Here is some of the latest shooting sports industry news:
Legacy Sports International and Howa Precision Rifles plan to introduce the .300 PRC and 6.5 PRC chamberings into its HS Precision and Hogue offerings.
All will come with threaded barrels, muzzle breaks and 24- or 26-inch standard barrel offerings.
The new Howa magnum caliber platforms in the .300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) will take advantage of the recent cartridge developments for long and heavy caliber bullets best suited and utilized for delivering the highest levels of accuracy and ballistic coefficient. These are perfect for punching paper or ringing gongs at 1,000 yards to cleanly killing big game with deadly knockdown power at mid to long range.
The new Howa 6.5 PRC offers a step up from the 6.5 Creedmoor craze with an even flatter trajectory and extended-range performance. The 6.5 PRC provides more than 200 fps in velocity over the popular 6.5 Creedmoor.
The 300 PRC will be available starting December 1st and the 6.5 PRC will be available at the beginning of 2020.
For more information on the HOWA .300 PRC and 6.5 PRC offerings, or to learn more about the Howa line of rifles, contact sales@legacysports.com.
Dispenza New VP for AmChar Wholesale
Patrick Dispenza has been hired as Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Purchasing for AmChar Wholesale, a New York-based distributor..
Dispenza brings more than 30 years of sales experience, including many years in a sales management capacity.
“I am excited to be a part of the Amchar team and look forward to helping us grow our business,” he said.
"We are thrilled to welcome Pat Dispenza to our team," said Tony DiChario, AmChar President and CEO. "We are confident he will bring a unique perspective and valuable skill set to our company, and we look forward to seeing his continued growth with AmChar."
Dispenza can be reached at pat.dispenza@amchar.com. For more information on dealer opportunities, contact Joe Calabro at joe@amchar.com or call 1-800-333-0695.
Yerby New VP Sales, Marketing for Meprolight
Bill Yerby has been named General Manager and Vice President of Sales and Marketing, for Meprolight USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Meprolight.
“I am excited to be working with Meprolight,” Yerby said. “As a global brand that is highly respected in the law enforcement and military markets, I will continue to expand its reputation here in the United States to include our law enforcement and commercial customers.”
Yerby brings 29 years of experience leading high-performance teams specializing in consumer goods for the outdoor sports and recreation markets. As Meprolight USA’s new GM and VP of Sales and Marketing, Yerby will be responsible for growing the law enforcement and retailer networks, developing strategies and increasing brand awareness in the outdoor marketplace.
“Yerby’s success in building relationships and growing market share in the outdoor industry is well known, and we are pleased to have him on our team,” said Assaf Shimron, CEO of Meprolight. “We have made a significant commitment to our US customers and the investment in our US division will be sooner realized under the leadership of Bill Yerby.”
Yerby spent the last 17 years working with Vista Outdoor, Bushnell and Bolle Brands as Director of Sales and Marketing focusing on a wide range of high quality and innovative products for the outdoor enthusiast.
Yerby holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from California State University, Northridge and enjoys many outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, and winter sports.
Cloaninger, Leupold's Gadarzi Win Sniper's Hide Cup
Leupold Core Team Member Nick Gadarzi and teammate Adam Cloaninger won the Rifleman Team Challenge event — known as the Sniper’s Hide Cup — June 22 to 23 in Colville, Wash.
Gadarzi shoots the Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 with a TMR reticle on his competition rifle. His Mark 5HD previously helped him win the Open Division at the National Rifle League’s Dog Valley Precision Challenge and JC Steel Target Challenge.
“Leupold has always produced some of the most dominant and reliable riflescopes in the business,” Gadarzi said. “I have nothing but good things to say about the Mark 5HD. When you’re running it in a match, it’s easy to tell that the Leupold team went out of their way to design a scope that’s built from the ground up to deliver on the long-range competitive circuit.”
The Sniper's Hide Cup featured 19 stages and 55 teams. Doug Yearout, another Leupold team member, took 10th place with his partner, Ryan Rauch. Yearout shoots a Mark 5HD 5-25x56 with a CCH reticle.
The Mark 5HD that Gadarzi and Yearout use has been crafted to redefine accuracy, precision, and optical performance for long-range shooters. Three models – a 7-35x56, 5-25x56, and 3.6-18x44 – are available in milliradian and MOA configurations.
