The Lapua Monarch Cup, one of the most prestigious smallbore rifle silhouette competitions in North America, has officially announced its 2025 schedule. Now in its fourth year, the Cup features a two-part series of smallbore standard rifle silhouette matches contested in the United States and Canada. For registration details and complete information on the Lapua Monarch Cup, visit Lapuamonarchcup.com.
The Lapua Monarch Cup includes the annual U.S. Smallbore Rifle Silhouette National Championships, along with a second host country event, this year in Canada. The 2025 competition schedule is as follows:
1st Match – Canadian National Smallbore Silhouette Championships
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
June 20 – July 1, 2025*
2nd Match – NRA National Smallbore Silhouette Championships
Raton, New Mexico, USA
July 20-22, 2025
Competitors earn scores from each match within their respective classifications (Master, AAA, AA, & A), allowing participants to compete for a share of $25,000 in cash prizes across the two events.
“We are excited to continue the tradition of the Lapua Monarch Cup and provide competitors with an unparalleled competition experience,” said Adam Braverman, Lapua’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing and an advisor to the Cup. “This event not only showcases top-tier marksmanship but also fosters camaraderie among shooters across North America.” The Lapua Monarch Cup Board consists of esteemed members of the shooting community, including Erich Mietenkorte, Daniel Salazar, Jason Marsh, Jose (Pepe) Valdes, and Chris Cawthorne, with Adam Braverman serving as an advisor.
Basics of Smallbore Silhouette Competition
Smallbore Silhouette shooting is a fun and challenging shooting discipline that has competitors taking aim at a variety of steel chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams. Shooters, standing and unsupported, take aim at four banks of silhouettes at increasing distances, shooting 40 targets in all. For every silhouette knocked down, the competitor earns one point. Smallbore Silhouette competitors typically shoot at distances of 40, 60, 77, and 100 meters at metric matches.
For more info on the North American Silhouette Shooting Association (NASSA), visit NASSAsilhouette.org.
*NOTE: The official Monarch Cup webpage lists June 20 as the Canada event start date. However the official graphic states the event runs June 29 through July 1, 2025.
An accurate, self-loading .22 LR rifle, such as this Volquartsen, is our gun of choice for speed shooting with rimfire reactive targets.
Reactive targets offer “instant gratification” — with every hit your target moves, spins, or falls. Shooting reactive targets with a rimfire rifle is fun AND affordable. Times are a-changin’ — rimfire ammo prices have dropped dramatically, so you can now get very decent rimfire ammunition for under $4.50 a box, such as Norma Tac-22 or Aguila Super Extra. Currently on sale for just $3.11 for 50 rounds at KYGUNCO, the Aguila is just six cents a round! At that price, you can afford to shoot every weekend.
Rimfire Know Your Limits Target Rack Challenge Targets offers the popular Know Your Limits (KYL) rimfire target for $139.00. This KYL target has become popular for NRL22 and PRS Rimfire shooters. Start on the left by engaging the 2″ round target and work your way to the right. Each shot gets progressively harder as the target sizes decrease. With each solid hit, the target plate will spin giving providing hit confirmation. The target rack easily breaks down for transport in a couple minutes.
Make Your Own Shooting Gallery with Reactive Rimfire Targets
For .22 LR fans, the folks at Action Target have created a whole series of steel rimfire targets. Much lighter than their centerfire counterparts, these rimfire targets are easier to transport and easier to set up. With this wide selection of reactive targets, you can create your own shooting gallery.
Rimfire Dueling Tree
Rimfire Spinning Jack
Rimfire Plate Rack
Rimfire Buffalo
In this video, Michael Bane reviews Action Target’s line of rimfire targets, which includes plate racks, spinners, dueling trees, and more. As Michael explains: “This line of targets is very well thought out. For example — dueling trees are a lot of fun. But a centerfire dueling tree weighs a lot, it’s hard to cart it around. A rimfire dueling tree is easy to set up, easy to carry around.”
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) invites young men and women shooters to apply for CMP scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) offers $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000 one-year scholarship assistance to qualified junior marksmen in order to encourage and reward their outstanding efforts. In 2025, over $325,000 will be awarded.
