Today’s showcase shows how CCI, Federal, and Remington .22 LR rimfire ammunition types are produced in large American factories. CCI and Federal, until very recently, were part of the Vista Outdoor Kinetic Group. In December 2024 CCI and Federal along with other Vista ammo brands were sold to a Czech company, CSG.* Most CCI rimfire is produced in Idaho, while most Federal rimfire ammo is produced in Anoka, Minnesota. Here we feature videos from CCI, Federal, and Remington ammo plants. Watch and learn how rimfire ammo is made.
The Manufacturing Process for .22 LR Rimfire Ammunition Shooting Sports USA explains: “Rimfire cartridge cases are the oldest self-contained cartridge in existence, having been in continuous production since the mid-1850s. Rimfire cases are drawn from a thin piece of brass and formed with a hollow rim. A priming compound is then forced into the case using centrifugal force, where it is charged with powder and a bullet is seated in the mouth of the case. The case is then crimped around the bullet to ensure sufficient push and pull when the round is fired. When the firing pin strikes the thin brass rim of the case, the hollow rim is crushed and the primer is ignited.” Source: SSUSA.org 9/2/2017.
.22 LR Ammo Production at Federal Ammo Plant in Minnesota
Note to Viewers — After Starting Video, Click Speaker Icon to HEAR audio!
A while back a Field & Stream writer toured the Federal ammunition production facility in Anoka, Minnesota. This large plant produces both rimfire and centerfire ammunition. While touring the plant, the reporter was allowed to capture video showing the creation of .22 LR rounds from start to finish. This is a fascinating video, well worth watching. Click speaker icon for sound.
22Plinkster Tours CCI/Speer Idaho Factory
Trickshot artist and YouTube host 22Plinkster was able to tour the CCI/Speer production facility in Lewiston, Idaho. This large plant produces both rimfire and centerfire ammunition. While touring the plant, 22Plinkster was allowed to capture video showing the creation of .22 LR rounds from start to finish.
This revealing video shows all phases of .22 LR ammo production including cupping, drawing, annealing, washing, drying, head-stamping, priming, powder charging, bullet seating, crimping, waxing, inspection, and final packaging. We really recommend you watch the video from start to finish. Well worth watching, this excellent video has logged 3.2 million views on YouTube.
Remington Factory Produces Millions of Rounds of Rimfire Ammo
Billions of .22 Long Rifle rounds are produced every year, and Remington Ammunition in Lonoke, Arkansas produces a significant share of the rimfire ammunition used worldwide. This “American Rifleman Television” feature shows the full ammo production process. At the start, brass cups are stamped out of large sheets of brass, and the cups then move on to have the headstamps applied and rims formed. Next, the rounds move on to be annealed and rinsed. Then the cases move onto priming. A wet priming pellet is then pressed into each empty .22 case, and the case is spun rapidly, spreading the pellet mix into the inner cartridge rim. The primed cartridges are then sent to a drying house, where they’ll sit for several days to allow the priming mixture to dry. The Remington factory is very efficient, with “some of the fastest rimfire-making equipment on the planet”.
*In December 2024, Vista Outdoor completed the $2.23 billion sale of the company’s “Sporting Products” division — which is known as the Kinetic Group and includes American ammunition brands CCI, Federal Premium, Hevi-Shot, Remington, and Speer — to the Czechoslovak Group (CSG), a Czech conglomerate. READ Full Story of Vista Outdoor Kinetic Group ammo brands sale.
UltimateReloader.com offers some of the most thorough firearms and reloading tool tests on the internet. And the Ultimate Reloader YouTube Channel now has over 1200 videos that showcase reloading tools, accurate firearms, precision optics, gunsmithing methods, and top-tier reloading components. For today’s Saturday at the Movies feature, we showcase eight great videos created by Gavin Gear and his UltimateReloader team. These videos highlight NRL22 Rifles and optics, the remarkable AMP Annealer, a new affordable target cam, Bix’N Andy Triggers, Silencerco Suppressors, and a stunning 6×47 Lapua rifle project. Enjoy this Saturday Video Showcase.
