The small but mighty Austrian gun maker RÖWA (Rössler Waffen) has opted for a special chambering to expand its caliber range. As RÖWA boss Walter Rößler explained to us, he came up with the idea of offering a new caliber after Jagd & Hund and IWA OutdoorClassics 2023 fairs.
Is the 8.5x55 Blaser in the Rössler Signature the new universal caliber for the hunter?
With the 8.5x55 Blaser, he has now chosen a candidate from the broad spectrum of hunting rifle calibers that actually has the potential to establish itself as a universal cartridge. The fact that it has not yet done so is probably due to the price of the cartridges in 8.5x55 Blaser.
Anyone browsing the relevant forums and groups on the Internet or Facebook will quickly be confronted with the following statement: "I'd love to, but it's too expensive for me". It is true that the 8.5x55 Blaser is not a cheap cartridge, but if you look at the performance data, you will realise that you are getting a cartridge with magnum character that can also be fired from short barrels.
As far as the Signature from Rössler is concerned, we can say that for around €2,500 you get a hunting rifle "made in Austria" which, in addition to its high-quality workmanship, also offers very good accuracy. And here is another important tip for all left-handed shooters: at RÖWA, you don't have to pay a cent extra for a Signature with a left-handed action!
Burris Eliminator 6 4-20x52mm: the new LaserScope now looks like a conventional riflescope. What can it offer?
The importance of good product design can be seen in the new riflescope from Burris. Anyone familiar with the previous models in the Burris Eliminator series will know that the design of this model series has always taken some getting used to. We are only talking about the product design here – the technical components and capabilities of the series have always been trend-setting. Now it finally also looks like a riflescope. Congratulations on that! Here is our impression from the shooting range and hunting ground.
Before you go hunting, you have to feed the Burris Eliminator 6 with the bullet data, in our case that of the 8.5x55 Blaser. Once this has been done correctly, the riflescope is zeroed in at 100 metres. You can now measure the distance to the respective target with the built-in laser rangefinder. The highlight of the Eliminator 6 is that the hold point changes automatically and displays the correct position after the range to the target has been lasered out. We were able to use this up to a distance of 1,079 metres with the cartridge used due to its trajectory curve – clearly this is only the technically feasible value and not a distance at which you would shoot when hunting. The aiming point in the riflescope is then already at the edge of the glass, but up to that point the technology works perfectly. Incidentally, the Eliminator 6 laser has a maximum range of around 2,000 meters. We were therefore able to use the Burris Eliminator 6 4-20x52 to measure ranges at which the projected aiming point would theoretically no longer have been inside the scope. At some point, however, we had to stop when we wanted to measure a more distant mountain peak. Then we got the message:"Range Error" on the display. In addition to the measured distance, the riflescope also calculates and displays the bullet velocity and the energy on the target for the previously programmed load.
The information on the display of the Burris Eliminator 6 4-20x52
The bullet velocity and energy on the target display is extremely helpful. Especially when you really have to go beyond the usual hunting ranges of around 70 to 120 metres – which can happen in the mountains – the shooter can see exactly how much energy still reaches the target at the intended range. This helps the hunter to judge whether he should keep his finger straight with the chosen load. If you are familiar with your bullet and know what speed it needs to achieve its full effect or at least sufficient effect in the body of the game, the Burris Eliminator 6 gives you a reliable indication to assess whether a shot at the target is still appropriate for hunting.
Are there things we didn't like about the new Burris Eliminator 6? Yes, but these are more of a personal nature and probably play a secondary role for the hunter. With regard to point 1, it should first be noted that the range can be measured in two ways with the Eliminator 6. We recommend using the remote control, which is paired with the Eliminator 6 via Bluetooth. As in our case, this can be attached to the gun on the fore-end or in a place where it is relatively easy to reach with the hand (regardless of whether it is on the left or right side of the gun). The measurement using the menu button on the left side of the scope also works perfectly, with the restriction – and this is also our point 1 – that you have to take your hand off the fore-end to take the measurement. As a result, you have to aim again after the measurement in order to precisely center the target again in the reticle. Point 2 concerns focussing the scope on the eyepiece. From the author's point of view, this was somewhat difficult. However, both points can be categorised as "whining on a high level" and cannot detract from the excellent overall impression that the Burris Eliminator 6 made on us. The author of this article would have been confident of shooting a standing deer up to 300 metres, also due to the fact that on the day before the hunt in the shooting arena on the Grossglockner we were able to shoot groupings of less than 5 centimetres up to 300 metres with the Rössler Signature in 8.5x55 from Blaser and the Burris Eliminator 6. Burris uses the so-called X177 reticle on the Eliminator 6, which offers a total of over 177 possible aiming points including wind marks. This means that once the aiming point has been determined, the wind can also be taken into account when placing the aiming point. But as they say so boldly among long range shooters:"Elevation is science, windage is voodoo".
