NRA Media has announced the winners of the 2026 NRA Golden Bullseye Awards. Now in their 24th year, the Golden Bullseye Awards recognize outstanding innovative firearms, optics, shooting products, and ammunition. And there are also Golden Bullseye Awards for top shooters and for individuals who support the gun industry and Second Amendment rights.

Every year the NRA announces Golden Bullseye Award winners for various product categories (rifle, shotgun, handgun, optics, accessories, gear etc.). These awards are like the Oscars for the shooting industry. There are separate Golden Bullseye prizes awarded by different NRA Magazines — including American Rifleman, Shooting Sports USA, and American Hunter. The 2026 Golden Bullseye Awards will be officially awarded during the April NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas.

Golden Bullseye product awards are selected by the staff of the NRA’s American Rifleman and American Hunter magazines, with multiple categories recognized by each magazine. The selections are then reviewed by NRA Media management. To qualify for consideration for a Golden Bullseye Award, the product must have been: 1) Recently introduced; 2) Innovative in design/function; 3) Tested by a NRA Magazine/media staffer; 4) Reliable in the field; 5) Recognized as good value; and 6) Styled in a manner “befitting the shooting and hunting industry”.

American Rifleman 2026 Golden Bullseye Product Awards

Rifle Of The Year: Tikka T3x Ace Target

The Tikka T3x Ace Target rifle is an affordable tactical rig capable of winning PRS and NRL matches right out of the box. It is offered in three chamberings: .223 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win. Two barrel lengths are available: 23.6″ and 26.0″. Standard features include two-stage trigger, adjustable cheekpiece, and forearm rails. The Tikka T3x Ace is available for $1799.00 – $1959.00 at EuroOptic.com.

In this video (above), our friend Erik Cortina tests the Tikka T3x Ace Target rifle, shooting from 100 to 1000 yards. The 6.5 Creedmoor T3x showed superb accuracy with Sako TRG Precision factory ammo. Erik stated he was “very impressed” (2:30 time-mark).

Shotgun of The Year: Benelli Nova 3 Tactical 922R

Ammunition of The Year: Hornady 338 ARC

American Hunter 2026 Golden Bullseye Awards

Rifle of The Year: Henry SPD HUSH Lever Action

Ammunition of The Year: Federal 7mm Backcountry

Golden Bullseye Awards for Individuals

The 2026 Shooting Sports USA Golden Bullseye Competitor Award goes to four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Vincent Hancock. He has been one of the greatest skeet shooter in history. He is also recognized for coaching and mentoring Team USA shooters.

The NRA Media 2026 Golden Bullseye Freedom Award goes to noted attorney, scholar, and author Stephen P. Halbrook. In his legal practice Halbrook has won cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and his scholarship has contributed to Second Amendment historical knowledge.

The NRA Publications 2026 Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award recipient is Anthony Imperato, the founder and President of Henry Repeating Arms. Imperato has been a strong supporter of the NRA and the Second Amendment rights.

The 2026 Golden Bullseye Woman of the Year winner, nominated by the editors of NRA Women.com, is Tanisha Moner. As a dedicated instruction, Tanisha brought firearms training to thousands of women through the Legally Armed in Detroit (L.A.I.D.) organization.

Different Shooting Disciplines Demand Different Levels of Precision/Accuracy
In the rapid-fire 3-Gun game, you could probably “clean” most stages with a 2-MOA rifle. By contrast, in the short-range group benchrest game, to compete with the best, you’ll need a rifle that shoots in the “ones” (i.e. 0.1-0.19 MOA) in perfect conditions. In 1000-yard F-Class competition, the top shooters want a rifle that will hold one-third-MOA of vertical at that distance.

What is your standard of accuracy? How good is “good enough”. Jim See, a skilled gunsmith and successful PRS competitor, recently answered that question for his tactical discipline. For the kind of matches Jim shoots, he likes to have a rifle that will hold half-MOA for five (5) shots, 3/4-MOA for 15 shots, and 1 MOA for twenty shots. Remarkably, Jim’s rifle can do that with factory ammo. Above is an impressive 15-shot group shot with .260 Remington Federal Premium Ammo.