Popular .22 LR Rimfire Tactical Competition — NRL22
NRL22 and PRS Rimfire are some of the fastest-growing shooting disciplines in the USA. The NRL now runs 7-8 times as many rimfire NRL22 matches as centerfire matches. The popularity of rimfire precision shooting is easy to understand — .22 LR ammo is a small fraction of the cost of centerfire ammunition and you can compete at any local range that goes out to 200 yards. In this video Gavin Gear explains the features you want in an NRL22 rifle. The related video (at right) explains what you’ll want in an optic for NRL22 competition.
AMP Annealer — Guide for Getting Started
Gavin Gear with New Zealanders Matt Findlay (center) and Alex Findlay (right) of Annealing Made Perfect.
This detailed 11.5-minute review outlines the features of the impressive AMP electronic annealing machine, the AMP Mark II DB. This uses a computer control to deliver precise annealing times and temperatures with a profile for your specific lot and brand of brass. This video explains how to set the annealing timing for your brass and how to configure multiple profiles. One AMP Mark II DB owner offers high praise for AMP annealers: “If you want to anneal the best way possible this is it. Does a torch work? Sure it does. The AMP does it far better and far more consistently.”
Budget Ranger Target Camera from LongShot Precision
Longshot offers superb, reliable, high-resolution target cameras favored by top shooters around the world. Now LongShot offers its Ranger target cameras starting at just $199.00 for the basic Ranger Target Camera which runs at 100 yards. For those who shoot at longer distances, we recommend the Ranger Plus model which reaches out to 1000 yards. Powered by state-of-the-art 5G WiFi technology, the Ranger Plus connects to your phone or tablet. You can purchase the Ranger Plus for $399.00. The features of these two Ranger systems are compared in the graphic below:
6x47L Rifle Build with BAT Action & Woox Furiosa Ultra Chassis
Gavin Gear has completed many impressive custom rifles. This handsome rifle is one of Gavin’s best efforts. Chambered for the 6-6.5×47 Lapua wildcat cartridge (aka 6x47L), this rifle has show great accuracy. It boast a handsome black BAT Hammerhead action and a wood/metal composite WOOX Furiosa Ultra chassis. This high-tech hybrid stock/chassis combines wood sections over a full-length, aerospace-grade aluminum skeleton chassis, giving it the “feel” of a wood stock with the strength and stability of a metal stock. Gavin likes the way the stock feels on the trigger hand in particular and the smooth wood cheekpiece is also very nice. Made in Italy, the Furiosa is offered in three versions all with wood sections on the forearm, grip area, and cheekpiece. Choose natural Walnut Brown, Micarta Black, or Midnight Grey.
SilencerCo Suppressors Tested
Gavin Gear of UlimateReloader.com got a chance to visit a SilencerCo dealer, The Range LLC in Yakima, WA. During his visit, Gavin was able to test a number of suppressors (aka “moderators” or “silencers”) for both rifle and pistols. Gavin has released a lengthy article covering his experiences. If you are in the market for a suppressor, we highly recommend you read Gavin Gear’s full SilencerCo Products Overview on UltimateReloader.com.
Bix’N Andy Trigger Testing
Bix’N Andy makes some of the best triggers you can buy, with versions suited for benchrest, F-Class, ELR, PRS/NRL, as well as hunting and varminting. In this October 2024 video, Gavin looks at the features and functionality of a variety of Bix’N Andy triggers. You can purchase these quality triggers from BulletCentral.com at attractive prices starting at $199.00.
Ultimate Reloader’s Most Popular Video EVER:
.223 Remington vs. 5.56x45mm — 7.7 Million Views
This video explains essential facts and corrects common misconceptions related to both .223/5.56 ammunition, as well as .223/5.56 rifles. Gavin provides insight on chamber specs, pressure levels, barrel twist rates, military 5.56 crimped brass, and other important topics. If you are new to the AR world, this video is definitely worth watching. And that’s why it now has garnered over 7.7 MILLION YouTube views, making it one of the most popular gun-related videos ever. Full Story:CLICK HERE for full written analysis of .223 Rem vs. 5.56x45mm with graphs and data.
