This past week the annual 39th Shot Show was held in Las Vegas. Unlike the AMO show held earlier this month, the Shot Show is open to all hunting manufacturers and not just archery, as is the AMO. The Shot Show is produced by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and is more firearm related than AMO, and it is one of the those must-stops in the show circuit for those of us who are into anything that goes bang.

Hunters now have a great non-toxic alternative to steel shot with the new Bismuth waterfowl and upland line of shot shells from Kent Cartridge.

If you’re not familiar with Kent, you should be. For the past several years, I have been using Kent loads for everything from spring turkey to waterfowl and find them perfect for any style of hunting. Kent’s high-performance, but affordable, Faststeel offering for ducks and geese is a dream come true for the everyday hunters. Their price point is right in line with many manufacturers and, in my option, offer better results.

Bismuth is a high-density 9.6g/cc non-toxic shot that has a 24 percent higher density than steel. Bismuth is as soft as lead, making it a safe choice for older and fixed choke guns.

Bismuth also has less side drift in windy conditions, making sure shooters stay on target, because the wind can and will affect your pattern. No mater if you’re hugging an oak tree in the spring or hunting ducks over open water, the pattern is the constant.

Kent Cartridge Bismuth is created using a proprietary burnishing and rolling process that produces uniform, consistent shot for exceptional patterning, superior retained energy and penetration. The shot shells are loaded with a high-density, low-flash powder for clean burning, all-weather performance. A hot fuel primer is used for consistent ignition. A high-performance base wad, developed during five years of research for the loads, produces more reliable functioning in popular semiauto shotguns.

A trip to Shot would not be the same without time at the range. The day before, Shot Show is set aside for outdoor communicators to spend time on the range checking out the latest and greatest.

Recently there has been an industry-wide trend in long-range shooting in general, in everything from scopes to ammo. The folks at Mossberg proved that they have a great platform for long range shooting. Folks, the new introduction by Mossberg isn’t anything like your old Mossberg 500, so hold on to your hat.

That platform is the MVP Precision. Mossberg’s made an MVP rifle for years. It’s a bolt-action gun that accepts AR magazines. Their designers developed their own chassis for the new precision version, however, so the gun could accept both M1A and SR-25 (DPMS) style mags. It’s got a slim-profile forend, Magpul grip, Mossberg’s Lightning Bolt Action trigger, a LUTH-AR multi-adjustable stock that you can adjust for LOP, cast and comb height, 20- or 24-inch threaded medium bull barrel, a 20 MOA Picatinny rail, and the M-LOK system for attaching accessories. The MVP Precision is initially available in 6.5 Creedmoor, which is likely the most popular caliber for today’s long-range competitions, with 224 Valkyrie and the traditional .308 Win and .223 calibers coming later in the year. The MVP Precision will run you about $1,400, making it one of the more budget-friendly precision rifles you’ll come across.

Ruger’s had a lot of success with its Ruger Precision Rifle, introduced a couple of years ago. In 2018 they’re showing a rimfire version that features a Quick-Fit adjustable precision stock, free-float M-LOK hard anodized aluminum handguard, threaded barrel, Ruger Marksman adjustable trigger, adjustable big-gun bolt throw, and 15-round magazine. Rimfire competitors will appreciate the MSRP of $529. Ruger’s also showing a long-range target version of the Hawkeye that should appeal to a lot of shooters.

Remington is stepping up its long-range game with the Remington Model 700 PCR (Precision Chassis Rifle), with the Remington XMark Pro trigger. The iconic Model 700 barreled action is cerakoted, the anodized aluminum chassis is Teflon-coated, the free-floated barrel has a threaded muzzle ready for a suppressor, and a Magpul PRS Gen 3 buttstock gives you plenty of adjustability. It comes in .260 Rem, .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor, starting at $1,200.

In 1945, Weatherby Sporting Goods opened up its doors in downtown Los Angeles. After years of innovation and shaping the market, Weatherby is making a huge announcement at Shot Show 2018.

Firearms manufacturer Weatherby, Inc., is relocating its manufacturing operations and corporate headquarters from California to Sheridan, Wyoming, company officials announced during the Shot Show.

The move is expected to create 70 to 90 jobs and more than $5 million annually in payroll in the next five years.

Outdoor recreation is an economic driver in Wyoming, and manufacturing plays a vital role in any economy, according to Shawn Reese, chief executive officer of the Wyoming Business Council.

“So, to bring those two things together — an internationally known manufacturer of outdoor equipment headquartered in Wyoming — will pay dividends, not only to Sheridan and northeast Wyoming, but this is a project of which the entire state should be proud,” Reese said.

Wyoming wooed the renowned gunmaker with its expansive access to unrivaled big game hunting, low taxes, industry friendly environment, Sheridan College’s workforce training program and a comprehensive incentives package.

“We wanted a place where we could retain a great workforce, and where our employees could live an outdoor lifestyle,” said Adam Weatherby, chief executive officer. “We wanted to move to a state where we can grow into our brand. Wyoming means new opportunities. We are not interested in maintaining; we are growing.”

Governor Matt Mead and the Wyoming Business Council, the state’s economic development agency, began recruiting Weatherby a year ago.

“Wyoming is a great place to do business and is excited to welcome Weatherby to Sheridan,” Mead said. “For over 70 years, Weatherby has been an innovator in firearms design and manufacturing. The company will add to our manufacturing base and fit well with our diversification objectives.

“I thank the Wyoming Business Council, the Sheridan Economic and Education Development Authority, and all who helped bring Weatherby, Inc. to Wyoming.”

Weatherby called Mead’s enthusiastic support and accessibility a major asset for a company operating in a highly-regulated industry.

“From the get-go, when we met the governor, he said, ‘Here’s my number, shoot me a text any time,'” Weatherby said. “He responds to our needs quickly, and it shows a business like ours is important to Wyoming and that it’s a big deal here.”

Business Council staff took Weatherby officials on tours of potential sites for their facility around the state following the initial conversations.

Sheridan stood out to Weatherby executives because of its access to both the outdoors and a skilled workforce.

Weatherby will invest an estimated $2 million in relocation expenses and cover all capital investment in the building and lot over the life of the 20-year lease, which is expected to be well over $4 million.

Founded in 1945 by Adam Weatherby’s grandfather, Roy Weatherby, the family-owned and operated business has built a brand synonymous with quality craftmanship, a superior fit and finish and ballistic superiority.

It looks like Wyoming is a step ahead of the “Big City/States” in keeping outdoor manufacturers happy. Maybe the Empire State should take note. Well, it just an idea.

Weatherby’s showing the Mark V Carbon Mark, which uses a carbon fiber barrel for superior heat dissipation. It comes in .257, 300 Wby and 6.5-300, around $4,100 MSRP.

Savage has got the 110 BA Stealth Evolution, with all the features you’d want in a precision rifle, including a great trigger (Savage’s beloved AccuTrigger), in .223, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua and you can get any of them in a left-handed version. MSRP starts at $1,799 depending on the caliber.

Kimber’s Advanced Tatical SOC II is built for law enforcement and military use as well as competition, as many precision rifles are. It features a left-folding stock, one-half MOA accuracy standard, threaded muzzle, full-length Mauser claw extractor and a crisp, factory-set match-grade trigger. You can get it in — what else — .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor for an MSRP of $2,449.

That is just the tip of a very big iceberg, over the next few months I will be sharing more great new products that were shown off at the 39th annual Shot Show.