Mountain hunting with Blaser K95 rifle in .308 Winchester and Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 P scope

What more could a hunter's heart want? You don't find such a large selection of calibers for such a fine rifle every day. The K95 from Blaser is a single-shot rifle. And yes, even if you may now be thinking: "Mmmh, it looks good, but is the one shot still just right for me?", we want to dispel the preconception that you need more than one shot when hunting. Because if there were statistics on all the available hunting calibers and rifles in the world, it would be very likely that the percentage of hits achieved with the first shot would be 90% or more. A very well-known female hunter once whispered the following sentences in the ear of the author of this article: "I know exactly that I only have this one shot. That challenges me mentally, because everything has to be 100% right before I take a shot. If the game animal is too far away, then I keep my finger straight. If the game animal is restless, I keep my finger straight. Everything has to fit, otherwise I don't shoot." Now, not all hunters are like the aforementioned owner of the break-action rifle. However, it does show how the owners of break-action rifles think. The light weight in combination with the inherently very good accuracy of the K95 from Blaser is the reason why many hunters decide in favour of the K95. The ability to choose rom a range of 29 calibers makes the K95 even more interesting.

Let's take a look at the numerous calibers available for the Blaser K95

We were out in the mountains with the RWS EVO GREEN Short Rifle. In combination with the K95 from Blaser and the Z8i 1.7-13.3x42, shooting ranges of up to 250 meters are possible.

Our ammunition of choice is the EVO GREEN Short Rifle from RWS in .308 Winchester. This cartridge was used on the 300-m range But in addition to the standard calibers such as the .308 Winchester or the .30-06 Springfield, there are a few other very interesting chamberings that we would like to introduce to you here:

1. 8.5x55 Blaser: Blaser itself describes this cartridge as the new all-rounder. The Blaser 8.5x55 would certainly be a very good option for the break-barrel rifle, because the application possibilities leave nothing to be desired, even if it perhaps it has a little too much power for roe deer. With the right point of impact, this should be manageable for most people. The advantage of the 8.5x55 lies in the wide range of applications. A lot is possible with it in the range from 50 to 350 meters.

2. .243 Winchester: This cartridge has a lot of fans. Ir can be used for roe deer and also for chamois and fox. Its advantage is that it is gentle on game. However, it is important to bear in mind that this cartridge often requires a precise match between the load and the rifle. The .243 Win. offers a balanced performance ratio.

3. Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC: The hype surrounding these cartridges does not stop at the break-action rifle. As always, when it comes to these two fast-paced cartridges, we would like to point out that they both deliver a lot of energy into the target, even at long ranges. However, you should keep an eye on the susceptibility to wind, especially in the mountains when you go out with a break-action rifle.

4. .338 Blaser Magnum: This powerful round is ideal for strong and heavy game, even at long ranges. The .338 Blaser Magnum is characterised by its pleasant shooting behaviour. A good choice for mountain hunting, for example when it comes to red deer in the Alps. At 300 meters, the 13.6 gr (210 g) .338 Blaser Magnum TTSX, for example, delivers 3,436 joules to the target.

Optics: Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 P and NL Pure 10x52 binoculars

The author of this article was somewhat surprised when he saw the scope on the rifle. We had expected a slightly larger magnification range. At second glance, the setup made sense, because after we discovered on the shooting range that we could achieve very good accuracy up to 200 meters with the .308 Winchester and that the maximum shooting distance should reach up to 250 metres, we knew that you could also hunt in the mountains with the Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 P from Swarovski and that the optical features of the scope would be perfectly adequate for this. In addition, the quick reticle adjustment for the respective ranges between 100 and 300 meters made it possible to adjust the scope relatively quickly. In terms of optics and technology, the Z8i was a perfect match for the K95. The binoculars used were the Swarovski 10x52 NL Pure. We have the sister model in 14x52 on long-term test at all4hunters.com until the end of the year. We don't want to spoil anything yet, but we can already say that these two binoculars are well worth the money. The detailed report on this long-term test will be available here at all4hunters.com at the beginning of 2025.

Out and about in the hunting ground with the hunter. The NL Pure 10x52 from Swarovski Optik was used for stalking. Excellent binoculars.
The NL Pure 10x52 binoculars from Swarovski. A revolutionary wide field of view and ground-breaking design combined in a premium class binocular.

RWS EVO GREEN Short Rifle cartridge in .308 Winchester

The RWS EVO GREEN Short Rifle in .308 Winchester is a modern cartridge that has been specially developed for use in short barrels. The EVO GREEN bullets are lead-free and environmentally friendly. These bullets offer a high energy output and excellent penetration, which ensures a safe hunt. The RWS EVO GREEN Short Rifle is specially designed for short barrels, which maximises performance and accuracy even with compact hunting rifles. Optimised powder blends ensure high muzzle velocities and consistent ballistics, even with short barrels. The RWS EVO Green Short Rifle in .308 Winchester calibre is particularly suitable for hunting roe deer, wild boar and other medium-sized game. Its design ensures high effectiveness and guarantees minimal meat damage. Overall, the RWS EVO GREEN Short Rifle in .308 Win. offers an excellent combination of performance, accuracy and environmental friendliness, specially optimised for use in short-barrelled rifles.

Silencer from Hausken: Hausken SK 156 MK II

The Hausken SK 156 MK II is a modern silencer specially developed by Hausken for hunting and sporting rifles.

1. Compact design: The Hausken SK 156 MK II is compact and lightweight, making it ideal for hunting where weight and gun handling are crucial.
2. Efficient silencing: It offers excellent silencing, which significantly reduces the sound pressure level when firing, thus protecting the shooter's hearing and minimising disturbance to the surroundings.
3. Material and workmanship: The silencer is made of high-strength aluminum and has a rugged, corrosion-resistant coating. This ensures a long service life and high reliability even under demanding conditions.
4. Simple installation: Installation is quick and easy using an M15x1 thread, making it compatible with many common hunting rifles.
5. Caliber compatibility: The SK 156 MK II is suitable for a wide range of calibers, making it versatile.
6. Ease of maintenance: Thanks to its sophisticated design, the silencer is easy to disassmble and clean, which simplifies maintenance and ensures long-term performance.
7. Improved accuracy: In addition to noise reduction, the use of a silencer can also improve the rifle accuracy by reducing recoil and muzzle energy.
8. Dimensions and weight: The SK 156 MK II has an overall length of 156 mm and weighs approximately 330 g, making it handy and easy to transport.

To summarise, the Hausken SK 156 MK II silencer is an excellent choice for hunters who value compact, efficient and durable silencing.


Further information on the hardware used can be found on the respective websites:

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