In 2024 the MidwayUSA Foundation paid over $6.8 million to youth shooting sports teams and organizations. This record-breaking 2024 grant cycle provided over $5 million to 952 youth shooting teams and over $1.7 million to nearly 40 organizations that work with youth shooting programs. Established in 2008, the MidwayUSA Foundation has paid nearly $73 million in cash grants to support youth shooting sports over the years. Foundation grants assist with costs for ammunition, targets, entry fees, and travel. Grants also help cover certification costs for coaches.
This grant cycle’s average payout per team totaled $5,302. Community members can donate directly to the youth shooting team of their choice, which MidwayUSA Foundation will match, to grow the team’s annual cash grant. In addition to youth shooting teams, MidwayUSA Foundation provides funds to key state, regional, and national organizations that support youth shooting sports. Each shooting program’s grant is 5% of its MidwayUSA Foundation endowment balance and thanks to the endowment model this funding is available in perpetuity.
Rachel Augustine of Missouri 4-H Foundation stated: “The grants we receive from the MidwayUSA Foundation play a crucial role in the success of Missouri 4-H shooting sports. They help us provide essential funding for equipment, volunteer training, and state and national contests, as well as events. Through 4-H shooting sports, youth gain confidence, leadership, and responsibility, while developing a lifelong appreciation for shooting, hunting, and the outdoors.”
Donations Are Tax-Deductible
Donations made to MidwayUSA Foundation are tax-deductible and 100% of the donation goes to the endowment of the donor’s choice — nothing is removed for operations.
The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain and grow youth shooting sports by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. For more information please visit MidwayUSAFoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.
More and more folks are using Burris Signature Rings these days. These unique rings feature polymer inserts. That allows you to pre-load some elevation in your scope set-up, or you can center-up the windage. Additionally, the polymer inserts hold your scope securely without leaving marks on the tube. Lastly, some folks believe that Signature rings may offer advantages for benchrest competition. Rodney Wagner shot a world-record 600-yard group using Burris Signature Zee Rings (“Zee” denotes the Weaver-rail model). James O’Hara set multiple IBS 1000-yard records using Burris Signature Zee Rings. James will tell you he thinks “all his guns seem to shoot best with these rings”.
IBS World Record Set with Signature Zee Rings
Are Signature Zees good enough for competition? Absolutely. Some folks scoff at these Burris rings, given their modest price. A set of 1″-diameter Sig Zees cost $40.89 at Midsouth. But consider this, in 2013 Rodney Wagner shot the then-smallest 600-yard group in history, a 0.336″ 5-shot stunner, using Signature Zee Rings on his IBS Light Gun. It took five years for a smaller 600-yard group to be shot, a 0.311″ by bullet-maker Bart Sauter, using his IBS Heavy Gun. (See IBS 600-yard Records.) Here’s Rodney with his record-setting rifle, fitted with affordable Signature Zee 30mm rings.
Vendors Have Burris Signature Rings in Stock Now
Various models of Burris Signature Rings are available from many online vendors. NOTE: You may have to check with more than one seller to get the exact size, height, and model you prefer. But right now these vendors have pretty good selections of Signature Zees in stock now, including the popular 30mm High and 30mm Extra High models (each currently $56.36 at Midsouth). If you check all three sellers, you’ll probably find what you need.
The IWA Outdoor Classics, aka “Euro Shot Show”, is Europe’s leading outdoor, hunting, and target shooting trade show. The event opened today February 27th, and runs through Sunday, March 2nd, 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany. For the next four days, the Nuremberg metropolitan region will once again focus on hunting, target shooting, and the outdoor adventure market. The IWA Outdoor Classics is a huge event, drawing over 1,080 exhibitors from 53 countries. CLICK HERE for descriptions/images of over 500 products on display at the IWA show this year.
For more than 50 years, outdoor and shooting industry companies have come together in Nuremberg to present the latest products and services for hunting and shooting sports. For 2025, Europe’s leading outdoor trade show will host more than 1,080 German and international exhibitors in nine exhibition halls. In addition, there will be a wide variety of seminars, meetings, and interactive demonstrations.
