Via the latest issue of SHOT Business Magazine:

Winchester Ammunition's Supreme Elite Conded PDX1 was recently presented with the 2010 GOlden Bullseye Award for "Ammunition Product of the Year" by Shooting Illustrated magazine, one of the NRA's premier publications, during the NRA's 139th Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition, Winchester Ammunition pledged $500,000 to permanently endow the NRA's Marksmanship Qualification Program, thus becoming the exclusive sponsor of the offically renamed Wincester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. 

The Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program is a self-paced shooting development program. Open to adults and youngsters alike, the program measures an individual's shooting proficiency against established par scores in 13 coureses of fire across three disciplines: pistol, rifle and shotgun.

Dick Hammet, president of Winchester Ammunition, said the company was honored by the award from Shooting Illustrated. "It means a great deal to us for our ammunition to be recognized as an award-winning product. Bonded PDX1 is the best of the best when it comes to personal defense ammunition, and our work with the FBI and this award continue to prove it."

Joe H. Graham, executive director of NRA publications said, "The Golden BUllseye Award honors our winners for bringing to market products remarkable in their utility to shooters and hunters. The award is a symbol of excellence and innovation in firearms, accessories and related equipment. We congratulate the winners."

Even though hunting season lasts just a few months, you can enjoy hunting all year thanks to NRA's Hunter Clinic Instructor Program. Through this training, experienced hunters looking to share their knowledge and skills can become certified to teach others about hunting.

The Hunter Clinic Instructor Program currently offers certifications in Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkey, and Big Game but will be adding other disciplines such as Waterfowl, Upland Game Birds, Predator and Varmit hunting and much more.

Thanks to a user-friendly correspondence course format and the support of NRA's Hunter Services Department, becoming an NRA Certified Hunter Clinic Instructor couldn't be easier. To learn more about the Hunter Clinic Instructor Program here or call (703) 267-1516 for more information. You can also download applications and exams for each discipline online.

Don't let another hunting season go by - become an NRA Certified Hunter Clinic Instructor today and keep the tradition of hunting in America alive!

Grant money from Friends of NRA allows a gun club in Oregon to introduce young people to rifle instruction and competition. Salem, Oregon's Four Corners Rod and Gun Club invites kids of all experience levels, ages 12-18, to join the fun.

From Statesmanjournal.com:

Col. Allison Junior Rifle Club opens Saturday

The Col. Allison Junior Rifle Club opens its 59th season on Saturday.

But the youths who stick with the program pick up a lot more than instructions about how to aim, breathe and squeeze the trigger.

"It all kind of ties into it," Don Altermatt, the fourth-year club president, said about the better shooters/better kids outcome. "It teaches kids how to focus."

Any youth between the ages of 12 and 18 can come out and give it a shot, he said.

"The first three times you show up there's no cost at all," Altermatt said. "And then after that we ask for $7 a month in dues.

"And obviously that doesn't come close to covering the cost of the ammo or anything else. Between Friends of the NRA and (the sponsoring Four Corners Rod and Gun Club), we get enough grants to keep the costs down."

And that includes instruction, loaner equipment, ammunition and targets.

Even kids who are merely curious, and never have held or fired a .22 rifle are welcome. 

Guy Vandyke is the VP of Sales & Marketing for HuntNFishregs.com. NRAblog met Vandyke at the meeting of Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) members in LaPorte, Indiana, in July 2010.

What does HuntNFishregs.com do? It helps you get outdoors in any state. 

"HuntNFishRegs.com is a fully developed website that provides a state-of-the-art, easy to navigate online source to all 50 states' Hunting and Fishing regulation guides," Vandyke told NRAblog.

What inspired Vanyke and his partner Jeff Hunt to form the site?  "One of the big problems was that as people wanted to get information from other states (to hunt and fish in)," he said, "and you either had to wait for that state to send you a regulation book or try and navigate the state web site." It was an inconvenience that was costing men and women the opportunity to hunt or fish, the pair decided.  More...

We can always count on National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Phil Schreier to pull out something special for his weekly Curator's Corner segment on NRA News. Tonight he brings us a World War II submachine gun manufactured by — General Motors.

You probably stopped after reading the last sentence so I'll say it again; we are talking about the M3 submachine gun that was built by General Motors. As Phil likes to tell it, manufacturing concerns leading up to the War produced a calling for an efficient, cost effective submachine gun.

The Army decided there was a need solid metal gun that fired a 9x19 parabellum or .45 cartridge. While several companies gave it a try, it was GM's M3 that made the cut.

With a 30 round magazine and a muzzle velocity of 920 ft/s, the M3 was manufactured from 1943 to 1945. During that time, roughly 700,000 were produced. Soon after it was created, the M3 was tweaked with hopes to improve reliability and decrease weight. The result was a gun that saw service all the way from World War II to Desert Storm — the M3A1.

For the whole story, you'll have to join Phil and the gang tonight on at 10:20pm Eastern on NRANews.com or listen on Sirius/XM Patriot satellite radio.

