Hornady® Manufacturing, an industry leader in bullet and ammunition technology, announces the availability of select Z-MAX component bullets. Be prepared for Zombiegeddon: when varmints attack.

Just in case…Get Loaded with Z-MAX bullets and prepare to “mist”ify Zombie Varmints.

Explosive Hornady® Performance comes in every Z-Max™ bullet specifically designed to vaporize zombie varmints. Ultra-Flat trajectories send mangy menaces to the varmint graveyard. Combined with AMP™ jacket technology, the Z-MAX™ bullet is built to make dead…PERMANENT!

Available in these calibers/weights:

• 17 CAL .172 20 GR Z-Max (No. 21711)
• 20 CAL .204 32 GR Z-Max (No. 22003)
• 22 CAL .224 40 GR Z-Max (No. 22242)
• 22 CAL .224 50 GR Z-Max (No. 22262)
• 22 CAL .224 55 GR Z-Max W/C (No. 22274)
• 6MM .243 58 GR Z-Max (No. 22414)
• 7.62X39 123 GR Z-Max (No. 3143)

All are available in 500 count boxes.

These new bullets will be available from stocking dealers, major retail sporting goods stores and their websites. Please visit the Retail Locator to find the nearest dealer. International listings are available as well.

Members of Team Hornady® competed at the Inaugural Fallen Brethren 3-Gun Challenge, held at the Spartan Tactical Range Complex in Jackson, Texas, December 2-4, 2011. Despite the onset of rain, fog and cold temperatures, Hornady® bullets delivered winning results.

Kelly Neal

Adam Popplewell

Tate Moots

Over 140 hardcore 3-Gun competitors from twenty-two states attended the match that was created to honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country and its freedom. With nine stages spread amongst the 10,000 acres of natural rocky terrain, competitors faced multiple target presentations that would test their game plan. Whether it was pistol targets set at 35 yards, or being driven to Stage 9 in a Pinzgauer Swiss Military Vehicle to shoot rifle targets set out to 550 yards, the three-day event ended with competitors anxious to return again next year.

Team Hornady® member, Kelly Neal won the Tact Optics division with a winning score of 824.46. He shot Hornady® 125 grain 9mm Steel Match™ in his pistol and Hornady® 75 grain 223 Rem Steel Match™ in his rifle. “I always say that 9mm Steel Match is my ‘go-to ammo’ because of its known accuracy and this match demands that,” said Neal. “What I like about the 75 grain Steel Match™ load is its power -- they simply hit reactive targets harder than lighter bullets.

With a field of over 100 competitors, fellow team member, Adam Popplewell placed fourth in the Tactical Optics division, shooting Hornady® 180 XTP® 40 caliber in his pistol and 75 grain 223 Rem Steel Match™ in his rifle. “Both bullets performed extremely well even in the inclement weather.  I was impressed with their downrange performance.” Following in fifth place was Team Hornady® newcomer, Trip McIngvale.

Returning to Team Hornady® and the 3-Gun competition tour with vengeance after last year’s back surgery, Tate Moots won the Heavy Metal Division scoring 877.14. He shot Hornady® 9mm 125 grain Steel Match™ in his pistol and Hornady® 308 Win 155 grain TAP® in his rifle. “With all the rain, fog and slippery conditions, it felt more like we were training for combat,” Moots said, “And through it all, my ammo performed flawlessly. Hornady ammo always rocks.”

Match statistician, Sandra Orvig, commented, “All of us involved with the match were excited to provide the competitors with a very generous sponsor prize table, considering this match was put together in July. We’re looking forward to next year’s match and welcoming more 3-Gun enthusiasts to Texas.”

Team Hornady® finished strong in four of the five divisions held at the newly created Peacemaker National Training Center in Glengary, West Virginia, November 10-12, 2011.

The match challenged 238 competitors with targets set amongst natural terrain as backdrops including scenic fields, forest with slopping hills and stages set in bays. Competitors, with a round count of 360, were able to use all three guns within each of the nine stages. They had the option to shoot at a group of targets using their pistol and rifle or their shotgun and pistol.  

Team Hornady® member Rob Romero won the Heavy Metal Irons Division shooting Hornady® 230 grain HAP® bullets in his 45 auto pistol and Hornady® 308 Steel Match™ in his rifle. Romero added, “Both bullets performed terrific. They’re always accurate; they feed well and are very affordable.”

When the last shot was fired in the Heavy Metal Optics Division, it was Team Hornady® member Barry Dueck winning it. Dueck said, “I shot Hornady 168 grain A-MAX in my 308 rifle and Hornady 230 grain HAP in my 45 caliber pistol. The consistency and quality from round to round is what I count on when the heat is on.” Adam Popplewell followed Dueck in second place. Popplewell shot Hornady® 155 grain Steel Match™ in his 308 rifle.

Fellow team member, Clint Upchurch, finished second in the Open Division. He shot Hornady® 75 grain Steel Match™ in his rifle and Hornady® 125 grain HAP® in his 38 Super Comp. Upchurch added, “The ammo performed flawlessly as always. The targets were as close as five feet and as far as 275 yards for rifle, and the Steel Match turned in an accurate performance.”

In the Tactical Limited Division, Team Hornady® member Kelly Neal finished second shooting Hornady® 55 grain V-MAX™ in his rifle because he favors its flat trajectory and accuracy. In Neal’s pistol, he shot Hornady™ 9mm 125 grain Steel Match™. Neal stated, “The Steel Match has truly been my go-to pistol load for the 3-Gun season because it’s always accurate and reliable.”

For the second year in a row, Hornady® Manufacturing is honored to have been named the 2011 Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), at an awards ceremony during the Annual Meeting and Expo in Reno, Nevada. Over 450 NASGW members attended the event.

“This award is a testament to our ability to service our customers and the industry as a whole with innovative products, sales programs, shipping, and customer service,” said Steve Hornady, President of Hornady® Manufacturing. “This is a really big deal receiving this prestigious award two years in a row. It is a reflection of our dedication and expertise to the ammunition industry.”

Each year at this event, NASGW Awards the top accessory, ammunition and firearms manufacturers who best demonstrate a commitment to two-step distribution, and who provides outstanding value and service. Wholesaler members evaluate the performance of this manufacturer on four key criteria; distribution policy, marketing, sales and promotion; logistics and operations and NASGW and industry support.
 
This comprehensive assessment of manufacturer performance has been designed to provide a more balanced appraisal that truly recognizes the best of the best according to NASGW distributor members.

Three recent standout performances by Team Hornady members Carl Bernosky, Blake Miguez and Rob Ormond closed out the October 2011 competition schedule.

High Power Rifle Champion, Carl Bernosky traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to compete at the 2011 Western Creedmoor Cup shooting Hornady V-MAX and A-MAX bullets. Bernosky won the Match Rifle Championship and posted an Overall High Score of 2376-101. The Ben Avery Shooting Facility hosted the match, sponsored by the Civilian Marksmanship Program and Creedmoor Sports.

Carl Bernosky

Blake Miguez

Rob Ormond

The openness of the desert range created difficult shooting conditions. Bernosky commented about the challenges, “Because of the strong wind, I made the decision to use Hornady 6mm 75 grain and 87 grain V-MAX and 6mm 105 grain A-MAX bullets. They performed flawlessly and were the ideal bullets to use for shooting targets at 200, 300 and 600 yards.”

Blake Miguez, world speed professional shooter and member of Team Hornady, won the 2011 Louisiana Gator Classic for the seventh year in a row shooting Hornady XTP bullets. The USPSA Level II match was hosted by the Southern Shooting Center in Thibodaux, Louisiana, October 20-23, 2011. Drawing 240 competitors from coast to coast to the heart of Cajun country, the Louisiana Gator Classic has gained a reputation as a relaxing and well-run match to compete in as the competition season comes to an end.

Miguez, still celebrating from his recent IPSC World Title Championship, noted, “I shot Hornady XTP projectiles because their consistency and accuracy is what I depend on as a world class competitor. The ammo performed flawlessly, regardless of the targets presented, which included, Colt Special poppers, Polish Plate Racks and IPSC paper targets.”

Back on the East Coast, Rob Ormond competed in the Hartford Gun Club Maritime 3-Gun Match, shooting Hornady 75 grain BTHP Steel Match in his rifle and Hornady 9 mm 125 grain Steel Match in his pistol. Ormond placed fourth in the Most Accurate category, among 12 competitors. The match carried a Maritime theme and involved seven technical stages with multiple strings of fire involving unstable platforms mimicking a rocking boat or port.

