The Complete Guide to Hornady magazine, published by Intermedia Outdoors, Inc., is on newsstands across the country!

Featuring articles by America's top outdoor writers, including Craig Boddington, Wayne van Zwoll, Greg Rodriguez, Terry Wieland, and Dick Metcalf among others, topics include field-test reviews of Hornady Manufacturing's 2009 product introductions as well as personal and historical perspectives on Hornady products for every imaginable hunting, match shooting, and self-defense purpose.

"It's a thrill to see 60 years of hard work and innovation unfold in the pages of this special issue," said Steve Hornady, President of Hornady Manufacturing. "We've come a long way since my father, Joyce Hornady, started the company in 1949. And we're proud to celebrate that progress with the customers who made us what we are today."

Customer input is an essential component in Hornady's innovative approach to product design. We really hope you will take time to let us know what you think--not only about the magazine, but about every Hornady product we make.

Twelve-year-old Brianna Rachinski demonstrated skill far beyond her age when she shattered four 500 yard F-Class F/TR national records with the Hornady® 22 Cal 75 gr A-MAX® bullet during the Battle of Machias Match in Machias, Washington on August 24, 2008. Her score of 199-10x sets the standard in Open, Civilian, Woman and Junior classes.

Hornady® A-MAX® bullets feature an ultra-low drag tip and boattail to deliver consistent match grade performance. The same engineers who designed Hornady match bullets are themselves competitive shooters, with performance goals in both the design lab and on the range.

Brianna has been a junior class competitor since the age of six, and only recently found her niche in F-Class. A family of hunters and shooting enthusiasts, the Rachinskis are avid fans of Hornady bullets, using the 22 Cal 55 gr V-MAX™ and the 22 Cal 68 gr BTHP™ with great results. "We especially like the high b.c. of the 224 75 gr A-MAX®," said Brianna, "with 10-shot groupings under an inch at 200 meters."

Jeff Rachinski, Brianna's father, is equally impressed with the Hornady customer service department. "I was using a competitor's product, but was treated terribly when I called to discuss some inconsistencies I was finding in their jackets." he said. "I switched to Hornady and have never looked back. Hornady makes a great product at a reasonable price."

F-Class is considered the fastest growing long-range shooting sport in the world. Shooting from the prone position, competitors in the F/TR category can use 308 and 223 guns and their choice of scope, with a combined weight limit of 18.15 pounds. Brianna shoots a stock Savage Model 12 LRPV 9 twist 223 with a Weaver T-36 scope. Shooters may fire from a front bipod, with an optional rear support bag. Competitors in slow fire 500 yard matches shoot multiple, 20-shot strings, with a 2.5" X ring, aiming for a perfect 200 score.

Founded in 1949, Hornady Manufacturing Company, a second generation family-owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska, has become a world leader in innovative bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture.

Team Hornady had a great time at the 2008 National Matches at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio. R. Lee Ermey, aka "The Gunny" of the television show "Mail Call," and the notorious "Gunnery Sergeant Hartman" in the movie "Full Metal Jacket," was a member of Team Hornady for the second year in a row. Ermey enjoyed meeting many of the nation's finest civilian and military marksmen who competed at this years matches.

Team Hornady stepped to the line with a variety of rifles this year. Ermey and Dennis DeMille proved their prowess with M14's; Dave Emary and Jerry Van Treeck shot M1 Garands; and Joe Thielen and Bob Schanen shot AR-15's. Although the scores were not up for record, Team Hornady competed well at the National Trophy Team Match.

Away from competition, Hornady maintained a visible presence by being selected as the 2008 ammo provider for the Pistol and Rifle Small Arms Firing Schools (SAFS). Pistol students fired 9mm 124 gr RN bullets from M9 service pistols, and rifle students fired 5.56mm 75 gr BTHP match ammunition from M16 service rifles. Conducted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and sponsored by the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the schools featured two days of instruction from the nation's finest rifle and pistol shooters.

Hornady also sponsored a series of reloading clinics during CMP rifle week, with basic reloading safety and techniques for service and match rifles, and specific information on reloading for the M1 Garand.

Hornady congratulates all the shooters who participated at Camp Perry this year, and would like to thank those who competed with or used Hornady products in any shooting discipline. We look forward to seeing you next year!

By Steve Gash

Short, fat magnum cartridges seemingly lurk behind every bush these days, and they deliver standard magnum ballistics – out of standard length 24- or 26-inch barrels.

Hornady’s new 300 and 338 Ruger Compact Magnum (RCM) cartridges offer big game hunters a unique alternative to these cartridges. Hornady’s remarkably efficient RCM cartridges produce full-power ballistics from 20-inch barrels.

