It’s November, which means that it’s crunch time if you haven’t already found the perfect present for the favorite competitive shooter in your life. Our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide includes 23 great gift ideas, including pistols, rifles, shotguns, optics and more.
Winchester AA Diamond Grade
SSUSA first shared the exciting news about Winchester’s new AA Diamond Grade premier target load back in January during SHOT Show. Since then, we’ve had a chance to spend more time with it, and we’re happy to report that it’s a winner. Designed for sport shooters, AA Diamond Grade includes key features that sporting-clays aficionados and target shooters will appreciate. One major difference is the AA Diamond Grade Shot. The 8 percent of antimony (hardening alloy) is four times more antimony than standard target loads. Additionally, the shot is precision-sorted, which means only the roundest shot makes the grade. The reduced recoil is a bonus. $10, winchester.com
Berger LRHT Bullets
Berger Bullets’ Long-Range Hybrid Target (LRHT) line has become popular with long-range aficionados. And with good reason, because with high-BC projectile offerings like the new 6.5mm 153.5-grain LRHT, shot-to-shot consistency at long distances is vastly improved. This bullet is tailor-made for popular cartridges such as 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC. If you aren’t shopping for a precision handloader, Berger also offers several calibers of high-grade cartridges on its website that will satisfy any PRS or NRL shooter. $54, bergerbullets.com
Koenig 9 mm Competition Ammo
Doug Koenig has 18 Bianchi Cup wins and was the 2016 NRA World Shooting Champion, among many others accolades. So, it’s safe to say that he knows a thing or two about good ammunition. The pro shooter’s new 9 mm competition load debuted earlier this year to much fanfare at SHOT Show, sporting a 110-grain JHP bullet from Hornady with an advertised 1,150-plus f.p.s. velocity. Ideal for the action-pistol or PCC shooter in your life. $19.99, koenigshootingsports.com
Lapua Center-X
Revered by precision-rimfire shooters and smallbore competitors alike, Lapua Center-X .22 LR ammo is well-known for its extreme accuracy. Designed and manufactured with attention to detail for precise-firing rounds, Center-X been the rimfire round of choice for shooters not only for Olympic competition shooting—but also at numerous ISSF championships in multiple disciplines, benchrest, biathlon and even for prone competition. A top choice for competitive shooters around the globe. $12.50, lapua.com
SK Long-Range Match
German manufacturer SK’s products are imported to the U.S. by Capstone Precision Group, and the company is known for high-quality and match-grade .22 LR ammunition. Last year, SK introduced SK Long-Range Match, a sizzling rimfire load intended for precision shooting at 100 yards and beyond. For shooters of PRC, tactical rimfire and Silhouette competition, a few boxes of SK will make for a nice gift. In addition, SK has rimfire cartridges geared towards semi-automatic rifle competition (think Steel Challenge), as well as a flat-nosed match option ideal for shooting under 50 yards. $10, sk-ammunition.com
Daisy Christmas Dream Red Ryder
Daisy’s Special Edition Christmas Dream Red Ryder is the spitting image of the one young Ralphie pined for in the beloved holiday film A Christmas Story. As such, this BB gun includes a compass in the stock and a sundial for telling time like they did in the olden days. While it may not be the gun of choice for protecting the family from Black Bart or wingshooting, Daisy’s Christmas Dream Red Ryder is an idyllic gift for the young shooter in your life—especially considering its value for teaching gun safety and marksmanship skills. Remember, don’t shoot your eye out. $25.74 (as of 11/20/2020), walmart.com
Winchester Model 12 BB
The new Model 12 Pump BB Gun is a wonderful tool for teaching gun safety and marksmanship to youth shooters. With a pump-action that’s just like the one Dad lugs to the duck blind, this downsized Model 12 also includes a manual crossbolt safety, ramp, blade front sight and adjustable rear sight. Plus, the stock and pump have a wood-grain look. With 350 f.p.s. velocity, the Model 12 BB is perfect for youth shooting and training. $49.99, daisy.com
Glock G44
The boxy Glock has influenced modern handgun design like none other, and shooters were positively salivating when the company finally released a rimfire .22 LR model. The Glock G44 operates exactly like its center-fire siblings and boasts identical external dimensions as the venerable G19. In the G44, shooters will find a gun that combines the familiar Glock look with the affordability of .22 LR ammunition. This rimfire pistol will surely please the Glock fan in your life. $430, glock.com
