Shooting Industry Magazine offers a very comprehensive 2022 New Product Showcase. This major product feature highlights products from more than 100 manufacturers. The first 58 items were featured in the December 2021 New Product Showcase, Part I. Another 70+ new products are featured the recently-released Product Showcase Part II article (January 2022), while Part III is slated for February 2022. CLICK HERE to access recent issues of Shooting Industry Magazine.
CZ recently introduced the new CZ 600 line of centerfire rifles. The series includes four unique models, with a variety of stock types, barrel profiles, action lengths, and chamberings. User-friendly CZ 600 features include 60-degree bolt throw, adjustable triggers, and the ability to swap barrels/chamberings using optional conversion kits. The CZ 600 Series includes four brand new models: Alpha, Lux, Trail, and Range.* These are designed for accuracy, modularity, and smooth cycling. Expect CZ 600s at dealers in early 2022.
Controlled-Feed Action with 60° Throw: CZ 600 Rifles have a 60-degree bolt throw. This cycles faster than a 90-degree bolt, with more clearance between bolt and optic, allowing for larger scopes. All CZ 600 models boast an oversized bolt knob for improved control with gloved hands. And the actions have controlled-round-feed. The 2-position safety allows bolt cycling with the safety engaged.
EOTECH 1-10x28mm Vudu FFP Scope
EOTECH’s new Vudu 1-10x28mm First Focal Plane (FFP) riflescope is a good choice for hunting and tactical applications. It can focus extremely close, but the 10X max power is great for spotting game at long ranges. The Vudu features a 34mm, one-piece aircraft aluminum tube and single-piece eyepiece with removable throw-lever. The glass-etched illuminated reticle and first focal plane design allows for distance estimation at any magnification and lighting condition. The low-profile elevation turret includes a push/pull locking system and a capped windage turret for a secure zero.
CCI Lead-Free Blazer Pistol Ammunition
CCI’s new Lead-Free “Clean-Fire” brass-cased ammunition used a lead-free Clean-Fire primer combined with flat-nose, lead-free projectiles. This CCI says, “provides consistent, accurate performance on targets without leaving any lead behind on the range or in the air”. The lead-free bullets are as safe and accurate as traditional FMJ bullets. In CCI’s Clean-fire line, 9mm Luger 100-grain cartridges are available in 50-round boxes.
Howard Leight Impact Sport Muffs with Bluetooth 5.0
Howard Leight’s new Impact Sport Bluetooth electronic earmuffs feature Bluetooth 5.0 technology, allowing users to stream audio from their Bluetooth-enabled devices. The comfortable, slim-profile ear cups feature four-hour auto shutoff, automatic attenuation of potentially dangerous noise over 82 dB and up to 4X amplification of ambient sound. The earmuffs also deliver a 0.5 millisecond reaction time for a more natural acoustic experience at the shooting range, or anytime attenuation of loud sounds over 82 dB occurs. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers up to 20 hours of operation per charge. New sizes and color: Impact Sport Classic electronic hearing protection is now being offering in a new Youth/Adult Small size that fits better on many youth, women, and men with smaller heads. Youth/Adult Small sizes are launching in new colors: Metallic Charcoal Gray and Berry Pink.
Kimber Mfg. RAPIDE 9mm 1911 Series
For 2022, Kimber Mfg. is adding the RAPIDE DAWN and RAPIDE Scorpius pistols to its Micro 9 family. RAPIDE DAWN pistols feature a frame and slide finished in Silver KimPro II with brush-polished flats and a Gold TiN finished barrel, and include gray/black RAPIDE G-10 grips. The RAPIDE Scorpius pistols are finished in Black KimPro II with brush-polished flats, black DLC-finished barrel and Black RAPIDE G-10 grips. The RAPIDE 1911s are chambered in 9mm Luger with stainless-steel frames and 5″ stainless 1:16″-twist barrels. The RAPIDE series ships with a 9-round magazine. The two new RAPIDE models feature TRUGLO TFX Pro Day/Night sights with orange front ring.
