Larry Medler has come up with a smart little invention — a simple, inexpensive Empty Chamber Indicator for rimfire rifles. It is made from a section of plastic “weed-wacker” line and a wooden ball from a hobby shop. Larry says he was inspired by Juniors who used something similar for their 17-Caliber Air Rifles.

How to Make the Empty Chamber Indicator

Construction Method: First, drill a 7/64″ diameter hole all the way through the 1″-diameter wooden ball. Then enlarge half of that 1″-long hole using a 13/64” diameter drill. Next insert an 8″ piece of heavy duty (0.095″ diameter) weed wacker line through the ball, leaving about 2″ on the side with the bigger-diameter hole. Then, with the short end of the line, fold over the last half-inch so the line is doubled-over on itself. Then slide the line into the ball, stuffing the doubled-over section through the 13/64″ (large) hole. Finally, pull the longer end of the line until the doubled-over section is flush with the outside of the ball. This gives you a sturdy line attachment without messy adhesives. When the assembly’s complete, hold the ECI by the tail and dip the ball in yellow paint. If you’re making more than one ECI, you can drill horizontal holes in a spare block of wood and use that as a drying rack.

At a Rimfire Sporter match like this, all shooters must have an Empty Chamber Indicator.

The Empty Chamber Indicator for Smallbore Rifles
Larry explains: “At all Highpower rifle matches, silhouette matches, and other shooting events I have attended, Open Bore Indicators (OBI), or what are now called Empty Chamber Indicators (ECI) have been mandatory. The NRA’s yellow ECI for Highpower rifles is easy to use and has been well-received by the shooters. However, I had not seen a truly workable ECI for 22 rimfire rifles — until I visited Michigan’s Washtenaw Sportsman’s Club where I saw juniors using ECIs for their 17 Caliber Air Rifles. Someone at the club made the empty chamber indicators by attaching an 8″ piece of weed wacker line to a 1″-diameter wooden ball, painted bright yellow. I now make similar ECIs for the 22 rimfire silhouette matches I run.”

Today, April 22, 2026, Shooting USA TV will feature products from the 2026 SHOT Show event. The Shooting USA team were in Las Vegas for the annual Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) event held in late January. New products in all categories — guns, optics, ammo, hunting gear, reloading equipment and more — were on display at this major annual trade show.

Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central on the Outdoor Channel. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode. Or you can get unlimited streaming for $2.99 per month on Vimeo. There are also many videos available on Shooting USA’s YouTube Channel.

SHOT Show 2026 Highlights

SHOT Show 2026 featured impressive new offerings from hundreds of manufacturers. To learn more about new-for-2026 products, check out the SHOT Show Blog which had these recent features:

» New Rifles 2026 | » New Pistols 2026 | » New Shotguns 2026

SHOT Show is one of the biggest trade shows of the year among ALL industries. This year there were thousands of exhibitors spread out over two exhibit halls the combined size of 14 football fields (19 acres)! This is the 9th largest trade show in the USA, promoting an industry that supports over 380,000 jobs and generates over $26 billion in wages.

Savage Revamps Multiple Rifle Models

As displayed at SHOT Show 2026, Savage Arms has updated its rifle line-up, including the Savage 110, signaling a major refresh across multiple platforms. While specifics are still limited, these changes point toward improved features and modern refinements throughout the lineup. This video features GunsAmerica Media Editor True Pearce, who recently tested many new firearms at Industry Day at the Range.

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 showcased many impressive new handguns 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.

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.

Lapua and Berger, two leading companies with great products for competitive shooters and skilled hunters, will have multiple new and enhanced products on display at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas, April 16-19, 2026. Lapua will showcase its new MaxRange Target Bullets and TRX polymer-tipped solid copper bullets and ammunition designed for long-range precision shooters and hunters. And Berger will display a variety of new bullets and hunting ammunition offerings.

New Lapua Products for 2026

New MaxRange™ Target Bullets
This year, Lapua is expanding its MaxRange™ Target bullet line, engineered for extreme‑precision shooters competing in today’s long‑range disciplines, including PRS, F‑Class, Fullbore, and other formats where targets extend beyond 1000 meters.

New additions to the MaxRange™ Target lineup include the 6.5mm 144gr MaxRange Target, offering an impressive 0.335 G7 ballistic coefficient, and the .30 caliber 175gr MaxRange Target, engineered to deliver outstanding long‑range performance while unlocking renewed precision potential for the .308 Winchester. These bullets will be on display at the Lapua Booth at the NRA Houston event.

