Grand Island, NE — Hornady® has received the Guns & Ammo award for Ammunition of the Year for its Critical Defense® Rifle and Hornady® Subsonic ammunition.

The 2018 award winners were chosen by a select group of editors, contributors and staff from Guns & Ammo magazine. The awards were judged based on performance, proven long-term durability, product value and availability to the consumer.

Guns & Ammo called Critical Defense® Rifle and Hornady® Subsonic ammunition a “must-have” for those who depend on a rifle for personal defense. The staff also praised the new loads’ use of Flex Tip® technology, which prevents bullet-nose clogging while controlling expansion as the bullet passes through barriers.

“Receiving this award from Guns & Ammo acknowledges the vision and dedication our team puts into every new round we develop,” said Steve Hornady, President of Hornady Manufacturing. “To have G&A describe Critical Defense® Rifle and Hornady® Subsonic as the ‘apogee for self-defense rifle ammunition’ confirms that we’ve achieved our goal of creating the best possible new products for our customers.”

Guns & Ammo presents awards for firearms, optics, ammunition, suppressor and innovation. To protect the credibility of the awards, no manufacturers, advertisers or sales representatives were invited into the selection process.

Critical Defense® Rifle was developed to provide the best performance for personal protection. Its bright nickel-plated cartridge cases ease chamber checks in reduced light, and low-flash propellants preserve night vision.

Hornady® Subsonic ammunition is designed for accuracy and performance below the speed of sound and features the new Sub-X® (Subsonic - eXpanding) bullet, which expands reliably at low velocities. In addition, performance of Hornady® 300 Blackout Subsonic ammunition meets or exceeds FBI Protocol terminal ballistic test requirements.

Founded in 1949, Hornady® Manufacturing Company is a family owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. Proudly manufacturing products that are made in the USA, Hornady® Manufacturing is a world leader in bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture.