Fairfax, Virginia – NRA Publications will present its fifth annual Golden Bullseye Awards and the inaugural Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award at an invitation-only breakfast during the 2007 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, April 12-17, in St. Louis, Missouri.

    “The Golden Bullseye Award, now in its fifth year, has come to symbolize the best efforts made during the past year by companies and individuals pursuing excellence and innovation in the manufacture of firearms, accessories and related equipment. We honor this year’s winners for bringing to market products that are remarkable in their utility to the firearm enthusiast and for standing as exemplary representatives of an industry that traces its roots to the very founding of our republic. We are confident that shooters and hunters everywhere will receive this year’s winners with great interest and appreciation for a job well done,” said Joe H. Graham, Executive Director of NRA Publications.
    New this year is the Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award. Whereas the Golden Bullseye Awards are an acknowledgement of the finest products available in the shooting sports, the new Pioneer Award will spotlight the exemplary achievement and cumulative body of work of an individual, members of a team or partnership, or family who were responsible for the development and introduction of shooting equipment that has made a profound, positive and enduring impact on the way Americans shoot and hunt. Specifically, it honors personal achievement.

The 2007 Golden Bullseye Award winners are:

    For American Rifleman, NRA’s flagship publication for more than 120 years: Rifle of the Year, Tikka T3 Tactical; Shotgun of the Year, Benelli Cordoba 20 Gauge; Handgun of the Year, Springfield EMP 9 mm; Ammunition Product of the Year, .338 Federal; Optic of the Year, Aimpoint CompML3 and 3XMag; and Accessory of the Year, Caldwell HAMMR.

    For American Hunter, the world’s largest hunting magazine: Rifle of the Year, Thompson/Center Pro Hunter; Shotgun of the Year, Remington Model 105 CTi; Ammunition Product of the Year, Barnes MRX Bullet; Optic of the Year, Leupold VX-L; Gear of the Year, Bushnell ONIX200 GPS.

    For Shooting Illustrated, NRA’s newsstand monthly: Rifle of the Year, Savage Model 12 Long Range Precision Varminter; Shotgun of the Year, Remington Model 105 CTi; Handgun of the Year, Taurus PT 1911; Ammunition Product of the Year, Winchester Supreme Elite XP3; Optic of the Year, Nikko Stirling Platinum Nighteater Riflescopes; and Accessory of the Year, Ballistic Technology Bullet Test Tube.

    The winner of the 2007 Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award is John A. Nosler, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Nosler, Inc. “Mr. Nosler was the unanimous choice of an eight-member selection committee acting on behalf of NRA members nationwide whose experiences at the range and in the field have been enriched by Nosler products and other custom bullets inspired by his ingenuity,” said Joe Graham. Regarded as one of the world’s foremost innovators in ballistics and bullet design, Mr. Nosler invented the Nosler Partition and other custom bullets. He prompted the development of the premium bullet category, which has widely been adopted by big game hunters, competition shooters, etc., and influenced bullet manufacturers worldwide. The John A. Nosler Endowment of The NRA Foundation was established in 2002 by Nosler, Inc., in honor of its founder. The endowment sponsors the NRA’s Basic Rifle Training Program.

For more information, contact Myra Flemister at 703/267-1315.