With the catastrophic fires last year in California, many have wondered about hazards faced by gun owners in fire zones. This important video shows what really happens when loaded ammunition burns. You will probably be surprised. Contrary to Hollywood notions, the ammo doesn’t ignite in a massive explosion. Far from it… basically the rounds “cook off” one by one, and the bullets release at relatively low velocity. We’ve featured this SAAMI research project before, but it is worth reprising for those who have not yet seen the burn tests.
A few years back, SAAMI released an important video concerning ammo and fire. With professional fire-fighters standing by, over 400,000 rounds of ammo were incinerated in a series of eye-opening tests. If you haven’t had the chance to view this video yet, you should take the time to watch it now
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) has produced an amazing 25-minute video that shows what actually happens to sporting ammunition involved in a fire. This video shows the results of serious tests conducted with the assistance of professional fire crews. We strongly recommend you watch this video, all the way through. It dispels many myths, while demonstrating what really happens when ammunition is burned, dropped, or crushed.
Watch SAAMI Ammunition Testing Video
Video Timeline
2:10 Impact Test (ignited outside firearm)
3:40 65-foot Drop Test
5:08 Bullet Impact (.308 Win firing)
7:55 Blasting Cap Attacks
9:55 Bulldozer and Forklift Tests
12:20 Boxed Ammo Bonfire
15:37 Bonfire without Packaging
17:21 Retail Store Simulation Burn
20:55 Truck Trailer Burn
Over 400,000 rounds of ammunition were used in the tests. Some of the footage is quite remarkable. Testers built a bonfire with 28,000 rounds of boxed ammo soaked in diesel fuel. Then the testers loaded five pallets of ammo (250,000 rounds) in the back of a semi-truck, and torched it all using wood and paper fire-starting materials doused with diesel fuel.
The video shows that, when ammo boxes are set on fire, and ammunition does discharge, the bullet normally exits at low speed and low pressure. SAAMI states: “Smokeless powders must be confined to propel a projectile at high velocity. When not in a firearm, projectile velocities are extremely low.” At distances of 10 meters, bullets launched from “cooked-off” ammo would not penetrate the normal “turn-out gear” worn by fire-fighters.
We are not suggesting you disregard the risks of ammo “cooking off” in a fire, but you will learn the realities of the situation by watching the video. There are some amazing demonstrations — including a simulated retail store fire with 115,000 rounds of ammo in boxes. As cartridges cook off, it sounds like a battery of machine-guns, but projectiles did not penetrate the “store” walls, or even two layers of sheet-rock. The fire crew puts out the “store fire” easily in under 20 seconds, just using water.
Additional Testing: Drop Test, Projectile Test, Crush Test, Blasting Cap Test
Drop Test
The video also offers interesting ammo-handling tests. Boxes of ammo were dropped from a height of 65 feet. Only a tiny fraction of the cartridges discharged, and there was no chain-fire. SAAMI concludes: “When dropped from extreme heights (65 feet), sporting ammunition is unlikely to ignite. If a cartridge ignites, it does not propagate.”
Rifle Fire Test
SAAMI’s testers even tried to blow up boxes of ammunition with rifle fire. Boxes of loaded ammo were shot with .308 Win rounds from 65 yards. The video includes fascinating slow-motion footage showing rounds penetrating boxes of rifle cartridges, pistol ammo, and shotgun shells. Individual cartridges that were penetrated were destroyed, but adjacent cartridges suffered little damage, other than some powder leakage. SAAMI observed: “Most of the ammunition did not ignite. When a cartridge did ignite, there was no chain reaction.”
Bulldozer Crush Test
The test team also did an amazing “crush-test” using a Bulldozer. First boxes of loaded ammo, then loose piles of ammo, were crushed under the treads of a Bulldozer. A handful of rounds fired off, but again there was no chain-fire, and no large explosion. SAAMI observed: “Even in the most extreme conditions of compression and friction, sporting ammunition is unlikely to ignite. [If it does ignite when crushed] it does not propagate.”
