The Making of MatchKings — How Sierra Produces SMKs
All Sierra bullets begin life as a strip of gilding metal, an alloy consisting of 95% copper and 5% zinc. To meet Sierra’s strict quality requirements, the gilding metal requires three times more dimensional and quality control standards than is considered standard in the copper manufacturing industry.
A blanking press stamps out a uniform disc and forms the cup that will be drawn into the MatchKing jacket. The cup is then polished and sent to a draw press to be drawn into a jacket that is longer than needed for the future MatchKing, thus allowing for the trim process. Press operators constantly check concentricity to ensures jacket quality. The jackets then go to a trimmer where they are visually inspected again.
After being polished a second time, the jacket travels to the bullet press. In the meantime, 80-pound lead billets are being extruded into lead wire for the cores where great care is taken so that the core wire is not stretched. The core wire is lightly oiled before continuing to the bullet press to be swaged.
The lead core wire and trimmed jacket meet at the bullet press where the first stage forms a boattail on the jacket. The lead core is then formed on top of the bullet press and fed down into the jacket. In one stroke of the press, the MatchKing is formed.
Quality control technicians pull samples from each lot of MatchKings to make sure they meet Sierra’s stringent standards. Samples are then sent to Sierra’s 300-meter underground test range (shown below) to be shot for accuracy on mechanical mounts referred to as “unrestricted return to battery rests” that Sierra designed and built in-house.
After inspection, the bullets are placed in the familiar green box along with reloading labels. They are then shrink-wrapped and shipped all over the world.
It is now Day Two of SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas. There are huge crowds visiting the thousands of display booths in the “miles of aisles” (19 acres to be precise). 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 2026, we feature videos and images of new rifles from Smith & Wesson, CZ, Century Arms and new chassis systems from MDT. Other major makers, including Beretta, Bushmaster, FN, Remington, Rossi, SIG Sauer, and Tikka have many new guns on display at SHOT Show 2026.
Interesting New Products at SHOT Show 2026
Century Arms ATA ALR — Affordable Precision Rifle
At SHOT Show, Century Arms showcased the new ATA ALR Tactical Rifle. Chambered in .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor, this modular rifle comes complete with adjustable aluminum chassis and muzzle brake. This could be a good starter rifle for PRS/NRL competition that does double duty as a hunting rig. And the ATA ALR is just $1099.99. That’s a great deal — you can pay that much just for an aftermarket chassis system.
Smith & Wesson New Metal-Frame Handguns
Smith & Wesson has many new products coming out in 2026. Many impressive new handguns have been seen at this year’s SHOT Show. This video covers some very impressive S&W handguns that feature aluminum and steel frames. The first pistol is the S&W SPEC VI with aluminum frame, ported barrel, and pre-installed Aimport optic. Next the reviewer covers the impressive steel-framed HD series pistols — both standard and competitor models. With good ergonomics and triggers, these are great for action pistol games.
MDT New Ultra-Light Chassis — Just 3.2 Pounds
In this video MDT Product engineer Josh Botha reviews the new MDT DRT lightweight chassis. This was designed for lighter weight for easier carry in the field by hunters. DRT stands for “Dead Right There” and this models was designed for “precision night hunting”. The chassis bare weight is just 3.2 pounds a significant reduction compared to previous MDT ACC chassis systems.
Ryan Cleckner — New Seekins SIC Multi-Caliber Sniper Rifle
Ryan Cleckner is a respected gun journalist and former Army Sniper marksman and Sniper Instructor. In this video, at the 1:00-minute mark, Ryan spotlights the innovative Seekins SIC rifle crafted specifically for U.S. Special Operations. This rifle is designed to allow quick and easy barrel/bolt/magazine swaps so you can shoot multiple cartridge types with the same rifle. The Seekins SIC rifle is built to withstand extreme environments while letting the operator rapidly select and swap calibers to meet mission criteria. The $8900.00 Seekins SIC is a “purpose-driven, modular system” — not a chassis retrofitted to accept a barreled action.