Manufacturers and vendors from the hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor segments offer a vast range of products this year. From hunting, sport shooting, and airsoft firearms to optics and technologies, ammunition, knives, hunting accessories, clothing and outdoor equipment, there is plenty to discover in the nine halls at IWA Outdoor Classics 2025. IWA Outdoor Classics allows buyers and retailers from around the world to see thousands of new products from international manufacturers all in one convenient setting.
Rifles — Centerfire and Rimfire
Wheelgun Showcase at Korth Arms
Modern Scopes and Optics on Display
Suppressors and Ammunition
Along with the firearms, optics, stocks, and reloading products, there were many booths featuring outdoor clothing, hunting gear, and shooting accessories.
Official INTRO Video for IWA Outdoor Classics 2025
Headed to the 2025 IWA Outdoor Classics? Here’s an interactive map of Nuremburg, site of the event.
Here are some really smart tips for hand-loaders compiled by Sierra Bullets. These suggestions were submitted by Sierra’s Facebook fans — and some are very valuable indeed. Some of these tips will help you load more accurate ammo. Other selections will help you stay SAFE — which should always be your #1 priority. For example, we concur with the advice to “Check and Double Check. Everything. Every Time”. Also definitely keep “One powder on the bench at a time” — that could be a life-saver. You may want to print these “words of wisdom” and place them on a wall in your loading room.
Reloading Safety Tips — Sound Advice
ALWAYS START LOW: “Just because a load manual says X grains of X powder with X bullet is max, your rifle could reach max pressure a grain or two before what the book says. Start low and work up.” — Walter Coats
BE SAFE and CAREFUL: “Check and double check. Everything. Every time. Only one type of powder on the bench at a time.” — Glen Lundgren
DON’T RUSH: “Be patient, don’t be in a hurry, have fun and find your rhythm. Just tell your family you’re putting yourself in ‘time-out’. They will understand.” — Erik Dyal
POWDER RULE #1: “One powder on the bench at one time, it might save your life.” — James A. Kimery
STAY FOCUSED: “Relaxed but concentrated attention. Have fun enjoying a great hobby and pastime but stay focused.” — Jim Caldwell
POLICE LOADING AREA: “Keep your reloading bench area clean and put items away ASAP.” — Eric J. Ford
BE PATIENT: “Focus, Focus, Focus — be patient — it AIN’T a race.” — William Stanley
RECORD YOUR LOADS: “Write down on a small card what you’re loading – bullet weight, powder weight, type of powder, and primer. And put it in the powder hopper. I am unloading .45 FMJ because I forgot what type powder was in the hopper.” — Michael Conniff
HAVE a PROCEDURE for INTERRUPTIONS: “If, for any reason, you have to leave the bench while in the process of dropping powder charges, turn the next case to be charged upside down in the loading block so you know where you left off.” — Bill Tinsley
LABEL EVERYTHING: “OCD is a good habit to have with your loading bench. CLEARLY label everything!” — Andy Pynckel
HAVE a GOAL: “Never start reloading or developing a load without a specific goal in mind. Second keep meticulous records.” — Peter Eick
RESEARCH THE JOB: “Read all you can about it before you start!” — Keith Shively
KEEP TRACK of the Brass: “I put all my primed brass upside down (primer up) and as I charge the casing, I (of course) flip it primer down.” — Mark Ewing
Forum member Jacob spotted this simple, but effective set of scope ring inserts on the Brownells Website. With these inserts, you can use a scope with 1″-diameter main tube in 30mm rings. Non-marring, matte black Delrin sleeves surround the scope tube so it can fit larger-diameter rings. Each sleeve comes in two parts for easy installation around your scope tube. This way you can use the same 30mm rings for all your scopes.
Ring Reducers are sold as front/rear kits. Cost is $16.99 for the Delrin 30mm to 1″ converters, item 084-000-091WB. There are also sets that reduce 30mm rings to 26mm, and 1″ rings to 3/4″ or 7/8″.
Note: These Brownells units simply function as plastic bushings. Unlike Burris Signature Ring inserts, they do not allow you to “pre-load” windage or elevation. If your rings are misaligned, the Brownells Ring Reducers won’t correct that problem.