BONUS — Key Legal Insights for Gun Owners
Interview with Attorney William Kirk of Washington Gun Law
SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas concludes today, January 24, 2025. This was an impressive show with thousands of vendors displaying products on 830,000 net square feet of floor space at Caesars Forum and The Venetian EXPO. There were many innovative new products, including new optics, chassis systems, barrels, “smart” guns and much more. For this Friday Day 4 of SHOT Show we offer a showcase of interesting product report videos.
Hodgdon Report — Availability of H4198, H4895 and ENDURON
At SHOT Show 2025, Chris Hodgdon took the time to talk about the availability of some Hodgdon powders for the months ahead. Regarding H4895 he said they hoped to have both powder in stores “Sometime this spring [2025]” so check the Hodgdon.com website for availability.
Regarding Enduron, Chris posted: “Big question here at SHOT show… where is the ENDURON? ENDURON has not been discontinued. We are working diligently with our supplier to get it back in stock. It may be a while before our supplier can produce it.”
Seekins Precision PH3 with Many New Features
In this video True Pearce, Editor of GunsAmerica Digest, reviews the new lightweight hunting rifle from Seekins Precision, the impressive model PH3. This boasts a modern composite chassis with adjustable comb and many notable new features.
Backfire Channel SHOT Show 2025 Highlights
The Backfire channel is one of our favorite gun-centric YouTube services. The host is smart and articulate and he does considerable real-world testing in the field. He has produced 294 videos and now has 961,000 subscribers — that’s impressive. This Backfire SHOT Show 2025 video runs 45 minutes and has already garnered 155,000+ views. It covers a host of products. Here are some highlights:
2:50 New Tikka T3X Ace
5:35 Aarken Outlier Precision Chassis
8:04 Shooters Global Smart Shooting Glasses
9:35 Seekins Precision H3 Rifle
11:24 Interview with Erik Cortina and F-Class John
17:12 MDT Chassis Systems and Bipods
20:18 Palmetto SA — New Hunting and AR-type Rifles
21:48 Interiew with Gavin Gear, Ultimate Reloader
25:45 Horizon Firearms Light Hunting Rifles
27:15 KRG Chassis for Ruger, Savage, Howa, Tikka etc.
31:30 Smith & Wesson — New Revolvers, Pistols, Rifles
33:08 Watchtower Rifle with Lattice Titanium barrel
33:40 RCBS Booth — New Reloading Equipment
35:10 Howa — New Pump-Action AR-style Rifle
36:05 Aero Precision — Tactical Lever-Action Rifle
New Chassis Options for Rem, Savage, Tikka, Ruger and more
The above video features an impressive new lightweight chassis from MDT. This will soon available for a variety of popular actions including Ruger, Remington, Savage and Tikka. This chassis is also featured in the vertical-format video on the right below.
Burris XTR PS Scope with Internal Ballistics Display
The new Burris XTS PS scope combines traditional glass lenses with an internal electronic display that shows hold-over and ballistic data to the shooter. Customizable “data zones” display dial-to-distance, wind hold, wind speed/direction, density altitude, angle compensation, and scope level. The scope features a unique new clickless turret with a digital position sensor for ultra-fast 1/30 MIL elevation adjustments.
MDT SEND-iT Electronic Level — Gen 2
Here’s a cool product that can benefit marksmen in many competitive rifle disciplines. The Generation 2 MDT LRA SEND iT – MV3 Electronic Level provides an instant “green light” visual signal showing that your rifle is level so your shot should land on target. Instead of waiting for a spirit (bubble) level to move, the SEND-iT LEDs are 3-5 seconds faster and are much easier to see.