The Friends of NRA National Corporate Sponsor Program was recently developed to give companies unique access to NRA's 4.5 million members through our successful banquet program.

Since inception in 1992, Friends of NRA has held more than 12,000 events, reached two million attendees, and raised more than $155 million for The NRA Foundation.

By becoming a Corporate Sponsor, your company both supports the National Rifle Association AND reaches your target market. 

“Friends of NRA Corporate Sponsors directly support the National Rifle Association in its goal of extending and reinforcing Americas shooting traditions," Event Services Manager Jeremy Greene said. 

As companies join as sponsors, NRAblog will bring you information. 

Would you like to commit to a 2011 National Corporate Sponsorhip? Contact Greene at 703.267.1354 or jgreene@nrahq.org.

Kayne Robinson serves as the Executive Director of NRA General Operations, which encompasses the NRA’s non-political programs. From Competitive Shooting and Hunting to Firearm Instruction and the National Firearms Museum, Robinson oversees the divisions that produce programs of the NRA.

Robinson spent more than 20 years on the police force in Des Moines, Iowa. He also served in the U.S. Marines.

Robinson, a former law enforcement pistol champion, addresses the Meeting of the Members at NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits. Above, Robinson speaks at the 2010 meeting, held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

He’s not alone in his law enforcement service – watch the clip to hear more about current NRA Board Members and staff who have honorably served their communities and the nation as local, state, and federal police.

The 2010 National Police Shooting Championships  begin September 18 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and NRAblog will have the chance to speak with many of these past and present law enforcement officers. Stay tuned.

On Saturday, September 11, 2010 the Izaak Walton League of America’s Arlington/Fairfax Chapter will host the second annual “Pull for Our Heroes” Trap Shoot. Sponsored by NRA, all proceeds from the event will benefit the Patriot’s Path Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping military veterans who have bravely served our country.

The cost is just $50 per individual or $225 for a five-person team. Entry fees include 100 clays, lunch, prizes, and much more. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with the competition kicking off at 9:00 a.m. Prizes and raffles will include items from Colt, Remington, Otis Technologies, Revision Eyewear, and many more.

Trophies will be awarded to class winners and the winning team will receive the "Patriot's Plate" trophy, which they will hold until they defend their title at next year's event. In addition to their sponsorship, NRA will also be sending a team of trapshooters to take a shot at top honors.

Registration and ticket sales are available online, so please come out in celebration of Patriot Day and in support of our veterans and heroes. For more information on this event or on the Patriot’s Path Foundation, call Dave Hill at 304-283-7199 or visit www.patriotspath.org.

The 2010 National Police Shooting Championships are just around the corner, taking place next week in Albuquerque, New Mexico. And it turns out they will remain in Albuquerque through 2012.

"The NRA is thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Albuquerque," said Glen Hoyer, Director of NRA Law Enforcement Division. "The city and its police department have shown the NRA's National Police Shooting Championships a high level of dedication, and we look forward to a successful relationship for years to come." 

Any law enforcement officer, or retired law enforcement officer, can take their place on the firing line by signing up for the 2010 Championships right now. But don't wait too long as the deadline is fast approaching.

Stay tuned to NRAblog for information on this national competition as it takes place. We'll check in with past champions, talk with match sponsors, and bring you the latest news from the firing range. 

Read past NPSC coverage here, and don't go away! 

Six NRA members participated in a Women On Target Hunting Excursion Aug. 17-23 in the Alaska wilderness.

Women On Target Hunting Coordinator Ann Marie Foster tagged along for the trip. She confirmed this was the first-ever Alaskan hunt for the NRA's Women On Target program -- and the program's first bear hunt.

The hunt was guided by the folks at Alaskan Safari and Trading LLC, and Foster assures us everyone had a blast. "They harvested 3 black bears, 2 brown bears and one coyote," Foster said. "Silver salmon fishing was also on the menu."

Women On Target probably has a hunt for you! Feel free to email Foster at WomenOnTargetHunts@nrahq.org.  

Ladies: are you interested in learning to shoot? The NRA's Women's Programs Department recently announced their female-only Instructional Clinics reached its 50,000 participant. Learn more about NRA Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics.

NRA Competitive Shooting is proud to present, for purchase, The National Matches: 1903-2003 The First 100 Years… Newly available for Winter 2010, prepare for a literary thrill ride through the annals of National Matches history! The volume is a must have for every competitive shooting enthusiast.

This book is an outstanding example of NRA lore that offers readers a comprehensive history of the first 100 years of the National Matches, from the beginning at New Jersey’s Sea Girt, Creedmoor in New York, to the present day home on the shores of Lake Erie at the Camp Perry Training Site, Ohio. Readers will discover vivid descriptions and outstanding photographs throughout the pages of this conveniently organized volume.

Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge firearms technology, and, most of all, pure inspiration, The National Matches: 1903-2003 The First 100 Years… is an epic book loaded with National Match facts, notable shooter histories, and more.