Members of Team Hornady competed at the USPSA Multi-Gun National Championship. The match was held at the Desert Sportsman’s Rifle and Pistol Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 20-23, 2011.  Over 187 of the best in the sport gathered in pursuit of the coveted division titles in: shooting rifle, shotgun and handgun.

Michael Voigt (Photo by Robin Taylor, courtesy of USPSA)

Barry Dueck (Photo by Robin Taylor, courtesy of USPSA)

Adam Popplewell (Photo by Robin Taylor, courtesy of USPSA)

Jessie Harrison (Photo by Robin Taylor, courtesy of USPSA)

Team Hornady member and seasoned shooter, Michael Voigt won the Open Division shooting Hornady 223 Rem 75gr BTHP ammunition. Voigt offered, “I can always count on Hornady bullets to turn in a great performance on these types of targets because of their superb accuracy. The targets presented were pepper poppers, MGM flash targets, LaRue silhouette targets with static and thrown clays.”

Team Hornady Members, Barry Dueck and Adam Popplewell, battled it out in the Heavy Optics Division. Dueck won the division title, edging out Adam Popplewell who finished strong in second place. Popplewell used Hornady .40 caliber 180 grain XTP bullets in his pistol and Hornady .308 155 grain Steel Match in his rifle. Popplewell commented, “Both bullets worked great for every type of target that was offered. The 12 stage match was physically demanding because many of the stages spanned multiple bays and our shooting days were from early morning to dusk.”

Jessie Harrison and Rob Romero competed in the Tactical Division. Harrison took second and Romero finished fourth overall. Having not shot a multi-gun match in a while, Jessie’s selection of ammo was paramount. For the close range rifle targets, she shot Hornady 223 Rem 55 grain V-MAX, and for the long range targets she shot Hornady 223 Rem 75 grain Superformance. Harrison explained, “Because of the long run stages that were up to 360 yards, I needed the heavy bullets that would provide accuracy and with Hornady bullets it’s a sure thing every time.”

Photos by Robin Taylor, courtesy of USPSA

Hornady® Manufacturing was well represented at the International Practical Shooting Confederation World Shoot held in Rhodes, Greece, September 28 through October 9, 2011. Hornady® bullets produced medal winning results for both Team USA members and Team Hornady® members.

Over 1,000 competitors, from 60 countries engaged six stages each day during the five-day competition. There were 55 total moving targets consisting of swingers, bobbers, small metal plates and IPSC paper, and varied in distance from five yards to 35 yards. In IPSC competitions, speed and accuracy are vital and the Spartan Greek and Mariner themed designs challenged shooters to think on their feet while running the 30 stages.

Blake Miguez won a gold medal by winning his first World Title Championship in the Standard Division. Having competed in Bali, Indonesia three years ago at the IPSC World Shoot, Blake has been determined to win the title since he was 16 years old.

Miguez noted, “Winning this title has been a childhood dream of mine and it took a lot of hard work and dedication. I normally shoot Hornady® hollow points, but the Greek government’s laws forbid their use so I shot Hornady® FMJ 200 grain projectiles in my .40 caliber. Their accuracy paid off tremendously.”

The following Team Hornady® members were honored with winning medals:

• Jessie Harrison received a bronze medal as an individual in the Ladies Open Division using Hornady® 9mm 124gr RN projectiles.
• Max Michel received a gold medal as a member of Team USA in the Open Division shooting Hornady® 9mm 124 grain RN projectiles.
• Travis Tomasie received a gold medal as a member of Team USA in the Standard Division.
• Team Hornady® members, Michael Voigt and Barry Dueck along with accomplished competitors Rob Leatham and J.J. Vidanes, received gold medals as members of Team USA in the Modified Division, all shooting Hornady® 40 caliber FMJ projectiles.
• Maggie Reese received a silver medal as a member of Team USA in the Ladies Production Division using Hornady® 9mm 124gr RN projectiles.
• Nic Neel received a gold medal as a member of Team USA in the Junior Open Division using Hornady® 9mm 124gr RN projectiles.

Hornady Manufacturing introduces Zombie Max ammunition. Be prepared - supply yourself for the Zombie Apocalypse with Zombie Max ammunition, loaded with proven...yes, proven Z-Max bullets ...(have you seen a Zombie?).

Make sure your "bug out bag" is ready with nothing but the best.

Zombie Max ammunition is available in:

• 9MM LUGER 115 GR Z-MAX, Item #90262, 25-count box
• 40 S&W 165 GR Z-MAX, Item #91342, 20-count box
• 45 AUTO 185 GR Z-MAX, Item #90902, 20-count box
• 223 REM 55 GR Z-MAX, Item #83271, 20-count box
• 7.62X39 123 GR Z-MAX, Item #80782, 20-count box
• 308 WIN 168 GR Z-MAX, Item #80962, 20-count box
• 12 GA 00 Z-SHOT, Item #86247, 10-count box

Put the dead to rest for good - visit a major sporting goods retailer near you to outfit yourself with Zombie Max ammunition.

But please note, Hornady Zombie Max ammunition is not a toy. It is intended only to be used on zombies, also known as the living dead, undead, etc. No human being, plant, animal, vegetable or mineral should ever be shot with Zombie Max ammunition.

Again, we repeat, Zombie Max ammunition is for use on zombies only - that's not a nickname, phrase or cute way of referring to anybody, place or thing. When we say zombies, we mean zombies.

Team Hornady members, Tony Gimmellie and Rob Ormond placed first and second respectively, shooting Hornady BTHP and A-Max bullets. Participating in the event were 35 east coast competitors who excel in long-range precision shooting. The match, now its third year, took place at the Miffin County Sportsmen’s Association in Lewistown, PA, on September 24, 2011.

Recent rains made the course of fire slippery and sloppy for competitors and only added to the challenge of locating 14 stages of steel and paper targets partially obscured by vegetation, trees and hidden in fields. Shooting positions included kneeling, sitting and prone. Additionally, each participant was suspended in a Swiss seat harness hanging from a rope line to engage 30” round metal targets at a range of 505 yards.

Tony Gimmellie: First Place Overall

Rob Ormond: Second Place

Long time Team Hornady member and federal law enforcement officer, Tony Gimmellie, was the overall individual winner and explained, “For my 243 caliber rifle, I chose Hornady 105 grain BTHP match bullets because it allows a flatter trajectory shooting at unknown distance targets and yet it gave me room for error in the ranging of targets.”

Rob Ormond took second place, shooting Hornady 30 caliber 208 grain A-MAX bullets. Ormond said, “Because the Black Hat Sniper Challenge is such a demanding stage of fire, I needed bullets with high ballistic coefficients for superb downrange performance. For my 300 Win Mag rifle, Hornady A-MAX gives me that assurance.”

Members of Team Hornady traveled to the Desert Sportsman Rifle and Pistol Club in Las Vegas to compete at the 2011 STI USPSA National Championships, September 16-24, 2011. The match returned to the sprawling club for its third year to welcome the best handgun shooters in the world who vied for the opportunity to claim five prestigious division titles. Competitors from six countries and 45 states arrived mentally prepared with their best games as a precursor to the IPSC World Shoot in Rhodes, Greece in October 2011.

Max Michel won his sixth USPSA National Championship, winning nine of the 20 stages.

Jessie Harrison won the Ladies Limited Division and placed second in Ladies Open Division.

Travis Tomasie finished second place in Limited Division and third place in the Limited 10 Division.

Shooting Hornady 125 grain HAP bullets in the Open Division, Max Michel won his sixth USPSA National Championship, winning nine of the 20 stages. “I had a great feeling leading up to this year’s Nationals,” said Michel, “and backed it up with solid training sessions before arriving here. The superior accuracy and reliable feeding that Hornady ammo delivers, allowed me to stay focused the entire match.”

With a variety of targets that offered a flair similar to what competitors will experience in Greece, Team Hornady member, Jessie Harrison won the Ladies Limited Division for the fourth year in a row, and also came in second in Ladies Open Division. Shooting Hornady 40 cal. 180 grain XTP bullets in her Limited pistol, Jessie aggressively attacked targets set at point blank range, others out to 30 yards and with steady footing tackled the wooden suspension bridge. Harrison commented, "My ammo is something I never have to worry about, when competing in matches. I know that with Hornady products, I will always get the best!"