In addition, in 2025 the CMP will present FOUR $5,000 scholarships that will be renewable for 4 years (Total value of each scholarship awarded: $20,000). The “Carolyn Hines Memorial Scholarship” will be awarded to the top graduating senior who best exemplifies Dr. Hines’ ideals. Three additional 4-year scholarships will be awarded to top seniors to commemorate the retirement of longtime CMP Board members Judith Legerski, Jon Bengston, and Harry Sieben. The overall applicants will be determined by members of the CMP Scholarship Committee.
The remaining CMP Scholarships are one-year awards that may be used to fund any accredited secondary education, technical/trade school, or vocational program.
All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted by April 4, 2025. All applicants will be notified by May 16, 2025, of their status. Checks will be mailed no later than August 1, 2025, to the recipient of the scholarship.
Since 2005, CMP has awarded over $1.3 million in scholarship grants. Winning scholarship recipients, in their senior year of high school, came from JROTC schools, 4-H groups, and other shooting clubs.
The Scholarship Program will also award CMP Local Scholarships in the Anniston, Alabama, Talladega, Alabama, Port Clinton, Ohio and Oak Harbor, Ohio, areas. Seniors are encouraged to apply and no marksmanship experience is required to apply for the CMP local scholarships.
CMP Scholarship Application Deadline is April 4, 2025
Additional $5000 Scholarships from Supporting Organizations
Generously, the Garand Collectors Association has presented four additional $5,000 John C. Garand Scholarships, while the family of Michael Thomas Randall has contributed three $5,000 scholarships. The Talladega Superspeedway has also provided $5,000 toward the CMP Scholarship Program.
CMP Scholarships are based on merit. Candidates are high school seniors involved with a team or club participating in rifle or pistol marksmanship competitions. Applicants must provide rifle or pistol competition history, list of awards, and future goals in the shooting sports. NOTE: The CMP no longer requires a minimum GPA, though academic performance is still a key selection criteria. In addition, the new automated application replaces paper forms and mailing documents with an online application and the ability to upload documents. CLICK HERE for Application.
Applications are Being Accepted Now for 2025-2026 School Year
The CMP is now taking scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 freshman college year. Scholarships are one-year awards that may be used to fund any accredited, post-secondary education or vocational program. (Note: Students planning to enroll in a military academy are not eligible).
The deadline for CMP Scholarship Application is April 4, 2025. Learn more about the program at the CMP Website Scholarship Program Page. If you have any questions, please contact CMP at (419) 635-2141, ext. 701 or email shand [at] thecmp.org.
Candidate Qualification Requirements:
To be eligible for CMP scholarships, junior shooters must:
Be a U.S. citizen.
Be of good moral character.
Be a graduating high school senior.
Demonstrate acceptance to a university, college, or trade school leading to a diploma or trade certification.
Show marksmanship competition experience (e.g. air gun, smallbore, pistol, rifle, shotgun, archery, etc.).
Applicants must provide a list of past/present rifle or pistol competition history, awards, and future expectations for the sport. Proof of participation, including match bulletins, photos or CMP Competition Tracker printouts (for example), MUST be presented in order to be considered for the scholarship.
In addition to the application form, candidates must include a certified copy of the applicant’s high school transcript; a letter from the applicant including the reasons for applying and how the scholarship will help in pursuit of the applicant’s goals; and documentation (proof) of marksmanship activity.
Today Shooting USA TV features the annual President’s Rifle Match at Camp Perry, Ohio. Also known as the “President’s 100″, this major Service Rifle match attracts nearly one thousand competitors to the historic ranges of Camp Perry each summer. This is a challenging, multi-stage competition that tests marksmanship and equipment alike. NOTE: This week’s episode also features the iconic M1 Garand rifle in the show’s History’s Guns segment.
Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.
Looking downrange at the 600-yard targets. Camp Perry photos courtesy Dennis Santiago.
The historic National President’s 100 Match is a huge event. In recent years, there have been over 1000 ranked competitors from throughout the nation, making this one of the biggest rifle events of the year. The top 100 competitors overall in the President’s Rifle Match are designated as the President’s 100. They receive President’s 100 medallions and certificates.
The President’s 100 Rifle Match is richly steeped in history. This unique match was first held in 1878. Here’s the view from the line at 600 yards:
President’s 100 Match Shoot Off! — The Top 20 shooters face off while everyone watches.
