News, practical knowledge and insights into long-range shooting and precision rifle competition.
A major fire broke out at B&T (Brügger & Thomet) in Thun on 29 October 2026. According to Bern Cantonal Police, nobody was injured. In its update of 30 October, the police said arson was the leading suspected cause.
Investors advised by Rigeto have acquired all shares in the Lothar Walther Group. The barrel manufacturer announced the succession arrangement in a press release dated 19 October 2026; Rigeto published the news on 21 October.
Lithuania's armed forces reported the conclusion of Baltic Viper Strike 26 in Gaižiūnai on 25 September 2026. More than 40 snipers participated.
Chad Heckler won his second IPRF Limited Division world title, according to a Vihtavuori press release published on 14 October 2026. The manufacturer reports a score of 171 out of 200 possible points.
A Hungarian non-commissioned officer identified publicly by the initials N. P. won the military category at the KAHLES FINALS 2026 DECADE MATCH. Hungary's defence portal reported the result on 30 October 2026.
Belgium's FN Browning Group announced the completion of its acquisition of Accuracy International on 30 October 2026. The previously announced transaction has therefore closed.
On 20 October 2026, MDT recommended a video by Mike at The Long Shot about a lightweight precision rifle with a DRT chassis. The written introduction gives the complete rifle's weight, including optic, suppressor and bipod, as approximately 5.59 kg (12 lb 5 oz).
On 28 October 2026, MDT presented a report by Gavin at Ultimate Reloader on the Bergara Competition Elite in 6mm Dasher. It focuses on a test at one mile, equivalent to 1,609.3 m / 1,760 yrd.
On 30 October 2026, Federal introduced a .25 Creedmoor Fusion Tipped factory load with a 130-grain bullet. The hunting ammunition comes in 20-round boxes and is already shipping to US dealers, according to the manufacturer.
On 19 October 2026, Berger introduced a new Elite Hunter factory load in 6.8 Western. It uses a 170-grain Elite Hunter bullet and comes in 20-round boxes. The manufacturer reports availability in the United States.
Federal has added a .22 ARC factory load with a 75-grain TMJ bullet to American Eagle. The press release, dated 26 October 2026 and published on the manufacturer's website on 27 October, reports shipments to US dealers.
On 29 October 2026, Federal announced two new factory loads in .22 Creedmoor: Fusion with a 75-grain bonded soft-point bullet and American Eagle with a 75-grain TMJ bullet. According to the manufacturer, both are shipping to US dealers.
Cal Zant, the author of Precision Rifle Blog, joins Ken Wheeler on the Precision Rifle Series podcast. In his post dated 16 October 2026, Zant introduces the episode “What the Data Says Actually Matters in Precision Rifle Shooting.”
PGM Précision announced a USMC special edition of the Schmidt & Bender 3–12×50 PM II/LP on 22 September 2026. According to the French supplier, this limited series reproduces the configuration that won the US Marine Corps tender in 2005.
Guns & Ammo has named Federal 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak its 2026 “Ammo of the Year.” Federal announced the award on 22 October; 7mm Backcountry, using the same case technology, received the award in 2025.
Federal announced a new version of its Ballistic AE iOS app on 15 October 2026. The update focuses on a redesigned interface and simpler navigation.
According to Burris, Camdyn Powers has won the 2026 PRS Rimfire Ladies National Championship. Ruger also reports Lauryl Akenhead’s High Lady finish at the MPA Last Chance Qualifier.
On 26 October 2026, the VDB reported talks in Stuttgart and Munich about the review of firearms law. Topics included assessments of justified need, fees and storage inspections. The reports document advocacy work, not an adopted change in law.
The Swiss rifle club championship at 300 m / 328.1 yrd produced a particularly close finish in Nationalliga A Sport: Schützengesellschaft Aarau won with 2276 points, ahead of Stadtschützen Thun on 2274. Standschützen Oberwinterthur finished third with 2264. The Swiss Shooting Federation published its report on the final in Thun on 25 October 2026.
Smith & Wesson Brands has acquired Savage Arms from a company within the JDH Capital group. According to the company announcement of 21 October 2026, the transaction closed that same day. Two established US firearms brands are now part of one corporate group.
Outdoor Life named the PROOF Elevation MTR FDX its “Editor’s Choice – Best Hunting Rifle” in a comparison published on 6 October 2026. PROOF Research highlighted the result in a manufacturer release on 16 October. The news concerns the award and the recent independent publication’s test.