Alliance Sports Group Smart Knife
From Alliance Sports Group the SmartKnife+ is a small pocketknife cleverly augmented for additional uses. The Alliance Smartknife+ includes a bottle opener, 0.25″ bit driver with magnetically-stored Phillips bit, three flathead screwdrivers, 6mm-14mm wrenches, wire strippers, pry bar, 2″ ruler and 5cm ruler. The 2.375” partially serrated drop-point blade is 420 stainless steel with black-oxide coating. The multi-use knife measures 4.375 inches long, so it can easily be carried in a pocket.
RMT Nomad AR-Platform Pivot Tech Trigger
The Nomad Trigger from RMT offers patented Pivot Technology, allowing the trigger to adjust freely to the shooter’s natural position. The Nomad Trigger is engineered to move and index correctly every time, allowing the firearm to remain stable through a variety of shooting positions and trigger pulls. The housing and trigger are both made of anodized 7075 aluminum with 440c stainless steel. The Nomad’s hammer is S7 tool steel. The Nomad is set set at 3 lbs. from the factory (not adjustable), with 6 degrees rotating/pivoting freedom and extremely short positive reset. RMT trigger have a lifetime warranty.
ISOtunes Sport DEFY Slim Electronic Muffs with BlueTooth
Here is another Bluetooth-enabled set of lightweight, slim electronic ear-muffs. These muffs can be used with plugs underneath for increased noise protection. SafeMax Technology limits volume output to 85 dB, while Tactical Sound Control amplifies hearing by 8X and protects against high-impact noises (21 dB NRR). Bluetooth 4.2 allows for monitoring devices up to 30-feet away. The DEFY Slim sports a slim, lightweight design for maximum comfort. These ISOTunes Sport DEFY Slim muffs are powered by two AAA batteries for up to 25 hours continuous run time.
Now here is an example of truly impressive marksmanship skills and amazing aiming from a USAMU soldier. From a standing position, SPC Ivan Roe shoots a tiny aspirin pill off the top of a balloon — without breaking the balloon. In fact, he does this twice … with iron sights no less.
Watch Video to See Aspirin Pill Shot Twice off Balloon:
The first time the pill sits on a small piece of tape just millimeters above the upper edge of the balloon (Time mark 00:40-45). But the second time, the aspirin pill lies flat on the top on the balloon — an even tougher challenge. Watch Ivan nail that flat pill again without hitting the balloon at 00:59. No that is truly impressive — and remember it was done from standing with Iron sights!
SPC Ivan Roe was using a German Feinwerkbau, an elite precision air rifle favored by Olympic and World Cup competitors. Originally from Montana, SPC Roe is a member of the USAMU International Rifle Team.
Did you like this demonstration of Trick-Shot marksmanship? Then visit the USAMU’s Facebook Page. The USAMU often releases shooting skills/marksmanship videos on Facebook and YouTube, with the Trickshot examples featured on Tuesday. CLICK HERE for another USAMU trick-shot video — hitting a poker chip on a fast-moving target frame with a pistol. Very impressive.
With all the blacktical rifles and plastic tacticool gear on the market these days, it is great to see some old style craftsmanship — hand-built rifles with colored case-hardened receivers, fine engraving, rich bluing, and beautiful wood. We found just that at the Shiloh Sharps booth at SHOT Show a few years back. There were handsome firearms, with beautiful metal and stunning wood. The heritage style of the Shiloh Sharps rifles harkens back to another era, when the West was still wild, and gifted smiths crafted rifles with pride, skill, and true artistry.
The cartridges shown in the photo (left to right above rifle) are: 45-110, 50-100, 45-90, and 40-70.
This video shows how Shiloh Sharps crafts its rifles, from “Foundry to Finish”:
The Historic Sharps 1874 Lever Action Rifle, An American Classic Shooting USA has featured the 1874 Sharps rifle, a side-hammer breech-loader favored by plains buffalo hunters. Christian Sharps patented his signature rifle design in 1848. The Sharps Model 1874 (shown below) was an updated version, chambered for metallic cartridges. According to firearms historian/author Garry James, the Sharps rifle “came in all sorts of different calibers from .40 all the way up to .50, and jillions of different case lengths and styles and configurations”.
