The Wish List

While James Purdey & Sons are better known for side-by-sides, their over-under shotguns are also mechanical and artistic masterpieces. The Purdey Sporter grew out of a partnership with Perugini & Visini, and is a great mix of old and new by mixing modern CNC technology with hand engraving and finishing. Less expensive than Purdey’s “Matched Pair,” the Sporter is still a high-end shotgun available in 12 or 20 gauge that looks as good as it shoots. Purdey Sporter - 28,750 euro or $42,512 www.purdey.com

Rifle shooters often talk about minute-of-angle accuracy (three shots in an inch grouping at 100 yards), which is the standard for an accurate rifle. However, for some shooters, that’s not good enough. Kenny Jarrett is known for taking accuracy to the extremes. No rifle leaves his Jackson, S.C., shop before it can shoot a 1/2-inch three shot group at 100 yards. Jarrett will even develop the right load for your rifle, and keep it on file for when you need more rounds. My chosen tack driver would be a Jarrett Signature Rifle in .300 Jarrett. Kenny himself developed this cartridge that can handle game on multiple continents. With a Jarrett rifle in Jarrett’s caliber, if I miss, it’s not the rifle’s fault. Jarrett Signature Rifle in .300 Jarrett - $7,640 www.jarrettrifles.com

When people talk about a .50, they’re usually talking about a Barrett – the most recognizable name in .50 caliber sniper rifles. However, Barrett doesn’t make just sniper rifles. Nor do they only make sniper rifles in .50 BMG. The Barrett 98 Bravo is chambered in the accurate, far-shooting .338 Lapua Mag. round while weighting only 15 pounds, which is half as much as most .50 caliber rifles. When combined with the Barrett Optical Ranging System (BORS) and scope, the 98 Bravo can hit almost anything you can see. Barrett 98 Bravo - $4,495 www.98bravo.com

John Browning’s classic is still one of the most revered handguns in the United States, though it has gone through some small cosmetic and functional changes over the past 100 years. One man who has taken the 1911 to another level is Bill Wilson. Now, he’s producing handguns designed from his own personal 1911. The Bill Wilson Carry Gun is a four-inch 1911 in .45 ACP with rounded edges, an extended tactical thumb safety, contoured magazine well, lowered and flared ejector port and a crisp 3.5 to 3.75 pound trigger. It also comes with an accuracy guarantee of 1.5 inches at 25 yards, and the knowledge that it came from Wilson Combat. Bill Wilson Carry Pistol - $2,850 www.wilsoncombat.com

With almost as many imitations as the 1911, the Colt Single Action Army is a historical and Hollywood icon. The distinct, four-click sound as it cocks brings to mind the many John Wayne westerns I watched as a child. However, an original Colt SAA in decent condition can be hard to find and expensive. One in even poor condition fetches a nice sum, but owning the revolver that spells it name as it’s cocked is priceless. Pre-War good condition - $3,500 Post-War good condition - $900

Knowing the distance of the target is pretty important for long-range shots. Laser rangefinders have emerged as the best way to determine point of aim on those reach out and touch ‘em shots. Zeiss decided to make those shots a little easier and lighter by combining a high-performance scope with a laser rangefinder. Combining these two may be a small thing, but it sure would lighten my overly full pack. Zeiss Victory Diarange 2.5-10x50 T* with Rapid Z 800 reticle - $4,389 www.zeiss.com

Whether chasing game or admiring the flight of a hummingbird, binoculars are a handy item to have around. However, unless you’re glassing antelope or elk out West, high-powered optics are usually more than you need and too heavy to carry all the time. Swarovski’s pocket Traveler binoculars are light and easily fit in a pocket and you can really get a good look with either 8x20 or 10x25 versions. Swarovski Pocket Traveler 8x10 - $754.44 Swarovski Pocket Traveler 10x25 – $854.44 www.swarovskioptik.us/