At the 20th Annual Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence awards (held last week in Kentucky), Larry Potterfield of Midway USA received the prestigious Shooting Industry Award for 2011. Potterfield was honored for his efforts to promote the shooting sports. In 2010, Potterfield donated more than $4,000,000 to youth shooting sports organizations and firearms training programs. We congratulate Mr. Potterfield. It’s great to see a successful businessman give back to the sport so generously.
After receiving the Shooting Industry Award, Potterfield stated: “This award is a great validation, from our peers, that Brenda and I are on the right track in supporting the youth shooting movement in the United States. Tomorrow’s leaders are in 4H, Boy Scouts, and the youth programs of the Key Conservation Groups; and they’re attending high schools and colleges. Our passion is to help fund programs that allow more kids to pull the trigger more times. The Scholastic Shooting Trust Fund, which provides funds for high school and college shooting teams, is our favorite charity.”
Hornady is Manufacturer of the Year
Hornady was named Manufacturer of the Year for service, support, and commitment to customers at all levels. Hornady’s new Superformance Varmint Ammo also earned “Ammunition of the Year” honors.
Ruger was a double winner as a gun-maker. Ruger’s new LC9 pistol was named “Handgun of the Year”, while the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle (M77-GS) received the coveted “Rifle of the Year” award.
Leupold also won two awards. The Leupold VX-R 3-9x40mm riflescope was named Optic of the Year and Leupold’s RX-1000i TBR Laser Rangefinder was named Hunting Product of the Year.
Awards were determined by the votes of the 500-member Academy of Excellence, which includes manufacturers, distributors, executives, storefront dealers and outdoor writers. “Each award recipient and nominee deserves accolades for their commitment to excellence in design and service,” said Randy Molde, Academy director.
Former President Theodore Roosevelt was the “founding father” of the NRA National Matches*. Teddy Roosevelt believed the world was a dangerous place. To assure peace, Roosevelt believed that America needed to be prepared to fight. At the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 NRA National Championships, Dr. Joseph W. Westphal, Under Secretary of the U.S. Army, echoed the views of Roosevelt, who believed “The first step in the direction of preparation to avert war, if possible, and to be fit for war, if it should come, is to teach men to shoot.”
“Though the world has changed considerably in the last century, it is just as unsettled as it was when President Roosevelt established this competition in 1903,” Dr. Westphal said. Roosevelt, who served as an Army colonel during the Spanish-American War, witnessed firsthand how unprepared U.S. soldiers were victimized in battle. Despite winning the conflict, the U.S. suffered disproportionate casualties due to the lack of firearms training.
In his speech at Camp Perry, Dr. Westphal observed that President Roosevelt was a strong advocate of marksmanship training:
“Reflecting with regret on the casualties the U.S. took in the Spanish-American War, President Roosevelt said: ‘The great body of our citizens shoot less as time goes on. We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys and indeed among all classes as well as in the military services, by every means of our power. Thus and not otherwise may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world. The first step in the direction of preparation to avert war, if possible, and to be fit for war, if it should come, is to teach men to shoot.’ “
Westphal Invokes History at Camp Perry Ceremonies
Westphal cautioned that we should not forget the lessons of the past: “So I bring these old historic notes of long-forgotten battles, not because they are curiosities, but because they remind us of why Americans began gathering here over a century ago. It was because they knew the terrible consequences of not being ready for war. In establishing the National Matches at Camp Perry, they promoted the importance of marksmanship in the nation’s defense.”
“Today the Civilian Marksmanship Program trains some 400 marksmanship instructors a year. In addition, 200,000 to 300,000 young people and adults receive training in marksmanship and firearms safety through clubs and junior ROTC,” Westphal said. “The thousands of competitors who will take part in these matches follow on the heels of millions who have benefited directly … from the marksmanship training and safety programs promoted here.”
*In February 1903, an amendment to the War Department Appropriations Bill established the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice (NBPRP). This government advisory board became the predecessor to today’s Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety, Inc. that now governs the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The 1903 legislation also established the National Matches, commissioned the National Trophy and provided funding to support the Matches. This historic legislation grew out of a desire to improve military marksmanship and national defense preparedness. President Theodore Roosevelt, Secretary of War Elihu Root and NRA President General Bird Spencer were among the most important supporters of this act.
Remington and Carl Zeiss Sports Optics have partnered on a promo that can save you $150.00. Starting August 1, 2011, if you purchase a Remington 700 rifle (most models) and a Zeiss Conquest or Victory riflescope, you’ll qualify for a $150.00 rebate. This promo runs through Dec. 31, 2011.
Qualifying Rifles and Scopes
Customers who purchase any Remington Model 700 BDL, CDL, CDL SF, XCR, XCR II or XHR® and any ZEISS Conquest or Victory riflescope (except ZEISS Conquest 3-9×40 # 20 reticle), from authorized Remington and Zeiss dealers in the U.S.A. between August 1 and December 31, 2011 qualify for the rebate. To get the money, customers must fill out a rebate form, and mail it in along with both original sales receipts and proofs of purchase to receive a $150 American Express gift card. All Ultimate Combination rebates must be postmarked by January 14, 2012 and cannot be combined with other rebate promotions. (Note: We’ve posted the correct link to Remington’s rebate page, but Remington hasn’t published the Rem/Zeiss rebate form yet — it should be up in a week or so.)
