Here is some of the latest news in the shooting sports industry:
Legacy Sports International and Pointer Shotguns will be Gold sponsors for the 2019 Scholastic Clay Target Program season.
“Legacy Sports International and Pointer Shotguns are proud to be on board as a Gold sponsor and supporter of the SSSF and the SCTP initiatives across the USA," said Andy McCormick, Executive Vice President / Sales & Marketing for Legacy. " We truly value working with such a great organization that continues to instill their valuable stewardship in firearms safety, morals and standards in conjunction with the youth shooting sports. It has been very exciting to see the continued growth of these efforts within the SCTP."
Interested team directors can get more details here on the firearm purchasing program designed for SCTP teams.
“Andy and his team have been great to deal with and we couldn’t be happier bringing Legacy Sports International and Pointer Shotguns on board with SCTP this year," said Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. "In addition to the standard sponsorship parameters, Legacy Sports International has put together a Pointer Shotgun purchase program for SCTP teams looking for firearms to raffle or for team guns.”
New: McMillan Mc3 Tradition Hunting Stock
The Mc3 Tradition (Hunting) Stock from McMillan is the newest generation of high-performance rifle stocks, formulated from a proprietary polymer with a this classic hunting stock design.
The Mc3 is modeled after McMillan’s best-selling hunting stock, the Game Scout, and is compatible with most Remington 700 models.
The Mc3 Tradition Stock is available in short and long action Remington 700 rifles with a factory hinged floor plate and a molded barrel channel — Sporter/Magnum. The Mc3 stock upgrades the original Remington 700 with a completely solid stock, constructed from a state-of-the-art proprietary polymer blend called Zenolite, resulting in a stronger, stiffer product.
The Mc3 Tradition Stock weighs 2.8 to 3 pounds, has a fixed LOP of 13.5 inches, is available in a Standard BDL or Deluxe BDL and includes a one-inch McMillan recoil pad by Pachmayr, two front sling studs, one rear sling stud and new finish options: Tan, Olive, Carbon Fiber Black, Painted FDE Transition, Painted Sonoran Transition and Painted Woodland Transition. Price ranges from $269 to $319.
Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls Taps Elite for Marketing
Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls has hired Elite Outdoor Sports Marketing group as its sole sales agency for the United States.
The move expands the EOS sales footprint to 27 states, with plans for new states later in 2019.
“Elite Outdoor Sports Marketing has done a great job for us the past couple of years, in a limited territory,” said Kurt Howard, General Manager of Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls. “I’m excited to be able to align all of our states with the EOS team and see the energy that they can bring to RMHC and our customers this year. I have the upmost confidence in Todd Curell’s sales team to take RMHC to the next level is sales and customer service.”
“I am very excited for my team to represent Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls in all 27 states that we currently cover,” said Todd Curell, President of EOS. “RMHC has been the true leader in elk call innovation since 1994. My sales team uses the product in the field and has confidence in the entire line of products for 2019. This will be a great partnership between RHMC, EOS and our extensive listing of dealers.”
Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls is based in Kamiah, Idaho. Owner Rockie Jacobsen has more than 30 years of experience building game calls. In 1994, he started Bugling Bull Game Calls and changed the name to Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls in 2012.
Velocity Outdoors Hires Rugghill for International Sales
Velocity Outdoor has hired Rugghill as its international sales rep group. Based in Austria, Rugghill will handle airgun, archery, and optics in the Western European Union and other international markets.
Rugghill was founded in 2006 by Phillip Brandis and Paul Hagg.
“With Rugghill located in the center of Europe, they have a strong respect and a fascination for diversity of cultures, customs, mentalities and languages,” said Marc Miller, Manager of International Sales for Velocity Outdoor. “Always willing to learn about the needs and requirements of their customers, Velocity Outdoor and Rugghill are looking at the future with excitement, eager to face challenges ahead and determined to achieve growth for all Velocity Outdoor brands.”
Thompson New VP-Design Engineering for Daniel Defense
Lee Thompson has been promoted to vice president of design engineering for Daniel Defense, with responsibility for leading and implementing all design and new product initiatives for the company.
Thompson joined Daniel Defense as a manufacturing engineer in 2012 and played a leading role in the design of the company’s first integrally suppressed weapon system, the DDM4ISR. He also implemented the onboarding of the company’s mill turn and bolt carrier group production cells before joining the design engineering team in 2014. In that position, he was involved in the engineering of several groundbreaking products including the DD WAVE 3-D printed suppressor and the DD5 family of rifles.
“I am thrilled to promote Lee to VP of design engineering,” said Marty Daniel, President and CEO. “He has played a significant role in helping our company develop the processes, knowledge and talent to excel at bringing new products to market. A great example is our recent launch of the DELTA 5 bolt-action rifle. In just a few short months it has proven to be a winner in the marketplace, and Lee’s team deserves much of the credit for that success. Lee has also excelled at continuously improving our design process. That will be critical as we strive to be an industry leader in bringing future innovative products to market.”
Thompson has a bachelor’s degree in biosystems engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky. He and his wife Ashley, an M.D. resident in general surgery, live in Pooler, Georgia.
Zanders Expands Sales With New Hire
Zanders Sporting Goods, a national wholesale distributor located in Sparta, Illinois, has hired Scott Sterner for its Sales department.