Travis Tomasie navigated the course of fire shooting Hornady 180 HAP bullets and finished second place in Limited Division and third place in the Limited 10 Division. “Because many of the stages featured lots of difficult shots that will prepare the US shooters for the World Shoot,” said Tomasie, “I shot Hornady 180 HAP bullets because of its incomparable accuracy and precision.”

Hornady Manufacturing is pleased to celebrate the 100th anniversary of John M. Browning’s Model 1911 .45 Automatic Pistol, with a special commemorative 50-cartridge package loaded with Hornady 230 gr FMJ-RN bullets.

Distributed exclusively by AcuSport, the package features images of a World War I infantryman and a modern day soldier on the characteristic Hornady brown box with a trademark red foil stamp. Brass cases for this limited edition are emblazoned with “45 Auto 1911-2011” on the headstamp. This limited edition is only available through AcuSport. If your dealer does not carry this special load, contact AcuSport.

“The John M. Browning Model 1911 pistol made an indelible impact upon the shooting sports industry,” said Jason Hornady, Vice President of Hornady Manufacturing. “This commemorative issue ammo matches the reliability and effectiveness of the 1911 pistol, and is a great way to honor an incomparable piece of history.”

Steve Hornady, president of Hornady Manufacturing, was interviewed on camera by NRA.com after competing in the AR-15.com/Rockcastle Pro Am 3 Gun competition. In the video, Steve Hornady discusses what it is like competing for the first time in a 3 Gun event and he comments on why his company is such a strong supporter of the sport.

“It’s a tremendous amount of fun,” Steve Hornady stated about the experience. “It’s an opportunity to be involved in a new spectrum of competition, watch great shooters and learn new techniques.”

Click here to watch the video.

Members of Team Hornady competed in two Area USPSA Handgun Championships and a State IPSC match this summer and attributed their wins to using Hornady XTP and HAP bullets.

EGW Area 8 Championship

Travis Tomasie (shown here), who recently joined Team Hornady, won the Limited Division Overall at the 2011 EGW Area 8 Championship, held between September 1-4th at the Fredericksburg Rod & Gun Club in Virginia. The match drew over 300 competitors. There were 10 stages with wide-open targets that made for a fast match and a high hit factor.

Max Michel placed second in the Open Division of the EGW Area 8 Championship

Jessie Harrison placed second in the women's Open Division of the EGW Area 8 Championship

Blake Miquez won High Overall in the Limited Division at the 2011 USPSA Area 4 Championship

“It was very exciting to shoot this match as a first time Hornady sponsored shooter,” said Tomasie. “I shot Hornady 180 grain HAP bullets for two main reasons. First, it provides a good compromise of felt recoil. And second, the speed of the round is necessary to shoot these types of targets.”

Louisiana native, Max Michel finished a strong second in the Open Division of the EGW Area 8 Championship shooting Hornady 125 grain HAP. And finishing in second place, in the women’s Open Division of the EGW Area 8 Championship, was Jessie Harrison, shooting Hornady 125 grain XTP.

USPSA Area 4 Championship

No stranger to celebrating numerous wins at Area 4, Blake Miquez ran the 13 stages while shooting Hornady 200 grain XTP bullets. He won High Overall in the Limited Division at the 2011 USPSA Area 4 Championship that was held between September 1-5th at the Double Tap Ranch in Wichita Falls, TX.

“The match was dynamic with stages that required running and crunching, and shooting through small portals,” commented Miquez, world speed pistol competitor, about the challenging shooting range that was held at the Double Tap Ranch in Texas.

Also performing admirably at Area 4 was Nic Neel who finished in fifth place in the Open Division. Shooting Hornady 125 grain HAP bullets, Neel stated, “I really enjoyed shooting Stage 8 because there was one shot at an eight-inch plate with a penalty target behind it. By using HAP bullets, I was able to make the accurate shots without any penalties on that stage.”

Georgia State IPSC Championship

Shooting in her home state, Jessie Harrison won the Overall Ladies Open title and won A Class in the Open Division at the Georgia State IPSC Championship. The competition was held at the Cherokee Gun Club in Gainseville, Georgia between September 9-10th.

Team Hornady along with Hornady President, Steve Hornady competed at the inaugural AR-15/Rockcastle Pro/Am 3-Gun match recently. As one of the title sponsors, Hornady contributed to the largest 3-Gun prize table, where the sea of “Hornady Red” was highly visible. Hornady pro shooters provided an opportunity for amateurs and beginners to witness the accuracy and dependability that is the benchmark of Hornady bullets and ammunition.  Steve Hornady shot the eight-stage match and said, “Our professional shooting team demonstrated to the Amateurs the capability and performance level our products are known for; shooting Hornady will get you in the winners circle.”

Fellow teammate and Match Director, Jeff Cramblit set a challenging course of fire that while it looked easy, was deceivingly difficult to execute. Kelly Neal finished third, Keith Garcia fifth, Bennie Cooley sixth and Rob Romero finished seventh in the Tactical Optics Division. In the Open Division, Clint Upchurch finished second and Michael Voigt took fourth over the two and a half day match.

Team Hornady members, Patrick Kelley and Bennie Cooley donated their time as instructors at the Pro Clinics held on Friday after the last stage was shot. Cooley stated, “The match was very well organized and being able to explain the shortcuts and help these new shooters was very beneficial and rewarding. It’s always great to give back and to grow the sport of 3-Gun Competition; I’ll be back next year.”

Jessie Harrison shot Hornady XTP bullets to earn the crown as Ladies Steel Master champion during the 2011 Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting Championships (WSSC), August 18-20, in Piru, Calif. WSSC is considered the crown jewel of the shooting tour, and this year’s event rounded out a 30-year run in Piru. The 2012 event will move to Frostproof, Fla., drawing competitors from around the globe to test their speed, agility and accuracy as they vie for the title of world’s greatest shooter.

Harrison set a new “Smoke & Hope” Ladies Open Stage world record, claiming six out of eight total stage records. Wiping out the old record of 9.56 to shoot the stage, Harrison posted an impressive 9.38. Winning the .22 Rimfire Open division with a new world record time of 76.60, she went on to win the Limited division with a time of 109.68 and celebrated her run by winning the Ladies Open Division with a time of 95.60.

Harrison shot Hornady 115 grain 9mm XTP bullets in the Open and Limited divisions. “It’s the most accurate bullet I’ve found, and it works so well with the load I’ve developed,” she said. “I like that it has low recoil, yet it’s soft enough for steel targets.” She also noted the historic significance of Piru, adding, “The people who volunteer here run a safe match. I have wonderful memories having won this title three times.” The 2011 event marks the second time in Steel Challenge history that the same person has won all three divisions at the match.

Hornady Manufacturing is proud to be a main sponsor of the AR15.com/Rockcastle Pro Am, August 26-28, 2011, at the Rockcastle Shooting Center in Park Mammoth, Ky. Designed to attract amateurs to the sport, the event features fun and challenging stages, and Pro shooter-led clinics and mentoring opportunities. The best 3-Gun professionals in the country will be among the 500+ shooters who are participating.

The AR15.com/Rockcastle Pro Am takes the popular 3-Gun format to the next level with two distinct and separate shooting competitions occurring simultaneously. Pro shooters will face eight challenging and technical stages designed by current and former 3-Gun champions. Amateurs will shoot seven similar stages on a separate course that has also been designed by 3-Gun greats, but which is tailored for amateurs and celebrities.

Hornady representatives will be among those competing. “This match is a fantastic opportunity for seasoned shooters and new shooters alike,” said Neil Davies, Hornady Marketing Director. “The amateur side of the match will be a great opportunity for new shooters to ease into this fantastic, fast-paced gun game of 3-Gun. And the popularity of MSRs, pistols and defensive shotguns has never been higher. The sport of 3-Gun provides gun owners a fun, action-packed reason to get those guns out to the range!”

Making the most of their home field advantage, Team Hornady won the Open and Limited Divisions of the 2011 USPSA Area 3 Regional Handgun Championship, held August 11-14, at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. Area 3 is the Central Midwest region of the USPSA; one of eight shooting regions in the country. More than 300 of the nation’s top competitors traveled to Grand Island from 40 states to demonstrate their best talents.

