August is officially National Shooting Sports Month, sponsored by NSSF, the National Shooting Sports Foundation. This month, head to the range, and bring a newbie to introduce him or her to the sport. NSSF’s +ONE Movement encourages experienced shooters to mentor newcomers, so bring a friend to the range, teach firearms safety, and have fun together. More than 63 million adults and youth participate in target shooting sports, and NSSF invites you to give shooting a try!
1. Rediscover Shooting
Haven’t shot in a while? Dust off your shooting gear. Always check to see if firearms are loaded when removing them from storage. And call an old shooting buddy or family member to join you.
2. Try a Drill or Competition
There are many ways to build shooting skills, but two of the most rewarding ways of self-improvement often come from timed drills, accuracy drills or competitions. Find a drill for you or a local pistol, rifle or shotgun competition. There many even be a multi-gun competition.
3. Take Your First Shots
Safety orientation, range rules, range officers… there are things you need to know about if you haven’t tried target shooting before. Learn about range safety and etiquette and consider taking an introductory class like First Shots.
4. Take a Date to the Range
Make it a date! Ask your spouse/partner to go target shooting with you. You’ll have a great time together. Don’t have someone to go with? Call the range and ask about shooting events and training classes.
5. Be a Mentor
The right teacher makes all the difference when learning a new activity. The +ONE initiative inspires experienced shooters and hunters to guide newcomers and novices on how to safely handle firearms and learn marksmanship skills.
6. Brush Up on Safety
Enroll in a firearm training course or review the rules of firearm safety. Responsible gun owners safely handle their firearms and securely store them when not in use. Check with your local retailer of range for in-person training opportunities.
7. Tune Up for Hunting Season
Hunting is fun and can provide the ability to harvest healthful food. A trip to a firearms retailer or range can help you prepare for hunting season. You can enroll in a hunter education course, find the right gear, and get your rifle sited properly for the fall hunting season.
8. Take Advantage of August Deals
Retailers and ranges will be offering specials during National Shooting Sports Month at thousands of events nationwide. Find a participating business near you to take advantage of these notable offers at ShootingSportsmonth.org.
9. Have A Fun Target Match with Friends
With pistols and rimfire rifles you can have fun shooting indoors, and many ranges are open after work. This is an opportunity to have funs with friends and co-workers. NSSF offers a variety of nice targets you can print out.
10. Share #LetsGoShooting with Friends and Social Media
#LetsGoShooting is the official theme of National Shooting Sports Month. Share your shooting experience on social media networds and encourage other to go to the range for fun, socializing, and training.
Whether you’re new to target shooting, a first-time gun owner or experienced, see what National Shooting Sports Month has to offer at your shooting range or firearm retailer. America’s firearm owners will find National Shooting Sports Month in August a great time to spend a day at the range enjoying their favorite target-shooting sports with friends and family members. It’s also a time for millions of first-time gun owners to check out all that the shooting sports have to offer.
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, the Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued its mandate striking down California’s “one-gun-per-month” purchase restriction law. This was noteworthy as it was the first time the notoriously liberal 9th Circuit has issued a final judgment striking down a law as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. This follows CA Attorney General Bonta declining to ask the 9th Circuit to rehear the case en banc (i.e. with full panel of all judges).
“California has managed to do what many thought impossible: violate the Second Amendment so blatantly that even the Ninth Circuit won’t uphold it”, explained FPC Action Foundation President Cody J. Wisniewski, counsel for FPC. “We are proud to have secured the rights of peaceable people and look forward to many more wins against California’s unconstitutional laws.”
California “1-in-30″ Firearm Ban Struck Down in Ninth Circuit Decision
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a California law restricting gun purchases to just one every 30 days is absolutely unconstitutional. With a unanimous 3-0 decision, a Ninth Circuit panel held that California’s “one-gun-per-month” gun ban law clearly violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Ninth Circuit ruling in Nguyen v. Bonta can be viewed at firearmspolicy.org/nguyen.
“California has a ‘one-gun-a-month’ law that prohibits most people from buying more than one firearm in a 30-day period. The district court held that this law violates the Second Amendment. We affirm. California’s law is facially unconstitutional because possession of multiple firearms and the ability to acquire firearms through purchase without meaningful constraints are protected by the Second Amendment and California’s law is not supported by our nation’s tradition of firearms regulation”, wrote Ninth Circuit Judge Forrest. At the end of the 24-page decision, Judge Forest added: “The Second Amendment expressly protects the right to possess multiple arms. It also protects against meaningful constraints on the right to acquire arms because otherwise the right to ‘keep and bear’ would be hollow.”