Big news — Kash Patel has been appointed by President Trump as the Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In addition to serving as Acting ATF Director, Patel was recently sworn in as the Senate-confirmed Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
“President Trump nominated Kash Patel as FBI Director for his unswerving dedication to protecting the Constitution and the adherence to the rule of law. Those same traits serve him well as he carries out President Trump’s plan to reform ATF”, said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Like the FBI, the ATF was weaponized by the previous administration. In the case of ATF, it was to carry out a radical gun control agenda. President Trump’s appointment of Acting Director Patel to lead the ATF will return the bureau to its proper role as a law enforcement agency laser focused on combatting violent crime and illegal firearms trafficking, and to act as a non-partisan regulator of the firearm industry.”
Analysis by Washington Gun Law Director of Kash Patel ATF Appointment:
The firearm industry hopes Acting Director Patel will move quickly, in consultation with Attorney General Pam Bondi, to carry out President Trump’s Protecting Second Amendment Executive Order. Thirty U.S. senators, led by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), sent a letter to Deputy Assistant Director Marvin G. Richardson last week imploring him to swiftly roll back the punitive and unconstitutional policies and final rules the Biden administration used to target the lawful firearm industry and gun owners. NSSF strongly supports … swift action to refocus ATF to its Congressionally mandated role of combatting violent crime.
Before taking over as acting ATF Director, Cash Patel was confirmed as the new FBI Director.
Do you shoot F-Class, High Power, Silhouette, or rimfire 3-position? Then here’s your opportunity to pick up official paper targets and repair centers at massive discounts. Right now Creedmoor Sports is running a major end-of-month SALE on a wide variety of paper targets. Savings are substantial. Most of these sale items are at least 30% off while some as discounted as much as 62%. Grab these targets soon before the prices go back up in March.
Shown below are some of the many targets and target repair centers on sale…
This Gun Digest book has become a “go-to” resource for NRL22 and PRS Rimfire (RF) shooters. Key topics included in this 2021 Edition full-color Gun Digest book include: rimfire semi-autos and how they work; bolt-action accuracy; match shooting skills; DIY precision gunsmithing; hunting with rimfires; and the future of the rimfire market.
With the growth of rimfire tactical competition, the .22-Caliber rimfire rifle is more popular than ever. Every major gun manufacturer has brought at least one new .22 LR rimfire rifle to the market in the last two years. Gun Digest’s Rimfire Revolution has extensive coverage of new models from major manufacturers.
The .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) is the planet’s most popular ammunition type and firearm chambering. The .22 LR is used in the Olympics by 3P marksmen, but it also serves benchrest competitors, NRL22 shooters, backyard plinkers, small-game hunters, and tactical trainers. With the expansion of NRL22 matches (and the PRS equivalent), the humble .22 LR is undergoing a major resurgence in the USA. And with centerfire reloading components being so costly and difficult to find, many folks are shooting less centerfire, but way more rimfire.
This 272-page book also covers .17-caliber rimfire cartridges: 17 HM2 (Mach 2), 17 HMR, and 17 WSM. These are all excellent varmint rounds, with the 17 WSM effective out to 250 yards. The 17 HM2 will run in a normal .22 LR action and feed from standard .22 LR magazines. So, for most rifles, all you need to do a .22 LR to 17 HM2 conversion is a barrel switch. That gives your rimfire rig twice the versatility. Shoot .22s and .17s with the same gun.
NRL22 — Challenging Practical Competition with .22 LR Rifles
The USA has seen a big growth in rimfire tactical matches over the last five years. Right now there are probably ten times as many rimfire tactical matches as sanctioned PRS and NRL centerfire matches. The reason is simple — rimfire ammo is much less costly, and clubs can run challenging rimfire tactical matches at nearly any outdoor gun range that allows shooting out to 200+ yards.
NRL22 Competition — Tactical Rimfire Matches
The NRL22 match format is a great shooting discipline. NRL22 offers a high fun factor at relatively low cost. You don’t have to reload match ammo. A couple of 50-round boxes of .22 LR ammo will get you through the match. While some people bring lots of gear to matches, that’s by choice and not by necessity. You can keep it simple and still be competitive (and win).