Known for taking competitors out of their comfort zone, match director and stage designer Sherwyn Greenfield created stages that put skills to the test. “I enjoy designing a stage that will be intricate yet deceivingly easy,” said Greenfield. “It forces competitors to concentrate and makes them work to execute the stage properly.”

Title defender Max Michel, won the Open Division, shooting Hornady 9mm 125 grain HAP bullets in all 14 stages. “The amazing accuracy and reliability of HAP bullets make them perfect for competition,” said Michel. “They always deliver winning performances.”

Fellow Team Hornady member, Nic Neel, also shot Hornady 9mm 125 grain HAP bullets to finish second overall in the Open Division. “Hornady bullets allowed me to go one-for-one on four large poppers at 43 yards and win stage one,” said Neel. “This was by far my best finish at an Area match.”

Blake Miguez won the Limited Division with Hornady 40 caliber 200 grain XTP bullets. “I can depend on the XTP at a match of this level because it is consistent at the chronograph and accurate on the range,” explained Miguez. “This competition’s stages were especially challenging and well thought-out, with props, moving targets and different shooting positions.”

World Champion marksman, Carl Bernosky, won his ninth overall title during the NRA National High Power Rifle Championship, August 7-12, 2011, at Camp Perry, Ohio, with a score of 2393-160x out of a possible 2400. Shooting a total of 240 rounds down range, Carl won the Mumma Trophy for the highest aggregate scores fired in the Vandenberg Cup, Nevada Trophy, and Clarke Trophy Matches. Carl also took first place in 10 out of 20 trophy matches and placed second, third, or fourth in nine other trophy matches.

The four-day match required competitors to shoot 200 yards standing, 200 yards rapid fire sitting, 300 yards rapid fire prone and 600 yards slow fire prone.

Carl’s 17-year journey competing at Camp Perry has earned him several places in history. He was the youngest person to win the National High Power Rifle Championship in 1977, and in 2007 he was the first to win using an AR-15 platform based rifle. Now as the National Championship’s most seasoned winner, Carl set new records in 2011, winning the Clarke Trophy Match, Crowell Trophy Match, and the Crescent Cup Match.

Carl credits Hornady bullets for his win, shooting 75 grain Hornady V-MAX in the 200 yard stage, 87 grain Hornady V-MAX at 300 yards, and 105 grain Hornady A-MAX at 600 yards.

“A match like this demands accuracy,” said Bernosky. “When I measure my bullets and check them for tolerance, Hornady bullets are better than anything I’ve ever used. The consistency and reliability of Hornady bullets are absolutely amazing.”

Understanding the history of Camp Perry makes his victory even sweeter. “My love for this sport continues to grow and I enjoy being part of it,” he said. “I truly respect those who have come before me so I always give it my best. This year was no different; it all came together perfectly.”

Team Hornady relied on accurate and consistent Hornady ammo to score key wins at the 2011 JP Enterprises Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship (RM3G), August 4-6, at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, N.M. Over 280 competitors from 20 states competed in nine challenging stages designed to shake comfort levels, and test skill and physical limits at an elevation of 6,600 feet. Match designers Denise and JJ Johnson used the dusty and rocky foothill terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to obscure targets with prickly pears, pine trees, washed out gullies and fallen limbs. Pistol targets were set from 2 to 50 yards, with long-range rifle targets from 2 to 600 yards.

Adam Popplewell wone the Heavy Metal Scoped Division

Michael Voigt won the RM3G Open Division

Adam Popplewell won the Heavy Metal Scoped Division, shooting Hornady Steel Match 155 grain in his 308 rifle, and 45 caliber HAP reloads in his pistol. “The stage designs were tough, but they couldn’t outsmart the accuracy of my Hornady bullets,” he said. Teammate Tate Moots finished third in the Heavy Metal Scoped Division.

Michael Voigt won the RM3G Open Division, crediting Hornady 125 grain HAP bullets in his 38 Super handgun and Hornady 223 Rem 75 grain Match ammo in his rifle for giving him the confidence and accuracy he needed to come out on top. “The scenery here is absolutely phenomenal,” said Voigt. “There were a lot of unknowns going in since this was my first time attending this match, but I knew I could count on Hornady ammo to hit the targets consistently.”  

It was the first time competing at the RM3G for Team Hornady member Maggie Reese, too, but she handled it well with a first place finish in the Ladies Open Division, using Hornady 125 grain HAP pistol bullets, and Hornady 223 Rem 75 grain Match ammo. “The terrain was amazing,” said Reese. “We saw everything from elk, pronghorn and rattlesnakes, to a beautiful black bear strolling along a mountainside. The Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship was rifle intense, with off-hand and awkward shots, and distances you don't normally see at 3-Gun matches. Using Hornady ammo really boosted my confidence.”

Though he was relatively new to the Heavy Metal Irons Division, Team Hornady’s Rob Romero finished with a win. “I used Hornady 155 A-MAX because it has good trajectory and less drop for long distance targets,” explained Romero. “Hornady 45 cal 230 grain HAP delivered winning results in my pistol because of its accuracy. The load is always consistent, and the gun tracks much faster.”

Pair the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year award winner, with the world’s most talented group of professional shooters, and the result is Team Hornady. Individual team members celebrated numerous wins in the U.S. and across the pond in July, displaying their competitive natures and roles as ambassadors within the shooting community. Competitors count on Hornady bullets and ammunition for their dependability, reliability, accuracy, and match-winning performance.

Kelly Neal, of Phoenix, Ariz. took first place in the Tactical Scope Division, and overall at the Arizona Independence Day Rifle Match, shooting Hornady 223 Rem Steel Match with 75 grain bullets. He also finished second in Tactical Scope and 1st Law Enforcement at the Northwest Multigun Challenge in Albany Ore., using Hornady 75 grain Steel Match and 125 grain 9mm Steel Match.

Fresh from his win at the Greek Nationals, Louisiana’s Blake Miquez competed at the Pro-Am Championship in Frostproof, Fla., finishing fourth in the Open Division among 350 registered shooters. Miquez used Hornady XTP 200 grain 40 caliber projectiles and Hornady HAP 124 grain 9mm projectiles.

Team Hornady member, Max Michel of La. also returned to the Pro-Am Championship, shooting Hornady 125 grain HAP to finish a respectable second in the overall Open Pro Division. Michel is determined to take the title next year.

Jessie Abbate took second place in the Ladies Limited Division of the Pro-Am Championship, and Open Overall in the Open Amateur Division, landing her in the professional arena next year - the first woman ever to do so in the history of Pro/Am. Abbate shot Hornady 115 grain XTP in her 9mm STI pistol, a consistent load that is soft-yet-strong enough to knock down the steel plates.

Doug Koenig of Albertus, Pa. won his third European Open Bianchi Cup during the three-day event at Phillipsburg, Germany. His winning score from the National Action Pistol Championship in Columbia, Mo. followed him to Germany to win the Open Division with a winning score of 1920/187x, shooting Hornady XTP 115 grain 9mm at the match.

Thomas Glas, of Germany competed alongside Koenig in the European Open Bianchi Cup to finish second in the Open Division with a score of 1910/150x, shooting Hornady 125 grain HAP bullets.

Mike Barranco and Mike Miller took top honors with a score of 391-9 at the inaugural Vintage Sniper Rifle Match, August 3, 2011 at Camp Perry, Ohio. The 2-man team received the first ever J.W. Hornady Memorial Trophy during a dedication ceremony on Friday, August 5, 2011. Bob Schanen was High Overall Vintage Sniper Individual with a score of 197-9.

The Vintage Sniper Rifle Match is the CMP’s newest shooting competition, and is designed to include M1D, Gibbs 1903A4, and other vintage sniper rifles in circulation that previously lacked an official shooting format. Replicating conditions that skilled long-range military marksmen faced, the match featured a two-man team format, with each alternating as shooter and spotter, and firing 10 rounds at both 300 and 600 yards. Original match or replica sniper rifles issued through the Korean War were allowed, with original, replica or commercially compatible scopes.

Hornady provided Match ammunition in 6.5 X 55mm, 303 British, 7.62 X 54R, to go along with its excellent 30-06 M1 Garand Match ammunition. All were available to shooters through the CMP.

Hornady celebrates two victories at the 2011 Shooting Industry Masters. Hornady Manufacturing received the Academy of Excellence award for Manufacturer of the Year, as well as the Ammunition of the Year award for Superformance Varmint Ammunition.

