In the latest shooting sports industry news:

John Flanagan, formerly with Remington Outdoor Company, has been named Chief Financial Officer for FeraDyne Outdoors.

"I am thrilled to join FeraDyne Outdoors," Flanagan said. "This is a pivotal time within the archery and broader hunting and outdoor recreation markets. Todd has a clear vision and has commenced valuable initiatives to strengthen FeraDyne Outdoors market leading brands and products. I am excited to be a part of these efforts and look forward to supporting the strategy."

Flanagan has more than 25 years of experience in finance, operations and strategy, driving process improvements in both publicly traded and private companies. His background includes corporate finance, treasury, financial planning and analysis, tax, investor relations, strategic planning and risk management. He will have oversight and leadership for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all financial and IT-related activities for the company.

"I look forward to John joining the FeraDyne Outdoors team, where he will undoubtedly make a significant impact," said Chief Executive Officer Todd Seyfert. "John’s experience and capabilities will benefit FeraDyne Outdoors as we continue to transform the business. His leadership is essential to help ensure we improve overall profitability as we continue to strengthen our products and brands in the market."

Flanagan is a CPA/MBA with hands-on experience in financial management, strategic leadership, and a broad background including domestic and international work experience within the manufacturing, distribution, retail, consumer products and service industries.

He previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Remington Outdoor Company. From 2012-18, Flanagan served as Chief Financial Officer for AcuSport Corporation, a leading distributor of outdoor and shooting sports products, serving independent retailers throughout the United States. Prior to that he was with Bunn-O-Matic Corporation, a large multi-unit franchisee of Panera Bread, Struers, Inc. and as an auditor for a regional public accounting firm in Cleveland.

Flanagan was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and holds a BSBA in Accounting from John Carroll University in Cleveland and a MBA from Cleveland State University.

Lipsey's Adds Legacy Sports International Brands

Legacy Sports International is now part of the Lipsey’s network of wholesale firearms distributors, with its Howa 1500 Rifles and Pointer Over-Under and Semi-Auto Shotguns among the offerings.

The inclusion of Legacy Sports International products bolsters more than 75 brands currently in Lipsey’s distributor catalog and fills some of the best options for shooting enthusiasts. Lipsey’s is now stocking a variety of Howa rifles including the Hogue Gamepro, HS Precision, new Oryx Chassis, American Flag Chassis and the Mini Actions. Additionally, Lipsey’s is also carrying the Pointer Arista Over-Unders, Phenoma Semi-Autos and new SCT series of clays and trap models in adult and youth stocks.

Brett Frey, Lipsey’s Director of Purchasing, is enthusiastic about the new lines.

“The addition of the Legacy Sports International brands adds more quality products to our assortment," he said. "Howa precision rifles and Pointer shotguns offer an exceptional value, we’re excited to get this partnership off the ground."

Kenton Industries Offers Stryka Optics Specials

Just in time for hunting seasons, Kenton Industries now offers custom, etched ballistic turrets for all Styrka Optics S3, S5 and S7 series rifle scopes.

To order a custom ballistic turret for a Styrka rifle scope, access the Kenton Industries website at http://kentonindustries.com/custom-turrets/styrka. There, choose the Styrka optic you own, and if you want an Elevation or Windage Turret (or, order both).

Then, select the "Yardage Format" dial for desired turret calibration (Speed Dial, LR Hunter, Military), and input ballistic data on your factory ammunition or handloads, scope height, and the rifle/scope's zero range. Additional inputs include the average temperature expected during a hunt and the average elevation.

Kenton Industries will even provide a Custom Label for your turret, such as, "300 Win Mag 180gr Accubond 3050fps 2000ft 70F."

Within three weeks (on average), customized turret will arrive. Rush orders are available, too. Once the turret is installed, simply range the distance to the target, dial the turret to the corresponding yardage and shoot!

For the hunter using a Styrka scope, the main benefit of a custom turret is fast and easy target engagement by not having to calculate the addition or subtraction of elevation clicks from a chart.

Kenton Industries also offers Ballistic Strips for Styrka scopes. To have your own strips made for elevation and windage, you enter the same data points as you would for the custom turrets. But instead of replacing the whole turret, you receive strips with the same yardage format and calibration, and the strips attach over the turret's original controls.

Taurus Adds Color Options to 856 Revolver

Taurus continues to expand its 856UL revolver line with the new Cobalt Blue color.

The spurred hammer action 856 revolver is available in Cobalt Blue anodized finish and offered with either matte black carbon steel or matte stainless-steel cylinders and barrels.