For any shooter who has competed at the National Matches, or if you just have an interest in another fascinating look at NRA history, this book is an excellent addition to your home library. The National Matches: 1903-2003 The First 100 Years… will soon be available for purchase from the NRA Program Materials Center.

Here's your week's update on upcoming Friends of NRA banquets around the country this week. Thanks to Senior Event Services Coordinator Nicole McMahon for providing us with the information!

If you're interested in attending an event but don't know whether one has already been held, be sure to check the Friends website for all future and past events this year.

09/08/2010
Prior Lake, Minnesota

09/09/2010
Commerce Twp., Michigan
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Greenwood, South Carolina
Kirksville, Missouri
Laurel, Montana
Macon,Georgia
Mitchell, South Dakota
Ocala, Florida
Rochester, Minnesota
Staten Island, New York
Victoria, Texas

More...

The atmosphere surrounding competitive shooting varies depending upon the discipline. Smallbore, for example, is a festival. Galleries are filled with canopies, flags, friends, and family. Spectators work the grill, yell out support, and cheer without abandon. Long Range High Power, on the other hand, is an island. No flags, no cheering -- just a solemn climate of concentration. Which is why the appearance of a family on the sidelines stood out during Long Range at Camp Perry.

Conspicuously stationed amongst the abandoned wagons on gear was the Litke family. Live and in person at Camp Perry for one reason and one reason only. "We wanted be here to show our support, we're very proud of him," the family echoed. And what a family it was.

Mom, dad, grandmother, grandfather, another grandmother, godmother, father–in–law, mother–in–law ... everyone except for the family dog. Well, almost everyone — apparently Mrs. Jared Litke (the competitor's wife) drew the short straw and was home watching the dogs. Talk about luck.

The rest of family Litke traveled two hours from their home base of Stow, Ohio, to watch their Marine in his second attempt at besting Camp Perry. "He actually shot pretty well for his first time in competition last year," said his mom. "He's doing well this year too. We're proud of everything he's done – especially joining the Corps."

Currently stationed in Quantico, Virginia, Jared joined the Marines four years ago this May. And the family couldn't have been happier with his decision. "We were excited when he told us he wanted to join," said his mom. "It was something he chose to do, he had a plan all together, and he simply completed the plan. He just went in and has been doing wonderful."

Judy and Sam Brimer stood out from the crowd at the Professional Outdoor Media Association's (POMA) annual event. The pair wore bright orange shirts each day of the conference, held in La Porte, Indiana.

They stood out for another reason at the conference's Product Showcase: these three lovely ladies joined them at their booth. Each young woman is modeling a different dress offered by Judy and Sam's new dressmaking company, Camo Formal.

A seamstress by trade, Judy learned to sew in the fourth grade. "I was a little fashion designer," she said. "I was one of 6 girls, and I made sure we all had a new wardrobe each year." 35 years of marriage and three daughters haven't changed her passion. At one time, Judy operated nine shops in Louisiana and Texas.

A few years ago, they closed those shops.

Inspiration hit, and Camo Formal is now a thriving reality.  More...

A proud Scout from the Kansas City area shows off his cherished souvenir Federal shotgun shells complete with the Jamboree logo after finishing his 5 Stand experience at Camp Thunder. (Photo by Philip Schreier)

Philip Schreier, Senior Curator from the NRA National Firearms Museum, sends us his final report from the Boy Scouts of America's National Jamboree in Ft. A.P. Hill, Virginia:

NRA Rocks Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree: Part 8

By: Philip Schreier

(Ft. A. P. Hill, Virginia) - Well the last campfire has been extinguished at the conclusion of the BSA 100th Anniversary National Scout Jamboree. After 10 days in the heart of Virginia, 46,000 Scouts and leaders prepare for their long journey home. The 17th National Jamboree (the 9th for this author) and the last of 8 to be held at Ft. A. P. Hill, is now a fond memory for tens of thousands of boys. For most, this Jamboree was their first, and for many, the Jamboree offered a young Scout his initial experience shooting an air rifle, shotgun and/or black powder rifle.

As the Action Centers are dismantled and the 76,000 acre military reservation is returned to its former state of affairs, many Scouts and Scouters alike are asking how they can purchase one of the hundreds of firearms used during the historic event. Fortunately, for them, many of the guns are for sale through licensed FFL dealers.

Four different firearms are currently available that each bear Scouting's 100th Anniversary Jamboree logo or BSA Centennial logo. The 20ga Remington 870 Wingmasters, 12ga Beretta A3901 semi-automatics and two beautiful .22 caliber Henry Golden Boy rifles, one an Eagle Scout commemorative, can be purchased through the factory direct to your local FFL dealer.

Contact the factory direct for details and pricing and send a signed copy of your dealer's FFL to:

Remington Arms Co. c/o BSA Offer P.O. Box 700 Madison, NC 27025 1-800-243-9700

Beretta USA 17601 Beretta Drive Accokeek, MD 20607 1-800-929-2901

Henry Repeating Arms Company #59 East 1st St. Bayonne, NJ 07002 201-858-4400