Shooting Illustrated 2024 Golden Bullseye Awards Announced

The winners of the 2024 Shooting Illustrated Golden Bullseye Awards have been announced. The Golden Bullseye Awards recognize the firearm industry’s top products as voted on by NRA Publications’ staff editors. “Last year was one of massive new product introductions from the recreational shooting sports industry,” said NRA Publications’ Executive Director Doug Hamlin. “As a result, the NRA Publications editorial staff had some tough decisions to make to identify the best all new products.”

The awards are selected by the editorial staff of Shooting Illustrated through a rigorous evaluation process, and they are each reviewed by NRA Publications’ management. “Thank you to the dedicated NRA Publications editorial staffers who tested and evaluated hundreds of new products before making their 2024 Golden Bullseye selections,” said Hamlin.

The Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award specifically honors outstanding personal achievement. The Pioneer Award spotlights the exemplary achievement and cumulative body of work of an individual, or members of a family, team or partnership, 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.

To qualify for consideration for a Golden Bullseye Award, the product must have been:

• Recently introduced and available to consumers prior to the selection of the Golden Bullseye Awards
• Used/tested by a staff member or regular contributor to the magazine and/or affiliated media
• Reliable in the field, meeting or exceeding the evaluator’s expectations
• Innovative in design and function
• Readily perceived as a value to the purchaser
• Styled in a manner befitting the shooting and hunting industry and, perhaps more importantly, its enthusiasts.

The Winners Are:

Rifle of the Year: Smith & Wesson FPC

Handgun of the Year: Springfield Armory Echelon

Shotgun of the Year: Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol

Ammunition of the Year: Speer Gold-Dot for Pistol Caliber Carbines

Optic of the Year: Holosun SCRS

Accessory of the Year: Magpul DAKA Grid

New for 2024 is the Shooting Illustrated Suppressor of the Year. This new category reflects the growing interest and acceptance of suppressors by the gun-owning public, as well as the popularity of suppressors as reflected by sales volume and usage throughout all shooting pursuits.

Suppressor of the Year: Silencer Central Banish Speed K

Pioneer Award: Brandon Maddox

Selected for the 2024 Shooting Illustrated Pioneer Award is Silencer Central’s Brandon Maddox. “A heartfelt congratulations to Silencer Central founder and CEO Brandon Maddox on his Pioneer award recognition,” said Hamlin. “Brandon epitomizes the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well in United States of America. He has really opened up the silencer new product category to the masses.”

The 2024 Golden Bullseye Awards as well as the Pioneer Award will be presented in person at an invitation-only event during the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Dallas, TX, in May, 2024.