The NRA’s Smallbore 3-Position Awards Ceremony took place last night in the Hough Theater. Top honors went to SGT Joe Hein of the USAMU with an overall score of 2379-154x. Second was Missouri teenager Garrett Spurgeon with Arizona’s Tarl Kempley placing third. Brad Driscoll won the 2011 Camp Perry Junior Championship. Lisette Grunwell-Lacey was the Womens’ 3P smallbore champion and Ronald Durcholz of New York took the Senior title. This was a tough week of competitive for the 3P shooters — competitors battled through numerous weather dealays caused by thunderstorms.
Pistol Championships Captain Philip Hemphill of the Mississippi Highway Patrol won his first National Championship at the NRA National Pistol Championships held July 12-16 at Camp Perry, Ohio. Although Hemphill’s consistently high scores produced an aggregate total of 2632-113X. Hemphill is a ten-time winner of the National Police Shooting Championships, but this is his first big win at Perry. “This is the Super Bowl of pistol competition and winning feels great,” said Hemphill. “This is harder than the National Police Shooting Championship because of the distances you’re shooting, but winning here at Camp Perry is like winning at the Mecca of shooting.”
Earning an aggregate score of 2629-112X, two-time National Champion SFC James Henderson of the USAMU took the silver medal and the title of Regular Service Champion. Third place and the title of Civilian Champion went to John Zurek with a 2626-115X. For the fourth year in a row, Judy Tant clinched the titles of Woman and High Civilian Woman Champion by firing an aggregate score of 2549-68X. Bryan Layfield of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was named the Junior Champion and Collegiate Champion after firing a 2565-95X.
The National Rifle Association and the Civilian Marksmanship Program conduct the National Matches at Camp Perry each summer, considered to be the “World Series” of the shooting sports. Participants range from novices to Olympic-level shooters, and include civilians, military personnel, and law enforcement officers. The NRA National Rifle and Pistol Championships are open to everyone; NRA membership is not required. Ongoing daily reports on the NRA National Championships are found on the NRA Blog.
The best thing that can be done for the future of sport shooting in America is to recruit more female and junior participants. Young people are the future of the sport. Involving women in shooting can help reverse a “gender gap” in voting patterns that has favored anti-gun politicians. The more we can get women to enjoy shooting and adopt a positive attitude towards firearms, the harder it will be for anti-gun forces to marshal support for restrictive new laws.
The above video features NRA programs for women of all ages and experience levels. Such programs include Women On Target® (WOT) Instructional Shooting Clinics, hunts for women, and the popular Women’s Wilderness Escapes. There are even ladies-only WOT Postal Matches. Ladies can also take part in all the NRA competitive shooting disciplines: handgun, trap/skeet, air rifle, smallbore, silhouette, high power, F-Class, and even the new NRA-sanctioned multi-gun matches.
Junior Womens’ Programs
Young women have the chance to participate in many specialized shooting programs for juniors, including the Youth Hunter Education Challenge, NRA Day events, CMP Junior leagues, and the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. The NRA Foundatrion also offers a Women’s Wildlife Management/Conservation Scholarships. This women’s scholarship, from the Women of the NRA, is a renewable, one-year, $1,000 scholarship available to full-time college juniors or seniors with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, majoring in wildlife management/conservation.
Are you ready for laser-equipped arrows? This is NOT a practical joke, or some Hollywood fantasy. Laser arrow technology is here today. Clean-Shot Archery has engineered hunting and competition arrowheads that contain miniaturized lasers. Clean-Shot’s new Spot-On™ arrow tips are the world’s first field-sighted laser broadheads and target points. Chip McBroom, Clean-Shot’s Marketing VP, claims “this product represents a quantum leap in technology for the bowhunter.” The laser’s high visibility enhances a bowhunter’s ability to aim in low light — this can effectively extend the hunt by an hour or more in fading light.
With laser-tipped arrows, the archer uses the laser to sight in the target. This is NOT a remote laser guidance system. There is simply a small battery-powered laser fitted in each Spot-On Target Point or Broadhead. The laser in the Spot-ON arrow tip automatically activates at full draw via a bow-mounted magnet. These Laser Target Points and Broadheads can be used with all archery bows, including crossbows. Arrows tipped with Laser Target Points or Laer Broadheads boast 24″ of elevation adjustment at 30 yards as well as left/right adjustment. You adjust elevation and left/right displacement with simple set screws. Once the heads are “calibrated” with the set screws, the arrows should fly to the red laser dot — if the archer does his part.
Laser Broadheads are Effective and Reusable
Spot-On’s Laser Broadheads feature three replaceable blades, so the units can be re-used even after killing game. Spot-On Laser Broadheads come in 125 grin weight but can be adapted to 150 grains. Broadhead Kits include a 12v car charging unit to recharge the laser batteries. If you use a peep sight the Spot-On Laser Broadhead helps eliminates the parallax error inherent with peep sights.
Spot-on claims that its Laser Broadheads are “changing the way modern day archers prepare, practice, and hunt”. If this technology catches on we’d have to agree. No doubt, by now you’re asking, how much do these gadgets cost? MSRP on a full kit with the bow-mounted magnet and either two (2) Target Points OR two (2) Laser Broadheads is $139.99. MSRP on a two-pack of either Target Points or Broadheads is $99.99 (no magnet or charger). CLICK here for product specs and pricing information.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
The International Benchrest Shooters (IBS) has updated its Official Rules of Competition. The complete IBS rules, with all recent updates, are presented in the latest Rulebook #12a. This is updated through July 2011. Rulebook #12A includes 2010 rule changes and 2011 temporary rules. New rules are highlighted with red text. You can now download the updated Rulebook #12a, as a .PDF file, from the IBS website.
We first ran this video a couple years back, but now that Carl Zeiss Sports Optics has taken over North American distribution of the super-premium Hensoldt line of optics, we thought our readers might enjoy another look at the remarkable Hensoldt 6-24x72mm SAM scope.
This optic integrates superb, ultra-bright apochromatic fluorite glass with a calculator module that provides ballistic info and weather data to the shooter. SAM stands for “Sniper Auxiliary Module”. An integrated ballistics calculator can be programmed for up to four different types of ammo. Sensors in the integrated ring mount measure weather parameters. These values, as well as scope data, are then directly projected into the visual field of the eyepiece. This provides selectable displays of elevation clicks, windage clicks, angle of fire, cant angle, temperature, and air pressure.
This 6-24x72mm Hensoldt may be the most advanced rifle scope on the planet. With a price of $11,982.00, it is certainly one of the most expensive. Take a 360° tour with this cool video:
More Hensoldt Scopes — Video Review
Here’s a related video from CS Tactical, reviewing a variety of Hensoldt scopes, including the “monster” 6-24x72mm.
Metallic Sights Standing Competition Video
Yesterday, 21 August, marked the opening of the Smallbore 3-Position Competition at the NRA Championships in Camp Perry, Ohio. The video below shows some of the shooters during the standing segment of the Metallic Sight portion of the smallbore championship events.
Standing Position Shooting
This week, smallbore competitors compete in three different positions: Prone, Standing, and Kneeling. Here are images from the standing portion of the event.
Prone Shooting
Here is a slide-show from the prone segment of the Smallbore three-position tournament at Camp Perry. These photos were taken on 21 July, during the first relay.
Images provided courtesy the NRA Blog, used by permission, all rights reserved.
Mossberg offers a set of non-functioning training firearms that includes the five gun types used in hunter education seminars: pump-action shotgun, semi-automatic shotgun, break-action shotgun, bolt-action rifle and lever-action rifle. Each training firearm in this set features blaze orange stock and fore-end to ensure safe, hands-on training. On each gun’s receiver, “Non-Functioning Gun” is clearly engraved.
Each gun comes packed in an individual soft case and the set can be purchased with or without a rolling travel case. Iver Mossberg, CEO of O.F. Mossberg & Sons, stated: “We are pleased to offer this 5-gun training set, allowing students to learn safe gun-handling with actual firearms that have been disabled.” The Mossberg 5-Gun Training Set is available for $1,300 and the set with a handy, rolling travel case is available for $1,500. For more info please contact Mossberg Law Enforcement Sales at Conservation@mossberg.com or call (203) 230-5300.
At the 20th Annual Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence awards (held last week in Kentucky), Larry Potterfield of Midway USA received the prestigious Shooting Industry Award for 2011. Potterfield was honored for his efforts to promote the shooting sports. In 2010, Potterfield donated more than $4,000,000 to youth shooting sports organizations and firearms training programs. We congratulate Mr. Potterfield. It’s great to see a successful businessman give back to the sport so generously.
Former President Theodore Roosevelt was the “founding father” of the NRA National Matches*. Teddy Roosevelt believed the world was a dangerous place. To assure peace, Roosevelt believed that America needed to be prepared to fight. At the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 NRA National Championships, Dr. Joseph W. Westphal, Under Secretary of the U.S. Army, echoed the views of Roosevelt, who believed “The first step in the direction of preparation to avert war, if possible, and to be fit for war, if it should come, is to teach men to shoot.”
Westphal Invokes History
Captain Philip Hemphill of the Mississippi Highway Patrol won his first National Championship at the NRA National Pistol Championships held July 12-16 at Camp Perry, Ohio. Although Hemphill’s consistently high scores produced an aggregate total of 2632-113X. Hemphill is a ten-time winner of the National Police Shooting Championships, but this is his first big win at Perry. “This is the Super Bowl of pistol competition and winning feels great,” said Hemphill. “This is harder than the National Police Shooting Championship because of the distances you’re shooting, but winning here at Camp Perry is like winning at the Mecca of shooting.”
The above video features 