Handgun Highlights — Walther, SIG, Canik, and HK Pistols
Walther Arms booth PDP Polymer and Steel Frames
SIG Sauer P226 X5 Steel Frame, single action only
NOTE: The SIG Sauer P226 X5 short video is incorrectly labeled “SIG Sauer 225″ — a typo by the creator.
Swarovski offers an impressive BTX Binocular Spotting Scope System. This is available with four different objective lens modules: 65mm, 85mm, 95mm, and 115mm. The image below shows the BTX with the 115mm objective. BTX price, as fitted with this huge 115mm objective, is a whopping $6648.00 MSRP!
SHOT Show is one of the biggest trade shows of the year among ALL industries. This year there are thousands of exhibitors spread out over two exhibit halls the combined size of 14 football fields! Thankfully a number of YouTubers have been working hard, finding interesting new products in the miles of aisles. Today we feature some notable videos from SHOT Show 2025, along with some cool product reports — leading off with Lapua’s announcement that it will be producing 6mm Dasher brass this year. That earned high praise from our Shooters Forum members.
Tikka T3x Ace Competition Rifles and T1x Rimfire Rifle
The new Tikka T3x Ace rifles works great for both hunting or match PRS/NRL use. They are chambered in .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor. We like the Tikka’s smooth-running action and very nice, crisp trigger. For rimfire competition, consider the Tikka T1x .22 LR match rifle. This features customizable chassis, heavy barrel, single stage trigger and 20 MOA Picatinny rail. Prices for both centerfire and rimfire Tikka rifles are quite reasonable compared to a custom build. You can get great deals on Tikka rifles from leading vendor EuroOptic.com. CLICK HERE for EuroOptic Tikka Rifle Sale.
New 6mm Dasher and 7mm PRC Brass Coming from Lapua
Great news — Lapua is releasing top-quality 6mm Dasher Cartridge Brass later this year. The 6mm Dasher is one of the most successful and popular cartridges for mid-range benchrest competition, and it is also now very popular with PRS/NRL shooters because of its superb accuracy and relatively low recoil. It’s a great varmint cartridge as well. The 6mm Dasher cartridge is inherently accurate and load development is relatively easy with known accuracy nodes with 103-108gr bullets. We are delighted that Dasher brass will finally be available from Lapua in the fall of 2025.
We were also pleased to see Lapua will be offering 7mm PRC Cartridge Brass later this year. The 7mm PRC can efficiently drive the heaviest .284-caliber projectiles. This gives F-Open competitors and long-range hunters a great new brass option. When teamed with Berger’s new 190gr LR Target Hybrid bullet (see below), the Lapua 7mm PRC could become a top choice for F-Open shooters.
One other cool new product coming soon is a high-BC 144gr 6.5mm Max Range Target Bullet. This .264 caliber bullet offers great 0.670 G1 and 0.335 G7 Ballistic Coefficients making it one of the highest-BC 6.5mm bullets ever crafted. The new Max RT 6.5mm bullet will be available for consumers in spring 2025.
New CZ Shadow 2 Target Pistol — Great for Gun Games
In this video GunsAmerica Digest Editor True Pearce reviews the impressive new CZ Shadow 2 Target pistol. This 9mm pistol features an extended slide, 6-inch polished and hand-fitted barrel, full steel frame, and handsome ergonomic grip. This pistol also boasts a very crisp trigger that can adjust to five positions.
The regular Shadow 2 has won many IPSC world championships. And this new Shadow 2 Target model should be even better. The 6″ barrel and long slide offer significantly reduced muzzle lift for faster follow-up shots plus longer sight radius for more precise aiming.
Berger Offers New 7mm 190gr LR Hybrid Target Bullets
Here’s big news for F-Open shooters running 7mm cartridges in F-Class competition. Berger will be offering a new, ultra-high BC bullet that could enhance scores. The new 190gr Long Range Hybrid Target projectile offers a higher Ballistic Coefficient which can translate to a flatter trajectory and greater resistance to deflection by crosswinds. In this Ultimate Reloader video F-Class John compares the new Berger 190gr LR Hybrids with Berger’s popular 180gr hybrids. John examines the 190-grainer’s ballistic advantages and demonstrates how thee 190s perform on the range, after load development and seating depth testing.