Kimber K6s DASA Target
The K6s DASA 4-inch Target is a wise choice for IDPA, USPSA and ICORE shooters. This revolver takes the acclaimed Kimber K6s system and outfits it with a double- and single-action trigger mechanism. Retaining the benefits of the original K6s—six-shot capacity, double-action trigger pull and compact envelope—the DASA has an advantage with the addition of the single-action trigger. A target-adjustable rear sight for accuracy, along with an extended grip for comfort, complete the package. Spoil your favorite revolver fan with a high-quality Kimber. $989, kimberamerica.com
Mossberg 940 JM Pro
The 940 JM Pro builds on the success of the 930 shotgun and then some. Designed with the input of father-and-daughter professional shooters Jerry and Lena Miculek, this scattergun boasts features worthy of their legendary name. Add in the fact it’s a more affordable option than other competitive semi-automatic shotguns—picking this up for the competition shotgun-lover in your life quickly becomes a no-brainer. Make sure you’re present during unwrapping, because the 940 JM Pro will definitely bring a smile to any 3-gunners face. We rate this firearm a must-buy if you can track one down. $1,015, mossberg.com
Savage Renegauge
Savage’s surprise performance shotgun, the Renegauge, became a revelation for scattergun lovers when it was released earlier this year. With the patented D.R.I.V. (Dual Regulating Inline Valve) gas system providing an outlet for excess gas before it drives the bolt, the result is consistent ejection, less felt recoil and a fast cyclic rate. NRA Publications Editorial Director John Zent sums this unique shotgun up best, “[The] Renegauge is the culmination of a discriminating development process that sought original solutions in creating a gun that could run with the big dogs.” $1,500, savagearms.com
Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range
Geared toward long-range shooters, this Browning X-Bolt will not disappoint the precision-rifle shooter in your life. Pairing the company’s highly adjustable Composite Max stock with the venerable X-Bolt action allows long-range enthusiasts to get the custom fit needed for just about any optic with repeatability in mind. Plus, the 26-inch, stainless-steel, heavy-sporter-contour barrel is fluted and includes a removable muzzle brake along with a thread protector. $1,299.99, browning.com
Burris FastFire 4 Red Dot
Improving upon previous models, the new FastFire 4 sports a larger sight window for a greater field-of-view. Four reticle options are easily selected via side toggle buttons (3 MOA, 11 MOA and both with outer circles). The aiming point itself is brighter, and Burris says the battery life is improved. Speaking of the battery, the access door is on top of the sight, which should make it easy to pop in a spare while at the range. Finally, a new removable weather shield will make sure the sight remains watertight. A great gift for Carry Optics shooters. $455, burrisoptics.com
Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight
Bushnell says its new RXS-250 is a red-dot sight “designed to offer class-leading performance and exceptional durability.” As such, the RXS-250 boasts MIL-STD-810F impact-resistant design, user-adjustable brightness settings and True Tone coatings that provides users with a clear view that is free of color distortion. For durability, the RXS-250 sports a rugged cast-aluminum housing for protecting the glass and internal electronic components, plus an IP67 dust and waterproof rating—achieved by sealing off the electronics. This is a best-buy optic for action shooters. $249.99, bushnell.com
Swarovski NL Pure Binoculars
The NL Pure is the debut model in Swarovski Optik’s new NL family of binoculars. These binoculars have been designed to fit perfectly into your hand, making it easy to enjoy a relaxed view for long periods of time. Another key element is the large field-of-view, which provides a natural observation experience. Users can completely immerse themselves in what that see. And, with 42 mm objective lenses, the NL Pure is available in three magnifications: 8x42, 10x42 and 12x42. The wide field-of-view (9.1 degrees for the 8x model), combined with the compact design and updated ergonomics, brings the outdoor viewing experience to the next level. Starts at $3,299, swarovskioptik.com
Armageddon Gear Shmedium Mid-Size Gamechanger Bag