New Hunting Rifles — Many Rifles Reviewed
This video reviews multiple hunting rifles, many of which were introduced in the last 12 months. This employs manufacture-supplied video clips, but it’s a good starting point if you’re shopping for a new hunting and/or varmint rifle. The video covers the pros and cons of these hunting rigs. Note, there is considerable annoying commentary in this video, but it does have good footage of the rifles and shows the bolts working and the rifles cycling. In order, the featured rifles are:
0:55 Bergara Platinum Stalker
2:30 Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra
2:52 Bergera Premier Cima Pro
5:32 Henry SPD Predator
7:06 Ruger American Rifle Gen II Prairie
8:34 Marlin 1894 Trapper (10mm)
10:15 CZ 600+
11:10 Previous CZ Models
11:45 Weatherby Model 307 Alpine ST
13:28 Smith & Wesson Model 1894 Stealth Hunter
15:06 Christiansen Arms Evoke
16:36 Bergara BMR-X (rimfire)
Handgun Shorts — CZ and Walther
NEW Nightforce NX6 Scope Family for 2026
Nightforce’s new NX6 riflescopes offer lightweight configurations with an impressive 6X magnification range across the series. NX6 options include: NX6 1-6x24mm, 2-12x42mm, 3-18x50mm, 4-24x50mm, and 5-30x56mm. NX6 scopes are designed for wide field of view and good clarity. The FieldSet turret system provides great repeatability and tracking while offering ease of use and configurability, allowing shooters to convert from capped to exposed dials and custom Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) dials.
SHOT Daily Magazines Feature New Firearms
Want more information on new firearms and gun gear? Then check out SHOT Daily Magazine. Shown below is the digital edition cover for the SHOT Daily Day 1 magazine distributed at SHOT Show. The Day 1 issue features new rifles, shotguns, and pistols (pp. 30-42), and there is a good feature article on suppressors (pp. 64-71). The Day 2 issue should be released later today. Click the Day 1 cover page below to launch the full version which you can read in full for free.
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. On display were rifles, pistols, optics, electronics, gunsmithing tools, holsters, and dozens of other products.
The 2026 SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) is officially underway in Las Vegas, with the full opening this Tuesday morning, January 20, 2026. Thousands of new products are on display at SHOT Show 2026, 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 2026 SHOT Show combines exhibit space at Caesars Forum and The Venetian Expo with a bridge between the two facilities. This year more than 2,700 exhibitors will showcase their products on 830,000+ net square feet (19 Acres!) 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 54,000 exhibitors, buyers, media, and industry professionals from 50 states and over 115 countries.
Here are 4 interesting products from SHOT Show 2026. 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 2026 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 Blog 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 2026 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!
The 2026 SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade show) is just 3 days away. Thousands of new products will be on display at the SHOT Show, hosted at the Venetian Expo/Convention Center and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas January 20-23, 2026. 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 many noteworthy new optics, electronics, reloading equipment, and accessories.
Here are six interesting videos that preview new (and updated) firearms expected to be on display at SHOT Show in Las Vegas next week. There are hunting rifles, tactical rifles, rimfire rifles, plus a wide range of new pistols and some interesting shotguns.
Here’s a good initial video that covers a huge selection of new firearms. This 13.7-minute video covers a whopping 29 guns that will be showcased at SHOT Show 2026. Selections range from next-gen handguns and precision rifles to innovative tactical platforms and cutting-edge upgrades from top manufacturers. Whether you’re into concealed carry, competition shooting, duty weapons, hunting rifles, or tactical gear, this lineup has something you’ll want to see.