“We are humbled to receive these two prestigious awards,” said Steve Hornady, president of Hornady Manufacturing. “Hornady has now been recognized for eight consecutive years for our innovation in ammunition and this is the first time we have been recognized as the Manufacturer of the Year. Both are tremendous honors; and we would like to thank the Academy for recognizing the achievements and dedication of every member of our company.”

The awards were presented in conjunction with the Firearms Marketing Group's (FMG) Shooting Industry Masters event, July 22-23, 2011 at the Rock Castle Shooting Center in Park City, Kentucky, with the awards ceremony held in neighboring Bowling Green. Highly sought after within the shooting sports industry, Academy of Excellence awards embody exceptional design, innovation, and service in a wide variety of categories.

Team Hornady member Adam Popplewell, won the Centerfire Magnified division of the inaugural High Plains Carbine Challenge Match at the Oklahoma City Gun Club and Range in Arcadia, Oklahoma, June 25-26, 2011. Popplewell shot Hornady 75 grain Steel Match ammo in 223 Rem. The match included centerfire and rimfire divisions, with magnified and unmagnified classes. The match drew 120 registered shooters from 12 states, who shot 10 IPSC-styled challenging stages over two days, using a scoring system that rewarded accuracy while acknowledging speed. 

Match director and stage designer, Trapr Swanson, himself a world-class shooter, created the European-style match, allowing rifle targets to fall once engaged and hit instead of having a shooter or range officer interface. “Using IPSC full-size and half-sized targets, along with poppers and knock down steel,” said Swanson, “I designed the stages so competitors had to use standing, prone, kneeling or sitting rifle positions. Competitors with very little experience were able to learn something new, yet be motivated to return in the future.”

Popplewell noted that targets ranged from four to 300 yards away. “I used Hornady 75 grain Steel Match because in a match that rewards accuracy, you can always count on the dependability of Hornady ammo. The match’s scoring system kept you honest with your shooting accuracy.”

Team Hornady member Jared Milinazzo, a first-time entrant in a carbine match, finished a respectable ninth in the Centerfire Magnified class. “I handloaded Hornady 55 grain V-MAX ammo for the short range targets,” he said, “and used Hornady 69 grain BTHP for the long-range targets, because of its down range energy.” Milinazzo particularly enjoyed shooting at softballs resting atop orange cones at 25 yards, as they challenged competitors to compensate for the holdover.

When two world-class Team Hornady shooters travel to Europe to compete, they bring the most accurate, deadly and dependable ammunition that will guarantee winning results. Louisiana natives, Blake Miguez and Max Michel, competed in the 2011 IPSC Greek Nationals in Rhodes, Greece, and brought home medals.

First time shooters in the Greek Nationals, both Miguez and Michel used the experience as a precursor to represent the United States at the IPSC World Shoot in Rhodes, Greece in September. The two-day match consisted of 15 straightforward stages, with a round count of 200 plus. Shooting mostly small steel targets and poppers placed in front of no shoots, with awkward one-hand positions made the margin of error slim and costly.

Blake Miguez: High Overall in Standard Division

Blake Miguez won High Overall in the Standard division, and received the prestigious IPSC Presidents Gold Medal. Blake used Hornady 40 caliber 200-grain FMJ flat nose bullets in his pistol. “The quality of Hornady ammo is very well known in Europe,” he said. “Knowing exactly what your bullet weight will be when you show up for the chrono test helps. There are never surprises with Hornady ammo since it’s always consistent. Competing at the Greek Nationals was exciting, knowing you were amongst the best European competitors. The next world champion just might be an American.”

Max Michel: Second Overall in Open Division (Greece Shooting Federation Silver Medal winner)

Max Michel finished second overall in the Open Division and won the Greece Shooting Federation Silver Medal. Max used Hornady 124-grain Round Nose 9mm bullets for this match, noting, “I would typically use Hornady HAP bullets, but hollow points are illegal in Greece. Hornady was kind enough to select a great bullet specific to Greece and their firearm laws, and as usual it made the difference. I look forward to returning this fall. This match provided a great advantage for my visualization preparation.”

Enjoying a back-to-back win, Blake Miguez won the Standard Division at the 2011 Infinity Euro Open, in Phillipsburg, Germany last week. A level III IPSC match, the two-day match drew 400 competitors from over 15 countries to shoot 18 challenging stages.

A 3-Gun match in Parma, Idaho means one thing, MGM Ironman, the mother of all 3-Gun competitions. Over 270 competitors from forty states, France and South Africa arrived at the Parma Rod and Gun club the week of June 5 – 11, 2011, testing their physical endurance, mental and equipment capabilities. Match Director Travis Gibson laid out a ten-stage, intense course of fire in the Idaho desert, challenging shooters to engage targets at one yard and out to 770 yards. The round count was 925 with no misses. The match was broken into two parts, Open, Limited, Heavy Optics and Trooper ran earlier in the week and Scoped Tactical Division closed out the weekend

Team Hornady went prepared with returning champion Michael Voigt winning the Open division and first timer to the Ironman was Maggie Reese, winning High Lady. Both shot 6.5 Creedmoor 140 grain in their long-range rifles, Hornady 125 HAP in their pistols and Hornady 75 grain in their 223 rifles. Voigt commented, “The Ironman is an amazing endurance match that requires having a long game plan and with Hornady ammo I know it’ll always be phenomenally reliable.”

Successfully defending his 2010 Ironman Heavy Optics division again, was Team member Barry Dueck shooting Hornady 168 A-MAX® in his 308 rifle, Hornady 40 caliber 180 grain HAP bullets in his STI pistol and 6.5 Creedmoor with 140 grain A-MAX in his long-range rifle. Dueck, added, “I use Hornady ammo because it’s top quality accurate ammo that I know will perform the way I need it to throughout the twelve hour shooting days.”

Seven time Ironman winner and member of Team Hornady, Dave Neth shared a win in the Heavy Optics division finishing second and Trip McIngvale finished fourth. Dave shot Hornady 168 grain TAP® in his long-range rifle. When asked why, he added, “Hornady ammo is very accurate and each lot is always consistent. In my pistol, I used Hornady 147 grain XTP™ because it has enough power to rotate the spinners. In my 223 carbine I used Hornady 75 grain BTHP Match™ because it’s extremely accurate and makes reactive targets respond more positively.”

Having previously won the Ironman three times, Team Hornady member, Bennie Cooley finished second in the Scoped Tactical Division and Dave Neth finished fourth overall. Benny used Hornady 178 grain BTHP in his 308 long-range rifle, Hornady 75 BTHP in his 223 AR Rifle and Hornady 9mm 125 grain Steel Match in his STI pistol. Bennie said, “I cannot say enough on what an important role Hornady’s ammunition has played in my success as a professional shooter. This match is grueling to the body, and to the equipment. With Hornady ammo it was deadly accurate and extremely reliable and provided me with the performance I needed.”

Team Hornady shooter Clint Upchurch finished third in the Open Division said, “As a newcomer to 3-Gun events since last April and as a first timer at Ironman, this match is the most physically demanding and challenging match on the circuit. I use Hornady ammo because of its dependability, it’s a must when you are shooting over 1,000 rounds and its performance factor is what I count on. I used Hornady 75 grain match BTHP in my rifle and 125 grain 9mm HAP bullets in my pistol.”

The MGM Ironman match, created in 1999, includes almost every type of target for a competitor to shoot at; poppers, whirly gigs, double swinger, steel plates, clay targets, paper and the dreaded spinners. Not every thrill seeker embraces shooting the three key stages that remain in place every year, one being the famous zip line. Shooters are strapped into a harness, thirty feet off the ground and engage targets as they become visible while sliding down 300 feet. Another stage is The Tower, a twenty-foot platform above the ground for prone shooting, then sending shooters down a steep slide holding their empty rifles. Lastly, The Dummy, a 4’ 8” 90-pound mannequin that must be carried 25 yards without having it touch the ground.

Founded in 1949, Hornady Manufacturing Company is a family owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. Proudly manufacturing products that are “Made in the USA” by over 300 employees, Hornady Manufacturing has become a world leader in bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture.

For further information regarding Hornady products, visit our website at hornady.com. Media members interested in Hornady winning products for editorial review, should contact Everett Deger at edeger@hornady.com.