New TRX™ Tipped Solid Copper Bullets & Ammunition

Lapua will also showcase its TRX™ polymer‑tipped, solid copper bullets, developed for hunters and precision shooters who demand superior exterior ballistics and reliable terminal performance. TRX bullets deliver industry‑leading long‑range precision, featuring some of the highest ballistic coefficient values in their class.

In addition to 6.5mm 120gr, .30 caliber 150gr, and .30 cal 165gr TRX projectiles, Lapua will offer factory‑loaded TRX ammunition in the following chamberings: 6.5 Creedmoor. 6.5×55 Swedish, .308 Winchester, .30‑06 Springfield, .300 Win Magnum.

Berger — New Products for 2026

Berger will showcase new precision bullets and ammunition at the 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, TX this week. New offerings include 7mm PRC Elite Hunter ammunition, .22 caliber 69gr OTM bullets, 300 PRC 217 Grain Elite Hunter ammunition, and 1500-count Competition Packs designed for long-range accuracy and competition shooting.

New Berger Competition Bullet Packs
This year Berger will sell 1500‑count Competition bullet packs. This allows handloaders to secure large quantities of bullets from the same production lot. That helps assure load accuracy and consistency when loading hundreds of rounds for many matches. This helps PRS, Fullbore, F‑Class, NRL Hunter, ELR, and other disciplines maintain consistent accuracy at 1,000 yards and beyond. The following Competition Packs are available now at authorized Berger retailers:

New .22 caliber 69 Grain OTM Bullets and .223 Rem OTM Ammunition
Berger is releading new 69gr OTM bullets. These are optimized for AR-style rifles with a 1:9″ (or faster) twist used in 200- and 300-yard competition. Berger also introduces .223 Remington 69gr OTM ammunition, loaded with premium components, including Vihtavuori powder. This new OTM ammo should deliver great precision and reliability.

New 7mm PRC Elite Hunter Ammunition

Berger introduces new 7mm PRC Elite Hunter loads featuring heavy-for-caliber options that deliver exceptional external ballistics and long-range terminal performance. Available in 175-grain and 195-grain Elite Hunter offerings, both loads are optimized for modern, fast-twist rifles.

New 300 PRC 217 Grain Elite Hunter Ammunition
Berger’s new 217gr Elite Hunter 300 PRC ammunition offers a heavy-for-caliber solution that maximizes energy and terminal performance. Featuring an ultra-high 0.695 BC and increased sectional density, this ammunition delivers outstanding downrange accuracy and impact energy.

Updated 18th Edition with Feature Articles
The 18th Edition of Cartridges of the World includes cartridge specs, plus tech articles on Cartridge identification, SAAMI guidelines, wildcatting, and new cartridge design trends. Cartridges of the World, the most complete cartridge reference guide in print, includes a full-color section with feature articles on new 7mm Cartridges, PRC Cartridges, 9mm Cartrdige, and a special feature on Gun Safes.

View Free Book Sample Content
FREE STUFF for You: If you want to see what you are getting, there is a very large sample section of the 18th Edition available online with over 100 pages of content and dozens of photos and illustrations. To access all this FREE INFO, CLICK HERE, then look for the cover photo and click below the cover photos where it says “Read Sample”. It may take a few moments to fully load the sample pages. NOTE: This content is primarily from the Kindle digital 18th Edition.

Whether you should from the bench, or from prone, it’s great to have your cartridges in a convenient, easy-to-reach position. This article explains how you can build your own height-adjustable ammo caddy for a very low price (likely under $10.00). Credit Martin Tardif for this great Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project. Martin’s flex-arm caddy design works great for F-Open competitors as well as anyone who shoots with a pedestal front rest, either on the ground or from a bench. The ammo caddy attaches, via a flexible arm, to your front rest. The flexy arm allows you to position your ammunition close to your rifle’s feeding port. That makes it easy to grab cartridges and load them into the chamber without shifting your shooting position.

Kudos to Martin Tardif for his clever use of inexpensive materials when he crafted this ammo-caddy a few seasons back. The total cost of the whole project, according to Martin, was just $8.00! (With inflation, materials could run a bit more these days, but the project would still be very inexpensive.)

