NRA Women Names Federal’s Punch 22 LR as a 2022 Golden Bullseye Award Winner

ANOKA, Minnesota – January 14, 2022 – Federal’s Punch 22 LR has been honored with the 2022 NRA Women Gear of the Year Golden Bullseye Award. Federal will be recognized in association with the award during a special reception on Friday, May 27, 2022, at the 2022 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas.

“Until Federal’s introduction of Punch 22 LR, there wasn’t a self-defense option for this platform,” stated Rick Stoeckel, Federal’s Product Director of Rimfire ammunition. “Defense with a handgun isn’t one size fits all. Different shooters have different needs based on their firearm selection. We are proud and grateful to receive this award.”

The first-of-its-kind 29-grain nickel-plated lead-core bullet is pushed at maximum velocities for the deepest penetration through short-barrel handguns. So, whether you want to carry a 22 LR pistol as a backup gun, don’t feel comfortable with centerfire pistols, or simply want to get more versatility from your rimfire, Punch makes the 22 LR cartridge a viable choice.

The NRA Publications Golden Bullseye Awards acknowledge the finest products available in the shooting sports. To qualify for consideration for a Golden Bullseye Award, the product must meet a variety of demanding criteria on design, function, value and overall contribution to the shooting industry.

Federal’s Punch 22 LR bullet itself is a departure from standard 22 LR design. It features a flat nose and utilizes a heavy nickel-plated jacket around a lead core. So not only does it travel faster than competing 22 projectiles, but its design also deliberately minimizes expansion and retains weight to maintain sufficient straight-line penetration. That is a lot to ask from a .22 bullet, which is why other manufacturers have shied away from the challenge. But Federal’s engineering team pulled it off, giving America’s favorite cartridge a chance to prove itself for protection.