Plaintiffs in the case included two FFL gun dealers, the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, and six private citizens including Michelle Nguyen, for whom the case is named.
The Nguyen v. Bonta lawsuit challenged the California statute that only allows for the purchase of one handgun or semi-automatic centerfire rifle, from a licensed dealer within a 30-day period. Plaintiffs secured a summary judgment win at the District Court, which California then appealed to the Ninth Circuit. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the District Court decision, striking down the gun rationing law as impermissible under the Second Amendment.
CZ has announced its new CZ 600+ bolt-action rifle series. These new rifles are offered in various formats for hunting, PRS/NRL, and target shooting. Notable features include and fast barrel swap system, a shorter bolt throw, and a wide selection of stocks. CZ offers 3-shot accuracy guarantees: Most models have guaranteed sub-MOA accuracy at 100 yards (three-shot groups), while the RANGE model offers guaranteed sub-0.75 MOA accuracy in five-shot groups.
“The CZ 600+ represents the future of hunting and precision rifles,” said Tom Taylor, CZ-USA’s Chief Marketing Officer. The CZ 600+ series features a groundbreaking modular design highlighted by patented innovations. These include an advanced Silent, Ergonomic, and Ambidextrous (S.E.A.) safety, a quick 4-position adjustable trigger, and an innovative interchangeable barrel system. The series guarantees unmatched precision accuracy, supported by CZ’s lifetime barrel warranty. For detailed information about the CZ 600+ series, visit CZFirerms.com.
Interchangeable Barrel System for Versatility
With the interchangeable barrel system, shooters can easily and safely swap barrels, allowing one rifle to adapt to multiple calibers, from hunting to sport shooting, seamlessly.
Innovative Features and Design — CZ 600+ Rifles Include:
Advanced S.E.A. Safety: Silent, Ergonomic, and Ambidextrous cross-bolt design for secure handling.
Quick Adjustable Trigger: Easily adjusted to suit personal preferences without disassembly.
Controlled Feeding System: Smooth bolt operation with 100% controlled feeding.
Lifetime Barrel Warranty: Cold hammer-forged barrels with exceptional durability and precision.
Robust Construction: Available with lightweight aluminum alloy receivers with integrated Weaver rails or steel receivers with Remington 700-style mounting interfaces.
The CZ 600+ Series — SIX Models
CZ 600+ MDT: Tactical Rifle with MDT Stock for PRS/NRL.
CZ 600+ RANGE: Optimized for precision shooting with adjustable stock features.
CZ 600+ TRAIL: Compact model with retractable stock and compatibility with AR and CZ mags.
CZ 600+ ALPHA: Rugged polymer stock designed for reliable performance in all conditions.
CZ 600+ LUX: Classic European walnut stock with fiber optic adjustable iron sights.
CZ 600+ AMERICAN: Timeless American styling combined with modern enhancements.
Hornady has announced a new 25 Creedmoor cartridge. The SAAMI-accepted 25 Creedmoor is a necked-down version of the popular 6.5 Creedmoor. It’s primarily designed for hunters who prefer a compact 25-cal cartridge. Some PRS/NRL shooters may also turn to the 25 Creedmoor because it offers heavier bullets than the 6mm Creedmoor. This allow easier perception of hits on steel at longer ranges. The bigger bullet transfers more energy.
“The 25 Creedmoor is the end result of our constant pursuit of maximizing ballistic potential” states Jayden Quinlan, Hornady Senior Ballistician. “This cartridge fills that competitive niche between 6mm and 6.5mm — providing shooters the absolute best blend of moderate recoil, flat trajectory, and superior wind resistance.”
Hornady claims that, given its up-to-date case design, the “25 Creedmoor is the first SAAMI-accepted 25 caliber cartridge that was explicitly designed to take full advantage of the sleek, low-drag bullets that are now available.” As you might expect, the 25 Creedmoor has a 2.800″ overall length to function properly from AICS-style magazines.
“Variants of the 25 Creedmoor have existed in the wildcat space for quite some time and for good reason … it gives the discerning shooter a competitive advantage. Now we can offer that same level of performance to the shooter with factory ammo offerings” added Quinlan. Hornady claims that the 25 Creedmoor is the “first SAAMI‑accepted .25 caliber cartridge purpose‑built to harness today’s sleek, low‑drag bullets.”