Blasting Cap Test
Perhaps most amazingly, the testers were not able to get ammunition to chain-fire (detonate all at once), even when using blasting caps affixed directly to live primers. In the SAAMI test, a blasting cap was placed on the primer of a round housed in a large box of ammo. One cartridge ignited but the rest of the boxed ammo was relatively undamaged and there was no propagation.
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.
New Triggertech Triggers
Orion Clip-On Thermal Optic
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:
1:18 – Haenel Jaeger EVO (Classic)
2:45 – CZ 600+ Series (Good Modularity)
4:20 – Mauser M25 (Straight-Pull)
5:50 – Blaser R8 Professional 2.0 (High-End Rig)
7:25 – Walther RS3 (Bullpup Revolution)
9:00 – Final Thoughts
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.
Registration has opened for the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in April — So you may want to start your planning and register now for the event.
The 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center on April 16-19, 2026 in Houston, Texas. The Exhibit Hall is open all three days and will showcase over 14 acres of guns and gear. There will also be numerous special events, plus entertainment. If you would like to attend, register for the event and book your hotel soon.
The 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits has events on April 16th and the convention hall will officially open at 9:00 AM on April 17. NRA members and immediate family receive free entry. Non-members can join online or at the door for immediate access. Visit NRAam.org for more information and to purchase tickets for special events. NRA Members receive free admission, while a Weekend “All Access” Pass is offered for $35, which includes a 1-year NRA membership.
Precision Rifle fans should watch Shooting USA this week. On Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Shooting USA features coverage of the 2025 Armageddon Gear (AG) Cup Invitational. The 3-day AG Cup posts the biggest cash money match in precision rifle competition. This challenging multi-stage, elimination-format competition is one of the top tactical matches of the year. On the final day, the top competitors faced ten courses of fire to determine who will claim the Armageddon Gear AG Cup. This is an invitation-only match for America’s top Precision Rifle shooters, with the potential reward of huge cash prizes — $20,000 for the winner plus $1000 for each top scorer on the ten final courses of fire.
Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central on the Outdoor Channel. In Canada, Shooting USA is broadcast on the Sportsman Canada Channel. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.
This Video Shows Highlights of the Armageddon Cup
The AG Cup is the brainchild of Tom Fuller, the owner of Armageddon Gear, and to say it’s a success is a bit of an understatement. This invitation-only match is the richest tactical/precision competition on the planet.
This AG Cup video has good footage of the stages in a previous 2022 AG Cup.
Armaggedon Gear — Tactical Accessories Armageddon Gear, founded by former U.S. Army Ranger Tom Fuller, sells support bags, gun cases, slings, suppressor covers, scope covers, and a wide variety of other accessories popular with the PRS/NRL crowd. Armageddon Gear now provides products to the U.S. Military, Law Enforcement, as well as PRS/NRL competitors.
CMP Introduces International Team Event for 2026
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has added a new International Team Match during the 2026 National Mid/Long Range events at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio. The International 12-Person Team Match will be held Sunday, August 9, featuring a Palma team course of fire with record shots at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. The event is set to include competitors from the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. After the Camp Perry events conclude, the teams will travel to Ontario, Canada for the Canadian Fullbore Championships.
The National Mid/Long Range rifle events run August 3-9, 2026, as part of the CMP’s annual National Matches. Open to competitors of any experience level, these events feature individual and team competitions on Camp Perry’s Viale Range, fired completely on outdoor eTargets from 600 to 1000 yards. The National Long Range series will also include a 4-person Palma team match.
REGISTRATION Opens March 1, 2026
Registration for the 2026 National Matches opens March 1st, a week from now. Go to TheCMP.org/cmp-matches/national-long-range-matches to get complete information on the CMP’s National Long Range Matches, including programs, target info, and match schedules. On that page, you will find a registration link that activates 3/1/2026.