Innovative SG Sight Pro “Smart” Shooting Glasses Have Heads-up Display of Shot Time, Split Time, and Shot Count
Here’s a great new product for folks who participate in “on the clock” shooting competitions. SG Sight Pro offers innovative new safety eyewear with an onboard “heads up” display. This projects key info in the top left corner of the left lens so the shooter can see shot times and splits. It would be cool if a company could provide a product like this for High Power and F-Class shooters that would show the e-Target score after each shot without moving one’s head position.
Olympic Biathlete Twins Talk with Living Legend Jerry Miculek
In this video talented twins and Olympic Biathletes Lanny and Tracy Barnes visit the Mossberg booth and get trigger tips from legendary shooter Jerry Miculek starting at 1:30 time-mark. The twins also check out Mossberg long guns in the video, including the new Mossberg 590R shotgun and 590RM with a 10-rd detachable shotshell magazine.
SHOT Show Shorts — Highlight Videos
Arken OPS rifle with micro-action, backdraft barrel, and hex suppressor.
Very nice, ultra-light Browning rifle with carbon stock and fluted bolt.
How to Order a Suppressor the Easy Way — E-Filing
Are you considering getting a suppressor this year? There are important Federal regulations regarding suppressors, because they are considered a Class III device. You may also want to consider having the suppressor owned by a trust. The process of getting a suppressor is covered in this helpful video. It explains Federal rules and how to e-File your application through the Silencer Shop.
Vudoo V22 Ravage with a fluted 18″ Kukri barrel in an Urban Camo Grayboe Ridgeback stock.
Rimfire precision shooting is hot. NRL22 and PRS Rimfire are some of the fastest-growing shooting disciplines in the USA. The NRL now runs 7-8 times as many rimfire matches as centerfire matches these days. The popularity of rimfire precision shooting is easy to understand — .22 LR ammo is a small fraction of the cost of handloaded centerfire ammunition and you can have a fun competition at any local range that goes out to 200 yards or so.
If you’re looking for a top-tier .22 LR precision bolt-action rifle, here is a very impressive option…
Vudoo Gun Works Ravage Precision .22 LR Rifle
Among the most accurate .22 LR precision rifles you can buy is the mag-fed Vudoo Ravage with Grayboe Ridgeback stock. Popular YouTube gun tester 22Plinkster declared: “It’s a Tack-Driver … this .22 LR Rifle is the most accurate .22 LR bolt-action rimfire rifle I have ever shot in my life.” And he notes that he has shot Anschutz, Lithgow, and other quality rifles.
Firing from a Lead Sled, 22Plinkster starts out at 50 yards, and produced a 0.335″ group at 50 yards using Lapua Midas+ ammunition (4:00 time-mark). Then this session gets really impressive. Continuing with Lapua Midas+ ammo, this Vudoo Ravage produced a sub-half-inch group at 100 yards*. You can watch that Midas+ group form up from 7:20 to 8:25 in the video. Then, with ELEY Tenex ammo, he produced a 0.707″ group (10:30) and an even smaller group (11:55). This complete rifle is available from Vudoo Gun Works for $3230.00 without optics. That a ton of money, but if you compete in the rimfire ELR game, the investment may be worth it, as the exceptional accuracy really makes a difference past 250 yards.
22Plinkster says Vudoo’s Ravage is a top choice for NRL22/PRS rimfire matches and Rimfire ELR competitions: “This is the cream of the crop. [Many] people who are winning PRS rimfire matches are shooting Vudoos. What sets this rifle apart from a lot of the other Match 22 rifles is what it does past 300 yards. A lot of rifles — Anschutz, Lithgow, CZ — shoot really good out to 300 yards. But after 300 yards, their accuracy diminishes big-time.”