“I say it all the time, my loads need to print 5 under 1/2″, 10 under 3/4″, and 20 under 1″. It’s simple, if a hot barrel will keep 20 rounds fired in succession under my standard it will be a good barrel and load for Precision Match Shooting. Federal Premium Gold Metal Match .260 with Sierra bullets made the cut for me today. 15 consecutive shots under 3/4 MOA.” –Jim See

It’s said that you “can never have too much accuracy”, but there are acceptable standards for each discipline, and they’re not the same. A 100/200 yard Benchrest shooter will be sorely disappointed with a rifle/ammo set-up that can only deliver half-MOA. On the other hand, a PRS competitor like Jim See can achieve great success with a lesser degree of precision. This means you can save time and money. You can run your barrels longer between cleanings, and you don’t have to go “full OCD” when loading your ammo. The PRS shooter does not need to weigh-sort primers, or load powder to single-kernel standards. Proof is the performance. Jim See has been a podium finisher at many PRS and tactical events. Learn more about Jim’s gunsmithing and training operations at Jim’s Facebook Page.

Download This Load Development Target

Jim’s target seemed a bit familiar. AccurateShooter.com created this Diamond and Dot Target a few years back. On each aiming point, there are high-contrast black horizontal and vertical lines for aligning your cross-hairs. The gray circle lets you see the bullet impacts above, without obliterating the red diamond, which is quite useful for precise aiming (we put fine cross-hairs on the points of the diamond). This target sheet includes data entry tables below each of the three aim points. There are many other free targets out there, but this format is very popular. We’re pleased to see Jim using it. You can download this and dozens of other FREE Targets from the AccurateShooter.com Target Page.

Different Shooting Disciplines Demand Different Levels of Precision/Accuracy
In the rapid-fire 3-Gun game, you could probably “clean” most stages with a 2-MOA rifle. By contrast, in the short-range group benchrest game, to compete with the best, you’ll need a rifle that shoots in the “ones” (i.e. 0.1-0.19 MOA) in perfect conditions. In 1000-yard F-Class competition, the top shooters want a rifle that will hold one-third-MOA of vertical at that distance.

What is your standard of accuracy? How good is “good enough”. Jim See, a skilled gunsmith and successful PRS competitor, recently answered that question for his tactical discipline. For the kind of matches Jim shoots, he likes to have a rifle that will hold half-MOA for five (5) shots, 3/4-MOA for 15 shots, and 1 MOA for twenty shots. Remarkably, Jim’s rifle can do that with factory ammo. Above is an impressive 15-shot group shot with .260 Remington Federal Premium Ammo.

“I say it all the time, my loads need to print 5 under 1/2″, 10 under 3/4″, and 20 under 1″. It’s simple, if a hot barrel will keep 20 rounds fired in succession under my standard it will be a good barrel and load for Precision Match Shooting. Federal Premium Gold Metal Match .260 with Sierra bullets made the cut for me today. 15 consecutive shots under 3/4 MOA.” –Jim See

It’s said that you “can never have too much accuracy”, but there are acceptable standards for each discipline, and they’re not the same. A 100/200 yard Benchrest shooter will be sorely disappointed with a rifle/ammo set-up that can only deliver half-MOA. On the other hand, a PRS competitor like Jim See can achieve great success with a lesser degree of precision. This means you can save time and money. You can run your barrels longer between cleanings, and you don’t have to go “full OCD” when loading your ammo. The PRS shooter does not need to weigh-sort primers, or load powder to single-kernel standards. Proof is the performance. Jim See recently took third place at the Spearpoint Shootout, and he has been a podium finisher at other events. Learn more about Jim’s gunsmithing and training operations at EliteAccuracy.com.

Download This Load Development Target

Jim’s target seemed a bit familiar. AccurateShooter.com created this Diamond and Dot Target a few years back. On each aiming point, there are high-contrast black horizontal and vertical lines for aligning your cross-hairs. The gray circle lets you see the bullet impacts above, without obliterating the red diamond, which is quite useful for precise aiming (we put fine cross-hairs on the points of the diamond). This target sheet includes data entry tables below each of the three aim points. There are many other free targets out there, but this format is very popular. We’re pleased to see Jim using it. You can download this and dozens of other FREE Targets from the AccurateShooter.com Target Page.

CCI and Federal Premium are both brands of Vista Outdoor. Most CCI rimfire is produced in Idaho, while other Federal-branded rimfire ammo is produced in Federal’s Anoka, Minnesota facilities. Here we feature videos from both CCI and Federal ammo plants. Watch and learn how rimfire ammo is made.