Leica is adding a Flat Dark Earth edition to the PRS 5–30×56i. The German manufacturer announcement dated 8 October 2026 introduces a new colour version of the precision riflescope, combining an FDE housing with matching Tenebraex flip caps.
Tom from V-Projekte explores cartridges used in international precision shooting. Weitschuss adds context on PRS cartridge trends, competition formats and current association rules.
Bavaria's Bürgerallianz is contributing a position paper dated 14 October 2026 to the review of German firearms law. According to the VDB report of 23 October, 25 associations and clubs representing more than 2.2 million members support the demands. They include the Bavarian hunting association and the Bavarian sport shooting federation.
ZEISS is expanding the Conquest Apia family with the straight-view 65S and the 85 mm 85A and 85S. The manufacturer's announcement on Shooting Wire dated 16 October 2026 also lists new MOA and MRAD reticle eyepieces, an interesting addition for long-range observers.
MDT announced the Scope Tube Mount with V-Mount for 9 October 2026. This separate accessory carrier attaches to the riflescope tube and provides extra mounting points, for example for a level. It does not replace the main rings holding the optic.
ZeroTech presented the Trace X 5–25×56 FFP with illuminated RMG-H MOA reticle in a product release dated 14 October 2026. The release concerns this variant; it does not establish the first launch of the entire Trace X family.
On 17 September 2026, Primary Arms announced that the PLxC 2.5–20×48 and 4.5–36×56 were shipping. Both feature first focal plane reticles. The manufacturer positions the smaller model as versatile and the larger one specifically for long distances.
In a report dated 7 October 2026, MDT presents the Bergara Competition Elite as a complete factory rifle for PRS competition. It combines Bergara's Premier action, an MDT ACC Elite chassis and a TriggerTech trigger.
The ongoing review of firearms law was central to a meeting in Gensingen. VDB reports common concerns.
Austria finishes ahead of Switzerland and Poland. Pascal Bachmann-Senti and Gilles Dufaux also reach the podium in the closing events.
Austria and Switzerland reach the men's team podium. The women's results carry no official World Championship medals.
Official results are available from the German championship in Wiechlice: seven classes, distances up to 1,000 m / 1,093.6 yrd and close finishes at the top.
MGH presented the Telson Target Master Victory at JUST 2026. The scope with a 34 mm tube, FFP reticle and zero stop is already available in Europe.
In Brussels, VDB president Michael Blendinger called for a clear distinction between illicit firearms trafficking and minor infringements by licensed owners.
In its 364-page submission on Germany’s firearms law review, the VDB calls for simpler acquisition, need assessments and storage rules.
The Sinus Tuner Brake featured at the International Hunting and Shooting Days combines a muzzle brake, barrel tuner and alignment level in one component.
Active military personnel and full-time law enforcement officers compete in Mil/LEO under Open Division equipment rules. USAMU shooter Kahl Harmon values competition as an honest measure of performance.
Cairo hosts the 300 m Rifle World Championship from 15 to 20 October 2026. Austria fields five athletes, with medal events starting on 17 October.
Outdoor Life names the Seekins PH3-NRL “Best Crossover” in its latest hunting-rifle comparison, highlighting its combination of hunting and precision competition.
The KAHLES Finals 2026 bring dynamic long-range competition to Italy. The final is scheduled for 16–17 October at Le Arcate Shooting Range in Collesalvetti.
Behördentage 2026 brings security technology suppliers and professional users together on 7–8 October. Organiser TeutoDefence runs the event for a restricted audience of public-sector professionals.
The M110 and G28 featured in the precision shooting programme at the multinational exercise Super Garuda Shield 2026. A photo report published by The Firearm Blog on 5 October shows U.S. Marines, Japanese soldiers and Indonesian Marines training together near Lampung, Indonesia.
A precision rifle competition with an unusual focus comes from Utah: Silent But Deadly brings together competitors using suppressed centrefire rifles and subsonic ammunition. Next Shot Precision organised the PRS-inspired format at Garth Kilpack Shooting Range in Springville.
MDT is expanding its component range with the Fuzion, Fuzion Ti and Razor bolt actions from Lone Peak Arms. The announcement, dated 10 August 2026, follows its acquisition of the American manufacturer.
A compact body, two- to ten-power magnification and a 30 mm objective: that is the combination offered by the ZCO ZC210. True Pearce tested the SAN-1 reticle version for GunsAmerica. His report appeared on 23 August 2026; ZCO has linked to it since 14 September.
