American Rifleman Announces 2025 NRA Golden Bullseye Award Winners

by
posted on January 2, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
American Rifleman Golden Bullseye 2025 F

For the 23rd year, American Rifleman is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 NRA Golden Bullseye Awards. While most of the awards are given for new innovative products offered by the firearm, ammunition and optics industries, they also include awards that recognize individual contribution to freedom and the shooting sports.

“These awards have become the most prestigious in the entire firearm industry,” Deputy Executive Director of NRA Publications Michael J. Sanford said. “I have watched the Golden Bullseyes go from a concept more than two decades ago to the most in-demand awards, truly worthy of NRA and its members. I appreciate the time and energy put into not only reviewing these guns and accessories for NRA members, but the process the editorial staff goes through in judiciously selecting them.”

Golden Bullseye Awards are selected by the staff of American Rifleman. 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.

Once editors make their selections, they are reviewed by the management of the NRA Publications division. The winners of the American Rifleman Golden Bullseye awards are as follows:

Rifle Of The Year
Smith & Wesson Model 1854

Shotgun Of The Year
SDS Arms MAC 1014

Handgun Of The Year
Colt Blued Python

Tactical Product Of The Year
FightLite Herring Model 2024

Optic Of The Year
Burris Eliminator 6

Ammunition Of The Year
Winchester .21 Sharp

Accessory Of The Year
Wyoming Sight Drifter

The 2025 Golden Bullseye Awards as well as the Pioneer Award and the Freedom Award will be presented in person at an invitation-only event during the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta, Ga. Read about last year's Golden Bullseye award winners here.

 

 

Latest

Smith Wesson Academy Artv 1
Smith Wesson Academy Artv 1

The Smith & Wesson Academy Reopens

One of the latest expansions at S&W's new Maryville facility is the addition of an entirely new training ground, the new home of the legendary Smith & Wesson Academy.

New for 2026: EAA Balikli BLK Bolt-Action Rifles

This year, EAA Corp. expanded its catalog with a new hunting rifle, the Balikli BLK bolt-action, which has high-end features for its price, as well as compatibility with broad aftermarket.

HOUSTON 2026 | The 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Exuberance was the defining spirit of the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings. More than 73,000 attendees packed the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston to celebrate 250 years of America, concurrent with 155 years of their NRA.

A Landmark Post-Bruen Alignment of the 2nd and 4th Amendments in Maryland

On June 4, 2026, the Appellate Court of Maryland ruled that law enforcement cannot stop and search a person merely because they see a gun—or the outline of one printing from a concealed holster.

Shotshell Basics: Understanding Payloads, Pressures & Performance

A shotgun can be supremely versatile, depending on how it’s loaded. Understanding how shotshells work is difficult, but crucial.

Rock River Arms Celebrates 30 Years in Business

While the company's beginnings go back to 1994, the Rock River Arms story officially started in 1996, meaning that it is celebrating 30 years in business in 2026.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.