The RCMs are based on the very popular 375 Ruger case, also a Hornady development. The RCMs are only 2.8 inches long, but their fat .532-inch cases deliver ballistics all out of proportion to their size. And they do so out of the Ruger Hawkeye rifle that is 2-4 inches shorter than conventional magnums, weighs less than 8 pounds scoped, slung, and loaded.

The RCM factory loads feature Hornady’s sleek SST bullets, well known for their accuracy, aerodynamics, deep penetration, and controlled expansion. The 300 RCM is loaded with 150-, 165-, or 180-grain bullets, and the 338 version carries the 200- and 225-grainers. The ballistics of the Hornady RCM loads virtually match those of the 300 WSM and the 300 and 338 Winchester Magnums with comparable bullet weights when all five loads are fired in rifles with 20-inch barrels. (exact numbers found on this website.) And the RCMs are easy to reload with standard, off-the-shelf powders.

Altogether, the cutting-edge technology of Hornady’s innovative new RCM rounds and the compact Ruger Hawkeye rifles make a package that deserves serious consideration by anyone venturing forth after large and distant creatures that inhabitant steep and rugged terrain.

The LEVERevolution® line of ammunition from Hornady® continues to revolutionize the shooting industry. The NEW 44 Magnum LEVERevolution® ammunition was recently awarded an Editor's Choice Award for Handgun Ammo of the Year in the August issue of Outdoor Life magazine.

Chris Christian, award winning competitive pistol shooter, former Navy small arms instructor and Outdoor Life Editor, wrote, "Hornady's new 225-grain LEVERevolution® load (1,410 fps from a 6-inch barrel) will increase the range of any 44 Magnum handgun, carbine or single-shot with its polymer tip and increased ballistic coefficient."

The 44 Mag, loaded with the 225 gr. FTX™ bullet, represents the first time advanced LEVERevolution® Flex Tip™ technology has been used in a true dual-purpose (handgun/lever gun) application. Typical hollow point pistol bullets expand too quickly and sacrifice penetration at the higher velocities achieved with lever action rifles. But Flex Tip™ eXpanding™ bullets expand reliably, transferring significant immediate energy with devastating temporary cavities over an incredibly wide range of velocities.

"We are very proud of the 44 Magnum," said Dave Emary, Hornady Senior Ballistician. "The versatility this cartridge offers is an incredible asset to hunters and shooting enthusiasts, and we are pleased that a publication as respected as Outdoor Life has selected it as Handgun Ammo of the Year."

Click here for complete information on the 44 Mag LEVERevolution®, including a video.

The 300 and 338 Ruger Compact Magnum (RCM) cartridges from Hornady® received the 2008 Academy of Excellence Award for "Ammunition of the Year." This is the fifth consecutive year that a Hornady® ammunition product has received this award.

The Academy of Excellence Award honors exceptional design, innovation, and service in a variety of categories, and is highly coveted within the shooting industry. Winners are chosen by a select group of 500 shooting industry affiliates including manufacturers, distributors, storefront dealers, and outdoor writers. A tedious two-tiered nomination and voting system protects the integrity and significance of the award by preventing influence from any single group.

Hornady® purpose-built the 300 and 338 RCMs for the toughest hunting in the world. Based on the beltless 375 Ruger case, the 300 and 338 RCMs match or exceed 300 and 338 Win Mag performance from a shorter, more compact, 20" barrel. This compact rifle/cartridge combination provides a lighter and easier-to-handle package, providing ease and flexibility in even the most rugged hunting environments. The 300 RCM is available in 150, 165 and 180 grain offerings. The 338 RCM is offered in a 200 grain SST® and 225 grain SST®. Its efficient design requires 10-15% less propellant which helps extend barrel life, and reduces recoil and muzzle blast. Innovative propellant technology ensures velocity performance and very little temperature sensitivity from -15° to 140°F.

Hornady Manufacturing is sponsoring a series of reloading clinics on July 26 and 27, 2008 during the National Trophy Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. Dave Emary, Hornady Chief Ballistic Scientist, will teach basic reloading safety and techniques as applied to service and match rifles, and will present specific information on reloading M1 Garands and as-issued military rifles.

Reloading centerfire rifle cartridges for service rifles, as-issued military rifles and highpower match rifles will be discussed during the clinic held Saturday, July 26 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. This clinic is geared primarily for highpower rifle shooters and coaches, but is open to all who are interested. The clinic held on Thursday, July 31 will feature special information on reloading for M1 Garands and as-issued military rifles.

The clinics are free-of-charge, but pre-registration is required due to limited class size. Registration can be completed on-line on the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) website. Junior shooters interested in learning how to get started in reloading are especially encouraged to attend.