If you are interested in getting a Vudoo rimfire rifle, then definitely watch this 20-minute Guns & Tactics video. It provides extensive accuracy testing for multiple ammo types with verified group sizes. Then the reviewer shows the working details of the rifle, including the bolt, trigger system, and magazine. The video also includes field testing from bipod as well as competition-type practical stages out to nearly 400 yards.
We are now on Day Two at SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas. There are huge crowds visiting the thousands of display booths in the “miles of aisles”. Over 52,000 people have registered for the event. This year’s SHOT Show encompasses two facilities — the Venetian Expo AND the new Caesars Forum. Combined, these facilities provide over 830,000 net square feet of exhibit space. The two trade show halls are connected by an elevated walking bridge.
CLICK HERE for the searchable database of all SHOT Show 2025 exhibitors.
Today, as part of our Day Two coverage of SHOT Show 2025, we are featuring videos and image of new rifles from SIG Sauer, Savage, and Smith & Wesson. It’s just a coincidence all three companies start with the Letter “S”. Other major manufacturers, including Beretta, Bushmaster, FN, Remington, Rossi, Sako, and Tikka also have many new guns on display at SHOT Show 2025.
Interesting New Rifles at SHOT Show 2025
SIG Sauer Spear DMR in 6.5 Creedmoor
At SHOT Show 2025, SIG Sauer unveiled the Spear DMR, a 6.5 Creedmoor Designated Marksman Rifle with 20″ barrel and fully adjustable, folding stock. While not yet available commercially, SIG Sauer has suggested this rifle may offered for sale later this year. In its product review, GunsAmerica notes: “The SIG Spear DMR features a fully adjustable and folding stock… nearly identical to the SIG Cross rifle stock, this version utilizes a different angled mount while maintaining the same ultra-light construction. The stock includes precision adjustments for both the cheek riser and length of pull[.] Its folding design … makes the rifle more compact for discreet transport or storage without compromising functionality or ergonomics.”
Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter
The Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter combines a traditional lever-action rifle design with modern upgrade. Features include an extended Picatinny rail for optics, an M-LOK equipped fore-end, a Hi-Viz H3 front sight, and an adjustable ghost ring rear sight sourced from XS Sights. Available calibers are .45 Colt, .44 Magnum, and .357 Magnum.
The 16.3-inch 410 stainless-steel (with a threaded muzzle) has a twist rate of 1:16, the receiver is forged 416 stainless steel, and the fore-end, which has 15 M-LOK slots, is aluminum with a hard-coat anodized finish. The black synthetic stock has textured grip panels. The rifle also has a large loop operating lever and a manual cross-bolt safety. See this rifle at the Savage Booth #12427.
Savage Model 110 Pro Pursuit Hunting Rifle
With a cerakoted bolt and action, PROOF Research carbon-wrapped barrel, and lightweight Grayboe Phoenix 2 stock, the 110 PPR offers easier carrying in the field along with good durability. The 110 PPR (Pro Pursuit Rifle) incorporates new features on the company’s proven 110 platform. It sports a nicely-patterned camo synthetic stock and field-friendly features like a large knurled bolt handle, flush QD sling adapters, and a 20 MOA rail. The carbon-fiber-wrapped 22-inch Proof Research barrel also saves weight. A three-round AICS-style mag, dual extractors, and muzzle brake facilitate quick follow-up shots. The 110 PPR is offered in nine different chamberings, with emphasis on big-game cartridges. MSRP is $2,399.
SHOT Daily Magazines For Day 1 and Day 2
Want more information on new firearms and optics? Then check out SHOT Daily Magazine. Shown below are covers for the digital versions of the SHOT Daily print editions distributed at SHOT Show. The Day 1 issue features new rifles while the Day 2 issue showcases notable new optics. Click each cover page box to launch the full version which you can read in full for free by signing up.