In this long 52-minute video, Pistol9x19 reviews 17 new firearms to be displayed at SHOT Show 2026. The video highlights innovative features, and performance for new pistols, rifles and shotguns. The 17 featured guns (with time-markers) are:
01:10 – Ruger SFAR 6.5 Creedmoor
04:07 – Henry Carbon Fiber Lever Action
07:03 – Savage Revel 22 LR Takedown
09:50 – Shadow System
12:58 – H&R Retro M16 Clones
16:05 – Mossberg 590 Professional Series
19:02 – Stoeger Combat SX 9MM
21:54 – Springfield Integrally Compensated Pistol
24:54 – H&R T48 FAL Clone
27:47 – Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal
30:50 – Korean K2 Civilian Rifle
33:33 – H&K P7 M13 Pro Slim
36:18 – Beretta 1301 Mod
39:19 – FN True Velocity 338 Norma Magnum LMG
42:16 – COLT KING COBRA
44:50 – RUGER SP 101
47:20 – Marlin 1895 Dark Series
This video features seven new rifles that will be unveiled at SHOT Show 2026. There’s a wide selection — lightweight hunting rifles, modern lever guns, piston-driven tactical rifles, and even a big .50 BMG (the “King” shown in video cover shot). New guns include:
Glenfield Model A — affordable bolt-action rifle
Ruger American Rifle Gen 2 with new stock, trigger, and recoil system
Marlin Trapper 1894 in 10mm blending classic lever-gun heritage with modern power
SIG Sauer 516 Mohawk — piston-driven AR-type rifle built for reliability and hard use
Christensen Arms Evoke bolt action hunting rig in 6.5 PRC
S&W 1854 Stealth Hunter — lever-action rifle with modern features
Thompson TA 50 — modern powerhouse in 50 BMG
This 25-minute long video has good indoor/outdoor footage of 10 new firearms. Rifle shooters should check out the new Savage 110 Magpul (3:07) and the new CZ 600 Plus bolt-action rifle (7:46) which has a 100-yard sub-MOA accuracy guaranteee. Here are the time-mark slots for all ten guns:
00:54 – Smith and Wesson 1854 Stealth Hunter
03:07 – Savage 110 Magpul
05:29 – Savage RXR 22
07:46 – CZ 600 Plus American Rifle
10:01 – Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C COMP
12:31 – Smith and Wesson M&P Shield X
14:54 – Staccato Compact HD C3.6
17:20 – Retay RXP 22
19:30 – Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo
22:06 – Taurus 66 Combat
Featured as the “Cover Shot” rifle is the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Rifle (12:15 time), a lever gun upgraded with modern features including a long optics rail, tactical forearm panel, and threaded muzzle. Another interesting new rifle is the Savage Arms RXR22 (9:15 time) a very affordable semi-auto .22 LR rimfire rifle that accepts aftermarket Ruger 10/22 magazines, triggers, and barrels. Most of the other features guns in this 20.5 minute summary video are handguns.
This 23.5-minute video covers important handgun releases of SHOT Show 2026. The host says this video features the most notable new-for-2026 handguns — from ultra-concealable carry pistols to competition-ready, high-capacity race guns. Featured pistols are:
• Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus
• Taurus GX4 XL
• SIG Sauer P365 Fuse
• Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp
• CZ P-10 M
• Canik MC9 LS
• Walther PDP F-Series
• Shadow Systems CR920P Elite
• Staccato CS 2
• Springfield Armory Ronin (Modular)
BONUS: SHOT Show Floor Tour — Locations of Gun Companies
Will you be heading to SHOT Show this year? CLICK HERE for the handy official Interactive Floor Map. For each building and floor level this shows the location of exhibitors. This can help you efficiently organize visits to your favorite gun and optics manufacturers.
Are you looking to shave POUNDS from your hunting rig or varmint rifle? There are now multiple options for folks looking for a weight-saving, carbon fiber-wrapped barrel. You’ve probably heard about Proof Research. Yes that’s a good company that crafts good products. But now Proof Research has some noteworthy competition — Helix 6 Precision in Washington State.
Helix 6 Precision crafts button-rifled and cut-rifled carbon-wrapped barrels in both conventional and “pre-fit” configurations. The conventional (not pre-fit) carbon-wrapped Helix 6 barrel blanks cost $979.99 for most listed chamberings. Pre-fits are offered for Savage rifles, Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) series, Tikka T3, Aero SOLUS, Defiance Ruckus, Sig CROSS, and Zermatt rifles. These pre-fit barrels are not cheap. A 6mm Creedmoor RPR pre-fit costs $1099.99, while the Savage pre-fits are also $1099.99 for most chamberings.
While Helix 6 barrels do offer significant weight savings, the founders of Helix 6 say low mass wasn’t the number one design goal: “Accuracy was paramount and weight reduction was secondary. We’ve taken the industry’s most advanced carbon fiber engineering and pushed the technology further with our proprietary … carbon fiber process.”
The founders of Helix 6 Precision say they build some of the best carbon/steel hybrid barrels on the market: “Our unique carbon fiber-layup design dampens barrel harmonics for better accuracy. Each barrel is cut from a 416R stainless steel core, and carbon fiber-wrapped using the Helix 6 Precision’s advanced process. This creates match-grade accuracy barrels with high heat dispersion that are 30% lighter than a steel barrel of the same contour. The bores are … hand-lapped for precision accuracy.” Helix 6 claims its barrels are “lighter, stronger, and faster cooling than anything else available on the market.”