President’s 100 Course of Fire
There is a three-yardage, four-stage Course of Fire for the President’s Rifle Match Course of Fire. Firing is done on the SR target at 200 and 300 yards and the MR target at 600 yards. Scores in stages 1-3 determine the President’s 100 and the final rankings of competitors in 21st place and below. Scores in stages 1-4 determine the match winner and the final rankings in places 1-20. If there is a tie for first place (equal total and X-count), the tied shooters will continue to fire one-shot-at-a-time until the tie is broken. No sighters are permitted in National Trophy Rifle Matches.
Origins of the President’s Match The National Rifle Association’s President’s Match was instituted in 1878, as the American Military Rifle Championship Match. In 1884, the name was changed to the President’s Match for the Military Rifle Championship of the United States. It was fired at Creedmoor, New York until 1891. In 1895, it was reintroduced at Sea Girt, New Jersey. Today, the match is held at Camp Perry, Ohio.
The President’s Match was patterned after the Queen’s Match for British Volunteers. That British competition was started in 1860 by Queen Victoria and the NRA of Great Britain to increase the ability of Britain’s marksmen following the Crimean War.
The tradition of making a letter from the President of the United States the first prize began in 1904 when President Theodore Roosevelt personally wrote a letter of congratulations to the winner, Private Howard Gensch of the New Jersey National Guard.
After a hiatus in the 1930s and 1940s, The President’s Match was reinstated in 1957 at the National Matches as “The President’s Hundred.” The 100 top-scoring competitors in the President’s Match were singled out for special recognition.
In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt’s vision of skilled marksmen among American citizens came to life as the National Matches; civilians on the firing line with the service weapon of the day, preparing for training in case of a time of war. T.R.’s vision is now a tradition, attracting thousands of people for five weeks of shooting competitions each year at Camp Perry in Ohio.
The National Matches have been held at Camp Perry since 1907. The range is located along the shores of Lake Erie in northern Ohio near Port Clinton. The site was first acquired in 1906, in response to the need for a larger facility for military training and the NRA’s shooting programs. In 1906 Gen. Ammon B. Crichfield, Adjutant General of Ohio, ordered construction of a new shooting facility on the shores of Lake Erie, 45 miles east of Toledo, Ohio. The original land for Camp Perry was purchased in 1906, and the reservation was named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the American naval commander who won the Battle of Put-in-Bay during the War of 1812. On August 19, 1907, Cpl. L. B. Jarrett fired the first shot at the new Camp Perry Training Site. And that year, 1907, Camp Perry held its first National Pistol and Rifle Championship events.
The IWA Outdoor Classics event in Germany is Europe’s leading outdoor, hunting, and target shooting trade show. The event, often called the “Euro Shot Show”, ran February 27th through March 2nd, 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany. The 2025 IWA Outdoor Classics event showcased a vast collection of products for hunting, target shooting, and the outdoor adventure market. The IWA Outdoor Classics trade show is a huge event, drawing over 1,080 exhibitors from 53 countries. CLICK HERE for descriptions/images of over 500 products on display at the IWA show this year.
Manufacturers and vendors from the hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor segments showcased 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 was plenty to discover in the nine halls at IWA Outdoor Classics 2025. IWA Outdoor Classics allows buyers and retailers from around the world to see thousands of products from hundreds of manufacturers.
Along with the firearms, optics, stocks, and reloading products, there were many booths featuring outdoor clothing, hunting gear, and shooting accessories.
Many VIPs attended the 2025 IWA Outdoor Classics event. Here is Joachim Herrmann, Bavarian State Minister for the Interior (Bayerischer Staatsminister des Innern).
Here is a stunning, custom Walther pistol with engraved, fancy blued metal and deluxe grip.
For more than 50 years, outdoor and shooting industry companies have come together in Nuremberg to showcase the products and services for hunting and shooting sports. This past week Europe’s leading outdoor trade show hosted more than 1,080 German and international exhibitors in nine exhibit halls. In addition, there was a wide variety of seminars and interactive demonstrations.
The 2025 IWA Outdoor Classics show was a great success. We look forward to next year’s event which will be held February 26 through March 1, 2026. Auf wiedersehen for now — see you next year!
In 2024 the MidwayUSA Foundation paid over $6.8 million to youth shooting sports teams and organizations. This record-breaking 2024 grant cycle provided over $5 million to 952 youth shooting teams and over $1.7 million to nearly 40 organizations that work with youth shooting programs. Established in 2008, the MidwayUSA Foundation has paid nearly $73 million in cash grants to support youth shooting sports over the years. Foundation grants assist with costs for ammunition, targets, entry fees, and travel. Grants also help cover certification costs for coaches.