New Product Center
The New Product Center is a “must-see” offering at the Venetian EXPO. There are dozens of interesting and innovative new products all in one convenient location.
The 2025 SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade show) is officially underway in Las Vegas, with the full opening this Tuesday morning, January 21, 2025. Thousands of new products are on display at SHOT Show 2025, hosted at the Venetian Expo/Convention Center and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Gunmakers from around the world will be introducing hundreds of new (and updated) rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Along with the new guns, SHOT Show will feature noteworthy new optics, electronics, reloading equipment, hunting gear, and accessories.
The 2025 SHOT Show combines exhibit space at Caesars Forum and The Venetian Expo with a bridge between the two facilities. This year more than 2,800 exhibitors will showcase their products on 830,000+ net square feet of floor space. SHOT Show is the largest trade show of its kind in the world. Total attendance at last year’s SHOT Show exceeded 55,000 exhibitors, buyers, media, and industry professionals from 50 states and over 115 countries.
Quick Picks — Video Shorts from SHOT Show 2025 Day 1
Product Previews
Here are 8 Interesting Products from SHOT Show 2025. Click each Image for more details.
SHOT Show Supplier Showcase — Monday and Tuesday
The SHOT Week Supplier Showcase returns this year with 600+ suppliers and countless materials and solutions. After a great first day yesterday, the Supplier Showcase kicks off its second and final day in the 5th Floor Palazzo Ballroom of The Venetian Convention Center.
SHOT Show 2025 INFO Sources
SHOT Show TV and YouTube — For all SHOT Show TV product highlights, interviews and overall show coverage, visit the SHOT Show Youtube Channel. SHOT Show Daily News — The SHOT News Page has multiple daily reports and links to key content. Social Media — For real-time highlights and breaking news from the show, the SHOT Show’s Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (Twitter) feeds offer regular reports with interviews, photos, and videos. SHOT Show Mobile App — Download the SHOT Show 2025 Mobile App for real-time show announcements, interactive floor maps, meeting and scheduling functions, product-information downloads (including product scanning at the New Product Center), SHOT Show video feeds and more!
Ever wondered how the parts inside an AR15 work together? Just exactly how does the reciprocating bolt carrier feed rounds from the magazine? How do the elements in the trigger group work and reset after each shot? How does the gas system bleed gas from the barrel and operate the bolt carrier? These and other questions are answered in this eye-opening video from 45Snipers. Using “cutaway” 3D computer animation, this 5-minute video shows all features of an AR15 inside and out. This fascinating firearms animation allows the viewer to look inside the upper and lower receivers, into the bolt carrier, chamber, barrel, and magazine.
This video starts off slow and has annoying background music, but it is well worth watching if you own or shoot any AR-platform rifle. It illustrates all the key operations during the charging, loading, firing, and ejection processes. The cutaway animation shows how rounds are stripped from the magazine and then chambered. It then shows how every part of the trigger group works, and how the firing pin strikes the primer. You can even watch the bullet move down the barrel before the empty shell casing is removed from the chamber and tossed out the ejection port. Here are sample frames from the video:
Video find by Grant Ubl. We welcome reader submissions.
Industry Day at the Range is a unique event. Gun industry representatives are able to view, inspect, and shoot scores of new rifles, shotguns, and pistols provided by 200+ manufacturers from around the globe. In addition, new optics and shooting accessories are on display. Hundreds of media members and other gun industry personnel visited the Boulder City, Nevada gun range on 1/20/25 to test a wide variety of new firearms. There were many notable, innovative new rifles, pistols, and optics on display.
Conditions were pretty challenging, with gusty winds and cool temperatures in the mid-40s in the morning. Still most of the shooting was at targets inside 50 yards so those breezes didn’t stop the show. It did make it more challenging to hit the longer range targets set up on the upper rifle bay. Still, media members were excited to see the scores of new rifles, pistols, and shotguns on display. See Range Day Map.
