SHOOTING HUNTING OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW 1979–2016 NEW PRODUCT REPORTS
FEATURES
NO TABOOS Shooting helps bridge the parent-child gap. SEE PAGE 50
SHOT Daily hits the floor to find the latest airguns P. 14. And see what’s new in women’s shotguns P. 52 and lightweight rifles P. 58
EXTREME MEASURES Bushnell pushes the envelope with Trophy Xtreme SEE PAGE 8
NEWS
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE BDT pays big dividends for consumers and retailers alike. SEE PAGE 62
ROYAL TREATMENT Bluetooth is changing the shooting sports market SEE PAGE 64
DAY 4, JANUARY 2 2 , 2 016
T H E DA I LY N E WS O F T H E 2 0 1 6 L AS V EGAS S H OT S H OW B ROUG H T TO YOU BY T H E B O N N I E R CO R P O RAT I O N A N D T H E N SS F
Honor and Duty
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rownells, Axelson Tactical, and Team Never Quit Ammunition are joining together to raffle off a Matt “Axe” Axelson Tribute Rifle to benefit Special Operations Wounded Warriors (SOWW). In addition to the rifle, Axelson’s SEAL Team 10 teammate, Marcus Luttrell, is donating 1,000 rounds of his company’s Team Never Quit Ammunition. The Matt “Axe” Axelson Tribute Rifle, serial number “AXE01,” is a civilian-legal AR-15 replica of the rifle Axe was carrying on June 28, 2005, when he and nine other U.S. Navy SEALs and eight Army Aviation Soldiers were killed in combat while serving in support of Operation Red Wings. “The rifle is engraved with etchings that tell the story of the firefight, from the Alpha Platoon patch to the ‘Turbine 33—NSDQ’ inscription,” says Axe’s brother, Jeff Axelson,
founder of Axelson Tactical. “We wanted it to be a symbol of the brotherhood all the men shared.” Raffle tickets may be purchased at brownells.com/axerifle for $50. Members of SOWW also will be displaying the rifle and selling tickets at the Brownells meeting room (Booth #10573). The raffle ends on July 4, 2016. All proceeds go directly to SOWW—as does the $10,000 Brownells donated to the organization. SOWW provides outdoor experiences to U.S. Military Special Operations Forces that have received wounds in battle. SOWW board member Ron Bellan, U.S. Navy SEAL Master Chief (Ret.), described the value of reconnecting to the outdoors for wounded vets. “We talk about things that they never tell their wives. Around that campfire, we talk as brothers.” —Robert F. Staeger
What’s Next? It’s no secret that getting a booth at SHOT Show can be as tough as drawing a tag for a sheep hunt. That’s why NSSF has launched a new pavilion for manufacturers and suppliers who have never exhibited at the show. Judging by the shoulder-toshoulder crowds clustered in the hall, the concept is a winner. One such exhibitor is Alpha Loading Systems. “We felt there had to be a simpler, more precise, and more productive
way to produce reliable ammo,” says director of sales Mark Bickish. “And we felt there had to be a better way to produce higher-quality matchgrade ammo quickly.” The company offers three systems: the Alpha L-350, a rotary production loader; the Alpha L-250, a machine that can load small pistol ammo as well as larger rifle loads (.300 Win. Mag.); and the Alpha P-150 priming machine. Booth #N312. (alphaloadingsystems.com)
DAMASCUS BLADE BABY BOWIE
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owie knives with Damascus blades have always held a special place among all fixed-blade knives. Bear & Son Cutlery designs and builds a wide range of knife styles with these distinctive blades, and the company is justifiably proud of its impressive array of traditional Bowie knives, all in the 12- to 15-inch range. But its designers also realized there was a new market for those who wanted a Damascus blade Bowie, but in a much smaller package. The result is the new 500D ½ Baby Bowie with a 3-inch Damascus blade. With a Genuine India Stag Bone handle, the overall length is 6 ½ inches, and it weighs just 2.5 ounces. Made in the USA. SRP: $189.99. Booth #446. (bearandsoncutlery.com)
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