This portion of our web guide focuses on equipment, ammunition, accessories, and supplies related to firearm shooting sports, including manufacturers and retailers specializing in these products.
These sports include recreational and competitive sports utilizing shotguns, rifles, handguns, machine guns, muzzleloaders, or other firearms.
Shotguns are used in sports like skeet shooting, trap shooting, and sporting clays. Popular manufacturers of shotguns include Mossberg, Remington, and Winchester. Federal Premium and Winchester offer competition-grade shotgun ammunition engineered for precision and reliability, using factors like bullet weight, velocity, and projectile design to ensure consistent performance.
Rifles are used in several precision shooting events, such as benchrest, long-range shooting, and biathlon. Notable brands include Barrett, Browning, Remington, Ruger, Savage Arms, and Winchester. Certain rifle ammunition is favored for its accuracy, consistency, and performance for competitive shooting. Popular choices include 6.0 or 6.5mm Creedmoor, 308 Winchester, 223 Remington, and 6mm BR. Competitive shooters choose particular rounds for reliability and performance in different shooting scenarios.
Handguns are used in disciplines like practical shooting and bullseye shooting. Popular brands include Glock, Sig Sauer, and Smith & Wesson. Hornady, Federal Premium, and Winchester produce match-grade ammunition.
Machine guns are less common in competitive shooting. They are used in competitions and demonstrations and require specialized equipment and ammunition. Barrett, FN Herstal, and Heckler & Koch produce machine guns.
Muzzleloaders are becoming increasingly popular for historical reenactments and competitive shooting. Although antique weapons are sometimes used, manufacturers like Thompson/Center Arms and Traditions Firearms manufacture modern muzzleloaders. Ammunition is typically custom-made or sourced from specialty manufacturers.
Of course, ammunition varies according to the type of firearm and its intended use. Shotgun shells are available in different gauges and shot sizes. Similarly, rifle and handgun ammunition are available in various calibers for various shooting disciplines and firearm types. Muzzleloader ammunition includes bullets, powder, and primers.
Accessories are available to enhance the functionality and convenience of shooting sports. For example, magazines are designed to store and supply ammunition to the firearm's chamber, allowing multiple rounds to be loaded, fired, and cycled without needing to reload manually.
Cleaning kits are essential for maintaining firearms, improving their performance, and extending their usable life. Gun oil and lubricants are used to keep firearms in optimal condition.
For competition and practice, paper, cardboard, plastic, steel, or reactive targets are used.
Gun cases and safes allow for the secure storage and transportation of firearms and are sometimes required.
Several retailers specialize in providing a wide range of firearms, equipment, accessories, and supplies for shooting sports. These, and others, are appropriate resources for this category.
Categories
MuzzleloadingTrap, Skeet & Sporting Clays |
Recommended Resources
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing is an Australian-owned American manufacturer of firearms and ammunition in Christiana, Tennessee. The company was founded in 1982 to build semi-automatic rifles chambered for the .50 BMG ammunition, initially developed for and used in M2 Browning machine guns. It produces anti-materiel, sniper, and semi-automatic rifles, machine guns, optics, and ammunition. An introduction to the company and its products is set forth, and its distributors are acknowledged.
https://barrett.net/
Based in Fort Worth, Texas, the online retailer specializes in sports shooting products and related equipment, such as firearms and ammunition, parts, gun care items, range gear, accessories, survival gear, hunting and range gear, military surplus, camping supplies, and other products. A full catalog of its products is available on the site, categorized by product, although shoppers may opt to shop for clearance and sales items or new arrivals, as well. Gift cards are also available.
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/
Located in Lebanon, Ohio, Classic Upland Supply Company began as Peregrine Outdoor Products in 2009. After some acquisitions and consolidations, its e-commerce stores were consolidated under Classic Upland Supply Company in 2024. Its online catalog features hunting apparel and accessories, shooting gear, air guns, choke tubes, gun storage equipment, dog training supplies, kennels, and knife sharpeners. Online shoppers may browse by product category or by brand. Contacts are provided.
https://classicusc.com/
Federal Premium Ammunition is a subsidiary of Vista Outdoor based in Anoka, Minnesota. Founded in 1916, it initially produced ammunition for use in World War I but closed after the war. In 1922, it was refounded and launched a distribution plan that placed its products on the shelves of grocery stores, barbershops, and filling stations. Federal produces ammo for rifles, handguns, shotguns, rimfire weapons, and muzzleloaders, along with reloading supplies and a custom shop.
https://www.federalpremium.com/
Sturm, Ruger & Company (Ruger) is an American firearms manufacturer based in Southport, Connecticut, with production facilities in Connecticut, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Arizona. Founded in 1949, the company produces bolt-action, semi-automatic, single-shot rifles, semi-automatic pistols, and single- and double-action revolvers. Its products are highlighted on the website, along with instruction manuals, registration facilities, and accessories.
https://ruger.com/
Based in Pennsylvania, Sarco is a firearms supplier specializing in surplus war material. Founded in 1959, the company has become one of the world's largest wholesale and retail suppliers of firearms, firearm parts, gun accessories, and associated materials, including books and special offers. The company buys and sells all types of firearms gear internationally, both new and used, military and commercial, and serves sportsmen, collectors, dealers, and brokers.
https://www.sarcoinc.com/
Savage Arms is a US-based gunmaker headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts, with operations in Canada and China. In business since 1894, Savage makes a variety of rimfire and centerfire rifles, as well as single-shot rifles and shotguns. Its products, dealers and representatives, team, partnerships, and career opportunities are posted. A product catalog, product families, manuals, promotional offers, rebates, and a press kit are featured on the company site.
https://savagearms.com/
The Connecticut retailer sells bulk ammo online with free shipping on most orders. The company offers a large selection of ammunition for handguns, rifles, and shotguns from top brands, including muzzleloader ammo. The store also sells handguns, rifles, shotguns, reloading supplies, tactical gear, and apparel. Online shoppers can browse by brand, product, or special offers. Information about buying a gun online, guns and ammo laws, and other resources are included.
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/
Traditions Performance Firearms
Traditions, based in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, produces muzzleloaders, cartridge rifles, revolvers, cannons, and various accessories. Its address, phone and fax numbers, and email address are published. The company's online store features muzzleloaders, cartridge rifles, black powder and single-action revolvers, cannons, build-it-yourself kits, optics, scopes, accessories, and special offers. Dealers may be located through the site, which includes media data and contacts.
https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/