It’s no secret we are big fans of Armageddon Gear here at SSUSA. What's not to like? The company's products are not only durable and effective but also made in the USA. Georgia, to be exact. The Shmedium mid-size bag is another permutation of the popular Gamechanger bag, which has certainly lived up to its name for precision-rifle competitors. Made of waxed canvas, the Shmedium is sized between the pint-sized and OG shooting bags. And at 8½ pounds, this bag has the heft for benchrest-like accuracy. $97.99, armageddongear.com
Armageddon Gear Squishy Rear Bag
The second product from Armageddon Gear on this list, I can’t recommend the Squishy rear bag enough for precision-rifle shooters. Like many other Armageddon products, the Squishy is aptly named, sporting the perfect amount of “give,” making it useful while attempting difficult shooting positions. What’s more, the overlapping Velcro straps make this bag easy to attach to your rifle’s stock, fore-end, shooting pack or even a tripod. This, along with the reasonable price, makes the Squishy bag a top buy. Precision-rifle shooters can never have enough bags. $34.95, armageddongear.com
Axil GS Extreme Earpro
Axil’s GS Extreme ear protection are Bluetooth earbuds, 29 dB NRR noise isolation headphones and electronic earmuffs all rolled into one product. You can easily switch between hearing protection or streaming music or have both active simultaneously. Both modes have independent volume controls to match your environment. And, with the included rechargeable lithium-ion battery, they boast 12 hours of run time. Ditch your old, bulky ear protection and increase your comfort level at the range with GS Extreme earbuds, especially if you listen to streaming music or podcasts while training. $199, goaxil.com
Safariland Foam Impact Ear Protection
Low-tech meets high-tech with these recently introduced earplugs from the masters at Safariland. To reduce sound levels while simultaneously allowing speech and audio to be heard with its new Foam Impulse earbuds, Safariland uses new, patent-pending sound filters. There are two noise reduction options: Impulse mode, with 38 dB peak impulse reduction and 13 dB continuous reduction; and Full-Block mode with 20 dB of continuous noise reduction. An affordable, simple and effective option for hearing protection. $14.99, safariland.com
Tetra AlphaShields Earplugs
Tetra’s AlphaShield line are entry-level, universal-fit earplugs that borrow some of the latest technology from hearing aids to help shooters preserve their hearing on the firing line—all while maintaining vocal frequencies and allowing for conversation. A powerful, 12-channel digital signal processor performs all the technical wizardry. Three volume levels—normal, boost and magnum—are adjusted via a small side button. Plus, Tetra can customize the programming for any of its offerings to your personal hearing profile with a simple online test. $699, tetrahearing.com
Real Avid Smart-Torq Driver
Precision scope-mounting requires just as much precision in attaching the optics as it does with the shooting itself. Luckily, the Real Avid Smart-Torq Driver has a 10- to 70-inch-pound range of adjustment. The adjustment knob has an audible and tactile click, which indicates one-inch-pound of adjustment and 10-inch-pounds per full rotation. Plus, with its finer pitched threads, the Smart-Torq Driver requires no secondary manipulation to adjust through the scale settings range. Perfect for the DIYer in your life. $79.99, realavid.com
Benjamin Traveler Air Compressor
The Benjamin Traveler by Crosman is a convenient option for air-gun shooters. As a constant source of fuel for air guns while on the go, this portable device can be a gamechanger for not only target practice but also hunting and plinking needs. The Traveler is capable of filling air-gun cylinders less than 0.6 liters to a maximum of 4,500 p.s.i. and has two options for power—a direct connection to a 12-volt battery or an included 110-volt converter for connecting to household outlets. For safety, the Traveler includes automatic pressure shut-off, a low-battery warning and temperature protection. $599, pyramydair.com
Filthy Pirate Coffee
For many, coffee is more than a drink, it’s an obsession. It can be tricky to find a good gift for a coffee lover. Enter Filthy Pirate, a Tucson-based self-described “blue-collar” coffee roaster that offers up some tasty bean blends at affordable prices. Our pick is the Cutlass dark roast (pictured), with beans grown in the rich volcanic soils of the mountainous highlands in Chiapas, Mexico. Why allow your favorite coffee fanatic to drink commercial swill when they can have luxury beans delivered. Best of all, the company is Veteran-owned. $14.99 for a 12-ounce bag, filthypirate.coffee
Read more: Review: JP GMR-15 Match 9mm PCC
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