This grant cycle’s average payout per team totaled $5,302. Community members can donate directly to the youth shooting team of their choice, which MidwayUSA Foundation will match, to grow the team’s annual cash grant. In addition to youth shooting teams, MidwayUSA Foundation provides funds to key state, regional, and national organizations that support youth shooting sports. Each shooting program’s grant is 5% of its MidwayUSA Foundation endowment balance and thanks to the endowment model this funding is available in perpetuity.
Rachel Augustine of Missouri 4-H Foundation stated: “The grants we receive from the MidwayUSA Foundation play a crucial role in the success of Missouri 4-H shooting sports. They help us provide essential funding for equipment, volunteer training, and state and national contests, as well as events. Through 4-H shooting sports, youth gain confidence, leadership, and responsibility, while developing a lifelong appreciation for shooting, hunting, and the outdoors.”
Donations Are Tax-Deductible
Donations made to MidwayUSA Foundation are tax-deductible and 100% of the donation goes to the endowment of the donor’s choice — nothing is removed for operations.
The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain and grow youth shooting sports by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. For more information please visit MidwayUSAFoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.
The IWA Outdoor Classics, aka “Euro Shot Show”, is Europe’s leading outdoor, hunting, and target shooting trade show. The event opened today February 27th, and runs through Sunday, March 2nd, 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany. For the next four days, the Nuremberg metropolitan region will once again focus on hunting, target shooting, and the outdoor adventure market. The IWA Outdoor Classics is a huge event, drawing over 1,080 exhibitors from 53 countries. CLICK HERE for descriptions/images of over 500 products on display at the IWA show this year.
For more than 50 years, outdoor and shooting industry companies have come together in Nuremberg to present the latest products and services for hunting and shooting sports. For 2025, Europe’s leading outdoor trade show will host more than 1,080 German and international exhibitors in nine exhibition halls. In addition, there will be a wide variety of seminars, meetings, and interactive demonstrations.
Manufacturers and vendors from the hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor segments offer a vast range of products this year. From hunting, sport shooting, and airsoft firearms to optics and technologies, ammunition, knives, hunting accessories, clothing and outdoor equipment, there is plenty to discover in the nine halls at IWA Outdoor Classics 2025. IWA Outdoor Classics allows buyers and retailers from around the world to see thousands of new products from international manufacturers all in one convenient setting.
Rifles — Centerfire and Rimfire
Wheelgun Showcase at Korth Arms
Modern Scopes and Optics on Display
Suppressors and Ammunition
Along with the firearms, optics, stocks, and reloading products, there were many booths featuring outdoor clothing, hunting gear, and shooting accessories.
Official INTRO Video for IWA Outdoor Classics 2025
Headed to the 2025 IWA Outdoor Classics? Here’s an interactive map of Nuremburg, site of the event.
Big news — Kash Patel has been appointed by President Trump as the Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In addition to serving as Acting ATF Director, Patel was recently sworn in as the Senate-confirmed Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
“President Trump nominated Kash Patel as FBI Director for his unswerving dedication to protecting the Constitution and the adherence to the rule of law. Those same traits serve him well as he carries out President Trump’s plan to reform ATF”, said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Like the FBI, the ATF was weaponized by the previous administration. In the case of ATF, it was to carry out a radical gun control agenda. President Trump’s appointment of Acting Director Patel to lead the ATF will return the bureau to its proper role as a law enforcement agency laser focused on combatting violent crime and illegal firearms trafficking, and to act as a non-partisan regulator of the firearm industry.”
Analysis by Washington Gun Law Director of Kash Patel ATF Appointment:
The firearm industry hopes Acting Director Patel will move quickly, in consultation with Attorney General Pam Bondi, to carry out President Trump’s Protecting Second Amendment Executive Order. Thirty U.S. senators, led by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), sent a letter to Deputy Assistant Director Marvin G. Richardson last week imploring him to swiftly roll back the punitive and unconstitutional policies and final rules the Biden administration used to target the lawful firearm industry and gun owners. NSSF strongly supports … swift action to refocus ATF to its Congressionally mandated role of combatting violent crime.
Before taking over as acting ATF Director, Cash Patel was confirmed as the new FBI Director.
