert David with the Sako 100 at the range. The First Shot Is the One That Matters The initial shots showed that the rifle, optic, suppressor, and ammunition worked well together. After an adjustment to the scope, the impacts tightened into a compact group. One round landed slightly outside the main cluster, prompting David to let the barrel cool completely. He then fired the most important confirmation shot: a cold-bore round. It landed back with the main group. On a hunting rifle, this shot matters more than a rapidly fired five- or ten-shot string. In the field, the first shot is normally fired through a cold barrel. A rifle can produce impressive range groups and still disappoint hunters if the first cold-bore shot regularly lands away from the rest. The Sako 100 showed no such problem. “I wanted to know whether the cold-bore shot would return exactly where it belonged,” David explains. “And that is precisely what it did.” Accuracy Was No Surprise - But It Was Mandatory David was not shocked that the Sako 100 shot well. “I have never had a Sako that would not shoot,” he says. Then came the line likely destined to become a social-media outtake: “If this setup had not performed, I would have cut the Sako 100 apart with an angle grinder.” A hunting rifle costing several thousand dollars must do more than look good. It must place the first cold-bore shot correctly, cycle reliably, maintain its point of impact, and return to the same zero after repeated disassembly and reassembly. At this price level, accuracy is not a bonus. It is an obligation. A Travel Rifle, Not a Universal Answer for Every Hunter Sako describes the rifle as being designed for “explorers.” That may sound like marketing language, but it actually defines the target customer surprisingly well. The Sako 100 is particularly well suited to hunters who: travel internationally on a regular basis; hunt multiple species requiring different cartridges; want to retain the same stock fit and operating system; value premium materials and traditional styling; need a rifle that can be broken down into a compact package for transportation. It makes less sense for someone who hunts exclusively in a local area with a single cartridge and wants the lightest rifle possible. Such a hunter may be just as well served by a traditionally configured Sako 90 or a lighter Tikka—and at a considerably lower price. The Price of Premium Engineering David came away impressed by the Sako 100. The Sako 100 sits firmly in the premium price category. Depending on the version, market, and configuration, the rifle generally costs between €5,000 and €6,000, before adding alternate barrels, magazines, bolt components, or optics. It therefore competes not with basic working rifles, but with high-end modular platforms such as the Blaser R8, Steel Action, Steyr Monobloc, and other premium European hunting rifles. David considers the price high, but not unreasonable in light of the engineering and construction. “It is a lot of money,” he says. “But you also get a lot of rifle: a high-quality case, a well-designed switch-barrel system, a steel magazine, manual cocking, an excellent mounting arrangement, and construction that shows very few signs of cost-cutting.” The production rifle is delivered in a premium transport case specifically designed for the broken-down configuration. For hunters traveling by air, that is a genuine advantage rather than merely impressive packaging. Even so, buyers should calculate the total cost honestly. Adding several barrels, dedicated magazines, alternate bolt components, and individual scopes can quickly push the complete investment well into five figures. Between Tradition and Technology Perhaps the Sako 100’s greatest achievement is that, despite its modular construction, it does not look like a technical platform. Many switch-barrel rifles display their engineering openly. They appear functional, industrial, and at times almost military. The Sako 100 Explorer Wood, however, initially presents itself as an elegant walnut-stocked hunting rifle with classic proportions. Only on closer inspection do the two-piece stock, barrel-mounted scope system, integrated tool, and modern action architecture become apparent. That combination suits Sako’s history. For decades, the Finnish manufacturer has occupied the space between industrial precision manufacturing and traditional European hunting culture. The Sako 100 does not try to hide that contrast. It makes it the central element of the rifle’s identity. The Ultimate Do-It-All Hunting Rifle? The Sako 100 attempts to be several things at once: a classic walnut-stocked rifle, a modern switch-barrel system, a safe manually cocked action, a durable travel companion, and an accurate magnum platform. Remarkably, it largely succeeds. The rifle is exceptionally well made, the bolt cycles with impressive smoothness, and the caliber-conversion system is intelligently engineered. The barrel-mounted optic, integrated tool, aluminum V-bedding, and direct barrel locking are not decorative marketing features. They are meaningful technical solutions. Its disadvantages are equally clear. The Sako 100 is heavy, long, and expensive. Hunters looking for a featherweight mountain rifle—or those who only need one cartridge—are unlikely to use its full potential. To firearms expert David, the Sako 100 is about as close as a rifle gets to doing everything. Whether the Finns have an expression for that remains another question. For the dedicated traveling hunter who wants to use the same familiar platform from a home red-stag lease to Scandinavia or Africa, however, it ranks among the most compelling premium hunting rifles currently available. David delivers his verdict in less restrained terms: “This is simply a genuinely high-quality, honest rifle. The bolt, manual cocking system, scope mounting system, and accuracy leave very little to criticize. If someone wants something special and is prepared to pay for it, this rifle truly delivers something special.” The perfect rifle for every species, every range, and every hunting situation probably does not exist. But the Sako 100 comes closer to that idea than most.