Designed for comfortable carry and comfortable shooting in a compact platform, the 856UL revolvers utilize an aluminum frame to reduce weight. To mitigate felt recoil and to provide a solid, no-slip purchase, the 856UL features a soft, ergonomic rubber grip. The cylinder holds six rounds of .38 Special +P while the spurred hammer provides DA/SA action. An integrated rear sight channel and low serrated ramp front sight combine with a smoothly curved trigger guard to maintain a discrete profile for IWB or OWB carry.

For a limited time, the Cobalt Blue handguns are available with a $25 rebate for the black carbon steel model or a $30 rebate for the matte stainless-steel model through end of September 2019.

Zanders Now Carrying Norma Ammunition

Zanders Sporting Goods, a leading wholesaler with almost six decades of firearms industry experience, is now carrying Norma Ammunition.

Retailers now have even more access to Norma’s 9mm Monolithic Hollow Point personal defense, Bondstrike Extreme long-range hunting, and Envy match grade ammunition for pistol caliber carbines, 223 Norma Tactical, and the rest of Norma’s product line. 

“Zanders is an all-woman led company, and that’s rare in this industry,” said Paul Lemke, General Manager for RUAG Ammotec USA. “We’re proud to have the opportunity to work with their team and to support Zanders’ mission as they provide independent business owners the products they need to succeed.” 

Norma MHP

Norma’s 9mm MHP is an all copper bullet engineered for massive expansion and great stopping power. The MHP is designed to reliably feed into all pistol and carbine chambers and is calibrated for consistent, devastating terminal performance, regardless of barrel length. By achieving consistent, massive expansion, the Norma MHP is setting a new standard for personal defense ammunition.

223 Norma Tactical

223 Norma Tactical is a 55-grain full metal jacket loaded to strict Norma standards. This new round gives shooters excellent reliability and consistency at a reasonable price. Made with reloadable brass and high-quality components, this ammo is great for plinking, training or competition use. 

Norma Bondstrike Extreme

Designed for extreme long-range accuracy and excellent performance on game at all distances, the Bondstrike Extreme bullet is bonded for weight retention and penetration. Norma’s engineers developed a unique bonding technology to maximize weight retention and ensure a devastating wound channel through controlled expansion at all velocities. Combined with the inherent accuracy of Norma’s sophisticated boat-tail bullet design, Bondstrike is the ideal cartridge for hunting deer, elk, antelope or any other medium to large-sized game.

American Tactical Teams With Big Rock Sports

American Tactical, a U.S. manufacturer and worldwide importer of firearms, ammunition and tactical equipment, has added Big Rock Sports as its newest distribution partner.

Big Rock Sports, based in Graham, N.C., is the premier firearms, ammunition, fishing, marine and camping distributor in North America. Big Rock has served the outdoors industry since 1996 and is strongly committed to protecting the rights of hunters, anglers and all outdoor enthusiasts.

"We are proud to partner with Big Rock Sports for wholesale distribution," says Tony DiChario, President of American Tactical. "We believe this will be a mutually beneficial relationship and will open new opportunities to get the best products we can find into the hands of our customers."

PrOlix Gets New Look

PrOlix, the first pioneer of an “all in one” gun care cleaner/lubricant, is shipping its products with a new look for 2019 — along with some changes to its lineup.

In addition to the new look, its most popular-size PrOlix Cleaner/Lubricant in the 16-ounce bottle with an adjustable nozzle and trigger-spray cap will be offered in an easier-to-handle bottle.

PrOlix Xtra-T Dry Lube takes the place of grease and will provide a dry, high-tech compatible addition to cleaning solvent products. It is a highly refined natural product with inert additives, and is thicker and enhances the cleaning solvent.

Xtra-T removes carbon, copper, lead, shotgun plastic residues and blackpowder, and will not damage wood, freeze or flash off.

Rise Armament Expands Limited DTOM Trigger Line

Rise Armament is offering a limited quantity of special-edition RA-140 Super Sporting Triggers showcasing the Gadsden flag design.

The "Don't Tread on Me" trigger will be available as both the traditional, curved RA-140 and the RA-140 Flat drop-in trigger models through select online retailers.

The Rise Armament DTOM RA-140 enables shooters to easily and inexpensively upgrade their rifles’ performance. In support of American’s founding ideals, the trigger has a yellow anodized aluminum housing, which features the coiled snake and “Don’t Tread on Me” text of the Gadsden flag. The drop-in triggers are simple to install and compatible with AR-style platforms built to mil-spec dimensions; compatible calibers include .223/5.56, .308, 6.5, 9mm and more. 