“We’re excited to host teams from Canada and Great Britain for the first time at a CMP Long Range event,” said Sara Rozanski, CMP Highpower Rifle Coordinator. “It offers us an opportunity to showcase our targets and facilities to top international competitors while making our own mark in the global Long Range community.”
CMP National Mid/Long Range Matches — Events and Course of Fire:
Matches include Match Rifle, Service Rifle, Palma, F-Open, F-TR, F-Practical, and/or AR Tactical.
Mid-Range 3×600 – three 20-shot strings slow prone at 600 yards in 22-minute time blocks 600-Yard Two-Person Team Match – 20 shots per team member at 600 yards Camp Perry Palma Match – 15 record shots at 800, 900, and 1000 yards, at each firing line in 22-minute time blocks Viale, Critchfield, Henry, Kerr, McMaken & Speaks, Baesel Memorial individual matches – 20 record slow prone shots in 30 minutes at 1000 yards Bataan Memorial 4-Man Team Match – 20 shots slow prone by each member at 1000 yards Winder Memorial Iron 4 Man Team Match – 20 record shots per team member in 47 minutes at 1000 yards Willis Lee, Jr. Memorial Two-Person Team Match – 20 record shots per team member in 47 minutes at 1000 yards Gen. Edward S. Bryant Memorial Two-Person Team Match – 20 record shots per team member in 47 minutes from 1,000 yards
About the Camp Perry National Matches:
Held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility in Ohio since 1907, the Annual National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches represent some of the biggest and most popular shooting competitions in the Western Hemisphere. The 2026 National Matches schedule includes CMP National Air Gun Matches, National Rifle Matches, National Pistol Matches, National Smallbore Matches, and the National Mid/Long Range Matches. The CMP will also run popular Small Arms Firing Schools covering on safety and fundamentals for Pistol, Rifle and Smallbore Rifle disciplines.
The National Matches are conducted by a partnership between the CMP and Ohio National Guard. Learn more by visiting the CMP website at TheCMP.org/cmp-national-matches.
AccurateShooter’s Target Page provides over 50 FREE downloadable targets. You’ll find all types of targets — sight-in targets, varmint targets, rimfire targets, bullseye targets, tactical targets, load development targets and more. CLICK HERE for all our free targets, including our popular LOAD DEV target.
On this load development target, all your load data fits neatly in the boxes under each target. The diamonds have 1/2″ sides and you can align your cross-hairs on the horizontal and vertical lines. When we test, we crank in a little elevation, setting the point-of-impact higher. That way our shots fall in the gray circles, leaving the red diamonds intact for precise aiming.
Storm Tactical Targets — Hundreds of FREE, Printable Targets
If you want an even greater selection of targets, specialized for PRS and NRL shooters, Storm Tactical offers a vast collection of tactical targets, available in three different versions: MOA, MIL Yards, and MIL Meters. These target sets were created with input from Sniper’s Hide. Storm Tactical also created a great rimfire target set. This includes side-by-side target blocks for fun, one-on-one competition. If you shoot NRL22 or just enjoy shooting with a buddy, we highly recommend the rimfire target set.
Overall there are 299 Storm Tactical Targets in four sets.
CLICK links to launch each Storm Tactical target collection. Then you can click the download icon to save to your hard drive. OR, you can scroll up and down to select the target(s) you like which you can tell your printer to print. We do recommend downloading the complete archives. File sizes are listed.
Here’s a Tikka T3 in Third Eye Tactical cerakoted chassis.
Rimfire Twin Target, for One-on-One Shooter Challenges
You’ll find this fun target on the third page of the Rimfire Target Pack. Just download the PDF file and instruct your printer to deliver page three. Or print out all six (6) rimfire targets if you like.