Myth vs. Reality — What Carbon Can and Cannot Do
Carbon fiber is formed using thin strands of carbon bonded together with a plastic polymer resin. The resulting material is very strong and light weight. There’s a reason Formula 1 cars are crafted with carbon-fiber composites. But is a carbon-wrapped barrel the right option for you? Here are some factors to consider:
Weight Savings — There’s no doubt that a carbon-wrapped barrel will weigh less than an unfluted stainless steel barrel with identical length and contour (outside diameters). Helix 6 claims a 30% weight reduction compared to a conventional stainless steel barrel. That’s significant.
Accuracy — Carbon-wrapped barrels are NOT commonly being used for F-Class or Benchrest competition. However, Proof Research carbon-wrapped barrels have performed well in PRS competitions in the hands of top shooters. So, we can conclude that carbon accuracy is good enough for the PRS/NRL tactical game, at least at the local club level.
Heat Dispersion — Carbon-wrapped barrel-makers claim their hybrid design disperses heat better than an all-steel barrel. Some independent testers disagree, saying: “hold on now — the carbon actually acts as an insulator, so more heat is retained in the barrel”. The jury is still out. One thing that is true is that the carbon barrels seem to generate less mirage from barrel heat. Ask yourself, “if less heat is coming OFF the barrel, where is that heat retained?” But the reduced mirage could be a function of the black woven surface which may release heat differently than polished steel.
Pre-Fit, AR, and Custom Barrel Options
Helix 6 precision barrels are available as pre-fits for a wide variety of rifle types in many popular long-range cartridges. Helix 6 can also thread and chamber a barrel for most precision rifles. And pre-fit AR barrels are available in a wide variety of chamberings and lengths. Helix 6 Precision also supplies carbon-wrapped barrel blanks which can be chambered and fitted by a professional gunsmith. Helix 6 barrel blanks, buttoned-rifled or cut-rifled, are sold in many calibers. Offered calibers are: .224, .243 (6mm), .264 (6.5mm), .257 (pending) .277 (pending), .284 (7mm), .308, .338, and .375. In addition, .22 LR rimfire carbon barrel blanks are offered.
Every wondered how modern rifle actions are designed and crafted? Want to know the fine details of firing pin function and bolt lock-up? Then you should definitely watch this highly informative YouTube video. Top F-Class shooter Erik Cortina of Cortina Precision interviews Jim Borden, an engineer whose Borden Accuracy company produces some of the best rifle actions ever made. This is one of the better Erik Cortina video interviews. You’ll learn quite a bit from watching the video. The full video runs over two hours, so you may want to watch in segments over a couple of days.
Viewers have praised this interview, saying it has a wealth of information:
Gunsmith Alex Wheeler observed: “I consider Jim a friend even though we have never met. Definitely one of the guys that really gets actions. There’s not as many of them as you would think. He was the first timed action out there that had good ignition, at least in my opinion. It was a great interview. I do hope he has him on again.”
“Agreed. Jim is full of information and really does a good job on his actions. This [Cortina] interview with Jim Borden was excellent.” — Jud96
“I really like Jim’s explanations on why ductility is so important in an action. Especially in the critical areas that basically form 90 degree surfaces, such as where bolt lugs meet the bolt body. There is a lot of great info in this interview.” — Jackie Schmidt
“I have enjoyed all of Erik’s interview videos, which are very informative. But I agree [that] this interview with Jim Borden is the best. I learned a lot. Thank you Erik and Jim!” — Alexander-M
About Jim Borden and Borden Accuracy
Jim began shooting high power silhouette and benchrest matches in the mid 1970s while working for a Fortune 500 company as an engineer. In the early 1980s he began building rifles for himself and then for others. Jim has a background as a gunsmith, machinist, registered mechanical engineer, engineering instructor, project manager, hunter, and benchrest competitor.
In benchrest competition Jim has set ten world records and won 11 National Championships thereby earning induction into the Benchrest Hall of Fame. Jim also served six terms as President of the International Benchrest Shooters (IBS).
Jim operates Borden Rifles/Borden Accuracy with his wife Joan, sons Jim Junior and John, daughter Andrea Mecca and son-in-law John (Mike) Mecca. Jim is also an outstanding photographer. Below is a stunning eagle image photographed by Jim Borden.
Borden Accuracy — A Success Story
Borden Accuracy/Borden Rifles has been a source for precision benchrest and hunting rifles for many years. Jim started doing his own gunsmithing while competing in benchrest and High Power silhouette matches. Jim launched his business in 1987, working nights and weekends while still employed at P&G. The business became full-time in 1995 with Jim and his wife Joan doing the work. The business was expanded in 1999 with the construction of the new Springville, PA facility and the addition of sons Jim Jr. and John to the staff. Daughter Andrea Mecca joined the staff in May 2016 as machinist and machine operator and Son-in-law John Mecca came onboard in January 2000.