Tips for NRL22 Competitors by Jonathan Ocab
I am a match director at my gun club and run our local NRL22 matches. People often ask me for tips for competing in NRL22. First, I recommend getting the course of fire for the month in advance and practicing those stages at the range. Here are other specific tips that should help NRL22 competitors improve their gun-handling and match results.
1. Dry Fire Practice — If you are not able to do live fire practice at the range, I encourage shooters to practice their shooting positions at home via dry fire. Setup props or barricades with pasters or other faux targets on a wall in the garage or inside the house and run through each stage.
2. Scope Magnification Level — The most common issue I see with newer shooters in NRL22 is the tendency to maximize their scope magnification. The timer will start, and the shooter gets into position on a target, but the scope is set to 15x or higher and the shooter can’t find the target. The shooter lowers the magnification, locates the target, and then increases the magnification again, takes the shot, transitions to another target, and repeats the process of decreasing magnification, locating target, etc. Novice NRL22 shooters should try using the mid-range magnification. Try shooting 7x-12x and learn to balance field of view and target image.
Powder Valley Outdoors is one of the most respected suppliers of reloading components — powder, primers, brass, and bullets. And Hodgdon sells some of the most popular powder types for numerous disciplines — F-Class, PRS/NRL, Short-Range Benchrest, High Power, Mid-Range and Long-Range Benchrest, Silhouette, ELR, Varmint shooting, Long-range hunting and more.
If you are looking for popular Hodgdon powders, head over to Powder Valley today. You’ll find a large selection of top-tier Hodgdon powders. In stock now are: H4895, Varget, H4350, CFE223, H1000, H380, H50BMG, H322, Benchmark and 20 other powder types. For most of the powders both 1-lb containers and 8-lb jugs are in stock currently.
Here is a sample of the popular Hodgdon Powders in stock today, 2/25/2025. Along with the six (6) types shown, there are nearly two dozen other Hodgdon powders in stock at Powder Valley Outdoors.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Natchez — Hodgdon H4350 and Varget On Sale
⏺️ Get popular H4350 and Varget powders now in stock
Hodgdon powders are top choices for many shooting disciplines, offering great accuracy, good velocity, and consistently low ES/SD. Consequently many of the most popular Hodgdon powders have been hard to find. But right now H4350 and Varget are in stock and on sale at Natchez. Get Varget one-pounders, and choose 1-lb or 8-lb jugs of H4350. Plus Hodgdon H4198 is also available now at Natchez. Stock up now while these popular powders are available.
2. Graf & Sons — ATN Optics Sale
⏺️ Good prices on night vision scopes, binocs and other products
Have you been considering a night vision scope but not sure where to start? Check out the ATN Optics Sale where you can find a wide range of night vision scopes, binoculars, and IR units all on sale. Grab one now and head out and learn why legal night hunting has become so popular.
3. Creedmoor Sports — Starline Brass Sale
⏺️ Starline makes great pistol brass and good value rifle brass
Starline Brass is high-quality yet affordably priced. We have had great luck with Starline pistol brass and the rifle brass is consistent and very affordable. Currently Creedmoor Sports has a big inventory of Starline pistol and rifle brass. Starline brass is quality, SAAMI spec with the ability to be reloaded many times.
4. Amazon — Derraco PCPS Priming Tool, $199.95
⏺️ Innovative precision priming tool mounts to press
Turn your 7/8-14 standard single-stage reloading press into a precision priming system with the Derraco PCPS Precision Priming die/Primer Seating Tool (#ad). This advanced tool is compatible with any reloading press that accommodates 7/8-14 reloading dies and standard T-shaped shell holders. For a wide variety of single-stage presses, this unique precision priming tool will consistently deliver high-precision results thanks to the precision adjuster and micrometer hard stop.
5. Natchez — Leupold Optics Sale
⏺️ Good prices on Leupold scopes, binoculars, and Red Dot sights
Leupold has long been a leading American optics maker, and Leupold offers great customer service and a fantastic lifetime warranty on scopes. If you need a new scope or binoculars, check out the Leupold Optics Sale at Natchez. A wide selection of Leupold scopes and binoculars are discounted 15% or more, while Red Dot and Reflex optics are $100 off. Plus, with this Leupold Sale, Natchez is offering FREE Shipping.
