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Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence
2008 AWARD NOMINEES
The Award
From the Industry
For the Industry

Honoring Outstanding Achievement
Since 1992

Sponsored by Shooting Industry Magazine

Final Nominations Announced for 2008 Academy of Excellence Awards


Each year an innovative few set new standards of excellence through product design and service to the industry. This marks the 17th year that these outstanding achievements have been formally recognized by industry leaders who, together, form the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence.

Established in 1992, the academy is sponsored by the FMG Publications, publisher of Shooting Industry, GUNS Magazine, American COP and American Handgunner magazines. However, no one at the publisher is permitted to vote.

The voting power is held exclusively by the academy, which includes industry executives, gun dealers and outdoor writers. They vote twice for each award, first in the potential-nominee round and then to determine who will received the awards.

The 2008 award recipients will be announced
Friday, July 25, 2008 • Hartford/Windsor Marriott, Windsor CT

If you'd like to apply for Academy of Excellence membership, click the link below and complete all the information asked for.

Membership Application
 
Accessory of the Year
(Firearm related products: cases, cleaning products, holsters, fixed sights, frames,
mounts, reloading equipment and tools, safes, etc.)
Brownells Professional Magna Tip Tool Set
RCBS RASS Portable Shooting Bench
SureFire X300 WeaponLight
Specialty Product of the Year
(Air guns, archery equipment, clothing, outdoor equipment, etc.)
Birchwood Casey Dirty Bird Mulit-Color Splattering Targets
Leupold MX Modular Flashlight System
SureFire E1B Backup Flashlight
High-Tech Product of the Year
(Radios, rangefinders, laser sights, software, etc.)
Crimson Trace Model LG-660 Lasergrips
Hodgdon Powder Reloading Data Center Web-Site
Leupold RX-IV Boone & Crockett Edition Digital Rangefinder
Ammunition of the Year
(Bullets, cartridges, shot shells, powders)
Federal Ammo Black Cloud FS Steel Shotshell
Hornady Ruger Compact Magnum Cartridge (RCMs)
Winchester Ammunition E-Tip Lead-Free Bullet
Optic of the Year
(Scopes, and binoculars)
Aimpoint, Inc Micro Series Red-Dot Sights
Leupold Prismatic Shotgun/Muzzleloader/Rifle Scope
Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40 Riflescope, Mil-Dot Crosshair with Amber Dot
Knife of the Year
(Knives and multi-purpose tools)
Benchmade 950 SBK Rift Folding Knife
Leatherman Skeletool Multi-Tool
SureFire EW08 LEO Law Enforcement Utility Knife
Safety Product of the Year
(Safes, safety devices, eye and ear protection. )
BLACKHAWK! Hawkhook Rescue Tool
SureFire EP400 Swat Ears Hearing Protection
Waffentechnik Borkott & Eickhorn SARD (Search and Rescue Device)
Handgun of the Year
Ruger LCP .380
Smith & Wesson Model 327 Night Guard Revolver .357 Mag
Taurus International The Judge .45Colt/.410 Magnum
Rifle of the Year
Browning X-Bolt Rifle
Sig Sauer Sig 556 SWAT
Winchester Model 70 Reintroduction
Shotgun of the Year
Benelli USA Ultra Light 20 Gauge
Browning Citori 625 Over/Under
     