Jim and company began making Rimrock benchrest and Rimrock hunting actions in 2001. They added Borden Alpine and Timberline actions in 2006. These actions are made in an advanced manufacturing facility which has three CNC vertical machining centers, 1 CNC lathe and 2 CNC turning centers, three manual lathes, a manual knee mill, a surface grinder, a cylindrical grinder and wire EDM machine. To learn more, visit BordenRifles.com, call 570-965-2505, or send email to info [at] bordenrifles.com.
This article is part of Sinclair Int’l Step-By-Step Reloading Series. Most of the products mentioned in this article are sold through Brownells.com.
by Roy Hill, Brownells/Sinclair Copywriter
Making your own precision handloads is a meticulous journey with many steps, many important matters to consider, and many sets of measurements to calculate. For those who pursue the perfect group, the highest score, the really long accurate shot, the rewards more than outweigh the effort. Choosing the right cases, deburring the flash holes, making the primer pockets uniform, trimming the cases, and lubricating them are all familiar – and critical – steps along the journey. And now that your brass preparation is complete, you are at last ready to start running the cases through your press and fill them with primers, powder, and bullets. The very first die the brass encounters is the sizing die. You insert the case, work the press’s lever to return the case to its correct pre-fired dimensions – and the journey continues.
There are three types of sizing dies to think about: neck, full-length, and small base. All three have specific benefits and potential drawbacks, and you should choose the type of die you use by thinking very carefully about what kind of shooting you plan to do with your handloads. No matter which type you select, most sizing dies will also punch out the old spent primer with some sort of decapper assembly that uses a hardened steel rod. Many types of sizing dies use an expander ball inside the die to make sure the neck of the case will accommodate a bullet after being sized. With some size dies, the expanders are easily removable and interchangeable, letting you get exactly the neck tension you want. When sizing cases (neck of full-length), rifle cases always need lube.
Neck-Sizing Dies Neck-sizing dies resize only the neck of the case. The benefit of sizing only the neck is that the brass is “worked” very little, reducing the amount of changes to the brss. [We recommend full-length sizing for all applications after the first couple of firings, and semi-auto brass should be full-length sized every time!] Sinclair recommends that neck-sized-only cartridges should not be used any in other rifle besides the one they were originally fired from [unless they are also FL-sized], or in any action other than a bolt-action.
Full-Length Sizing Dies
Full-length sizing dies resize the full length of the case, not just the neck. Full-length sizing helps create handloads that will function in any rifle, not just the one from which the cases were originally fired. The potential downside of full-length sizing is that it may shorten case life because it works the brass more than neck sizing. But it’s possible to “tune” today’s full-length sizing dies so they barely work the brass at all, as this article by Sinclair Reloading Tech Ron Dague shows.
Illustration Shows How a Full-Length Sizing Die Works
Another way to reap the benefits of full-length sizing is to use Redding’s full-length bushing dies, which size the full length of the case but use a system of interchangeable bushings that enable you give the case neck the bare minimum of resizing needed. To see how finely adjustable bushing dies are, and how they resize the case while fully supported, CLICK HERE for Video. The neck bushing helps you precisely control the neck tension to help increase the consistency and accuracy of your handloads.
Small Base Dies
A Small Base Die is another type of full-length sizing die, but one that is typically used when reloading for semi-automatic rifles, like the AR-15, M14, or AR-style .308 rifles. (It may also work well for bolt guns that need extra sizing on the lower section of the case.) A small base die works exactly like a full-length sizing die, only it compresses the brass just a bit more, usually about .001″ more, and may even push the case shoulder back just a hair. Small base dies give that extra bit of compression to the brass to help make sure the case will properly extract from a semi-automatic firearm. The upside is that you get handloads that should work flawlessly in your semi-automatic. The downside is case life may be shortened as compared to brass used only in one bolt-action rifle, because the brass is worked more.
Shoulder Bump Gauges
A handy tool for setting up your full-length sizing dies as close as possible to your rifle’s chamber is a shoulder bump gauge. The bump gauge lets you resize the case as little as possible, to extend case life and help your handloads fit your rifle almost like a neck-sized only die. You use deprimed cases fired in your rifle and bump gauge inserts to help you set up the die so it resizes the case only about .001″ to .004″, depending on what type of rifle you’re shooting.