(Grand Island, NE) – Team Hornady shooter Max Michel returned to the Double Tap Ranch in Wichita Falls, Texas and defended his title to win High Overall at the 2011 Double Tap Championship with a match score of 1667.7006. The Double Tap match, now in its seventh year has gained prominence by surprising competitors with creatively designed themed stages, thanks to Match Director Robert Porter. Inspired by a recent cruise trip to the Bahamas, Robert and his team built twelve stages that made up ‘The Lost Double Tap of Atlantis’.

Each day, competitors had to contend with typical Texas sunny and warm weather, but noticeable this year was the newly spread base cover of crushed limestone that provided greater footing than the usual clay base. Over 300 competitors from 15 states and 3 countries attended the match, which offered a variety of targets, and stage designs competitors would not normally see and meant to challenge the principles of practical shooting at it best.  

Winning the match for the sixth year in a row, Max Michel commented, “The challenging thing about Double Tap is the hit factors are so high, meaning points per second; each small mistake can be very, very costly. It’s definitely a unique event in that aspect and one of the main reasons I truly enjoy the match.” Max added, “My Hornady 125 grain HAP™ bullets once again proved to be extremely accurate and performed just as expected to keep me in the winner’s circle.”

No longer shooting in the junior division, Team Hornady member Nic Neal finished third overall in the Open division as Grand Master. Shooting Hornady 125 grain HAP in his pistol, Nic added, “The consistency in Hornady ammo is always the same and I know I’ll get the results necessary for this type of a match. What makes Double Tap technically different is that it’s meant for speed; targets are set real close but Robert and his team create a match that is safe and whimsical to enjoy.”

Several Team Hornady members returned to the Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club in Columbia, Missouri to compete in the 2011 Midway USA/NRA Bianchi Cup. The weather distractions in the immediate area consisted of funnel clouds, rolling thunder and tornado sirens which had little affect on the team setting new national and world records with Hornady bullets.

Match winner, Doug Koenig, celebrated his thirteenth NRA Bianchi Cup Championship by breaking his own record of 1920-185 set ten years ago with a perfect score of 1920-187. Shooting Hornady 115 grain XTP® bullets for all four events including the shoot-off he won, Doug said, “Supreme accuracy is required at this match and Hornady 115 grain XTPs made it possible for me to set a new national and world record. Having the best bullets to support my performance is mandatory at the Bianchi Cup.”

Team Hornady member, Jessie Abbate, won the Women’s Division as High Lady with a score of 1912-153, and the returning champion extended her celebration by winning the Colt Speed Event for the second year in a row. Jessie currently holds the national record in the Ladies Barricade Event with a score of 480-47. Abbate said, “I use Hornady 115 grain XTP bullets because of their quality and because they are the most accurate bullet I can rely on. It was overwhelming to win this event again and to be in the company of great competitors for the third year."

Returning to the Bianchi Cup match for his sixth time, Team Hornady member, Michael Voigt, delivered an exceptional performance, finishing third in the Open division shooting a perfect score of 1920-174. Shooting Hornady 115 grain XTP bullets, Michael added, “There is no more accurate bullet on the planet than the 115 grain. The Bianchi Cup is an extremely challenging match to shoot and the ammo delivered winning results.”

Rounding out the team’s presence was Carl Bernosky, shooting a score of 1918-177 for fifth place, shooting Hornady 115 grain XTP 9mm bullets. Carl said, “The Action Pistol format requires a high degree of accuracy to be successful. Shooting Hornady bullets gives me confidence knowing I’m shooting the most accurate ammunition possible.”

Several members of Team Hornady turned in winning performances in two divisions at the sixth annual 2011 CMMG Midwest 3-Gun Championships held at the Fire for Effect Range in Fayette, MO. Despite Friday’s initial rainfall on Missouri’s dense clay base, weather conditions improved over the remainder of the weekend resulting in ideal conditions for shooting steel match targets.

Match Director Ken Flood noted, “The course of fire and round count of 308 was designed so the nine stages would be challenging to all 186 registered shooters. Five of the stages were specifically set up for three guns and at each stage we had ROTC midshipman students from the University of Missouri volunteering their time assisting the shooters. Overall, it was a great match!”

Adam Popplewell: First - Heavy Optics division

In the Heavy Optics division, Team Hornady member, Adam Popplewell, took first place and says, “The 155 grain BTHP Steel Match 308 Win used in my rifle is specifically produced for 3-Gun competitions. With its reduced recoil, it lends itself perfectly for these types of matches. In my pistol, I used Hornady 40 caliber 180 grain Steel Match. I knew it would perform flawlessly despite the rainy weather and mud, and it functioned as I expected.”

Jeff Cramblit: Second - Heavy Optics division

Seasoned professional shooter and member of Team Hornady, Jeff Cramblit, finished second in the Heavy Optics division and commented on the match, “It was well run. Some of the stages were technically challenging based on the shooting position where you had to engage. In my rifle, I used Hornady 6.5 Grendel because of its versatility and long range performance. In my pistol, I used Hornady 9mm 124 grain flat point.”

In his third year competing at the CMMG Midwest event, newcomer to Team Hornady, Jared Milinazzo, finished second in the Tactical Optics division shooting 68 grain BTHP bullets in his 223 rifle. In his custom-built pistol, he handloaded Hornady 40 cal 180 grain HAP. “I use Hornady ammo because it’s consistent for reloading purposes and it’s readily available, affordable and dependable. The match was well organized with no delays. It was fun to observe fellow competitors sharing shooting tips and showing their willingness to grow the sport of 3-Gun as it continues to attract more shooters.”

Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition continues to translate into success for match shooters – most recently at 2011 Snipers’ Hide Cup in Kingsville, Texas. The match drew 63 of the nation’s best tactical marksmen in the civilian, law enforcement and military communities.

The top two finishers, Geordie Richardson (1st) and Tate Moots (2nd), used 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition throughout the three-day event. The course is designed to challenge the top marksman by putting them through various tactical scenarios requiring mostly rifle use, and shooting out to 1,000 yards.

Overall, the ammunition dominated the field as Team Hornady shooters Rob Ormond and Kevin Drake took 4th and 7th place, respectively, meaning the 6.5 Creedmoor was represented by four of the top ten finishers.

The Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor was developed from the ground up to give competitive shooters a factory-loaded cartridge that would enable them to compete and win at the highest levels of competitive shooting. Available in both 120 gr A-MAX and 140 gr A-MAX loads, the 6.5 Creedmoor is designed for superior accuracy. This true match cartridge provides wind-defying performance that’s ideal in even the most challenging competition environments.

CMP and Hornady have teamed up to bring a new match to the 2011 CMP Eastern and Western games, and Camp Perry. The Vintage Sniper Rifle Match was proposed several years ago by Dave Emary of Hornady Manufacturing, as a way to include many of the vintage sniper rifles that are in circulation, yet lack an official shooting format. CMP and Hornady included it as a test match for the 2010 CMP Eastern and Western Games with great success, drawing large turnouts and positive comments.

The Vintage Sniper Rifle Match will feature a two-man team format, with each alternating as shooter and spotter, and firing 10 rounds at both 300 and 600 yards. Match rifles will be original or replica sniper rifles issued through the Korean War. Allowable optics will be original scopes or replicas, along with a few commercial scopes giving essentially the same optical performance. Download a complete list of acceptable rifles and scopes as well as rules and regulations.

Short, 20-second target exposures, followed by maximum 20-seconds in the pits, differentiates this match, making it both challenging and fun. Teams must plan and communicate to do well, with the spotter tracking wind conditions, giving clear and concise wind calls to the shooter.

All shooting takes place in the prone position. Slings may be used for support, or sandbags will be supplied as a rest if the team chooses to use them. Mechanical supports or rear rests may not be used.

A custom trophy designed as a memorial to Hornady founder, J.W. Hornady, is being commissioned by CMP and Hornady for Camp Perry. Hornady will provide Match ammunition in 6.5 X 55 mm, 303 British, 7.62 X 54R, and 8 X 57 mm, to go along with its excellent 30-06 M1 Garand Match ammunition. All will be made available to shooters for purchase through the CMP.

Now is the time to buy a CMP M1D, or Gibbs 1903A4, or put together a rifle with some of the excellent replica mounts and scopes on the market. The match will be an official competition at the 2011 CMP Eastern and Western games, and will be held immediately after the Hearst Match at the 2011 National Matches at Camp Perry.

