Las Vegas, Nevada - A number of international players took to the field in Las Vegas during the 2013 SHOT Show. E.M.G. from Italy, Armament Technology from Nova Scotia and Kruger Premium Targets from Germany.

After a successful first run at the 2012 NRA National Rifle & Pistol Championships in Camp Perry, Ohio, the call for Kruger targets has been picking up steam.

More on Kruger Premium Targets at the 2013 SHOT Show ...

The NRA World Bianchi Cup came down to the wire between two top shooters

Back in September the world's top pistol shooters converged on a small range in Philippsburg, Germany for the eighth World Action Pistol Championship. Within that group of top shooters the United States often has the best and it was no different this year when Doug Koenig, 14-time MidwayUSA/NRA Bianchi Cup Champion, was going for his fifth World Bianchi Cup.

More on the finish to this year's World Bianchi Cup ...

American shooters face off against opponents 4,000 miles away in real-time

Griffin, Georgia - A week and a half ago junior air rifle shooters from Georgia faced off against counterparts in Germany during an "internet match" that allowed both teams to keep track of their opponents scores in real-time.

Find out how the US junior shooters did against Germany...

Move over postal matches, it's time for the "internet match"

Griffin, Georgia - You've heard of a postal match, right? Well in 2012 it's the age of the "internet match." A week and a half ago junior air rifle athletes in Georgia shot a match against opponents over 4,000 miles away in Germany. Despite a six hour time difference, the two groups shot simultaneously at their respective ranges with monitors set up to keep track of each other's scores live.

More on getting international match experience with the internet...

United States takes three of four NRA World Action Pistol team championships in Germany

Team USA had a very impressive showing at last month's 8th NRA World Action Pistol Championship. Shot every other year, Philippsburg, Germany hosted the matches this go around and graciously accommodated all the international competitors.

The championship is also known as the World Bianchi Cup since it is nearly identical in structure to the MidwayUSA/NRA Bianchi Cup held annually in Columbia, Missouri. Nearly identical, that is, because the world championship incorporates a team aspect that the national championship does not.

More on Team USA's wins at the World Action Pistol Championship ...

The 14-time NRA Bianchi Cup champion wins big in Germany

Two weeks ago the eighth NRA World Action Pistol Championship was hosted in Philippsburg, Germany. While NRAblog was - very unfortunately - not on hand to cover the event, Pistol Manager Tom Hughes made it to the fatherland and will have plenty of photos and stories when he returns... next week.

But that doesn't mean results aren't out. Doug Koenig, fresh off his 14th Bianchi Cup win, took this year's overall title with a 1916-184x out of a possible 1920. And we're pleased to say Friends of NRA host Jesse Duff won the Women's Championship with a 1900-151x.

More on the 8th World Action Pistol Championship ...

NRA prepares for Germany and the 8th Annual World Action Pistol Championship

Find out more about the World Action Pistol Championship in Germany ...

Port Clinton, Ohio - Krüger targets are being used for the first time at the 2012 NRA National Rifle and Pistol Championships. Krüger Premium Paper Target Company, based out of Germany, signed a contract agreement last year with the National Rifle Association. Krüger Sales Manager Joachim Seibold, pictured above, traveled all the way from Germany to see the targets in use and to receive feedback from competitors and NRA employees.

More

Germans travel to Vegas with SHOT Show targets in hand

Andreas Krüger and Joachim Seibold of Krüger Targets at SHOT Show

Las Vegas, Nevada - With so much to see at the 34th Annual SHOT Show this year in Vegas, it's no wonder that we're still digging up stories from the extravaganza. But the one that's been burning a hole in my portable hard drive centers around my stop by the Krüger Target Company booth.

After signing a target licensing deal with the NRA late last year, this Bavarian operation has been blazing on all cylinders.

More