Sterner earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice and first response from YTI Career Institute-Lancaster. Upon graduating, he worked in law enforcement and EMS. Utilizing his education and experience, he took his career in a new direction and became the owner and manager of a firearms retail store. Ultimately, it was this strong background in firearm sales that led him to Zanders.
“Unfortunately, due to a change in zoning restrictions, I was forced to close my shop,” he said. “I enjoyed working in the firearms industry so that’s where I focused my job search. Zanders has an impeccable reputation in the industry so I reached out to them in regards to a sales position that was available, and I am thrilled with the opportunity.”
Magpul Sponsors Scholastic Action Shooting Program
Magpul Industries Corp. will be a Silver Sponsor for the 2019 Scholastic Action Shooting Program season.
“Magpul is proud to be part of the team supporting the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation," said Scott Reed, Director of Marketing for Magpul. "The SSSF’s commitment to youth development through shooting sports programs and its emphasis on building character make it more than just a firearms training organization for young shooting enthusiasts. Its focus on shooting skills and responsibility with firearms, combined with its emphasis on citizenship, are a great match with the Magpul Team’s values.”
Magpul was founded in 1999 with the intent of developing a simple device to aid in the manipulation of rifle magazines while reloading under stress. The company’s name comes from this original product called the Magpul.
Winchester's Kim Rhode Wins Gold, Again
Kim Rhode took the lead in the the Women's Skeet final round and claimed the gold medal in the World Cup in Changwon, Korea.
Rhode, in second place after the qualifying rounds, surged into the lead in the final round. She has 21 World Cup medals and arguably is the among the greatest competitive shotgun athletes in history. Rhode, who lives in California, is working toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and winning her seventh Olympic medal. If she does, she would be the only Olympic athlete in history to medal in seven consecutive Olympic Games.
“We couldn’t be more proud of Kim and the way she represents the shooting sports and the Winchester brands," said Matt Campbell, Winchester’s vice president of marketing and sales. “While she is easily the most decorated competitive shooter in history, she remains very humble and extremely focused on perpetuating recreational shooting opportunities for future generations.”
Rhode began shooting at the young age of 10. She has enjoyed a relationship with Winchester for 30 years. Kim uses Winchester AA and specifically the Winchester AANL129 International Target a 24 gram load of #9 shot traveling at 1325 fps, developed specifically to meet the demanding requirements of the ISSF regulatory committee.
Blaser USA's McDougall Wins NSCA US Open
Janet McDougall, CFO of Blaser USA and Team Blaser shooter, won the Ladies Championship title at the National Sporting Clays Association US Open.
The event was May 12-19 at M&M Sporting Clays in Pennsville, New Jersey. This marks the third time in four years that McDougall has won the Ladies Championship.
“This is my favorite shoot of the year, and I’m so happy to have won my fourth US Open title on my birthday,” she said. “I have a lot of confidence in my Blaser F3 and my Federal ammunition which allows me to focus on hitting targets.”
McDougall competed in a field of 97 women at this year’s US Open and hit 168 out of 200 targets.
“We are incredibly proud of Janet and happy to see her atop the podium once again,” said Jason Evans, CEO of Blaser USA. “Janet’s numerous wins are a testament to her skill as a shooter and ability to remain calm and focused under pressure. We are celebrating with her and look forward to her continued success.”
In 2018, McDougall was inducted into the NSCA Hall of Fame.
Redding Adds New Premium Die Sets
Redding Reloading Equipment has added more dies to its popular straight wall case line: the 380 ACP and the 32 H&R Mag/32 S&W.
These compliment the 9mm, 40S&W/ 10mm, 45 ACP, 38 Special / 357 Magnum, 44 Special /44 Magnum and 45 Colt.
These two new 3-die sets mate a Titanium Carbide-sizing die, with a newly designed expander die containing the unique Redding expander plug now coated in TiN, Titanium Nitride for added surface hardness, lubricity and durability. The TiN coating also will reduce brass build up on the expander, an important improvement for high volume reloaders.
All three dies in the set also feature an enhanced lead-in for ease of use with progressive reloading presses.
Lucas Teams With Pestilli & Associates
Lucas Oil Outdoor Line has entered a relationship with sales representative agency Pestilli & Associates, Inc.
Pestilli & Associates Inc., with offices in Lebanon, Pa., and Brownfield, Maine, have been in business for 48 years with a focus on the northeast market.
"We are proud to be part of the Lucas family," said Vince Pestilli, President of Operations. "We are excited about the opportunity to bring this product to the outdoor market. Lucas Oil fits very well in the portfolio of premium brands we represent, and our retailers will embrace working with and selling product from a great American company like Lucas Oil."
Lucas Oil has produced lubricants and additives for more than 30 years. The recently launched the Lucas Oil Outdoor Line is designed for for the hunter, sportsman or competitive shooter who is serious about their equipment and maintaining it properly.
"We are beyond excited to welcome Vince Pestilli & Associates to the Lucas Oil family," says Lisa Marie Young, Business Development Manager for Lucas Outdoor Line. "We strive to align ourselves with like-minded businesses who share our commitment to quality and service, and we found a perfect fit with Pestilli & Associates. We look forward to working together to bring Lucas Oil Outdoor products to the Northeast market."