Filling the gap between the 6mm and 6.5mm, Hornady claims that this new 25-caliber cartridge delivers exceptional accuracy and functions perfectly in AICS‑style magazines. For PRS/NRL shooters this offers a middle range of recoil between the 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5mm Creedmoor. Hopefully Hornady’s 25-caliber bullets will prove accurate. Initially you’ll have a choice of a 128gr ELD-X hunting bullet and a 134gr ELD Match gullet — both offered in Hornady factory ammo:
For the new 25 Creedmoor cartridge, Hornady will be offering modified cases and a variety of die sets.
So you’re thinking of buying a suppressor (aka “moderator”, “silencer”). You can’t just get one off the shelf at Walmart. Acquiring a suppressor requires filling out paperwork and paying a Federal $200 Tax Stamp. Plus there is typically a pretty long wait. However, the good news is that suppressor ownership is now legal in 42 of the 50 American states — that’s 84%! For most American adults, getting a suppressor is legal, provided the buyer passes the required background checks (explained below). The 42 “suppressor-friendly” states are shown as RED in the illustration below.
States Where Suppressor Ownership is Allowed
These 42 states allow private ownership of suppressors: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY. Note: Even if you live in one of the states listed, you should still verify that owning a suppressor is legal in your area. Some states may have municipal- or county-based restrictions.
“Suppressor ownership [has] boomed in the 21st century. Thanks in part to companies like Silencer Central that streamline the purchasing process, the number of registered suppressors has grown from 285,000 in 2010 to over 2.6 million in 2020.” — GunsAmerica Digest
States Which Prohibit Suppressor Ownership
The eight states which prohibit suppressor ownership are: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. These states are shown in GRAY in the map.
Good News — Suppressor Tax Will Be Eliminated Next Year
The suppressor transfer tax has not been eliminated yet, but it will be reduced to $0 (zero) starting January 1, 2026. This law change was effectuated by recent Federal legislation through Congress and signed by President Trump. The “One Big Beautiful Bill”, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, includes a provision reducing the NFA tax stamp on suppressors and short-barreled firearms to $0. The Silenco Video below from 8/4/2025 explains the new law changes.
Current Status: As of today, August 10, 2025, the $200 tax stamp is still required for the purchase of suppressors and other NFA items.
Effective Date: This change to a $0 tax stamp will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Interim Period (August 2025 – December 2025): Some retailers, like Silencer Central, are offering promotions to cover the $200 tax stamp fee on select suppressors purchased before the $0 tax stamp becomes effective, according to Silencer Central.
NFA Regulations Still Apply: Even after the tax stamp is eliminated in 2026, suppressors will still be regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA). This means you’ll still need to go through the ATF process, including fingerprinting and background checks, to acquire a suppressor.
Qualifications to Obtain a Suppressor
To legally obtain a suppressor, you must fill out Federal Forms and pay a $200 fee to the ATF. You must also pass BATFE background checks and otherwise comply with Federal and state laws. States can regulate suppressor ownership or use, so be sure to check the laws in your area. On the federal level, the process to acquire a suppressor is regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934. According to the American Suppressor Association, to own a suppressor in the United States you must:
1. Be at least 21 years of age to purchase a suppressor from a dealer.
2. Be at least 18 years of age to purchase a suppressor from an individual on a Form 4 to Form 4 transfer (contingent on state laws).
3. Be at least 18 years of age to possess a suppressor as a beneficiary of a trust or as a member of a corporation (contingent on state laws).
4. Be a resident of the United States.
5. Be legally eligible to purchase a firearm.*
6. Pass a BATFE background check with a typical process time of 8 to 10 months.
7. Pay a one time $200 Transfer Tax. NOTE: This tax will be eliminated as of 1/1/2026.
*That fifth requirement, “be legally eligible to purchase a firearm”, involves a list of factors. The prohibitions are set forth in the “prohibited person” list found on ATF Form 4473.
Tikka, a brand owned by Finnish rifle manufacturer SAKO Ltd. is the new NRL22 title sponsor for the 2026 NRL22 season. NRL22 is a very popular .22 LR rimfire tactical/practical competition with reactive targets, mostly inside 200 yards.