Remington Arms Model 870 SPS ShurShot Synthetic Turkey
Smith & Wesson Elite Silver Over/Under
Citizenship Award
(A company or dealership that most exemplifies the traits of service to the community through contributions, donations or volunteer hours.)
Brownells     For its contributions to the NRA endowment for youth education programs, support of 4H programs in Iowa, the Progressive Farmer magazine’s youth shooting program, and the Iowa Pheasants Forever’s Build a Habitat program. For its first-of-a-kind gunsmith’s job fair. For its continued support of the NRA, including a NRA membership drive with 1,000 members signed up in 2007.
Ellett Brothers     For continued support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life by raising more than $38,000. For its continued support of the NSSF Heritage Fund by hosting a silent auction at its yearly dealer show, bringing the five-year donation to $180,000. For supporting the local Boy Scouts of America council and supporting other local charities such as the Adopt a Family program, in which the company and employees provided Christmas gifts and sponsored Thanksgiving dinners for families through the We Care Food Pantry in Chapin, S.C.
Hodgdon Powder Co.     For commitment to community that transcends the entire organization, including the Hodgon Family Donor Advised Fund, which has supported funding to over 145 charitable organizations. For supporting organizations including the Boy Scouts, 4H, SCI, Pheasants Forever and others financially, with product donations and through volunteer involvement.
Distributor of the Year
AcuSport     For hosting an annual dealer show that strengthens the independent retailer by providing educational seminars, simulated retail space, an ammunition price protection program and inventory planning. For the support of independent retailers through extensive product knowledge, business planning and promotional support. For partnering with vendors such as ARS, Strategic Business Partners, EZ-4473 and FFL Guard to provide services that add value to the independent retailer.
Ellett Brothers     For taking great pride in serving and supporting the independent retailer for 75 years. For its continuing work with manufacturers to develop new and innovative products such as the newly introduced Taurus Model 327. For continued support of industry organizations such as the NSSF, NRA, Congressional Sportsman Caucus, and NASGW. For its commitment to the growth and future of the shooting sports industry by working with organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and local conservation groups.
RSR Group     For over 30 years of leading the shooting sports industry with superior customer service, a knowledgeable sales staff, excellent product selection and same-day shipping. For pioneering the first virtual trade show, allowing thousands of dealers to attend and take advantage of specials without disrupting their daily business. For actively working to preserve the future of the industry through various organizations such as NSSF and NRA, including the NRA Recruitment program.
Manufacturer of the Year
BLACKHAWK!     For reinvesting its profits in U.S. capabilities by opening three new factories in the U.S. in the past three years, which helps inventory management and quickly responds to customer demands. For rehiring all the American workers when buying the Boise, Id., facility from a competitor, while the competitor shipped jobs overseas.
Ruger     For remaking the company to better serve the firearms industry, including creating new firearm and ammunition combinations that eclipse current performance standards, such as Ruger Compact Magnum rifles and the Ruger SP101 .327 Federal Magnum revolver. For the Voice of the Customer program seeking input from consumers and resulting in the M77 Hawkeye rifles, Charger pistol, the SR9 and the LCP. For enhanced dealer offerings including co-op advertising, special order programs and expanded Web site content.
Smith & Wesson     For being a leader in the firearms industry and shooting sports, supporting at the highest levels the NSSF, NRA, USA Shooting Team, and playing an instrumental role in the NRA’s Insure Your Gun Rights and HAVA. For the introduction of 71 new firearms featuring several new M&P series products and the Night Guard revolver series. For the largest dealer and distributor incentive program in the industry’s history, Shooting for Hawaii, with a new program for 2008, Aiming for Alaska.
Shooting Industry Award
(Individuals who have made valuable contributions to the shooting industry through product design, industry representation or marketing expertise.)
F. Hewitt Grant, Ellett Brothers     For his 40 year dedication to the shooting sports industry though his work as an advocate for gun rights on the local and national levels. For supporting the education of legislators in the importance of concealed carry laws by working closely with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus as well as the SC Sportsman Caucus foundation. For his involvment in the NRA and the NASGW. For supporting and leading the Ellett team to unheard of sales growth over the last five years.
Bob Hodgdon, Hodgdon Powder Co.     For spending 60 years with Hodgdon Powder providing propellants for shooters and hunters. For helping build the company into what it is today, a company featuring 54 reliable, high-performance muzzleloading and smokeless powder products. For being a tireless defender of the Second Amendment and being instrumental in starting the NRA Handloading Endowment. For being an avid hunter, reloader and shooter.
Tom Taylor, Smith & Wesson     For being a leader in the rejuvenation of Smith & Wesson and leading the development of over 200 products, including the M&P series. For developing the incentive program, Shooting for Hawaii, the largest customer incentive in the industry’s history, and introducing a new program for 2008, Aiming for Alaska. For serving as chairman of the NRA’s Insure Your Gun Rights, and leading an industry initiative to support Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA).
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