Sharps rifles have enjoyed a bit of modern-day notoriety, thanks to Hollywood. Tom Selleck starred as Matthew Quigley in the hit movie Quigley Down-Under. In a famous scene, Quigley used his 1874 Sharps to hit a wooden bucket at very long range. The Sharps rifles used in the movie were made by Shiloh Rifle company (Powder River Rifle Company). There were actually three Sharps rifles made for the movie. One went to the NRA’s National Firearms Museum while another was raffled off to support NRA shooting programs. The third rifle (Selleck’s Favorite) was sold at auction in 2008.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. Natchez — Bushnell Optics Sale
⏺ Save up to 35% on Bushnell rifle scopes and binoculars
You’ll find some serious bargains on Bushnell optics right now at Natchez. Check out the Bushnell optics sale. You’ll find everything from rifle scopes to red dots to rangefinders all at deeply discounted prices. Act fast because the best deals can sell out quickly.
2. Midsouth — RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner (Tumbler), $169.99
⏺ Strong, durable tumbler machine for use with Stainless Media
The RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner tumbling machine is great for cleaning brass inside and out. Set the machine for up to three hours of continuous cleaning at 60 RPM. The rubber-lined drum lowers noise levels significantly. This RCBS product comes with a clear sealing plug with a rubber seal, and a grated drain to separate you brass from media/liquid when done. The screw-on lid features a sturdy lifting handle. Get this machine on sale now for $169.99 at Midsouth. NOTE, this same case tumbler is $223.99 on Amazon without media, so you can save $54 with this Midsouth deal!
3. Midsouth — Winchester .223 Rem Ammo 1000 rds, $599.99
⏺ Excellent chassis rifles and hunting rigs, save 15% with discount
Did Santa bring you a new AR-15 but forgot to leave some ammo? Here’s a very good deal on a 1000-round case of .223 Remington ammo. At only $.60 per round this is one of the best deals we’ve seen for quality, major-brand USA-made ammo. Ammunition continues to be in short supply for popular chamberings so take advantage of this deal before it sells out.
4. Amazon — RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Center, $169.99
⏺ Excellent chassis rifles and hunting rigs, save 15% with discount
Prepping your cases before loading is important. However case prep chores can be very time-consuming. Save time (and effort) with a case prep center such as RCBS Trim Mate. This all-in-one unit contains six variable, high-speed rotating stations (four at < 350 RPM; two at < 550 RPM). It also features tools included for all stations and a storage area for tools not in use. The Trim Mate performs multiple prep tasks quickly and efficiently -- deburring, chamfering, primer pocket uniforming, and more.
⏺ Great deal on excellent FFP 5X zoom scope for PRS/NRL
Are you in the market for a high quality, First Focal Plane (FFP) scope at a good price? We found this Crimson Trace CTL 3 Series 5-25x56mm rifle scope. Featuring a 34mm tube, a large 56mm objective, and an innovative reticle this scope is a bargain with the nearly $300 savings right now. With a 5X zoom range and 0.1 Milrad clicks, this scope can definitely do the job for PRS/NRL competitions. This Crimson Trace FFP scope has received very positive reviews from purchasers.
⏺ Great kit with 9mm pistol, muffs, eye protection and case
We love finding great deals on pistols especially when they come as a complete kit. Check out this Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield range bundle. It contains the reliable S&W M&P 9mm Shield EZ pistol, a quality Plano hard carry case, safety glasses, and hearing protection.