The SAX KJG hunting cartridge in calibre 8.5x55 Blaser – Lead-free ammunition not only for hunting bucks in the mountains
The KJG bullet from Sax in 8.5x55 is a special hunting bullet that is known for its high accuracy and penetrating power. KJG stands for "Kupfer-Jagd-Geschoss" (copper hunting bullet), which indicates that it is a projectile made entirely of copper. The Sax KJG offers the following advantages: it is lead-free, which is important as lead-free ammunition is now mandatory in many hunting areas. And copper bullets have a high penetrating power and controlled deformation, which leads to effective energy transfer and a reliable shot.
The 8.5x55 cartridge is less common and offers a combination of enough caliber diameter and moderate case capacity, which ensures good ballistics with controllable recoil.
Properties of the KJG bullet from Sax:
- Material: Pure copper, sometimes with a special coating to minimise friction in the barrel and improve ballistics.
- Weight: The weight of the bullet can vary, but typical values for bullets in 8.5 mm (.338) are often between 160 gr (10.4 g) and 200 gr (13.0 g) (gr = grain. 1 gr = 0.0648 g. 1 g = 15.4324 gr).
- Shape: Mostly an aerodynamic, ogival shape with a boat tail and a pointed nose for improved flight stability and higher velocity.
Areas of application: the hunting ammunition with the lead-free KJG bullet from Sax in 8.5x55 is particularly suitable for hunting medium to large game, as it offers excellent penetration and a high shocking power. Its accuracy and the absence of lead make it a popular choice among hunters, not only in hunting grounds where lead-free ammunition is mandatory.
Equipment tips for mountain hunting and how we experienced the magic of the Alps on a buck hunt at the foot of the Grossglockner
Our tips on equipment for mountain hunting and a few words about hunting at the foot of the Großglockner. Anyone who has ever been hunting in the mountains knows that long and time-consuming stalks in particular can be exhausting. It is therefore advisable to prepare for possible scenarios in advance of the hunt. We were lucky that the weather favored us. But that can change very quickly in the Alps. As far as clothing is concerned, you should always remember to take a change of clothes with you just in case, especially if you are going on a long stalk. This applies not only in cool and rainy weather, but also in summer temperatures and bright sunshine. Even if your clothes are soaked with sweat, you can catch a cold very quickly if you reach high altitudes where the wind cools your body down quickly when you take a break. Please use breathable functional underwear. Avoid cotton. Cotton has the property of soaking up moisture. If the wind blows strongly, a cold will be knocking at the door. Sturdy footwear is a must, preferably footwear that protects your ankles sufficiently.
A rucksack in which the rifle can be stowed when travelling up and down to the hunting ground is also an advantage. By rifle, we explicitly mean a bolt-action rifle and not a break-action rifle that can be taken down into short assemblies. In other words, a rucksack that makes it possible to transport a longer rifle, such as the EV30 from the Norwegian manufacturer VORN in our case. Thanks to its Quick Rifle Release System, this rucksack allows quick access to the hunting rifle and distributes the weight comfortably on the back. You should also always pack some food and, above all, water in your rucksack for alpine terrain. If you take all these tips into account and have familiarised yourself intensively with hunting in the mountains, nothing will stand in the way of hunting success in the Alps and the magic of the mountains will offer you an unforgettable hunting experience that you will always remember fondly.
Further information on the bolt action rifle Rössler Signature can be found here on the website of the manufacturer RÖWA.
