USA Shooting invites media to cover the 2026 Fall Rifle and Shotgun Selection Matches in Colorado Springs and Fort Carson, featuring elite athletes competing for national team opportunities and LA28 Olympic Games assignments. The shotgun competition marks USA Shooting's return to the refurbished Fort Carson USA Shooting Shotgun Range.
Lauryl Akenhead of Team Ruger won High Lady honors at the 2026 Peterson Cartridge Challenge in Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, competing with her Ruger American Gen II rifle. Her consistent performance demonstrated the rifle's capability in practical precision rifle competition across varying shooting positions and conditions.
Team Remington's Todd Hitch won the Main Event Championship at the U.S. Open Sporting Clays Championship for the second consecutive year, held at Game Unlimited in Hudson, Wisconsin. Hitch also won the Super Sporting and Beretta Gold Cup events, while teammate Mike Luongo finished Runner-Up in the Main Event using Remington Premier shotshells.
Fiocchi of America Pro Staff member Lanny Barnes won 1st Place Lady in the Open division at the 2026 Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship in Raton, New Mexico, while finishing 6th overall. The three-day championship at the NRA Whittington Center featured nine stages testing rifle, pistol, and shotgun skills across rugged terrain.
Team Leapers achieved eight national match wins at the 2026 CMP National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, with James Fox winning his fourth National Service Rifle Championship using the Integrix Service Rifle Scope. The team, including Conrad Young, Roy Mitchell, Nick Till, and Randy Olds, dominated the competition alongside decorated shooters Brandon Green, Bob Gill, Liam McKenna, and Justin Patton-Rynders.
Hornady shooter Bennie Cooley won the Factory Division and Top Senior honors at the NRL Hunter Grand Slam near Clovis, New Mexico, using Hornady 6mm 110 gr A-Tip bullets in his 6mm Creedmoor paired with a Leupold BX-6 binoculars' 4DOF solver.
Jason Krause of Team Remington won the 2026 Grand American Handicap Championship at the World Shooting & Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois, capturing his second ATA World Championship title in consecutive years. Krause shot Nitro 27 No. 7.5 ammunition to secure the prestigious ring, with Team Remington also achieving strong performances from Aaron Willoughby, Zach Nannini, Ian Lawrence, and junior competitors.
Dale McCully set a new world record at the South Beaver Tactical GBA 1,000-Yard Tactical Match with a 1.558-inch five-shot group, verified by the Global Benchrest Association. McCully credited sponsors Redding Reloading Equipment, Kelbly's Inc., and Krieger barrels for their quality products.
Team SK shooter Jake Stine delivered an exceptional performance at the 2026 NRA National Silhouette Championship, finishing 3rd in the Lapua Monarch Cup and 2nd in Smallbore Hunter Class, while also placing 2nd in hunter rifle and 3rd in standard rifle at the NRA High Power National Championships.
Beretta is bringing the prestigious Beretta Gold Cup to the United States for the first time during its 500th anniversary celebration at the 2026 NSCA U.S. Open Sporting Clays Championship in Hudson, Wisconsin, August 11-16. The inaugural U.S. champion will receive an invitation to compete at the 2027 Beretta Gold Cup in Italy, with top finishers receiving Beretta competition shotguns including the DT11, 694, and A400 L Sporting models.
Pyramyd AIR concluded the annual Pyramyd Cup at Cardinal Shooting Center in Ohio, featuring elite airgun competitors in Benchrest, Gunslynger, and Field Target disciplines. Winners included Thayne Simmons in Benchrest, Nic Gregoris in Gunslynger Springer, and Brian VanLiew in Field Target Open PCP.
The 50th Annual Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational will be held Sept. 26 at Pressey Wildlife Management Area in Custer County. This free event is open to youth ages 11 and older who have completed Hunter Education and have not graduated high school, with first-time shooters receiving complimentary ammunition.
Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2026 Connecticut SWAT Challenge (August 10-13) at Hartford Gun Club, showcasing their latest suppressor technology including the new CT5P suppressor designed for tactical teams and patrol officers running 5.56 NATO duty rifles.
Finland's Marco Nikko won the opening stage of the 2026 Lapua Monarch Cup at Ridgway Rifle Club in Pennsylvania, knocking down 111 of 120 targets. John Mullins of Team Berger finished second with 109/120, while two-time champion Jake Stine of Team SK placed third with 108/120. The final stage concludes in October 2026 in Mexico.
James Fox of Team Berger won his fourth Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) National Service Rifle Championship and second consecutive title with a score of 2371-90X at Camp Perry, Ohio. The event drew 353 competitors across four stages of service rifle shooting. Fox also earned multiple top finishes in other National Matches using Berger ammunition and components.
Beretta USA, a Diamond Sponsor of the 2026 NSCA U.S. Open Sporting Clays Championship, will showcase competition shotguns including the 694 Black DLC, DT11 Super Sport, SL2, AX800 Suprema, and A400 L Sporting at the event August 11-16 in Hudson, Wisconsin. Team Beretta athletes Anthony Matarese Jr., Joseph Fanizzi, Dominic Grossi, Desirae Edmunds, and Zach Kienbaum will compete in the championship.
Sturm, Ruger & Company congratulates Team Ruger's Steve Foster on his outstanding performance at the 2026 Tennessee State Steel Challenge, where he earned multiple division titles competing with his Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber rifle and Mark IV pistol at Camp Davy Crockett in Whitesburg, Tennessee.
Team Ruger's Randi Rogers and Gordon Carrell competed at the 2026 NRA Faces of Freedom ARC Regional Championship in Rapid City, South Dakota, using Ruger Harrier rifles. Rogers finished second in the open division with a score of 525.30, while Carrell secured a match win, demonstrating the reliability and accuracy of Ruger firearms in competitive shooting sports.
The Umarex Airguns shooting team will compete at the Pyramyd Cup held August 5-8 in Margeno, Ohio, featuring top airgunners in Gunslynger, Field Target, and Benchrest disciplines. Justin Biddle, Umarex Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, emphasized the company's commitment to connecting with shooters and spectators across all experience levels.
Pyramyd AIR announced the Pyramyd Cup is on track for record attendance with 240 competitors scheduled for August 5–8, 2026, at Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. Hatsan USA serves as Platinum Sponsor for the premier airgun event featuring multiple disciplines including 100-Yard Benchrest, AAFTA-sanctioned Field Target, and Gunslynger speed competition.