Austria secured a one-two finish at the ESC Lapua European Cup final in Thun. Patrick Diem won the men's three-position event with 592 points ahead of Andreas Thum on 590. Switzerland's Gilles Dufaux took bronze. The Austrian Shooting Federation reported the results on 2 October.
Since 1 October 2026, ZEISS’s outdoor business has been operated by the independent company VALYRA GmbH in Aalen. Products and services remain available worldwide under the ZEISS brand.
Lapua has reported on a long-range session with its MaxRange Target ammunition in 6.5 Creedmoor. In its publication dated 1 October 2026, the manufacturer describes using the factory load out to 1,000 m / 1,093.6 yrd.
The CRBN uses a foam-filled carbon structure with an internal magnesium micro-chassis. An adjustable cheekpiece and spacers for length-of-pull adjustment allow the stock to be fitted to the shooter.
Austin Buschman won the Open division at the IPRF World Championship in Texas. After 20 stages, he led with 191 hits. Joe Pask followed on 189, with Luke Mckennie third on 185.
BANISH has introduced the Competition 6.5 SS and 6.5 TI, two suppressors for sporting use. The US announcement dated 25 September 2026 addresses users of 6 mm and 6.5 mm short-action cartridges.
Leupold is expanding its observation optics range with the MX-6HD 8–48×60. The announcement dated 25 September 2026 introduces a compact spotting scope with a first-focal-plane reticle.
The Steyr DMR 762 repeatedly hit steel targets at 200 m / 218.7 yrd in an all4shooters trial. The semi-automatic rifle operated without malfunctions during the rainy range session.
MDT has introduced its DRT chassis. The announcement dated 21 September 2026 names 18 September as the start of sales. It is offered for right-handed Remington 700 short-action systems, initially in black and FDE.
Burris has announced that the 2026 Veracity generation is shipping in the US. Its 11 September release highlights the Veracity 5–25×50 among the models: a riflescope with a first-focal-plane reticle and a 30 mm main tube.
Tikka is adding left-handed versions to its ACE family. Beretta USA announced corresponding ACE Target and ACE Game variants on 11 September 2026.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program has presented its autumn programme for Phoenix. The Western Games take place from 9 to 18 October 2026 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. The announcement was published on 26 August.
Hornady is adding two match bullets to the A-Tip family. The announcement dated 26 August 2026 names a 6 mm version weighing approximately 7.78 g and a .30-calibre bullet of about 11.47 g.
Winchester announced its Super Match ammunition range on 19 August 2026. The programme presented includes .308 Winchester or 7.62 NATO, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC and 6 mm ARC.
Aarhus hosted two rounds of the Lapua European Cup in August. Lapua reported on 13 August 2026 on the competitions held from 10 to 12 and from 13 to 15 August.
Sako Powerhead Blade in .308 Winchester produced a 43 mm three-shot group at 300 m / 328.1 yrd in an all4shooters test. Groups measured 12 mm at 100 m / 109.4 yrd and 19 mm at 200 m / 218.7 yrd. The 300 m group equates to approximately 0.49 MOA / 0.143 MRAD.
Garmin is acquiring Applied Ballistics. The company announced the agreement on 16 September 2026, extending a partnership that it says has lasted almost ten years. Financial details were not disclosed.
Federal is adding hunting loads in 7 mm PRC and .300 PRC. The US announcement published on 25 September 2026 names bullets from Berger and Hornady.
American and Indian soldiers trained together with precision rifles during Yudh Abhyas. A U.S. Army report dated 24 September 2026 describes a training session held on 22 September in Auli, India.
The new Compact model is aimed at PRS, PRS-22 and NRL shooters, among others. MDT specifies a height range of approximately 117 to 302 mm and a weight of around 567 g for the AP-head version. Its launch in the US, Canada and Europe was announced for 4 September.
MDT is expanding its accessory range with a long mounting bridge for selected chassis. The NV Bridge was introduced on 16 September 2026 and, according to the announcement, has been available since 15 September.
The Weatherby 307 Alpine CT combines a lightweight design with the ambitions of a precision rifle. Greg Ray tested a version in 6.5 Creedmoor on the range and reported on it at Outdoor Solutions on 16 August 2026. He describes hits out to 914.4 m / 1,000 yrd.
Lauryl Akenhead won the women's classification at WI Barrel Maker 2.0 in Tomah, Wisconsin. She placed 21st overall in Open. Ruger published the news on 27 August 2026.
The US F-Open team won silver at the F-Class World Championship in Bisley. The squad led by captain Dan Bramley scored 3482.335V. Berger reported on 28 August on the achievement at the championship held from 10 to 16 August.