Barefield New Marketing Director for Mojo Outdoors
Stevie Fry Barefield has returned as Head of Marketing for Mojo Outdoors to drive advertising, promotional and media efforts with an emphasis on content marketing and public relations.
“Stevie was such a great member of Team MOJO," said Terry Denmon, President & CEO of Mojo Outdoors. "We were sad when she left, but we understood. We are excited to have her back as a significant member of the team, and look forward to great things to come.”
Barefield was previously in this role from 2015-18. She brings almost 10 years of hunting industry marketing experience to the table and extensive digital marketing knowledge with her previous role that specialized in social media and e-commerce for a leather goods manufacturer.
“I’m so thankful to be a part of the Mojo family again," Barefield said. "Among the projects for us this year, I’m ready to dive into the digital strategy. It’s no secret Mojo has some of the most engaging social platforms in the industry. I’m very much looking forward to analyzing that data and working with our highly creative team to produce content our current audience will love as well as introducing Mojo to a new audience through our partners and influencers. There’s a lot to look forward to this year."
Team Sig's Michel Sets World Records
Team Sig Captain Max Michel set a world record at the 2019 Sig Sauer World Speed Shooting Championship — known as the Steel Challenge — May 15-19 at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park in Talladega, Alabama.
Michel completed the Roundabout stage in 7.17 seconds and the Smoke and Hope Stage in 7.29 seconds to claim two world records.
“Max goes into every competition ready to compete at the highest level, and it’s great to see him come out of this year’s Steel Challenge setting two new world records” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer, and Executive Vice President Commercial Sales, Sig Sauer. “His performance continues to prove, unequivocally, that the P320X5 is the premier competition handgun, and we are very proud of his performance.”
To set his records Michel used his P320X5, the soon-to-be-released ROMEO3MAX open reflex sight, and Sig Sauer 9mm, 115-grain Match Elite Competition Ammunition.
“Every year I look forward to shooting this match," Michel said. "Over the course of the event' 30-year history, each of the eight stages has had very minimal changes, giving shooters have the unique opportunity to set new records. My training and Sig Sauer equipment have propelled me to this achievement, and the superior technology that we have built into the ROMEO3MAX was a major contributor in my performance at this competition.”
The soon-to-be-released ROMEO3MAX is a compact, open reflex sight featuring a 30mm Max round lens design for superior field-of-view, a special red-notch filter for a vivid red dot and unrivaled optical clarity, 6 MOA dot size for rapid target engagement, 12 illumination intensity levels, MOTAC activation, and up to 20,000 hours of runtime. The sight is machined from aircraft grade aluminum in a matte black finish, with a side-loading battery tray, and waterproof (IPX-7 rated).
Ruger 10/22 Air Rifle Now Shipping
Umarex USA's Ruger 10/22 Air Rifle is now shipping and available for purchase through select retailers. The officially licensed air rifle is the latest addition to the growing line of Umarex USA pellet rifles.
The Ruger 10/22 has been seen on shooting ranges around the United States for more than 50 years. This new air rifle version is true to form and powered by two 12-gram CO2 cartridges. The Ruger 10/22 Air Rifle is designed to shoot .177 caliber pellets, the most readily available and most popular selling airgun caliber for recreational shooting.
Beyond its function, the 10/22 Air Rifle is slightly lighter than the firearm, but looks the part. The sights are authentic in style, including the folding rear sight, and the rifle has authentic looking sling attachments. The receiver is ready to accept after-market rails that fit the Ruger 10/22 so that you can customize your Ruger 10/22 Air Rifle with the optic of your choosing.
The Ruger 10/22 Air Rifle is manufactured by UMAREX under license from Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. and boasts a modest MSRP of $129.99.
Norkus Named IHEA-USA Top Instructor
Federal Ammunition announced Michael Norkus of Virginia as the recipient of the 2018 International Hunter Education Association-USA (IHEA-USA) Volunteer Instructor of the Year Award during the 2018 IHEA Annual Conference.
Norkus has been a certified Hunter Education instructor for more than two decades and is a Master International Bowhunter Education Program Instructor. He goes above and beyond normal hunter education courses and has helped the state of Virginia develop other critical safety programs and programs to increase hunting knowledge. Norkus also enjoys hosting other events and partnering with conservation organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Boy Scouts.