As the Title Sponsor, Tikka will play a leading role in the 2026 NRL22 season, which officially kicks off May 1, 2025, and runs through April 30, 2026. The season will culminate with the 2026 NRL22 National Championship in June. To support the league, Tikka is contributing twelve rifles, one for each monthly NRL22 Awards & Recognition Show. There will be a mix of Tikka T1x ACE Target rifles and Tikka T1x UPR. In addition, Tikka will also support the 2026 NRL22 Championship prize table, featuring a mix of T1x Ace Target (above) and T1x UPR models (see below).
“We’re proud to support the NRL22 and its mission to make precision shooting more accessible to enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels,” said Sami Arhomaa, VP Business Development of SAKO in the USA. “The Tikka T1x line is designed for accuracy, reliability, and performance, qualities that align perfectly with the goals of the league[.]”
Tikka T1x ACE Target Rifle Features
Tikka T1x ACE Target was designed for precision, reliability, and across-the-course efficiency. Tikka states: “Ergonomic designs ensure comfort, while durable construction guarantees reliability in any condition.” The Tikka T1x Ace Target rifle is built on the same chassis as the T3x Ace Target centerfire rifle. This ensures that when you practice/compete with the T1x, transitioning to the T3x for centerfire matches is easy.
16″ or 20″ Barrel, ½” x 28 UNEF Threaded with Thread Protector
Stock Nearly Identical to Tikka T3X Centerfire stock
Fully Adjustable Rear Stock
AR Compatible Grip Interface and adjustable thumb rest
20 MOA Picatinny and Arca-Swiss RRS Rail
10-Round Magazine
Other Tikka Rimfire Rifles for Target work and Varmint Hunting
Along with its chassis rifles, Tikka makes a variety of popular rimfire rifles with more conventional stocks. Shown below is the Tikka T1x, which is available in .17 HMR and .22 LR. This rifle showed exceptional accuracy in a GunsAmerica Digest Test.
President Trump Issues Executive Order Ending Banking Discrimination
NSSF, the Firearm Industry Trade Association, applauds President Donald Trump’s recent signing of an Executive Order Guaranteeing Free and Fair Banking for All Americans. This Executive Order enforces a firearm industry priority to end banking discrimination against individuals and entities based on political beliefs. For years, firearm industry companies and gun sellers have been denied banking and financial services by banks espousing anti-Second Amendment policies.
“President Trump is yet again delivering on his promise to protect Americans’ rights. This time by ensuring that banks cannot discriminate against firearm-related businesses…” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Sr. V.P. and General Counsel. “American businesses, and firearm businesses in particular, must have fair access to essential banking services that are based on an objective criteria and creditworthiness. Politics should not enter into a bank’s lending decision.”
President Trump’s Executive Order cited attempts by the previous administration to compel corporate banks to surveil Americans exercising their Second Amendment rights. The President also noted the illegal “Operation Choke Point”, executed by the Obama administration, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice (DOJ), along with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), to deny essential banking services to firearm-related businesses based on an ill-defined “reputational risk” criteria.
Banking regulators during the Biden administration also illegally pressured banks to refuse banking services based on politics. Before Biden took office, the first Trump administration pushed a Fair Access to Banking rule by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). However, in 2021, the Biden administration halted that Fair Access Rule before it could become effective.
RCBS Launches Locked & Loaded Sweepstakes This month RCBS is running big new contest — the Locked & Loaded Sweepstakes. The winner will receive over $10K worth of prizes from leading manufacturers. Major prizes include a Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker chassis rifle, Remington Gun Safe, and Banish 30-V2 Suppressor.
Running August 1–31, 2025, the sweepstakes brings together an impressive lineup of brands. One lucky winner will take home a fully loaded prize package valued at over $10,000, featuring premium equipment from RCBS, Hodgdon, Springfield Armory, Banish Suppressors, Burris Optics, Alpha Munitions, Remington Ammunition, Sierra Bullets, Weaver Mounts, and Remington Safes.
The Sweepstakes is open for entries August 1 through August 31, 2025. No purchase is necessary. Must be 21+ years and a resident of the 48 contiguous U.S. states. (Some restrictions apply.)
One grand prize winner will get a prize package worth over $10,000:
RCBS – Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit, MatchMaster Die Set
Springfield Armory – Model 2020 Heatseeker Bolt-Action Rifle
Remington – Express Series Gun Safe with Free Shipping
BANISH Suppressors – BANISH 30-V2 Suppressor + Tax Stamp fees
Burris Optics – XTR PS 3.3-18 Scope and XTR Signature Rings
Weaver Mounts – Deluxe Tool Kit & Scope Mounting Kit
Hodgdon Powder – 8 pounds of Winner’s Choice of Powder
Alpha Munitions – Case of Alpha Cartridge Brass
Remington Ammunition – Case of Rifle Primers
Sierra Bullets – 500 Bullets
“We’re proud to team up with some of the best [industry] brands to deliver a sweepstakes that truly outfits a shooter from top to bottom,” said Joel Hodgdon, RCBS Marketing Director. “This prize pack has it all.”