Hornady Manufacturing has been selected as the ammunition provider for the Pistol and Rifle Small Arms Firing Schools (SAFS) to be held during the 2008 National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio in July.

"We're proud to be the SAFS ammunition provider," said Neil Davies, Hornady Sales and Marketing Manager. "Hornady continues to expand and improve our offerings for match shooters, so allowing students to use our ammo will expose them to the quality and accuracy our product delivers."

Pistol students will fire 9mm 124 gr RN bullets from M9 service pistols during their practice session and the M9 Pistol EIC Match that concludes the school. Rifle students will fire 5.56mm 75 gr BTHP match bullets from M16 service rifles.

The Small Arms Firing Schools are held annually during the National Matches as teaching opportunities for anyone interested in learning about shooting or improving their scores. The Pistol and Rifle Schools are conducted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) and sponsored by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Schools feature two days of instruction from the nation's best rifle and pistol shooters, and conclude with the opportunity to shoot in an EIC match on the country's most famous range.

Hornady Manufacturing's 375 Ruger is the recipient of two National Rifle Association (NRA) Publications Golden Bullseye Awards that were presented at the 2008 NRA Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. The 375 Ruger was showcased as Ammunition Product of the Year in both American Rifleman and American Hunter.

"We are incredibly honored to receive not one, but two highly coveted Golden Bullseye Awards for our 375 Ruger," said Wayne Holt, Director of Marketing for Hornady Manufacturing. "Everything we do at Hornady is designed with the sole purpose of raising the bar for hunters and shooting enthusiasts, and it is highly gratifying that an organization as venerable as NRA Publications recognizes the results of our efforts."

"The Golden Bullseye Award acknowledges the companies and individuals who pursue excellence and innovation in the manufacture of firearms, accessories and related equipment," said Joe H. Graham, Executive Director of NRA Publications. "We honor our winners for bringing to market products remarkable in their utility to shooters and hunters."

Highly prestigious within the shooting industry, the Golden Bullseye Awards honor the finest products available in the shooting sports. Winners are chosen by a committee of NRA Publication editors and staff with more than a century of collective experience in the firearm industry. Winning products must have been recently introduced and available to consumers; feature innovative design and function; meet or exceed field reliability expectations; and demonstrate style befitting the firearm industry as well as good purchase value.

Introduced in 2007, the 375 Ruger is one of the most practical and hardest-hitting cartridges available for large game. Featuring an innovative rimless and beltless case, the 375 Ruger has a slightly larger diameter than the 30-06, yet shares the same overall length. This allows it to be chambered in any standard length action, resulting in the smoothest feeding large game cartridge on the market. Loaded with the 270 gr. Spire Point-Recoil Proof or 300 gr. Dangerous Game Solid (DGS) or Dangerous Game eXpanding (DGX) bullets, the 375 Ruger demonstrates field-proven terminal performance that has taken animals from bushbuck to hippo.

Hornady proudly announces a new addition to their Match ammunition line - a purpose built 30-06 match load specifically designed for the M1 Garand.

Hornady M1 Garand ammunition is loaded with a 168 gr A-MAX™ bullet that launches at 2,710 feet per second and provides match winning accuracy. Carefully designed medium burn propellants protect the rifle's gas port system, allowing safe and accurate firing of the M1 rifle, and meets all Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) guidelines.

Until now, Garand shooters have been limited to military surplus ammunition, handloading, and 30-06 commercial ammunition that is often too powerful for the sensitive gas powered operating system of the M1 Garand. "Permanent damage can occur while shooting standard factory loaded 30-06 ammunition in the M1 Garand," said Dave Emary, Hornady Chief Ballistic Scientist. "Typical factory loads contain propellants that when fired, result in port pressures and gas volumes that are too high, causing violent stress to the rifle's operating rod, bolt, and receiver."

The M1 Garand uses a gas port system to cycle the action, but existing 30-06 ammunition can burn too slow, causing the operating system to be driven harder and faster than intended. This new offering from Hornady is purpose built to provide accurate, safe and ultra reliable functioning for the M1 Garand.

The M1 Garand was the first general issue military semi-automatic rifle, and was widely used as a battle rifle from 1936 to 1963. Recently it has gained popularity with sporting and competition shooters, as have the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) John C. Garand rifle matches that only allow the use of the M1 Garand.

"The M1 rifle has an incredibly rich history," said Emary, "and Hornady M1 Garand Ammunition will encourage shooters to take them out of storage and actually use and enjoy them."