The much-loved Shilen SWAP MEET will take place in Ennis, Texas on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 8:00 am through 2:00 pm CDT. This will be at Shilen’s new, bigger and better production facility. If you are looking for some great bargains on gun gear, and are near the Dallas-Fort Worth area, definitely mark this date on your calendar. The Shilen Swap Meet is one of the best events of its kind, and Team Shilen will even deliver a complimentary lunch to attendees. Plus machines will run from 8:00 am to 11:00 am so you can see how Shillen crafts top-quality barrels.
No Vendor Fees, No Entry Fees, and FREE Lunch!
ANYONE can come and ANYONE can be a vendor. There are NO entry or vendor fees and the event will proceed rain or shine. There will be gun stuff everywhere –buy and sell as much as you like. There will be free lunch, as always.
There will be prize drawings — get signed up when you arrive so you can have a chance to win some free stuff. If you want to sell products let Shilen add you to the list of vendors on Shilen’s website. This is not required, you can just show up and set up. Call 972-875-5318 or send email to comments@shilen.com.
SHILEN SWAP MEET HIGHLIGHTS
Watch Barrel-Making. A Shilen crew will run barrel-making machines from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Watch precision barrels being made. The techs will answer all your questions about the process.
Sign up for Door Prizes — Shilen Merchandise. There will be multiple drawings for free or discounted Shilen apparel or merchandise. Go to the sign-up table to be entered in the drawings.
Get Shilen Barrels and Actions at Huge Discounts. Shilen Barrels, Actions, and Barreled Actions will be sold at huge discounts on Saturday. “Swap Meet Barrels” were originally ordered by Shilen customers throughout the year, but orders were canceled or customers changed their mind on contour, chamber, etc. These barrels were placed back in stock for resale. When Swap Meet Time arrives any such barrels still remaining in stock are sold at huge discounts. NOTE: These barrels are in NO WAY factory “seconds” or any lower quality. The warranty on these barrels is the same as any other Shilen barrels.
Sell Your Own Gear. At the Shilen Swap Meet, you can Bring Your Own Table (BYOT). Register to sell anything gun-related: presses, reloading gear, stocks, triggers, scope rings — you name it. Vendor Space is available on a first come-first served basis, starting Saturday morning at 7:00 am. Email or call Shilen for more information. Email: comments@shilen.com. Call: 972-875-5318.
TIPS for Visitors: The SWAP MEET concludes at 2:00 pm. The best stuff sells fast, so if you are looking for something particular get there early! Keep an eye on the Shilen’s Swap Meet page for a preview of Vendors and the products they’ll be selling.
Will you be traveling (with firearms) to other states this year? Are you concerned about the laws that might apply when you are transporting guns across state lines? Or are you puzzled about the requirements for obtaining a carry permit in your own state? If you have any of these questions, you should definitely get expert guidance on State statutes and regulations controlling firearms. To do that, you can purchase Attorney Scott Kappas’s Traveler’s Guide to the Firearms Laws of the 50 States (2025) for just $16.95 from the publisher or $19.95 on Amazon. You can also get an eBook version for $15.95 (or $23.90 for eBook/Print combo). The latest 2025 edition includes 100+ updates since last year.
This very popular resource has sold over 2,000,000 copies since it was first released in 1996. The 2025 Edition just started shipping on 2/10/2025 — so this book is up to date. The print book is just $16.95 with FREE Shipping, or $20.95 with first-class shipping for quicker delivery.
Free State Law Summaries Online
If you don’t want to spend the money on the book, there is a FREE alternative. There’s a very helpful set of State Law Summaries on the web, presented by PewPewTactical.com. Despite the silly name, the PewPewTactical website has an abundance of information that is particularly beneficial for pistol shooters and CCW holders.
One of the best features of PewPewTactical.com is the Gun Laws by State online reference guide. We looked through four of these State Law Summaries and were impressed by the depth of the coverage. But we caution — if you have specific legal questions, particularly with recently-enacted statutes, you should consult a licensed attorney for your state (or the state to which you will travel). In addition, many of the State Law Summaries have not been updated for 3-5 YEARS! But they are still a good place to start. Below are links to state law articles from PewPewTactical.com. To access any State summary, simply click the State name below:
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) invites young men and women shooters to apply for 
The National Rifle Association’s President’s Match was instituted in 1878, as the American Military Rifle Championship Match. In 1884, the name was changed to the President’s Match for the Military Rifle Championship of the United States. It was fired at Creedmoor, New York until 1891. In 1895, it was reintroduced at Sea Girt, New Jersey. Today, the match is held at Camp Perry, Ohio.