7. Amazon — Caldwell Target Camera, $177.53
⏺ Effective for under 400 yards at lowest price ever
Every serious shooter should have a target camera. One of the most affordable systems is Caldwell Ballistic Precision Sight-In Target Camera. This high-definition camera can stream 720p video from up to 400 yards away straight to your mobile device. This Caldwell TargetCam features a waterproof housing on camera and transmitter and ships with a tripod and stand. The viewing App is compatible with Android, iPhone, and most tablets. This App allows you to save pictures, add notes, calculate group size, and even record video. If you need a target cam with more range we recommend the LongShot LR-3.
8. Amazon — Dewey Lug Cleaning Kit, $25.69
⏺ Get your action’s internals clean with this complete kit
Cleaning your action’s lug recesses is important to accuracy and good bolt operation. The Dewey Rods bolt action lug recess cleaning kit will allow you to clean the inside of your action and the critical lug recess area. Keeping this area clean ensures your bolt locks up properly every time ensuring consistent ignition and accuracy. The kit comes with brass rod with handle, aluminum lug swab holder, felt lug cleaners, bore swab, hand-brush, and a 50-pack of cotton rolls.
9. Amazon — Rusfol PMAG Wall Holder, $11.99
⏺ Handy, sturdy way to store AR Magazines for quick access
Many folks have multiple AR-platform PMAGs but they may not be readily accessible. A great way to store loaded mags is with the ABS Standard PMAG Wall Mount. This horizontal rack, made from strong ABS plastics, can hold up to 6 mags, loaded or unloaded. You can mount these to a safe door, or to a wall in your home or garage. This gives you secure storage, and/or rapid access.
Do you enjoy watching gun videos on YouTube or reading gun Blogs? Then here’s your chance to vote for your favorite video hosts, firearms instructors, and celebrity shooters. The 2022 Gundies Awards program is taking votes now. Modeled after the Oscars/Emmys, the Gundies Awards focus on the world of guns, shooting, and hunting. The annual community-voted Gundies awards spotlight notable firearms-centric content creators — shooters who do videos, gun reviews, and Second Amendment commentaries.
Vote and Get a Chance to Win Prizes
Voting is now open for the 3rd Annual Gundies Voter Choice Awards. You can cast your votes online through 1/32/2022. Voters can vote each day throughout the month of January to earn entries towards prizes valued upwards of $2,000. The final Gundies Awards “ceremony” will be streamed live on February 19th at 9:30 EST at TheGundies.com.
Voting gives you a chance to win category prizes, plus ALL voters are also automatically entered towards the GRAND PRIZE, a trip to attend the Gundie Awards & Range Day.
2022 Gundies Award Categories
This year features five new categories: Top Voices of the Second Amendment, Firearm Instructor of the Year, Best Guns of Hollywood, Most Dapper Influencer and Pro Gun Celebrity.
Here are four leading candidates in the Gundies Best Shooter Category. There are 47 shooters vying for this honor overall. CLICK HERE to cast your vote for “Best Shooter”.
Sponsors of the 2022 Gundie Awards include: Brownells, Gallowtech, Henry Repeating Arms, Savior Equipment, Walker’s Ear Pro, Retro Rifle, Heckler & Koch, X Products, CMMG, Eotech Optics, Timney Triggers, Crossbreed Holsters, True Shot Gun Club, Primary Arms Optics, and Midwest Gun Works. These companies will provide prizes.
How the Nomination and Selection Process Works
The Gundies leave the decision to the public to choose the official nominees in each category. Fan voting opens on January 1st, 2022. The top five contestants in each category with the most fan nominations will automatically be chosen as one of the category nominees.
The previous Gundie Awards saw over 140,000 voters, over 1 million votes and over 20,000 viewers of the Award Ceremony. For more information go to TheGundies.com.
Mixed Bag of Nominees — Some Good, Some Laughable
Best Shooter candidate Kirsten Joy Weiss was a top-level NCAA 3-position rifle competitor in college. She is VERY skilled with firearms and just happens to be very attractive as well. However, to be honest, some of the female “influencers” are just narcissistic social media queens who trade on their looks. They get dolled up in revealing outfits and lots of make-up for posed shots with guns. And on the male side there are plenty of tattooed tactical poseurs with almost no technical knowledge. But there ARE some solid nominees, especially in the Best Shooter and Best Gun Reviewer categories.