Martin Explains How to Build the Ammo Caddy
Here are some pics of my DIY P.L.A.B. (Port Level Ammo Block). I cannibalized the goose neck from a Craftsman bendy-style utility light and bought a 3.5″x 1″ Acetal disk on eBay. I then drilled out the disk to accept twenty .284 Winchester rounds and screwed the disk to the bendy arm. The arm, by itself, wasn’t sturdy enough to support my fully loaded ammo block, so I inserted a 1/8″-diameter steel rod cut to length into the arm before I screwed it to the disk. On this Bald Eagle rest, I wasn’t using the windage adjustment cable. That allowed me to secure the bottom end of the arm to the unused 5/16″ x 18 bolt hole for the cable. [Editor’s Note: For other pedestal rest types/brands you may need to drill a hole for the base of the flexy arm.]

Leveraging the incredible success of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, ammo-makers and rifle manufacturers have teamed up to produce a bigger Creedmoor cartridge — the 7.6 Creedmoor. The latest addition to the Creedmoor line gets its name from its 7.62mm bullet dimension. Yep, that makes it a .30-cal cartridge, but the creators stuck with the metric title for consistency. Makes sense. We like the way “7.6 Creedmoor” sounds and we bet consumers will too. The 6.5 Creedmoor has been a singular success — it is by far the most popular new cartridge introduced in the last decade. We think the 7.6 Creedmoor could become equally successful in short order.

In creating the new 7.6 Creedmoor, the product engineers were primarily concerned with accuracy, reliability, and compatibility. In a brilliant marketing stroke, the 7.6 Creedmoor’s designers crafted this cartridge to be 100% compatible with existing .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 rifles. So you can shoot the 7.6 Creedmoor safely in your existing .308 Win deer rifle or F-TR rig. As one ammo-maker’s marketing manager told us: “The 7.6 Creedmoor gives you everything you liked about the .308 Win, with a trendy name and the undeniable Creedmoor cachet. The 6.5 Creedmoor has become hugely popular. We expect the new 7.6 Creedmoor to do as well, or better!” We agree. Consider this — the 7.6 Creedmoor offers much better barrel life than the 6.5 Creedmoor, along with better bullet selection, particularly for hunters. With these advantages, how could the 7.6 Creedmoor not become a huge hit? The Creedmoor name alone should ensure success.

We discussed the new 7.6 Creedmoor with Dennis DeRille, one of the “founding fathers” of the 6.5 Creedmoor. Dennis said — “The Creedmoor name is synonymous with innovation and tactical success. This new 7.6 should live up to its name as it delivers .308 Win performance in a package for the 21st Century.”

Reassuring .308 Win Ballistics and Die Compatibility
Another great feature of the new 7.6 Creedmoor is that you can use existing .308 Win dies and reloading components. That excited one PRS shooter: “I had all this old .308 brass and .30-Cal bullets sitting around. When I heard about the 7.6 Creedmoor I said ‘Wow this is great, I can use this stuff in a Creedmoor now’. I know it will be accurate based on the name alone. That’s cool — tacticool!”

Because the new 7.6 Creedmoor shares case capacity and design details with the venerable .308 Win, it also shares the .308 Win’s impressive ballistics performance. “Whatever you can do with a .308 Win, you can do with the 7.6 Creedmoor… and then some!” says Hornady. Here is a chart showing projected velocities for the 7.6 Creedmoor with various barrel lengths and bullet weights.

NRA Approves 7.6 Creedmoor for F-TR Competition
Currently, NRA competition rules restrict F-TR rifles to the .308 Win (7.62×51) and .223 Rem (5.56×45) chamberings. But that’s going to change. Starting in June 2026, the NRA will allow 7.6 Creedmoor rifles in all F-TR matches. In addition, the 7.6 Creedmoor can be used in service rifles such as the popular M1A. It’s great to see this old battle rifle updated with Creedmoor accuracy and performance.

USA and Foreign Ammo Makers will Produce 7.6 Creedmoor Ammo
7.6 Creedmoor factory-loaded ammunition will be available from all major USA ammo-makers including Federal, Hornady, CCI, and Remington. As well, foreign ammo-makers Hirtenberger, Sellier & Bellot, and Prvi Partizan have pledged to produce 7.6 Creedmoor ammunition. That’s good news for shooters who want affordable Creedmoor ammo. One ammo-maker told us: “The whole industry is excited about the 7.6 Creedmoor. To be honest, .308 Win ammo sales have been declining for a number of years. Now we can repackage those same great components and market them to a new set of consumers reared on the 6.5 Creedmoor. This is a great deal for ammo-makers, who know how excitable Creedmoor fan-boys can be!”

IWA Outdoor Classics New Product Showcase

The IWA Outdoor Classics (Euro SHOT Show) event in Germany is the largest hunting/shooting/outdoor trade show outside North America. Every year the IWA Outdoor Classics showcases thousands of products from manufacturers from around the world. This year’s IWA event ran 2/26/26 through 3/1/2026 in Nuremberg. For this Saturday Movies Showcase we feature notable new rifles, pistols, and optics.

