SHOT Show 2024: Day 3 Part 3

Intro and Day 3 Part 3 Setup

The segment opens on Day 3, Part 3 of SHOT Show 2024, with the hosts emphasizing how much ground there is to cover on the show floor. They note that each new area reveals even more products and that they are pushing through the long days and sore feet to capture as much as possible. Flux Defense is mentioned as a booth they still have not reached, underscoring the scale of the event. The focus then shifts toward the next stop on their route, setting up a visit with Nightforce to look at a new spotting scope and other gear.

Nightforce Configurable Field Spotting Scope

At the Nightforce booth, Eric introduces the Configurable Field Spotting Scope. It offers a 6–36x magnification range, providing a very wide field of view at 6x for general spotting and a clear image at distance on 36x. The optic uses first focal plane reticles and is available with three options: Mil-XTS, MOA-XTS, and Tremor 4, designed as companions to Nightforce rifle scope reticles. The reticle layout is engineered so it does not feel cluttered at high power, using goalpost-style elements set off to the sides. When zoomed in, the reticle is slightly low in the field of view, leaving the upper portion open for watching bullet trace, impacts, or general glassing.

Nightforce Accessory Cage and Mission Configurability

Eric explains that the spotting scope is designed to be mission configurable, with a strong emphasis on professional use but also adaptable for other shooters. The body integrates a dovetail built to the RRS standard, allowing a spotting scope accessory cage to slide over and secure with six screws. The cage provides multiple M-LOK mounting faces and a 20-slot attachment surface for accessories such as red dots, lights, night vision, or thermal devices. Nightforce shows a setup with a thermal unit in front and a recording device at the rear, as well as a red dot for quick target acquisition and ballistic confirmation. The S-SRAP (Spotting Scope Rail Accessory Platform) can be mounted forward or rearward. Despite the robust build and accessory capability, the scope weighs about 33.7 ounces and is roughly 14 inches long, staying under 50 ounces even with attachments, and is subjected to impact testing tailored to its fixed, non-erector design.

Barrett MRAD ELR Extreme Long Range Rifle

The coverage moves to Barrett Firearms, where the discussion turns to the newly released MRAD ELR, described as the extreme long range version of the MRAD platform. The rifle is purpose-built for shooting long distance with large cartridges and retains the modularity of the standard MRAD. It features an adjustable length of pull, adjustable buttpad, and cheek rest. The MRAD ELR is initially offered in 416 Barrett, with a barrel maker kit planned so users can convert to calibers such as 375 CheyTac and 375 EnABELR. The system is designed so that caliber changes can be completed in about five minutes, similar to the standard MRAD, allowing shooters to adapt the rifle to different extreme long-range applications while staying within the same chassis and control layout.

King of Two Miles with Barrett 416 MRAD

Two members of Barrett’s competition team, Justin and James, describe their experience at the King of Two Miles match using a 416 Barrett MRAD. Justin served as the shooter while James handled spotting and wind calls. They emphasize how critical the spotter’s role is at two miles, relying on mirage, wind reading, and careful measurement of misses in the spotting scope reticle to guide scope adjustments and target transitions. Their rifle, a production MRAD ELR, took second place in a field of over 80 shooters, competing against mostly custom-built rifles. They note that the same rifle was used at range day, where more than 300 shooters made hits on steel at 1,100 yards. The team highlights the challenge of engaging targets that cannot be seen with the naked eye, with roughly nine-second flight times, and point out that three Barrett MRADs made the top 17 finalists, likely the only production rifles in that group.

Beretta DT11 and SL2 with Olympian Vincent Hancock

The final segment features Beretta USA with Olympic skeet shooter Vincent Hancock. The host mentions attending Beretta’s range day and being particularly impressed by the DT11 and SL2 shotguns. Hancock explains his progression from the DT10 to the DT11 and then the DT11 Black, winning multiple Olympic gold medals along the way. The DT11 introduced Beretta’s Steelium Pro barrels with extended forcing cones, improving performance over the DT10. The DT11 Black adds a carbon fiber rib, allowing a longer barrel with reduced weight, which benefits the fast, highly mobile style of International (Olympic) skeet. Hancock notes that each iteration has refined the platform, and he describes the SL2 as taking the technology to another level, while the DT11’s detachable trigger group remains a notable feature for competitive shooters who value serviceability and consistency.