Less than one percent of all companies make it to their 100th year of operation. Federal Ammunition joins this notable group in 2022 — celebrating a full century in business. The official date of incorporation was April 27, 1922, but the festivities will start now.
Federal kicked off the year by lighting up a 100th Anniversary sign in Anoka, Minnesota. Federal will celebrate its accomplishment with “throwback” (vintage-style) packaging, special merchandise on its website, commemorative publications, and an exhibit at the Anoka County Historical Society Museum.
Today, the Federal Ammunition factory in Anoka, MN is a modern 700,000 square-foot facility where 1500+ employees work. The plant runs around the clock, 7 days a week, producing millions of rounds of centerfire, rimfire, and shotshell ammunition.
The original Federal Cartridge company was started in 1916, closed in 1920, but then was purchased and re-opened in 1922. Shooting Illustrated reports: “In 1922, the new Federal Cartridge Corporation formed and was soon producing shotshells. What began as a small company grew to a staff of 500 by 1930. The United States entered World War II in 1941 and Federal secured an $87 million contract to build and operate the Twin Cities Ordnance Plant (TCOP) in New Brighton, Minnesota. [P]roducing … ammunition for the military proved to be a valuable asset as the company entered commercial cartridge production.”
Federal’s President Jason Vanderbrink notes: “The entire staff of 1,500 hard-working Americans in Anoka, Minnesota is extremely proud to celebrate a full century of continuous and successful operation. We appreciate those who came before us… and look forward to taking Federal into its next century.”
A special edition Federal 100th Anniversary magazine, available at newstands, and a coffee table book are also planned. Also accounts of Federal’s history will be posted on social media websites.
Federal Ammunition is now part of Vista Outdoor, a large sports/recreation corporation that also owns Remington Ammunition, Hevi-Shot, CCI, Speer, RCBS, Alliant Powder and more. All of the ammo brands are run by Ammunition operations President Jason Vanderbrink who noted: “We don’t just buy parts and put them together, or have other companies load stuff for us. We do it all on site.” Federal ammunition can be purchased online direct from Federal, as well as third party vendors. For more information on Federal’s products and online services visit FederalPremium.com.
Today’s feature story showcases an impressive 6.5×47 Lapua benchrest rifle crafted by Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com. A gifted writer, video producer, and gear reviewer, Gavin has also acquired some serious gunsmithing skills over the past few years.
For this project, the multi-talented Mr. Gear did ALL the work himself — barrel chambering, muzzle crowning, stock inletting, action bedding, and yes even the stock painting. That brilliant red design with white and black stripes is an “homage” to the famous “Frankenstrat” guitar played by Rock N’ Roll legend Eddie Van Halen (EVH). That red/white/black guitar was the inspiration for this tribute rifle.
Gavin explained: “I decided to build a benchrest rifle as a tribute to Eddie Van Halen as I’ve been inspired by his guitar playing, his energy, and himself as a person. This is my first benchrest rifle build. And when I set out to build this rifle I was looking around at what other people were doing in the benchrest community in terms of stock graphics, and I decided I needed to do something ‘loud and crazy’ and when I thought about that, the first thing that came to mind was Eddie Van Halen’s iconic Frankenstrat guitar.”
Here it is! My first all-out benchrest build! This rifle will serve as a test bed for the evaluation of different cartridges and components. In this multi-part series, I’ll walk through the … process of building this rifle including the barrel work, stock inletting, stock bedding, and some paint work that will be “a little different”. — Gavin Gear
Rifle Components — BAT Action, Krieger Barrel, Wheeler Stock, Sightron Scope Bat Model B Action, .308 Win Bolt Face (modular), octagonal profile, integral recoil lug
Bix’n Andy Remington 700 Competition Trigger (from Bullet Central)
Wheeler Engineering LRB Stock with 4″ fore-end and steerable buttstock rudder
Sightron SV 10-50x60mm ED SFP Scope (FCH Target Dot Reticle) in 34mm BAT Rings
Painting the Eddie Van Halen Tribute Rifle
Gavin told us: “I’ve long been inspired and impressed by Eddie Van Halen (EVH). He changed the game for guitar in the late 1970s, and the world took notice! I’ve been a Van Halen fan for a long time, and that’s where the inspiration for my latest rifle build came from. Benchrest rifles are known for their loud and vivid paint jobs, and that made me think: ‘I need to do an EVH Frankenstrat paint job!’. In this video I share my experiences putting together this automotive-style rifle paint job.”