To see other products on display in Germany this week, visit the IWA Outdoor Classics Product Showcase. Product names are listed alphabetically, and you can also search by product type and/or country. Images and descriptions of 335 Featured Products are available online..

This cool cutaway Feinwerkbau competition air rifle reveals inner working parts.

Walther RS3 Straight-Pull Bullpup Hunting Rifle

The new Walther RS3 hunting rifle is an innovative straight-pull, bolt-action rifle with bullpup-type stock. In the first video, TFBTV chats with Walther CEO Bernhard Knöbel about the new RS3 rifle, which blends traditional European hunting aesthetics with modern engineering. The premium RS3 features a handsome wood stock and deluxe refined finish. In the second video above, the respected All4Hunters channel examines the Walther CS3’s key features and what makes it stand out among high-end hunting rifles.

CZ TS 3 Orange Competition Pistol

The new CZ TS 3 Orange pistol was one of the more notable semi-auto pistols at the 2026 IWA Outdoor Classics. The CZ TS 3 ORANGE is the flagship model of the new CZ TS 3 competition series, developed for IPSC Optics and USPSA Limited Optics divisions. This new competition pistol has a great trigger, good balance, ported slide, and red-dot optic. This CZ factory video shows the new TS3 Orange being used in rapid-fire sessions.

Chiappa Rhino .44 Magnum Revolver

At IWA 2026 TFBTV checked out the Chiappa Rhino chambered in .44 Magnum, the latest large-frame addition to the Chiappa Rhino lineup. The Rhino’s low bore axis design fires from the bottom chamber of the cylinder. This reduces muzzle rise, making heavy calibers more controllable. This video examines the design, and explains how recoil impulse compares to traditional revolvers. Available in various finishes, this revolver can make high-energy cartridges more controllable.

Victrix Corvo CS Compact .50 BMG Rifle

This video features Victrix’s Corvo CS, a compact variant of their .50 BMG platform. Victrix designed the Corvo CS with an 18″ barrel and folding stock to create a more compact system while maintaining the capability of the .50 BMG cartridge. The Corvo CS features a stainless steel action and bolt, a 2-stage trigger, a folding stock, and multiple QD attachment points. The rifle includes a 45 MOA top rail, M-LOK interface, barricade stop, muzzle brake, and compatibility with Victrix monopod and bipod systems.

Orion Clip-On Thermal Optic for Riflescopes

This new Orion C series clip-on thermal sight can be a major upgrade for hunters who want to see more in low-light conditions. The Orion mounts directly to the front of a conventional scope, and transforms the capabilities, giving it thermal, night-vision viewing ability. This Orion unit activates in 3 seconds and the battery runs for four hours.

New Series Veracity Rifle Scopes from Burris

This video features the new updated Veracity scope series from Burris. The 2026 Veracity riflescopes represents a complete redesign that elevates this proven platform with enhanced optical performance, refined ergonomics, and innovative new features to help hunters.

BONUS: Cutaway Inside Look into Hausken Rifle Suppressors

The 2026 IWA Outdoor Classics event is hosted in Nuremberg, Germany. Here’s an interactive map.

The 2026 IWA Outdoor Classics trade show kicked off yesterday in Nuremberg, Germany. This major outdoor/hunting/shooting trade show, the largest event of its kind outside the USA, runs February 26 through March 1, 2026. A vast selection of new rifles, pistols, and shotguns are on display.

In addition there are large selections of optics, bipods/tripods, rangefinders, and other accessories. Plus the IWA show features outdoor clothing, packs, and hunting gear. Vendors also showcased collections of beautiful hardwoods suitable for fine rifle and shotgun stocks.

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 2026, 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.

This video covers some notable new hunting rifles at the IWA show. Whether you want the best straight-pull rifle for rapid follow-up shots or the one of the top quality new, affordable hunting rifles, this video explores notable current options. Video highlights are listed with time-marks:

Notable Products at IWA Outdoor Classics 2026

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 2026. IWA Outdoor Classics allows buyers and retailers from around the world to see thousands of new products in one location.

This Week on Shooting USA – The 2026 SHOT Show
SHOT Show 2026 is featured on Shooting USA today on the Outdoor Channel. SHOT stands for “Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Tradeshow”. The biggest gun industry convention/tradeshow in the world, this huge event attracted over 2,500 exhibitors. Exhibits occupied over 800,000+ square feet in the Venetian EXPO and Caesars Forum.