When you combine the rocky, unsteady and natural terrain of Rockcastle Shooting Center in Park City, Kentucky with creative stage designer and Match Director Andy Horner, you get the 2011 DPMS-Bushnell Blue Ridge Mountain 3 Gun Match. Now in its fourth year, the BRM 3 Gun match has gained a reputation as one of the most physically and mentally demanding matches, drawing the top professional competitors of three gun events. Team Hornady members were put to the test and their outstanding performance won three of the four divisions.

Kelly Neal (above) won the Tactical Iron Division.

Clint Upchurch won the Open Division.

Barry Dueck won the Heavy Metal Division.

Representing 37 states and Canada, 254 fearless competitors, from beginners to veterans and teens to seniors, were all determined to show they had the skill set to overcome ten challengingly designed stages. Targets were cleverly placed under the tree canopy, cloaked in shadows; another forced competitors to shoot under a wooden façade of a car with only a six-inch gap to shoot between; and one awkwardly had competitors shooting over folding table barricades placed ten yards in front of them. In keeping with tradition, every year one stage remains a mystery and this year it was stage 8, shooting in the Honaker Hole Cave, 800 feet in length, with shooters only aided by a SureFire flashlight to guide them through and engage the targets.

Andy Horner added, “This match favors the shooter who can successfully break stages down into sections, this is definitely not a speed shoot, but one that will thoroughly test their mental, physical and technical skills.”

Team Hornady member Kelly Neal won the Tactical Iron Division noted; “Shooting Hornady 55-grain V-MAX™ bullets in my rifle for this match gave me the flattest and most accurate load, which assured me of winning results. For my 9 mm pistol, I used Hornady 125-grain steel match because of its accuracy and it would provide enough energy to knock down the steel targets without recoil.”

Carrying on the winning momentum in the Open Division was Team Member Clint Upchurch. Shooting Hornady 75 grain match bullets in his rifle for the long range 550 yard targets and Hornady 124 grain XTP for his .38 Super Comp. Clint said, “I trained completely different for this match, working on my transition of firearms, the best way to carry and I also knew I could rely on Hornady providing the most accurate, high ballistic coefficient bullets with confidence.”

Barry Dueck, won the Heavy Metal Division, shooting 125 grain SST bullets in his 308 Win and 230 grain HAP bullets in his 45 auto. Dueck is a top-level competitor in the Heavy Optics division and transitioned very well to shooting non-magnified/irons in this match.

Hornady brings a new level of flexibility to the AR-15 platform with the introduction of the 300 Whisper.  The subsonic load features the 208 gr A-MAX and delivers 1020 fps at the muzzle. The supersonic load features the 110 gr V-MAX and delivers 2375 fps.

Originally developed and pioneered by J.D. Jones of SSK Industries, the 300 Whisper is a highly efficient cartridge based on the 221 Remington case, necked up to 30 caliber. Each load is compatible with guns chambered for the 300 AAC BLACKOUT and functions reliably in both suppressed and unsuppressed platforms.

Subsonic load with 208 gr A-MAX (Item No. 80892)
This extremely efficient load provides a great tactical option for those needing a silent round. This is the only tipped subsonic factory loading available.

Supersonic load with 110 gr V-MAX (Item No. 8089)
A great short-range hunting cartridge that features a very low recoil from a 16" barrel making it an ideal choice for youth and women.

Available in 20-count boxes, 300 Whisper can be purchased at sporting goods and outdoor retailers. Additional product specifications and ballistic gelatin photos can be found on the 300 Whisper page of this website.

Hornady will make an exclusive product announcement on Facebook Wednesday, April 27, 2011. By “liking” Hornady on Facebook, fans will be the first to interact with Hornady and view the new product before it is publicly released.

Having recently launched official pages on both Facebook and Twitter, this exclusive announcement is part of Hornady's ongoing social media efforts to reach people who are passionate about shooting.

Hornady Booth #1529 will be a "must-see" for those attending the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 29-May 1. Fans who drop by the Hornady Booth will have a chance to meet Team Hornady sponsored shooters and many of outdoor television’s most popular hunting celebrities. The Team Hornady Pro Staff will be available for autographs and are looking forward to swapping stories and experiences with Hornady bullets and ammunition.

Team Hornady had strong visibility at the USPSA 2011 Area 6 Championship held at Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, Florida, and at the Texas Multi-Gun Championships in Liberty Hill, Texas. Both matches drew hundreds of top-level professional shooters and recreational shooters with the end results favoring various members of Team Hornady in many divisions for an overall successful
weekend.

Jessie Abbate took High Lady in the Open Division of USPSA Area 6 Championship.

Mike Voigt won the Open Division at the Texas Multi-gun Championship.

Barry Dueck won Heavy Optics at the Texas Multi-gun Championship.

The Area 6 Championship encompasses the seven states of the Southeast and is the largest USPSA match outside the U.S. Nationals. Shooters from 26 states in addition to Canada, Jamaica, Brazil, Ecuador, Puerto Rico and Venezuela made up the field of 370 shooters attempting to outgun one another in a Level three match encompassing 12 stages designed by Rick Muinos and Tony Hyatt.

Shooting directly into the sun had little impact as Jessie Abbate took High Lady in the Open Division, Max Michel finished a close second in the Open Division and Blake Miquez finished second overall in the Limited Division. Max said, “I used 125 grain HAP bullets for this match because of their smooth feeding and accuracy; it’s all about having the best equipment when I’m out there running and gunning.” Blake added, “I used 40 caliber 200 grain XTP Hornady bullets for this match because they’re the most accurate projectile on the market, there is no other.”

Despite the Lone Star state greeting the 375 shooters of the Texas Multi-gun Championship with 30-40 mph gusting winds that affected both shotgun slugs and long range rifle bullets, Team Hornady took the top four places in the Heavy Optics Division at the Best of the West Shooting Sports facility. Mike Voigt won the Open Division, Barry Dueck won Heavy Optics and was followed by Adam Popplewell, Jeff Cramblit and Benny Hill.

Hornady Marketing Operations Manager, Neal Emery added, “This was a very well-run match in a challenging environment. Our Team Hornady shooters did an excellent job with many top 10 placements in addition to the wins."

Hornady, a world-renowned leader in ballistic technology, has joined the ranks of Facebook and Twitter, launching official pages on both popular social networking sites. Fans can go to facebook.com/hornady and twitter.com/teamhornady to get the latest news about Hornady products and events.

Adopting these new communication tools is just the latest way Hornady is reaching out to people who are passionate about shooting – providing a place for fans to share their personal photos and stories about their Hornady experiences.

Fans will also have unique opportunities to interact directly with the company through:
•   Live chats with industry experts
•   Exclusive discounts and promotions
•   New product introductions, photos and videos
•  “Team Hornady” e-newsletter sign-up

The annual pilgrimage west occurred this past weekend when over three hundred of the nation’s top 3-gun shooters headed to the Rio Salado Sportsman Club in Mesa, Arizona. The Team Hornady presence was strong enough that when the last stage was shot, Team Hornady members won three of the five divisions represented.

Newcomer to Team Hornady, Clint Upchurch from Inman, South Carolina, won the Open Division using Hornady 60 grain V-MAX bullets in his 223 Rem rifle and Hornady 124 grain XTP in his 38 Super Comp. Clint commented on his overall performance saying, “This was my first time competing at SMM 3-Gun match; winning the Open Division was a huge personal accomplishment. I was able to concentrate on my performance and I approached each stage with confidence knowing the accuracy of Hornady bullets would deliver a winning performance.”

Fellow team members, Michael Voigt finished second in the Men’s Open Division and Maggie Reese finished second in the Ladies Open Division– both using Hornady 223 Rem. 75 grain Steel Match for their rifles and Hornady 9mm 115 grain XTP for their pistols. Voigt said, “I use Hornady ammunition because essentially, they’re absolutely reliable and accurate. I can’t load any better!” Maggie added, “The SMM 3-Gun match is the first match of the year. It’s the proving ground for your equipment and how it works and Hornady bullets provide me with that reliability factor.”

Another Team Hornady win was by Adam Popplewell of Ponder, Texas, winning the Heavy Metal Scoped Division using Hornady 155 grain Steel Match for his 308 rifle and Hornady 200 grain XTP for his 45 pistol. Commenting on the match, Adam said, “This was a challenging technical match with wide open targets which required more mental focus than others. I didn’t have to think about my guns not cycling the ammo– with Hornady, it’s always there.”

