If there were a fat lady here, she’d be hitting her aria right about now.  She’s still singing, but the orchestra is winding down.  SHOT Show 2011 is drawing to a close.

It’s been an interesting show for me this year, in large part because my intended focus switched right off the start.  After Monday’s range day event, I suddenly wanted to learn more about airguns.  I blame the folks at Crossman, and their Benjamin Marauder. 

Of course I have been doing some research into the lead-free market, although there are a handful of newer products I didn’t get to see.  The key players all got a moment in the sun, though, including Hornady, Federal-Premium, CCI, Winchester, and Barnes.  For the moment, the key take-aways include:

Federal is currently continuing to load the Barnes bullets in their lead-free line.  They’ve also added the Snow Goose load to the Black Cloud line, so waterfowlers looking for goose loads.  For centerfire, Federal already has a relatively extensive list of available calibers, but I was told they probably won’t be expanding that line.  I was told that the market simply isn’t big enough to make it economically feasible to add some of the less common calibers and weights.  This isn’t great news for those hunters who use the less common guns. 

Barnes is expanding their Vor-TX line of loaded ammunition to include several new centerfire rifle loads from .223 to .338, including 30-30 and 45/70 (for you lever guys).  They’ll also be adding handgun ammunition to the line later this spring or early summer.   The initial launch should include .357 mag, .44mag, and .45 Colt.  I’m hoping to get my hands on some of the .44mag ammo when it becomes available, and will be sure to give it a good try-out.  

CCI has been loading the Hornady bullets in their rimfire ammo, and it looks like they’re just about to complete the line by adding a .17 MachII.  Some manufacturers told me they thought this was a dying cartridge, but it seems to be pretty popular with some of the varmint hunters out there. 

Winchester has a piece of really good news with the release of their new PowerMax 95-5 (I may have the name wrong… bear with me, as it’s not on their website yet).  The most remarkable thing about this new line is the price which will be much lower than the other current, lead-free ammo on the market.  I’m hoping this is the beginning of a trend.  I’ll be testing this ammo later this year, as soon as I can get my grubby hands on it! 

I’ve got more lead-free ammo information coming soon, but right now I’ve got to fly.  The 2011 SHOT Show has ended for me, but the information, products, and ideas I picked up along the way will fuel many posts to come.

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