If you watch just one episode of Shooting USA TV this year, this might well be a top choice. This episode has very good coverage of products from leading manufacturers including Colt, Smith & Wesson, Kimber, Ruger, Taurus, Les Baer, CMP, Luth AR, GA Precision, Hogue, Hornady, Integrix, FosTec, MCS and more. CLICK HERE for the February 18, 2026 SHOT Show episode highlights.

Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central on the Outdoor Channel. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.

More SHOT Show 2026 Videos

Interested in more SHOT Show 2026 product coverage? Here are videos that cover new rifles, new pistols, plus the impressive new Nightforce NX6 line of scopes. The first two videos, covering new rifles and pistols, are hosted by True Pearce, a skilled shooter and GunsAmerica Digest Editor-in-Chief.

New Rifles at SHOT Show 2026

New Handguns at SHOT Show 2026

Nightforce NX6 Optics

Today’s Saturday Movies article spotlights dozens of new handguns, most of which were displayed at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas. These new pistols range from ultra-lightweight carry pistols to big, long-barreled guns designed for IPSC and speed-shooting matches. Nearly all major makers have pistols featured in these videos, with new handguns from Beretta, Canik, CZ, FN, Glock, KelTec, Kimber, Ruger, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, Staccato, STI, Walther and more. Many of these videos include outdoor range testing footage as well as coverage from SHOT Show.

30 New Handguns from SHOT Show 2026

In this 17-minute video, our friends at GunsAmerica examine 30 new handguns, from striker-fired carry guns to all-metal competition pistols. The video also features revolvers, 2011s, and some truly wild new designs. Featured brands include: Alpha Foxtrot, Archon, Beretta, Bersa, Chiappa Rhino, CZ, Flux Defense, KelTec, Kimber, Laugo Arms, OA Defense, Ride Out Arsenal, Ross Martin, SAR, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, and STI with some brands having multiple offerings.

18 New Handguns (or Pistol Kits) at SHOT Show 2026

This 55-minute video covers 18 pistol products displayed at SHOT Show 2026. There is a vast selection of semi-auto handguns plus a couple build kits and revolver frames. All the footage from this video was taken indoors at SHOT Show at the display booths. There is no supplemental video of pistols being shot at a range.

NOTE — If you want to see something truly radical and unique, check out the Third Bay “Ounce” folding rimfire pistol — one of the lightest-weight carry pistols ever created (see 18:33 time-mark and photo right). This folding handgun weighs about 8 ounces as loaded with ten .22 LR rounds.

Top 15 New Handguns at SHOT Show 2026

In this video, God Family and Guns explores 15 new handguns from SHOT Show 2026. The video showcases a diverse range of firearms, from classic designs to innovative new models. A personal perspective is offered, comparing different features and price points.

14 New Pistols at SHOT Show 2026

This video covers 14 new handguns, ranging from tiny micro-compacts to full-size duty pistols. This 52-minute video covers all 14 guns, examining their triggers, optics-ready slides, integrated compensators, magazines and other features. Whether you’re into concealed carry, competition shooting, or home defense, this line-up provides a wide range of options. Here are the video time-marks for the 14 pistols:

Steyr ATD Pistol and ATC Comp Pistol

Steyr Arms released some impressive pistols at SHOT Show 2026 — the new ATD and ATC models. The ATD is for general defensive use while the ATC models are designed for rapid-fire competition, so the ATCs boast light triggers and steel frames. The ATC comes in three models: ATC Base, ATC Rock with 5″ Barrel and ported slide, and ATC ROCK with with longer 6″ barrel plus ported slide. STEYR ARMS developed the ATC series to meet the stringent requirements of IPSC, PPC (Police Pistol Combat), and USPC (U.S. Practical Shooting) competition. The new Steyr ATD and ATC pistols are covered in this Firearms Blog TV video, with the ATC Rock models featured in the lead photo for today’s Video Showcase.

Top 7 Concealed Carry Pistols for 2026

This video covers seven pistols suitable for concealed carry. The featured handguns are: Kimber CDS9 Classic; Taurus GX2; Heckler & Koch (HK) CC9; Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp; Canik Mete MC9 L; SIG Sauer P211-GT4 Carry; and Glock 19 Gen 6. The price range is very significant among these models, starting at $269.99 for the Taurus GX2. And some of the pistols, to be honest, are really bigger and heavier than optimal for everyday carry.

BONUS: New Pistol-caliber Carbines