Notable New Guns and Products Previewed at Range Day
Tikka T3X Ace Precision Rifle
Tikka unveiled the new T3X Ace at an early preview at the Desert Sportsman’s Club range outside Las Vegas. This GunsAmerica video, hosted by our friend True Pearce, provides a first look at an impressive bolt-action rifle for PRS/NRL competition. Pearce praised the rifle’s function, ergonomics, and accuracy.
Burris XTR PS Scope with Internal Ballistics Display
The new Burris XTS PS scope combines traditional glass lenses with an internal electronic display that shows hold-over and ballistic data to the shooter. Customizable “data zones” display dial-to-distance, wind hold, wind speed/direction, density altitude, angle compensation, and scope level. The scope features a unique new clickless turret with a digital position sensor for ultra-fast 1/30 MIL elevation adjustments.
BioFire Biometric Smart Gun (Fingerprint and Face Recognition)
In this video, GunsAmerica Editor True Pearce tests the radically innovative Biofire “Smart Gun”. This features a biometric fingerprint sensor plus an onboard facial recognition system that scans the shooter’s face. The purpose of the technology is to prevent unauthorized use of the pistol. The potential downside is that anti-Second Amendment politicians might try to mandate this kind of built-in gun control.
Shadow Systems CR920XP Rapid Fire
New .338 ARC Cartridge in Bolt-Action AR
New SIG Sauer Romeo 8T-AMR Smart Optic
Glock Pistols with AimPoint Optics
Impressive Zeiss optics were on display this year, as shown here in 2020.
One of the best things about Industry Day at the Range is the FREE Ammo provided by Federal and other manufacturers. Rifle, pistol, shotgun — the ammo is ALL FREE.
SHOT Show 2025 kicks off on Monday, January 20, 2025 with Industry Day at the Range. We’ll have friends there at the Boulder City Range testing new rifles and pistols, and checking out new optics and accessories. Then on Tuesday, January 22nd, the doors open at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum. Over 2700 companies will be exhibiting products this year, with booths and displays covering over 800,000 square feet of floor space. Show organizers expect over 50,000 attendees.
SHOT Show is restricted to industry professionals — manufacturer personnel, buyers/sellers of products, and media representatives. But thankfully, there will be lots of coverage from the event. We’ll be providing regular updates through our Daily Bulletin. In addition, we’ll be following SHOT Show coverage from leading gun-related YouTube Channels, including BackFire, Guns America Digest, The Firearm Blog (TFB-TV), RECOIL Magazine, and Ultimate Reloader. And below are official pages from the show website:
This video shows six interesting firearms that will be featured at SHOT Show 2025. Items include Aero Precision M4E1 Pro ambi-AR rifle, Langdon Tactical 301 Blackout shotgun, KelTec PR57 pistol, Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter rifle, HM Defense HM50B2 Gen2 rifle, Patriot Ordnance LMR Base rifle.
Here’s a selection of five notable handguns and rifles set for unveiling at SHOT Show 2025. Featured guns include: Bergara BMR-X rimfire rifle, Shadow Systems CR920X pistol, Jacob Grey TWC Black pistol, Bushmaster V-Radicator AR rifle, Wilson Combat Div77 Project 1 pistol.
Here are two good videos from 2024. The first is a great intro to SHOT Show, and the second covers Range Day, which is being held today at the Boulder Rifle & Pistol Club outside Las Vegas.
In addition, NRA Publications’ Shooting Illustrated will provide extensive coverage of SHOT Show — from pre-show private events to Media Day At The Range to updates from the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Shooting Illustrated staffers will be at SHOT Show to find notable new firearms, gear, and accessories, which will be covered via regular updates on the internet. Check out ShootingIllustrated.com for daily show recaps, as well as exclusive, live content from Las Vegas on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Shooting Illustrated is the NRA’s official journal covering personal defense, concealed carry, and tactical firearms, training and gear. Shooting Illustrated reaches over one MILLION users through its print magazine, digital publications, and social media. Visit ShootingIllustrated.com for more information.
2:50 New Tikka T3X Ace