6. Sportsman’s WH — Bergara B-14 Hunter 6.5 CM, $659.97
⏺️ Nice, affordable deer rifle with good camo stock
If you need a new hunting rifle consider the Bergara B-14 Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor. The B-14 Hunter features a molded synthetic stock made of glass fiber reinforced polymer. As with the entire B-14 Series, the Hunter model delivers impressive function and accuracy with an attractive price that will appeal to serious big-game hunters. Made in Spain, this rifle delivers excellent quality and performance for the under-$700 price.
7. Amazon — Plano 52″ Wheeled Rustrictor Case, $193.47
⏺️ Excellent big weather-proof case with wheels for easy movement
When traveling by air or in a vehicle, having a quality rifle case keeps your rifle and optics safe and secure. A great option is the Plano All Weather Rustrictor Tactical Gun Case(#ad). This rugged rifle case’s Rustrictor technology protects firearms against rust and corrosion caused by moisture or humidity. A VCI-infused resin and foam emitter blocks rust and corrosion 5x longer than competing products and the TSA rating means you can take it anywhere safely and securely.
⏺️ With Crimson Trace Scopes Get FREE Rest and FREE Shipping
This is a nice promo. The Crimson Trace scopes are on sale PLUS you get FREE Shipping. These scopes offer great value for the price. And here’s the real bonus — you get a handy shooting rest. Use the full Caldwell rest for for long guns. Or, for pistol shooting separate the rest and use just the front section. The Caldwell Steady Rest NXT MSRP is $37.99.
9. Amazon — Digital Trigger Pull Gauge, $17.99
⏺️ Cool sub-$20 tool that works really well — great buy
The Pridefend Professional Digital Trigger Pull Gauge (#ad) offers great performance for a very low price. We’ve used this “smart” pull gauge with success on match rifle triggers. This gauge measures in 1 oz. increments from 0 to 12 pounds. The gauge display is easy to read and you can choose ounce, pound, or Kg units. Though it costs just $17.99, this digital gauge offers better consistency than many conventional spring-type gauges. Plus, when you do a sequence of multiple pull tests on one gun, the unit automatically calculates maximum, minimum, and average pull weights.
10. Amazon — Lyman BrassSmith Funnel with Inserts, $31.99
⏺️ Very useful kit we use — avoids powder spills
Having a good powder funnel really helps precision reloading. The Lyman Products Brass Smith Pro Powder Funnel System (#ad) is a great little system. Unlike plastic powder funnels, the aluminum DIE cast body and CNC-turned aluminum caliber-specific inserts are static-free to eliminate powder cling. The precision fit to your case necks eliminates spilled powder. The kit includes six laser-marked, caliber-specific aluminum inserts to fit calibers 22 to 338: .22, .243/6mm, .25/6.5mm, .270/7mm, .30, and .338. The inserts can be quickly and easily interchanged when changing cartridge types.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
In 2024 the MidwayUSA Foundation paid over $6.8 million to youth shooting sports teams and organizations. This record-breaking 2024 grant cycle provided over $5 million to 952 youth shooting teams and over $1.7 million to nearly 40 organizations that work with youth shooting programs. Established in 2008, the MidwayUSA Foundation has paid nearly $73 million in cash grants to support youth shooting sports over the years. Foundation grants assist with costs for ammunition, targets, entry fees, and travel. Grants also help cover certification costs for coaches.
More and more folks are using Burris Signature Rings these days. These unique rings feature polymer inserts. That allows you to pre-load some elevation in your scope set-up, or you can center-up the windage. Additionally, the polymer inserts hold your scope securely without leaving marks on the tube. Lastly, some folks believe that Signature rings may offer advantages for benchrest competition. Rodney Wagner shot a world-record 600-yard group using Burris Signature Zee Rings (“Zee” denotes the Weaver-rail model). James O’Hara set multiple IBS 1000-yard records using Burris Signature Zee Rings. James will tell you he thinks “all his guns seem to shoot best with these rings”.