Robert Hoppe of Nevada probably has an embarrassing nickname or two to his credit, but his friends are calling him "deadeye" since he shattered the standing 600-yard light gun five-shot group record at a National Benchrest Shooters Association (NBRSA) registered match in Sacramento, California on October 28, 2007. Hoppe's 0.5823" certified record group was shot with Hornady 105-grain A-MAX® bullets, using Varget powder from a 6mm Dasher (Light Gun) with a 28" Hart Barrel, Panda Action with Jewell trigger, Dierks carbon fiber stock, and Nightforce 8-32X scope. Hoppe's group represents the smallest five-shot group ever recorded in registered 600 yard benchrest competition.

"Success is a matter of finding the perfect combination of bullets and powder to work with your gun," said Hoppe. "The A-MAX® bullets were the right combination for me..." Hoppe has been a lifelong hunter and reloader, and a long-range target shooter for 15 years. He has participated in 600-yard competitions since 2003.

Hornady's A-MAX® bullets achieve near perfect flight with an aerodynamic secant ogive, and unequaled concentricity to deliver an extremely high ballistic coefficient. Known for extreme accuracy, the A-MAX® has become a favorite among long-range match shooters. "We congratulate Robert on an outstanding group record," said Jason Hornady, Vice President and Director of Sales for Hornady Manufacturing. "And we're pleased that the A-MAX® played a part in his record-breaking achievement."

The 600-yard competition was officially sanctioned as a benchrest discipline by the NBRSA in 2003. In the light gun category, guns must not exceed 17 pounds including scope, and competition consists of three, timed sighter periods followed by timed record-string shots. Group size is determined by measuring centerpoint to centerpoint of the most distant bullet holes. Hoppe's 0.5823" group at a combined length of six football fields is an impressive achievement among long range marksmen, and is expected to remain unchallenged for quite some time.

Hornady Manufacturing Company has been a leading supplier of bullets, ammunition, and reloading accessories for over 50 years. Well respected in the shooting, hunting and match arena, Hornady guarantees the type of performance shooters demand from their bullets and ammunition.

Dave Emary, Chief Ballistic Scientist at Hornady® Manufacturing, was named one of the "Outdoor Life 25" by Outdoor Life™ magazine. This annual award honors leaders, innovators, conservationists and unsung heroes who have impacted the outdoor sports in a positive and significant way. Honorees were recognized during a reception hosted by ECHO Incorporated at the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas in February, and were profiled in the January 2008 issue of Outdoor Life magazine.

Emary is largely responsible for designing some of the most innovative and technologically advanced bullets and ammunition on the market today, to include the AMAX™ bullet, 17 HMR and 204 Ruger cartridges, as well as LEVERevolution® ammunition featuring the new line of FTX™ bullets.

Humble in demeanor, Emary is quick to share credit for his accomplishments. "I would not have been able to accomplish what I have done without the hard work and help of other people," he said. "I’m most excited about the attention this brings to Hornady and the affirmation that we are doing good things in the industry."

Hornady Manufacturing President and CEO, Steve Hornady, is extremely pleased to see Emary honored in this way. "Dave is a vital part of the Hornady team," he said. "His intelligence, passion and true devotion to his work make him a great asset to our company.”

Before joining Hornady in 1994, Emary built his career through a host of military and government-sponsored projects. He holds Bachelors of Science degrees in Physics and Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering from Bowling Green State University, and the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1981 to 1987, achieving the rank of Captain, with service in the Ballistic Missile Office of Norton AFB, and the U.S. Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon. As a civilian he developed and tested ballistics at the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico, and the Olin Corporation in Florida.

Steve Hornady and Hornady Manufacturing Company have been chosen as the recipient of the 2008 Cabela Lifetime Business Achievement Award. The presentation was made during a Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show reception at the Las Vegas Hilton. The award was presented by Mike Callahan, Cabela’s Senior Vice President of Retail and Marketing.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance created the award in 2006 to honor the Cabela family's dedication to protecting outdoor sports, including hunting, fishing, and trapping. It is presented to companies that demonstrate the same passion and commitment to protecting America’s outdoor heritage as have the Cabelas.

"This is our way of honoring the Cabela family and other leaders in the outdoor business community for their efforts to defend our rights," said Bud Pidgeon, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance president.

Hornady Manufacturing Company began producing bullets in 1949. They continue to be one of the largest independent producers of bullets in the world. They sell bullets as separate components, loaded in Hornady Ammunition, and also to other ammunition companies to be loaded in their premium grade ammo.

Hornady Manufacturing and Steve Hornady have won many industry awards, most notably from such distinguished organizations and publications as the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers, NRA, Guns & Ammo, Field & Stream, Sporting Classics, and the Shooting Industry Academy.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, ussportsmen.org.