Gavin painted the stock himself with red/black/white graphics inspired by the rock legend’s famous guitar. Gavin actually has some serious painting skills learned decades ago. When Gavin was 16 he was “hell-bent on learning auto body prep and paint work”. He managed to score a job with a local shop, and did his first complete professional paint job (on a Toyota Supra) when he was just 17 years old.
The EVH tribute stock was painted in multiple stages, with masking to create the stripes after the bright red was applied. For the finishing touch, the entire stock was sprayed with Omni clearcoat: “This [clear-coating] is when things really start to look good because you’re covering up all those masked transitions between the striping and the backgrounds.” Gavin says the key to clear-coating is “seeing the reflection of the light on the surface. This gives you visual feedback”. Watch the video above to see the entire painting process. CLICK HERE for Gavin’s full write-up on the stock painting job with many photos.
Barrel Break-In and Load Testing
The rifle showed great accuracy right from the get-go. In fact, the very first three shots through the barrel formed a 0.298″ group at 100 (see video at 05:35)! Then the gun produced a series of good three-shot groups (high 2s and low 3s), demonstrating the quality of the Krieger barrel and Gavin’s chambering work. CLICK HERE for testing target showing multiple groups.
Gavin selected top components for his loads: Lapua 6.5×47 brass, Berger 140gr Hybrid 6.5mm bullets, and Hodgdon Varget powder (unobtanium these days). To find promising starting loads, Gavin went straight to the best 6.5×47 Lapua resource on the web — AccurateShooter.com’s 6.5×47 Cartridge Guide. Researched by the 6.5 Guys (Ed and Steve), our Cartridge Guide includes recommended accuracy loads for a wide variety of bullets and powders.
Stock Work and Bedding
In this Part 2 video, Gavin reveals the extensive work he did to prepare the stock for the barreled action. This video shows multiple operations: barrel channel and receiver inletting; machining of custom pillars; stock bedding, and trigger guard installation. Yes, Gavin did all the final inletting using his own machines, and he even created his own precision pillars. Watch the above video to see the entire inletting job followed by the action bedding process. Gavin’s skills are impressive.
This Alex Wheeler LRB stock has some very innovative features, such as the adjustable “rudder” (or keel) on the bottomside of the buttstock. This helps ensure great tracking. Alex has noted: “This stock tracks exceptionally well due to the adjustable rudder system and 4″-wide fore-end. Aluminum rails in the front prevent rocking on the front bag as well as form small trenches to aid tracking. The adjustable rudder in the rear allows you to fine tune the bag riding surfaces until exactly parallel. The 4″-wide fore-end is legal in Benchrest and helps control torqueing in the bag.”
Chambering the Barrel for 6.5×47 Lapua
Gavin did ALL the gunsmithing for the project, including chambering the Krieger barrel, and headspacing it for the BAT M Action. Gavin also crowned the muzzle. He did this all on his own advanced Precision Matthews PM-1440GT Lathe using Triebel Guntools 6.5x47mm body/neck finisher reamer, 6.5x47mm throater reamer, and Go and No-Go gages.
Clearly, this is not your average DIY project — Gavin performed ALL the most critical and demanding gunsmithing tasks. He trained himself to do these tasks working with ace gunsmith Gordy Gritters. You can see all the chambering and barrel-fitting functions in this revealing video:
Muzzle Work — Cutting Threads and Target Crown
This photo shows the finishing of the barrel’s muzzle end. Gavin notes: “For the muzzle end, I again used the True Bore Alignment System. Above you can see the SSG Range Rod I used which features two tight-fitting bushings that ride on the barrel lands. This makes for quick barrel dial-in! I then cut an 11-degree target crown, as recommended by Gordy Gritters.”