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 48 CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES, 21+. VOID in AK, CA, DC, DE, FL, HI, IL, MA, NJ, NY, RI & WHERE RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED.
2025 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championship
The 2025 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championship was held at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. This included a three-position event as well as a prone event. The 3P match involved Prone, Kneeling, and Standing positions. Michael O’Connor won the 3P Championship with a score of 2352-126X. Finishing second was Cameron Zwart (2330-116X) and Denise Loring finished third (2325-100X).
Notably, along with winning the 2025 Three-Position title, O’Conner secured the 2025 NRA Lones Wigger Iron Man Trophy, awarded for the highest combined score across both Smallbore Rifle National championships — Three-Position and Prone.
The NRA Smallbore Championship at the Cardinal Center ran July 20-29, with the Three-Position Championship concluding on July 29. This was the first year the NRA has hosted the Smallbore Nationals — both Conventional Prone and Three-Position — at the Cardinal Shooting Center. Participants say the event proved quite successful. CLICK HERE for Shooting Sports USA Match Report.
Rio 2016 World Cup Photo Courtesy ISSF and Team USA
Would you like to try smallbore position shooting? Here are some tips from one of the best 3P shooters on the planet, Olympian Matt Emmons.
Matt Emmons competed in the Three-Position Event at the Rio Olympics, his fourth Olympic appearance. Matt has competed on the U.S. National Team since 1997, medaling in three Olympic games: Gold in 2004 in Men’s 50m Prone; Silver in 2008 in Men’s 50m Prone; and Bronze in 2012 in Men’s 50m 3X40. Although his specialty is Men’s 3-Position rifle, Emmons’ World Championship and Olympic Gold are in Men’s 50m Prone. He usually shoots an Anschütz or Bleiker .22LR rifle, with Eley Tenex ammo.
In this video, Matt explains 50m 3-Position Shooting For Smallbore and Air Rifles.
Here are shooting tips from Matt, courtesy Anschütz. Click image below to launch a full-screen PDF file.
CLICK Photo to Load Large PDF File
Here Matt Shows the Kneeling Position. The other two positions are Standing and Prone.
Three Sets of Hardware for Three Positions
You may be surprised to find that Matt often totes three complete sets of rifle parts to important matches — three buttplates, three cheekpieces, and three Centra sights with adjustable irises. Matt told Shooting Sports USA that he travels with “three sets for three positions. Our final is so fast that I need three sets of everything to allow a fast change-over between positions.” Matt carries his gear in an an Anschütz sport bag: “It’s similar to the big Ogio duffels with wheels, but lighter. I’ve worked with AHG/Anschütz for many years and I like their bag because all of my junk fits in it.”
Want to improve your understanding of Ballistics, Bullet Design, Bullet Pointing, and other shooting-related tech topics? Well here’s a treasure trove of gun expertise. Applied Ballistics offers dozens of FREE tech articles on its website. Curious about Coriolis? — You’ll find answers. Want to understand the difference between G1 and G7 BC? — There’s an article about that.
“Doc” Beech, technical support specialist at Applied Ballistics says these articles can help shooters working with ballistics programs: “One of the biggest issues I have seen is the misunderstanding… about a bullet’s ballistic coefficient (BC) and what it really means. Several papers on ballistic coefficient are available for shooters to review on the website.”
Credit Shooting Sports USA Editor John Parker for finding this great resource. John writes: “Our friends at Applied Ballistics have a real gold mine of articles on the science of accurate shooting on their website. This is a fantastic source for precision shooting information[.] Topics presented are wide-ranging — from ballistic coefficients to bullet analysis.”
Here are six (6) of our favorite Applied Ballistics articles, available for FREE to read online. There are dozens more, all available on the Applied Ballistics Education Webpage. After Clicking link, select Plus (+) Symbol for “White Papers”, then find the article(s) you want in the list. For each selection, then click “Download” in the right column. This will send a PDF version to your device.
Would you like to try smallbore position shooting? Here are some tips from one of the best 3P shooters on the planet, Olympian Matt Emmons.