“The passion Mike has for teaching the next generation is contagious and shows through in his extensive volunteer efforts.” said Jon Zinnel from Federal’s Industry and Government Relations Team. “Mike is dedicated to making sure every hunter is safe and has the knowledge they need to enjoy their next outing. He continues to host more courses and inspire instructors across the country.”
The award was presented to Norkus during the IHEA Awards banquet in Orange Beach, Ala., in early May. Federal has sponsored the IHEA-USA for more than a decade.
4-H Student Ambassadors Win Knapp Memorial Scholarships
Two students from Alabama and Missouri have been awarded Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships by Champion Range and Target.
Christina Green of Enterprise, Ala., and Hunter Todd of Centerview, Mo., were honored with the awards at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships in Nebraska.
“We are thrilled these young people are interested in carrying on the tradition of shooting sports in Mr. Knapp’s memory,” said Jon Zinnel, Education and Conversation Outreach for Champion. “We look forward to following Christina and Hunter, and watching the future impact they will have on this industry.”
The scholarship program was created to honor legendary exhibition shooter Tom Knapp, who died in April 2013. Champion teamed with the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee to create the scholarship in his name. Knapp was a longtime ambassador for Champion and Federal Premium Ammunition, and was included in licensed products from Champion.
With the support of Knapp’s wife, Colleen, Champion extended his licensed products program to fund an endowed scholarship that awards $2,500 each to two National 4-H Ambassadors per year.
Scholarship applicants are required to be 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassadors with a 3.0 or higher GPA, and be enrolled in an accredited college or university.
Team Hornady's Preston Wins PRS Challenge Title
Team Hornady shooter David Preston won the Southington Hunt Club PRS Challenge on June 21 in Garrettsville, Ohio.
Preston won the match using Hornady 6mm 110-grain A-Tip Match bullets.
“These bullets have made a noticeable difference for me this year” said Preston. “The A-Tip is an amazing bullet and its repeatability has allowed me to win three out of the four matches I’ve used them."
Berger Receives Authorization of Explosives Approval
Berger Ammunition has received approval from the Canadian Explosives Safety and Security Branch (ESSB) to begin ammunition shipments to Canada, effective immediately.
Berger Ammunition provides the most demanding competitive shooter, hunter and Mil/LE warfighter a precision-built product. Each cartridge is assembled with the finest bullets, cases and powders to maximize results on the firing line or in the field. Product lots are test-validated for accuracy, pre- and post- production, in Berger's 300-meter Accuracy Test Center in Mesa, Ariz.
“Our production goals for Berger Ammunition are identical to Berger Bullets," Berger General Manager Dan Thelen said. "We start with the finest raw materials, establish the tightest tolerances, and then strive to build and achieve unprecedented precision. With ESSB approval, Canadian accuracy enthusiasts are now able to shoot more Berger products.”
Berger Ammunitionincludes 28 products across seven different cartridge offerings, including the new 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Remington, 308 Winchester, 300 Norma Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum, and 338 Lapua Magnum.
LSI, Pointer Sponsor Wingshooting USA Series
Legacy Sports International and Pointer Shotguns are sponsoring Scott Linden’s Wingshooting USA television series.
Legacy Sports International, which is based in Reno, Nev., will introduce its new Pointer Arista over-under shotguns on Wingshooting USA. The show's newest episodes are on Discovery’s Destination America network.
“Pointers are affordable and reliable over-unders,” Linden said. “Whether an upgrade for an experienced hunter or a first shotgun for a youngster, Pointer shotguns are a solid option.”
From the field to the range, Pointer over-under shotguns offer a variety of popular gauges (12, 20, 28, .410), youth models (20, .410), five chokes, ejectors, raised vent ribs, crisp mechanical triggers, barrel selector and shot-after-shot consistency.
Wingshooting USA is the official TV series of the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the most-watched, widely-distributed bird hunting television series in the country. It reaches a weekly audience of 175,000 viewers. Now in its 11th year, it is available via Discovery’s Destination America and American Heroes networks, Pursuit Channel, several over-the-air networks, most streaming and on-demand services, and soon will become the first bird hunting show available on Amazon Prime.
Host/creator Scott Linden is a book author, public speaker, blogger, podcaster and magazine writer. He has created nine television series, radio shows for Field & Stream and Outdoor Life, is a frequent guest on television and radio talk shows, designs dog gear and hunting equipment, consults with apparel and equipment manufacturers on product development, and serves as a technical advisor and stock footage supplier to network TV and feature-film productions.