The next step with this EVH Tribute rifle will be fitting the barrel for an Erik Cortina (EC) tuner, and proceeding with further load tuning. But that will have to wait for spring, when the snow has melted….
Stunners in silver. Above are the NRA Leech Cup (left) and Wimbledon Cup (right).
Shooting Sports USA has a fascinating article about the Perpetual Trophies awarded in national-level NRA matches. The story recounts the history behind the elaborate trophies, some from the 1870s. SSUSA’s Jennifer Pearsall writes: “The pieces of wood, stone and precious metal … are more than just instant recognition of achievement. They are the link of the American shooter’s present to his or her patriotic past. As you read this legacy of the NRA ranges, their founders, and the long list of cups, bowls, and plaques, realize that the history of competitive shooting is undeniably a significant part of the foundation of this country”. Read Full Trophy Story HERE.
The NRA was co-founded by Col. William Church and Gen. George Wood Wingate (ranked Captain at the time). Both Church and Wingate hoped to improved the marksmanship skills of American soldiers. One of the newly-formed NRA’s first actions was to issue: “An Act to Establish a Rifle Range and Promote Skill in Marksmanship”. That led to the opening of the famed Creedmoor Range, with a special inaugural match in June of 1873.
Many of the awards presented in the first NRA matches were cash or firearms. Some of these firearms were heavily embellished works of art. In the very first match, a member of the 22nd New York Regiment took home a gold-mounted Winchester Model 1866 valued at $100 — big money for the time.
In the 1870s shooting competitions were social as well as sporting events. Ladies and gentlemen came to watch and cheer the winners. This illustration, originally from Harpers Weekly, portrays the shooters and the viewing gallery at the 1876 Grand Centennial Championship — the “Palma” Match.
The Leech Cup — A Gift from Ireland
The Leech Cup was created for the first meeting of the American and Irish shooting teams. The elaborate cup was presented by Major Arthur Leech, captain of the the Irish team, to the Amateur Rifle Club of New York. This masterpiece of Irish silversmithing was later given to the NRA in 1901 by the New York Club. Today, the Leech Cup is the oldest trophy offered in overall NRA competitive target shooting, awarded through the National High Power Long Range Championships.
Michelle Gallagher with Leech Cup in 2013.
The Wimbledon Cup
The Wimbledon Trophy was a gift from the NRA of Great Britain. It was given, as a gesture of sportsmanship, after the the U.S. Team was denied the ability to compete in England’s Elcho Shield match, then limited to Britain, Scotland, and Ireland. To maintain friendly competitive relations, the British presented the Americans with a large, engraved, lion-footed tankard trophy to be awarded each year to the Champion U.S. long-distance rifleman.
The Palma Team Trophy
Originally named the Centennial Trophy, in honor of the Centennial celebration of the independence of the United States of America, the Palma Trophy was commissioned from Tiffany’s at a cost of $1,500. The trophy was a full-sized replica of a Roman Legion standard, executed in bronze with silver and gold inlay. On the banner of the standard was the legend, “In the name of the United States of America to the Riflemen of the world”. Above the banner was an eagle, bearing in its talons a wreath of palm leaves and a plaque on which was the single word, “PALMA”, the Latin word for palm tree, which was used by the Romans to signify victory, or the ultimate in excellence.
Because the word Palma was so easily seen, the trophy soon became known as the “Palma Trophy”, and by 1878 was referred to officially by that name. The original seven and one-half foot trophy is now lost, having not been seen since at least 1954. Serving in its place is a copy which was commissioned by Dr. Herbert M. Aitken of Eau Claire, WI. The copy was made from the original Tiffany blue-prints at a cost of $32,500. Dr. Aitken has given this copy of the Palma Trophy to the NRA for use in the Palma Match. The trophy is retained by the winning team until the next Palma Match.