MIL-system scopes are popular with tactical shooters. One advantage of First-Focal-Plane (FFP) MIL scopes is that the mil-dot divisions in the reticle can be used to estimate range to a target. If you know the actual size of a target, you can calculate the distance to the target relatively easily with a mil-based ranging reticle. Watch this helpful NRA video to see how this is done:
Milliradian Definition and Yardage Ranging Formula
“MIL” or “Milrad” is short-hand for Milliradian, a unit of angular measurement. The subtension of 1 mil equals 3.6 inches at 100 yards or 36 inches at 1,000 yards. (In metric units, 1 mil equals 10 centimeters at 100 meters or 1 meter at 1,000 meters.) Knowing this subtension and knowing the size of the target (or a reference object near the target) allows the distance to the target to be estimated with considerable accuracy. The formula used to calculate range (in yards) based on MIL measurement is:
Height of Target in inches (divided by 36) x 1000, divided by the number of mils.
For example, if a 14″ tall target spans 3 mils from top to bottom, the distance is 129.67 yards calculated as follows: 14/36 x 1000 = 389, then divided by 3 = 129.67. You can also use a different conversion to find distance in meters.
Can You Estimate Range with an MOA-Marked Reticle? Yes You Can…
Reader Josh offers this handy advice: “It worth noting that the ability to measure range is not unique to mil-based systems. A MIL is just another unit for measuring angles, and any angular measurement will work. Considering that just about everybody knows that 1 MOA is about an inch per hundred yards, similar formulae can be developed for ranging with MOA marks. The advantage with mils is the precise relationship between units — the MOA-inch measurement is imprecise (being off by 0.047″) — so in principle MILs are a better unit”.
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.
Q: What is the most popular gun book in the history of the planet?
A: That distinction goes to the Shooter’s Bible, which has sold over 7 MILLION copies since it was first published over 80 years ago.
Released in October 2025, the 117th Edition of this respected resource is better than ever. This latest Shooter’s Bible boasts 608 pages with over 270 color photos and more than 1000 black-and-white photos. The latest 117th Edition features many new firearms as well as new optics. This paperback book is now just $25.35 on Amazon, 15% off the $29.99 list price. A Kindle digital edition is also available for $21.99 on Amazon.
Published annually for more than eighty years, the Shooter’s Bible is one of the most comprehensive firearms reference guides in print. The publishers claim that “nearly every firearms manufacturer in the world” is included. The 117th Edition also contains new and/or enhanced sections on ammunition, optics, and accessories, along with updated handgun and rifle ballistic tables. There are also extensive charts of currently available hunting and match bullets for hand-loaders.
While many shooters are now using the internet to get reloading data and equipment specifications, the Shooter’s Bible remains a valuable resource with a great legacy. As one recent Shooter’s Bible purchaser explains: “While it’s true that much of the information contained in the Shooter’s Bible can be found on the Internet, there are many of us who would first rather relax in our easy chair and page through the book at our leisure. If you find an item that catches your fancy, you can then follow up by going to their Web site.”
Another buyer observed: “This [117th edition] is proof that, even with all the attacks on our 2nd Amendment right over the years, the industry has persevered and grown. I hope the day never comes when there will no longer be a reason to publish the Shooter’s Bible.”
The Shooter’s Bible contains a vast collection of firearms product information and descriptions. Hundreds of firearms are listed, complete with specifications and photos. Products from nearly all commercial gun makers on the planet are included.
More Great Gun Books From Shooter’s Bible Publishers
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) has produced an amazing 25-minute video that shows what actually happens to sporting ammunition involved in a fire. This video shows the results of serious tests conducted with the assistance of professional fire crews. We strongly recommend you watch this video, all the way through. It dispels many myths, while demonstrating what really happens when ammunition is burned, dropped, or crushed.
We are not suggesting you disregard the risks of ammo “cooking off” in a fire, but you will learn the realities of the situation by watching the video. There are some amazing demonstrations — including a simulated retail store fire with 115,000 rounds of ammo in boxes. As cartridges cook off, it sounds like a battery of machine-guns, but projectiles did not penetrate the “store” walls, or even two layers of sheet-rock. The fire crew puts out the “store fire” easily in under 20 seconds, just using water.
If you want an even greater selection of targets, specialized for PRS and NRL shooters, 