Field & Stream Tours Federal Ammo Plant in Minnesota
A reporter for Field & Stream recently got a chance to tour the Federal ammunition production facility in Anoka, Minnesota. This large plant produces both rimfire and centerfire ammunition. While touring the plant, the reporter was allowed to capture video showing the creation of .22 LR rounds from start to finish. This is a fascinating video, well worth watching.

Note to Viewers — After Starting Video, Click Speaker Icon to HEAR audio!

This revealing video shows all phases of .22 LR ammo production including cupping, drawing, annealing, washing, drying, head-stamping, priming, powder charging, bullet seating, crimping, waxing, inspection, and final packaging. We recommend you watch the video from start to finish. You’ll definitely learn some new things about rimfire ammo.

.22 LR Ammo Production at CCI Ammo Plant in Idaho
Back in 2016, YouTuber 22Plinkster was able to tour the CCI Ammo plant in Lewiston, Idado. Here is the rimfire production video he produced.

The Manufacturing Process for .22 LR Rimfire Ammunition
Shooting Sports USA explains: “Rimfire cartridge cases are the oldest self-contained cartridge in existence, having been in continuous production since the mid-1850s. Rimfire cases are drawn from a thin piece of brass and formed with a hollow rim. A priming compound is then forced into the case using centrifugal force, where it is charged with powder and a bullet is seated in the mouth of the case. The case is then crimped around the bullet to ensure sufficient push and pull when the round is fired. When the firing pin strikes the thin brass rim of the case, the hollow rim is crushed and the primer is ignited.” Source: SSUSA.org 9/2/2017.

Photo courtesy BulkAmmo.com.

With reloading components and factory-loaded ammunition still in very short supply, gun owners are justifiably concerned. Every day, in our AccurateShooter Forum, members ask “Where are the primers?”, “Why can’t I get loaded ammo?”, “Why have component prices doubled or tripled?”. The answer is complex. Yes there have been production shortfalls (with the Remington Bankruptcy and some raw material shortages), yes there has been a reaction to the Biden election (causing panic buying), and yes there have been hoarding and profiteering (just look as the prices of primers on Gunbroker — over $300 per 1000!).

But probably the number one factor in the supply shortages has been the increase in gun owners in the past year, fueled in part by concerns over the BLM/Antifa led riots and social unrest, and Democratic Party attacks on gun rights. And, according to the NSSF, roughly 8,400,000 Americans purchased their first firearm in 2020. If each of these new gun owners purchased just two, 50-round boxes of ammo, that equates to 840,000,000 rounds of ammo. Think about that…the gun industry would have to produce an additional 2.3 million rounds of ammo EVERY DAY just to fill the demands from new gun owners. There are consequences for this increased production. Primers are in short supply because much of the available inventory is being used in loaded ammo.

This NSSF Infographic helps explain the situation. Among gunshops/dealers nationwide, there was a 95% increase in gun sales for the first half of 2020 (compared to 2019). And ammunition sales rose by 139%.

Different Shooting Disciplines Demand Different Levels of Precision/Accuracy
In the rapid-fire 3-Gun game, you could probably “clean” most stages with a 2-MOA rifle. By contrast, in the short-range group benchrest game, to compete with the best, you’ll need a rifle that shoots in the “ones” (i.e. 0.1-0.19 MOA) in perfect conditions. In 1000-yard F-Class competition, the top shooters want a rifle that will hold one-third-MOA of vertical at that distance.

What is your standard of accuracy? How good is “good enough”. Jim See, a skilled gunsmith and successful PRS competitor, recently answered that question for his tactical discipline. For the kind of matches Jim shoots, he likes to have a rifle that will hold half-MOA for five (5) shots, 3/4-MOA for 15 shots, and 1 MOA for twenty shots. Remarkably, Jim’s rifle can do that with factory ammo. Above is an impressive 15-shot group shot with .260 Remington Federal Premium Ammo.

“I say it all the time, my loads need to print 5 under 1/2″, 10 under 3/4″, and 20 under 1″. It’s simple, if a hot barrel will keep 20 rounds fired in succession under my standard it will be a good barrel and load for Precision Match Shooting. Federal Premium Gold Metal Match .260 with Sierra bullets made the cut for me today. 15 consecutive shots under 3/4 MOA.” –Jim See

It’s said that you “can never have too much accuracy”, but there are acceptable standards for each discipline, and they’re not the same. A 100/200 yard Benchrest shooter will be sorely disappointed with a rifle/ammo set-up that can only deliver half-MOA. On the other hand, a PRS competitor like Jim See can achieve great success with a lesser degree of precision. This means you can save time and money. You can run your barrels longer between cleanings, and you don’t have to go “full OCD” when loading your ammo. The PRS shooter does not need to weigh-sort primers, or load powder to single-kernel standards. Proof is the performance. Jim See recently took third place at the Spearpoint Shootout, and he has been a podium finisher at other events. Learn more about Jim’s gunsmithing and training operations at EliteAccuracy.com.

