Fairfax, Virginia – NRA Publications will present its annual Golden Bullseye Awards and Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award at an invitation-only breakfast during the 2008 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, May 15-18, in Louisville, Kentucky.

    “The Golden Bullseye Award, now in its sixth year, 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. “Once again, we honor our winners for bringing to market products remarkable in their utility to shooters and hunters. We are confident this year’s winners will be received with great interest and appreciation for a job well done.”

    The Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award spotlights the exemplary achievement and cumulative body of work of an individual, members of a team or partnership, or family who were responsible for the development and introduction of shooting equipment that has made a profound, positive and enduring impact on the way Americans shoot and hunt. Specifically, it honors personal achievement.

The 2008 Golden Bullseye Award winners are:

    For American Rifleman, NRA’s 122-year-old flagship publication: Rifle of the Year, Kimber Model 8400 Caprivi; Shotgun of the Year, Smith & Wesson Elite Gold; Handgun of the Year, Taurus Judge; Tactical Gun of the Year, SIG Sauer 556; Ammunition Product of the Year, Hornady .375 Ruger; Optic of the Year, Swarovski Z6 Riflescope; and Accessory of the Year, Surefire E2D Flashlight.

    For American Hunter, the world’s largest all-hunting magazine: Rifle of the Year, Ruger M77 Hawkeye Alaskan; Shotgun of the Year, Benelli M2 Field ComforTech; Muzzleloader of the Year, CVA Electra; Ammunition Product of the Year, Hornady .375 Ruger; Optic of the Year, Steiner Peregrine XP Binocular; Gear of the Year, Thermologic Clothing; and Vehicle of the Year, Yamaha Rhino 700 FI Auto 4X4.

    For Shooting Illustrated, NRA’s newsstand monthly: Rifle of the Year, Thompson/Center Icon; Shotgun of the Year, Browning Citori Grand Prix Sporter; Handgun of the Year, Smith & Wesson M&P45; Ammunition Product of the Year, .17 Remington Fireball; Optic of the Year, Bushnell Elite 1500 ARC Rangefinder; and Accessory of the Year, Knoxx Industries Axiom V/S Rifle Stock.

    The winners of the 2008 Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award are Dick and Jim Cabela, founders of Cabela’s, Inc. From humble beginnings in Dick’s home kitchen in 1961, Cabela’s has grown and prospered into “The World’s Foremost Outfitter” of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, revolutionizing the outdoor equipment business. The foundation of the company is its world-famous catalog business. Rare is the sportsman who doesn’t look forward to Cabela’s massive, 500+ page Spring and Fall Master catalogs. From destination stores that are a unique combination of store, museum and education center; from catalogs and mail order to affordable, high-quality outdoor equipment; from e:commerce and Internet sites to Cabela’s Outfitter Journal magazine and television show, Cabela’s has all angles covered, without losing sight of its founders’ philosophy: the customer is No. 1.

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