Rounding out the Team’s performance at Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun event was Kelly Neal winning the Tactical Limited Division. Kelly used Hornady 55 grain V-MAX for his 223 rifle and Hornady 125 HAP Steel Match for his 9mm pistol. Visibly pleased with the performance, Kelly said, “Both loads are utterly reliable– all I have to do is focus on my shooting.”

Competitor #149 or otherwise known as Max Michel, member of Team Hornady® set a new world record score of 75.68 to win the Open Division for the third time at the S&W US National Steel Championships. Held at the Titusville Rifle and Pistol Club in Titusville, Florida this past weekend, two hundred eighty competitors from twenty-two states and Canada stared downrange at the brightly painted white targets with determination as eighty-five degree weather and clear skies made for comfortable shooting - Florida style.

The match is eight stages with each stage consisting of five steel targets electronically timed to 1/100th of a second. Each competitor shoots seven of the stages five times with their slowest run time eliminated. Then, each competitor shoots the final stage four times and three of the best run times are counted. The remaining best times are added together to calculate their final scores.

Max Michel, a native of Covington, Louisiana said, "Breaking my own record of 78.02 last year is due to my strength going into this particular match which is my draw speed and overall knowledge of the eight courses of fire. For this three day event I used Hornady 115 grain Round Nose bullets; due to the lower power factor of steel shooting and consistent accuracy. Hornady bullets perform flawlessly for me every time."

Mike Calloway, Match Director added, "What's unique about this match, now in its fifth year, is the friendliness and camaraderie that exists amongst the shooters and spectators. This year we had ten teams consisting of mother and daughter or father and son and that speaks volumes that the shooting sports is expanding to become more family oriented."

...for Superformance®

Hornady Manufacturing is proud to announce the recent acceptance of the coveted "Golden Keiler 2010 Jager Award" for their revolutionary Superformance ammunition. The award was presented in conjunction with the IWA & Outdoor Classics show in Nuremberg, Germany on March 11-14, 2011.

"It is an honor to have been selected to receive this award," said Jason Hornady, Vice President for Hornady Manufacturing. "It's truly inspiring to see how our ammunition has been received the world over by the hunting community.”

First introduced in 2009, Superformance ammunition continues to be the most cutting edge ammunition design on the market today, helping shooters reach speeds 100 to 200 fps faster than any conventional ammunition without increasing felt recoil, muzzle blast, temperature sensitivity, fouling or loss of accuracy. Available in over 20 calibers, ranging from 223 Rem up to 458 Win Mag, Hornady recently incorporated Superformance technology into their Varmint and Match ammunition lines.

...by “Sporting Classics” Magazine

Hornady Manufacturing, a world-renowned leader in ballistic technology, received the 2010 Company of the Year Award of Excellence by “Sporting Classics” magazine, as showcased in the publication’s March/April issue. Hornady is receiving the award for its consistent, innovative approach to creating new, high-performance products.

“Year in and year out this old Nebraska company surprises the shooting world with new and innovative products,” the feature states, “making it an easy selection to receive the 11th annual Award of Excellence for the year 2010.”  -Sporting Classics

“At Hornady, we are committed to a forward-thinking approach that results in the creation of exciting and effective products for the shooting industry,” said Steve Hornady, President. “It is an honor to be recognized by a publication as venerable as ‘Sporting Classics’ magazine.”

Recognized as being one of America’s premier outdoor magazines, “Sporting Classics” features industry-leading writers, and showcases outstanding shooting equipment and hunting destinations from around the world.

for Critical Defense® 12-Gauge 00 Buckshot:  

Hornady, a world-renowned leader in ballistic technology, will receive a National Rifle Association (NRA) Publications Golden Bullseye Award during a special ceremony at the 2011 NRA Annual Meetings, April 29-May 1, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hornady is receiving the award for Critical Defense 12-Gauge 00 Buckshot ammunition, which has been chosen as the 2011 Ammunition Product of the Year by “Shooting Illustrated.”

“The Golden Bullseye Award honors winners for bringing to market products remarkable in their utility to shooters and hunters,” said Joe H. Graham, Executive Director of NRA Publications. “The award is a symbol of excellence and innovation in firearms, accessories and related equipment.”

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 firearms industry. Winning criteria includes: products must be recent introductions 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.

“At Hornady, we strive to deliver the most innovative products to hunters and shooting enthusiasts, said Steve Hornady, President. “It’s an honor to be recognized by an organization as prestigious as NRA Publications and we are very pleased to have been selected to receive this award.”

Critical Defense 12-Gauge 00 Buckshot is specially loaded to ensure proper functioning in semi-auto and pump shotguns. This load delivers eight pellets with a muzzle velocity of 1600 fps, and incorporates Hornady Versatite™ wad technology that delivers extremely consistent, tight patterns without modifying the gun.

Hornady^® Manufacturing is pleased to announce the promotion Neal Emery to the position of Marketing Operations Manager.

Emery, a native of North Dakota, is an avid hunter and reloader who spent his formative years in Alaska. He holds a Bachelors of University Studies Degree from Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota. He also holds a Masters Degree in Management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Emery brings a wealth of shooting and handloading knowledge to Hornady Manufacturing with over 20 years of reloading experience. A competitive shooter, Emery participates in NRA Conventional Pistol as well as USPSA Action Pistol, F-Class and 3-Gun competitions.

Emery has been with Hornady for over three years, previously in the IT department. He will assume the role of editor of the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading and will manage all aspects of the Team Hornady Pro Staff, tradeshow operations, and multimedia/digital media activities.

“We are extremely excited to have Neal take on these new responsibilities,” said Neil Davies, Marketing Director for Hornady. “He is uniquely qualified to fill this position, and we look forward to everything he will continue to do for our company. However, having a “Neal” and a “Neil” within the same marketing department will prove to be interesting,” joked Davies.

Stop by Hornady Booth #13145 to meet many of outdoor television’s most popular hunting celebrities, as well as many Team Hornady sponsored shooters. The Team Hornady Pro Staff will be available for autographs and would love to hear about your experiences with Hornady bullets and ammunition.

Brian “Pig Man” Quaca Doug Koenig Craig Boddington Max Michel Mike Voigt

Tuesday, January 18th Adam Popplewell 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Sean Dexter 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Max Michel 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Stan Potts 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Doug Koenig 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Chad Belding 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Les Johnson 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Mike Voigt 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Gregg Ritz 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.     Wednesday, January 19th Sean Dexter 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Gordon Whittington 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Kevin Drake 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Rob Ormond 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tony Gimmellie 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Max Michel 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Greg & Jake Miller 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Doug Koenig 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Chad Belding 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Les Johnson 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Carl Bernosky 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Brian Quaca 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Linda Donaho 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fred & Michele Eichler 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.     Thursday, January 20th Sean Dexter 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Rick & Julie Kreuter 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Craig Morgan 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Kevin Drake 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Rob Ormond 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tony Gimmellie 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Max Michel 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Don & Kandi Kisky 12:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Brian Quaca 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Craig Boddington 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Jeff Mock 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Cal Ferguson 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Jeff Thomason 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Todd Woodall 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Carl Bernosky 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Jon & Gina Brunson 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Mike Voigt 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.     Friday, January 21st Brian Quaca 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Linda Donaho 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Hornady® Manufacturing is pleased to announce the promotion of Everett Deger to the position of Marketing Communications Manager.

Deger is a Nebraska native who holds an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design from Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.

Prior to working at Hornady, Deger was a Commissioned Officer with the Nebraska Army National Guard, where he served on active duty as the State Weapons and Marksmanship Officer. He was in charge of coordinating the State’s competitive shooting program and statewide marksmanship championship. A veteran of the war in Iraq, Deger served with the Nebraska National Guard for eight years, and is a recipient of the Bronze Star for actions during his combat tour.   

Deger has been with Hornady for two years and will be responsible for managing all communications, including writer & press relations, as well as directing photo shoots, planning media presentations and coordinating promotional events. Deger will also manage the creative aspects of Hornady corporate communications, including print, packaging, point-of-sale and advertising materials.

“We are extremely excited to see Everett assume these responsibilities,” said Neil Davies, Marketing Director for Hornady. “He’s uniquely qualified to fill this position, and we look forward to everything he will continue to do for Hornady in this new capacity.”