Download This Load Development Target

Jim’s target seemed a bit familiar. AccurateShooter.com created this Diamond and Dot Target a few years back. On each aiming point, there are high-contrast black horizontal and vertical lines for aligning your cross-hairs. The gray circle lets you see the bullet impacts above, without obliterating the red diamond, which is quite useful for precise aiming (we put fine cross-hairs on the points of the diamond). This target sheet includes data entry tables below each of the three aim points. There are many other free targets out there, but this format is very popular. We’re pleased to see Jim using it. You can download this and dozens of other FREE Targets from the AccurateShooter.com Target Page.

CCI and Federal Premium are both brands of Vista Outdoor. Most CCI rimfire is produced in Idaho, while other Federal-branded rimfire ammo is produced in Federal’s Anoka, Minnesota facilities. Here we feature videos from both CCI and Federal ammo plants. Watch and learn how rimfire ammo is made.

Field & Stream Tours Federal Ammo Plant in Minnesota
A reporter for Field & Stream recently got a chance to tour the Federal ammunition production facility in Anoka, Minnesota. This large plant produces both rimfire and centerfire ammunition. While touring the plant, the reporter was allowed to capture video showing the creation of .22 LR rounds from start to finish. This is a fascinating video, well worth watching.

Note to Viewers — After Starting Video, Click Speaker Icon to HEAR audio!

This revealing video shows all phases of .22 LR ammo production including cupping, drawing, annealing, washing, drying, head-stamping, priming, powder charging, bullet seating, crimping, waxing, inspection, and final packaging. We recommend you watch the video from start to finish. You’ll definitely learn some new things about rimfire ammo.

.22 LR Ammo Production in Idaho
Back in 2016, YouTuber 22Plinkster was able to tour the CCI Ammo plant in Lewiston, Idado. Here is the rimfire production video he produced.

The Manufacturing Process for .22 LR Rimfire Ammunition
Shooting Sports USA explains: “Rimfire cartridge cases are the oldest self-contained cartridge in existence, having been in continuous production since the mid-1850s. Rimfire cases are drawn from a thin piece of brass and formed with a hollow rim. A priming compound is then forced into the case using centrifugal force, where it is charged with powder and a bullet is seated in the mouth of the case. The case is then crimped around the bullet to ensure sufficient push and pull when the round is fired. When the firing pin strikes the thin brass rim of the case, the hollow rim is crushed and the primer is ignited.” Source: SSUSA.org 9/2/2017.

Photo courtesy BulkAmmo.com.

It’s not Black Friday yet… but there are already some notable bargains to be had. Brownells has kicked off its Pre-Black Friday Sale today. Along with dozens of marked specials, you can get $10 Off $99+ with code NBM (plus FREE Shipping), $15 Off $150+ with code NCS (plus FREE Shipping), and $20 Off $200 with Code M8Y (plus FREE Shipping). Jump on those code deals — they may expire soon.

To make things even better, there are some MORE Brownells discount codes in play through 11/25/18 (Sunday) at 11:59 pm. These all use the FN prefix. Get Free Shipping with no minimum with Code FN4. Get $20 off $200 with Free S/H with code FN3. Get 10% Off $300 with Free S/H with code FN3. As Brownells says these are great deals.

OK, now here are the Brownells Product deals. NOTE: These are individually discounted prices in Brownells Pre-Black Friday sale. We can’t confirm how long the sale prices will last — but there are still some great deals to be had. Such as the LabRadar Chrono for $499.99 ($60 Off), Howa 300 WM Barreled Action (with trigger) for $349.99, and Geissele Enhanced AR Trigger for $139.99 ($75 Off). There are also great savings on Nikon optics. Plus when you buy a complete firearm, you can get a Brownells gift card worth up to $100.00 — Check it Out:

In addition, there are a variety of great deals on factory loaded ammunition, including up to $100 off on Federal “Black Pack” bulk ammo.