In 2008, the Palma Trophy was returned to the NRA, and it was decided that the trophy, once refurbished, will travel to the host nation for the match every four years, then returned to the NRA for safekeeping.
The first competition for the Palma Team was a challenge match for which the British Commonwealth nations were invited. The match was fired in 1876 at the old Creedmoor Range on Long Island as part of the Centennial celebration of the United States. Teams representing Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States took part. The match is currently fired on a four-year interval.
Happy New Year to all our readers, and especially the 60,850+ members of our AccurateShooter Forum. We hope 2022 brings you happiness in your lives and success in your endeavors. We wish for small groups, high scores, and successful hunts in the New Year. And, yes, we wish for mankind’s victory over COVID and its variants, so we can return to our normal lives, before all the lock-downs and cancelled events.
Forum Members — Upgrade Your Membership to Get Unlimited Classifieds for 12 Months.
Looking Forward to 2022 Every year we work to improve AccurateShooter.com. We have continued to upgrade the Forum, adding enhanced search features. We also added more security measures, with background checks on all sign-ups and enhanced scammer detection. On the content side we have expanded our popular Deals of the Week and Sunday GunDay features. We also now offer more technical videos and product reviews in our Daily Bulletin. We hope you’ll continue to enjoy our feature articles, our Deals of the Week, our match reports, and our Forum Classifieds. The formula seems to be working — our audience is bigger than ever, with Forum membership growing substantially year after year.
Forum Membership Increased 12.45% in 2021
Our Shooters’ Forum grew significantly in 2021. Total registered membership grew by 12.45% as Forum ranks swelled to 60,855 members! More people are successfully buying and selling through our Forum Classifieds services than ever before. Silver and Gold members get unlimited Classifieds for 12 months. Gold members also get custom Avatars and other privileges.
We need your support. For 18 years the site has relied largely on volunteer efforts. But as the site grows, we need the assistance of Forum moderators, product testers, web gurus, and computer software experts. Those guys don’t work for glory alone.
Consider this — you could pay $25 for a couple medium pizzas. For the same twenty-five dollars you can become a Silver Forum member for an entire YEAR and help this site provide info, tests, tech tips, bargains, and shooting news.
And consider the benefits — Silver or Gold Members get unlimited classifieds for 12 months. If you were to sell just ONE $1500 rifle through Gunbroker.com, you would pay $58.75 in fees! That’s more than our Gold Membership — just to sell one single rifle.
In the last quarter of 2021 about 540 site users have donated or upgraded their Forum membership. That’s less than 1% of the current membership. We thank all those who have generously contributed. But that still leaves tens of thousands of users who access the site every week without contributing. With more donations and more Forum upgrades, we can deliver more premium content and offer more services to our members.
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As a 2022 New Year’s bonus for our Bulletin readers we decided to showcase 10 of our favorite gun tech, reloading, and shooting technique videos for our readers. These videos were created by top YouTube content providers: F-Class John, Gavin Gear, Keith Glasscock, Erik Cortina, Thomas Haugland, and Pieter Malan. Consider this like an all-star gun channel collection. These videos will help you load more accurate ammo, improve your “mental game”, and shoot better in matches. Enjoy!
Shooting Industry Magazine offers a very comprehensive 2022 New Product Showcase. This major product feature highlights products from more than 100 manufacturers. The first 58 items were featured in the December 2021 New Product Showcase, Part I. Another 70+ new products are featured the recently-released Product Showcase Part II article (January 2022), while Part III is slated for February 2022. CLICK HERE to access recent issues of Shooting Industry Magazine.
Federal kicked off the year by lighting up a 100th Anniversary sign in Anoka, Minnesota. Federal will celebrate its accomplishment with “throwback” (vintage-style) packaging, special merchandise on its website, commemorative publications, and an exhibit at the Anoka County Historical Society Museum.
The Palma Team Trophy
