American Rifleman 2023 Golden Bullseye Award Winners

NRA Publications’ 2023 Golden Bullseye Awards—now in their 21st year—have been announced. The Golden Bullseye Awards recognize the firearm industry’s top products as voted on by NRA Publications’ editors.

The awards are selected by the editorial staffs of four of NRA Publications’ properties through a rigorous evaluation process, and they are each reviewed by NRA Publications’ management. “A big thank you to the NRA Publications editorial staff who literally tested hundreds of new products before making their 2023 Golden Bullseye selections,” said NRA Publications Executive Director Doug Hamlin. This year’s Golden Bullseye Awards are even more noteworthy as American Rifleman, “the World’s Oldest and Largest Firearm Authority,” is celebrating its 100th anniversary. This year also marks the 50th year of publication of NRA’s American Hunter magazine, the world’s largest circulation hunting magazine. Golden Bullseyes are also awarded by NRA’s most contemporary Official Journal, Shooting Illustrated, as well as by NRA Publication’s fastest-growing web property, NRAWomen.com.

“The NRA Golden Bullseye Awards epitomize what NRA members seek in their shooting and hunting equipment—outstanding performance, innovation and value,” Hamlin continued. “These are the best new products, truly worthy of NRA Member’s attention, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all this year’s winners.”

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.

Whereas the Golden Bullseye Award acknowledges the finest products available in the shooting sports, 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.

“Also, my heartfelt congratulations to Pioneer Award honoree Bill Wilson from Wilson Combat. I have known Bill personally for more than 30 years,” said Hamlin, “and his standard for producing world class custom firearms is unparalleled."

The 2023 Golden Bullseye Awards will be presented in person at an invitation-only event during the 2023 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Indianapolis, Ind., and will include recognition of Pioneer Award Winner Bill Wilson, founder and owner of Wilson Combat. 

American Rifleman 2023 Golden Bullseye Awards

Rifle of the Year                      Marlin 1895 SBL

Handgun of the Year               Smith & Wesson CSX

Shotgun of the Year                Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 28 Gauge

Optic of the Year                     Sightmark Wraith 4K Mini

Ammunition of the Year           Remington Core-Lokt Tipped

Tactical Product of the Year      Springfield Armory Hellion

Accessory of the Year              Silencer Central Banish 46