Video shows how to use a shoulder bump gauge to set up your full-length dies
Article Find by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions
Do you enjoy shooting pistols for sport, or perhaps you carry a handgun for self-defense? If you’re like most of us, you might benefit from a “refresher course” on the fundamentals of handgun shooting. The NRA has created a useful Infographic that covers important basics of handgun marksmanship — key things such as Sight Alignment, Trigger Control, and Handgun Hold.
Here are the first two (2) lessons. Click the link below to see all SIX (6) training topics: Sight Alignment, Sight Focus, Trigger Control, Breath Control, Hold Control, and Follow-Through.
Video Shows Sight Alignment, Grip, Stance, Trigger Control and More
In this USAMU video, SGT Shane Coley talks about the basics of sight alignment and trigger control. But then SGT Coley talks about other important control factors such as grip, arm position, and body stance. For rapid-fire shooting, you need to have a good arm and body positioning to control recoil and get back on target quickly. This video is a valuable complement to the NRA Infographic because it demonstrates all the important pistol fundamentals during live fire, at the range.
The NSSF 2026 SHOT Show kicks off in one week. SHOT Show (aka “Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show”) is the largest event in the world for the shooting/hunting/firearms industry. This year’s event runs January 20-23 at the Caesars Forum and Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, with range day on 1/19/26. The 2026 SHOT Show will feature over 2,700 exhibitors. This massive event covers more than 830,000 square feet, with attendees and exhibitors coming from over 100 countries. Over 52,000 industry professionals and 2200+ media representatives are expected to attend.
This annual event is the largest trade show on the planet for professionals in the firearms, ammunition, hunting, and law enforcement industries. A vast collection of firearms, optics, reloading tools, training gear and other products are on display. If you plan to attend SHOT Show 2026, you can organize your days with the Event Planner linked below:
SHOT Show, the major gun industry trade show, runs this month in Las Vegas at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum. The event starts off with the Industry Day at the Range on Monday, January 19, 2026, and the Supplier Showcase also opens on Monday. Then the main show begins Tuesday, January 20, and runs through Friday, January 23, 2024. VIEW Event Schedule.
SHOT Show Tracker
The SHOT Show Tracker website has a wide variety of special pages that help you plan events and identify exhibitors. Tracker features are listed in the Table of Contents.
Impressive engraving by Jesse Kaufmann. Note how the scope rings have been engraved to perfectly match the engraving pattern on the Remington 547 action.
Who says fine craftsmanship is dead? There’s a modern day engraving wizard up in South Dakota, Jesse Kaufmann, who produces some of the most handsome engraving we’ve seen. Jesse, who operates Black Hills Gunstocks and Engraving LLC, is a true master at metal engraving and he also does superb stock checkering. Here are some examples of Jesse’s engraving work:
This 14-minute video showcases dozens of Jesse Kaufmann’s Engraving examples:
About Jesse Kaufmann, Master Engraver
Jesse Kaufmann was a professional stockmaker for Dakota Arms for over a decade. In 2009, he was inducted in the American Custom Gunmakers Guild as a checkering specialist. In January 2017, Jesse was awarded his Master Engraver certification by the Firearms Engravers Guild of America. With his broad skill set, Jesse is able to offer his clients a unique and complete package of stock work, finish, checkering, and engraving for a custom package that is all completed under one roof by his own hands.
Jesse Kaufmann’s work has been featured in American Rifleman, American Hunter, FEGA’s The Engraver, Sports Afield, Waidmannsheil Journal of German Gun Collectors Assn., Gun Digest 71st Edition, Modern Custom Guns Volume 2, Dangerous Game Rifles 2d. Edition. For more info, visit BlackHillsgunstocksandengraving.com, email blackhillsgunstocks [at] gmail.com, or call Jesse at (605) 499-9090 after 5:00 pm. SEE Gallery of Work.
About Jim Borden and Borden Accuracy
Borden Accuracy — A Success Story
Neck-sizing dies resize only the neck of the case. The benefit of sizing only the neck is that the brass is “worked” very little, reducing the amount of changes to the brss. [We recommend full-length sizing for all applications after the first couple of firings, and semi-auto brass should be full-length sized every time!] Sinclair recommends that neck-sized-only cartridges should not be used any in other rifle besides the one they were originally fired from [unless they are also FL-sized], or in any action other than a bolt-action.
About Jesse Kaufmann, Master Engraver
