Hook & Barrel Magazine® is excited to announce the third annual Hook & Barrel Top Shelf Awards, celebrating the best-in-class brands, products and personalities in the outdoor industry. From top-tier firearms, archery equipment and fishing tackle to outdoor lifestyle brands, personalities and more, the awards celebrate the very best of the outdoor world.
Benelli's M2-G1 Tactical shotgun has been named Guns & Ammo's 2026 Shotgun of the Year, recognizing its innovative Rear Piston Operated gas system and refined design. The award follows extensive evaluation by Guns & Ammo editors and a 4.54-out-of-5 Gold Standard rating from the National Tactical Officers Association.
PRADCO Outdoor Brands recognized three outstanding sales representatives for 2026: Chad Bauman as Sales Representative of the Year, Bert Moore as Regional Representative of the Year for the Southeast, and Rocky Stewart as Regional Representative of the Year for the Northeast.
Dallas Safari Club announced Gray N. Thornton as the 2027 recipient of the Peter H. Capstick Hunting Heritage Award, recognizing his three decades of leadership in wildlife conservation with Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, and the Wild Sheep Foundation, where he currently serves as President and CEO.
Guns & Ammo magazine awarded Federal's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge as Ammo of the Year for 2026, marking the second consecutive year the publication honored Peak Alloy technology. The high-pressure cartridge delivers velocities up to 300 fps faster than conventional 6.5 Creedmoor while maintaining similar recoil and compatibility with existing rifles.
The Double D Foundation presented its 2026 Patriot Award to Pete Brownell, Chairman of Brownells and 2nd Adventure Group, during its Annual Georgia Banquet on October 15. Brownell was recognized for his leadership, integrity, and commitment to protecting the Second Amendment and advancing shooting sports. The Brownells Foundation also joined the Foundation's Corporate Partners Program.
Hornady has been recognized as Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) for the fourth consecutive year. Vice President Jason Hornady praised the award and highlighted the company's commitment to innovation and customer service through their wholesale distribution partners.
Women for Gun Rights presented its inaugural annual awards at the 2026 National Summit Gala, honoring Susan Myers (Volunteer of the Year), Patriot Mobile (2A Business of the Year), Congresswoman Kat Cammack (2A Legislator of the Year), and Mary Forgues (Shirley Waltral Memorial Survivor Award).
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. received the 2026 Firearm Manufacturer of the Year award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers. The recognition reflects the company's commitment to trusted products, American manufacturing, and support for distributors and retailers.
Leupold & Stevens, Inc.'s BX-6 Range HD rangefinding binocular won Ballistic's Best Award for Top Laser Rangefinder from Athlon Untamed. The binocular features the Hornady 4DOF® ballistic calculator, Precision GPS Pinning, and advanced optics for hunting and competitive shooting applications.
Dead Air Silencers' Nomad Ti OTB has been named the 2026 Athlon Untamed Hunting Suppressor of the Year. The innovative over-the-barrel suppressor earned top honors for its lightweight titanium construction, compact design, and superior performance across multiple evaluation categories.
Dallas Safari Club announced that Trackan Lemon, a 13-year-old from Holden, Utah, is the 2027 Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award recipient. Lemon, who completed the World Slam of wild turkeys and has participated in hunts across North America, exemplifies the award's values of leadership, conservation dedication, and community involvement. He will be formally recognized at the 2027 DSC Convention in Atlanta.
The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education recognized four DNR educators: Mike Latus received the Julian Smith Award for outdoor education excellence, Michelle Serreyn earned the William Stapp Award for environmental education, Rose Menzies won the Rising Star Award, and Tammy Smith received the Recognition Award for her work with Salmon in the Classroom.
Ballistic's Best 2026 Hunting Edition Editors' Choice Awards, featured on Athlon Untamed, recognize outstanding hunting products across eight categories including All-Purpose Shotgun, New Spotting Scope, and Backcountry Precision Rifle. The selections highlight innovation and practical performance from Bleecker Street Publications' expert editorial team.
Canik USA's Prime Radian, developed in collaboration with Radian Weapons, won both Best New Handgun and Best New Overall Product awards at the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards. Selected from over 100 entries, the Prime Radian was recognized by industry judges for its innovation, performance, value, and market impact.
Century Arms received the Importer of the Year award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) at the 2026 Caliber Awards dinner in Phoenix. The recognition, voted by NASGW wholesaler members, honors the company's exceptional service, partnership, and support within the shooting sports industry's distribution channel.
Jeff Crane, President and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, received the 2026 Chairman's Award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers for his decades of advocacy for sportsmen, conservation, and the outdoor community. The award recognizes his leadership in growing the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and securing landmark conservation victories.
Federal Ammunition's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge won the Caliber Award in the Best Ammunition New Product category from NASGW and POMA at the 2026 NASGW Expo. The high-pressure cartridge uses Peak Alloy cases and delivers 300 fps faster velocities while maintaining similar recoil in existing 6.5 Creedmoor rifles.
PROOF Research's Elevation MTR FDX rifle earned Outdoor Life's Editor's Choice award for Best Hunting Rifle of 2026. Shooting Editor John B. Snow praised the rifle's build quality and performance, highlighting the innovative PXT barrel technology that achieved a 0.58-inch 20-shot group average during testing.
Leupold & Stevens, Inc.'s new VX-4HD riflescope has received the Caliber Award for "Best New Optic" from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) and the Professional Media Outdoor Association (POMA). The award was presented at the annual NASGW meeting in Phoenix on October 12.