Rise Armament, based in Broken Arrow, Okla., produced a limited number of special-edition DTOM RA-140 Flat triggers early in 2019, which sold out in several days. 

“We’re excited to offer the DTOM RA-140 SST again — this time in flat and curved trigger options,” said Rise Armament president Matt Torres. “There was a great deal of enthusiasm around our initial DTOM triggers, making it an easy decision to reintroduce this unique product.” 

DTOM RA-140 Super Sporting Trigger Key Features:

·       Clean break with a short reset

·       Flat or curved trigger blade options

·       Single-stage trigger system

·       3.5-pounds pull weight

·       Drop safety feature

·       Features the Gadsden flag’s “Don’t Tread on Me” design on a yellow housing

·       Unit weight: 2.6 ounces

·       CNC precision machined from high-grade, heat-treated tool steel and aluminum

·       Anodized aluminum cassette housing

·       Fits AR-style platforms built to mil-spec dimensions (calibers include .223/5.56, .308, 6.5, 9mm and more)

·       Self-contained drop-in design makes it easy and quick to install with no fine-tuning needed

·       Includes anti-walk pins (a $12 value)

·       Backed by RISE Armament’s Lifetime Guarantee

Zinnel New Conservation, Youth Program Manager for Federal Ammunition

Jon Zinnel has been named manager of the Federal Ammunition Conservation and Youth Shooting Program, which began more than 80 years ago in support of the 4-H Shooting Sports program.

Federal Ammunition also the biggest proponent of conservation through on-box royalty programs and a legacy of partnerships that started in 1935. Federal’s parent company Vista Outdoor, in its continuing mission to strengthen its consumer brands, has driven conservation program management back to its business units. For its Ammunition unit, this means dedicated youth shooting sports and conservation management for Federal and its sister brand, CCI.

“Conservation is a critical part of our heritage and key to the future of our sport,” said Jason Vanderbrink, president of Federal. “Having a dedicated position at the factory will build on a legacy that started here more than 80 years ago and was solidified for 42 years under the late Bill Stevens. Our employees take great pride in giving back to wildlife, habitat and youth shooting programs and that will continue.”

Zinnel most recently served as Conservation and Youth Shooting Program Manager for Vista Outdoor, supporting multiple consumer brands from Federal and CCI to CamelBak and Champion Traps & Targets. He was part of growing partnerships with Scouting BSA, 4-H, IHEA and conservation programs from Pheasants Forever to National Wild Turkey Federation and many more.

Vista Outdoor, led by VP of Public Affairs Fred Ferguson, will continue to support organizations and causes that benefit the family of brands within the larger company.

Sig Sauer Electro-Optics Shipping Oscar Spotting Scope

Sig Sauer Electro-Optics is now shipping the Oscar8 HDX Variable Power Spotting Scope.

With more power, magnification and the latest advancements in technology the Oscar8 is a premium, angled eyepiece 27–55x80 mm spotting scope, featuring the industry-innovating Sig Sauer HDX optical design, and built specifically for hunters and shooters who demand the best in all-weather performance and durability in the field. 

“The introduction of the Oscar8 is an exciting expansion to the Sig Sauer Electro-Optic’s line of spotting scopes, and is the perfect upgrade or addition to any hunter’s pack as they gear-up for the season,” began Andy York, President, Sig Sauer Electro-Optics, “The Oscar8 combines our highest-powered magnification capabilities, with durability, versatility, and the latest advancements in glass, coatings and technology, resulting in a superior performance that can be counted on in the field.”

The Oscar8 HDX Variable Power Spotting Scope combines extra-low dispersion glass with high light transmittance glass, a Schmidt-Pechan prism, and fully multi-coated lenses to provide unmatched resolution, image contrast, color clarity, and image brightness. It also has Spectracoat anti-reflection lens coatings to reduce surface reflections across the entire visible spectrum for superior light transmission.

The Oscar8 has an angled eyepiece and comes equipped with a rotating tripod collar for multiple viewing angles, a variable power eyepiece (can be locked into place or removed to accept other variable or fixed power eye-pieces), fast focus adjustment, and an ergonomic rubber armor for durability to accommodate setup and usage in any terrain or weather conditions.

Specifications:

Model/Magnification: 27-55x80mm

Exit Pupil: 2.96mm / 1.45mm

Objective Clear Aperture: 80mm

Length: 15.27 X 6.1X4

Eye Relief: 17 to 16mm

Linear FOV FT at 1000 yards: 105-73ft.

Angular FOV: 2 degrees to 1.4 degrees

Weight: 4.25 pounds

Waterproof level at 1 meter: 5 minutes (when the eyepiece is attached)

MSRP: ($1,699.99)