Premier AccuTip Bonded Sabot Slug
If you're into gear (and we know you are), you would have been in heaven. Imagine 1,950 different manufacturers, outfitters and other exhibitors from the world of shooting and hunting gathered in one place to show off their greatest new offerings. At the 30th annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas this past February, that added up to a record-breaking 715,000 square feet of hot products, and Outdoor Canada was there to take it all in-and track down the very best new equipment for Canadian hunters.

Many of these new products are only now arriving on the Canadian market, so please contact the respective companies regarding availability and suggested retail prices.

BEST SHOTGUN SLUG: Premier AccuTip Bonded Sabot Slug
With its lime green polymer tip backed by 385 grains of muscle, Remington's new 12-gauge slug looks downright intimidating. Indeed, the design ensures velocities topping 1,850 fps, improved downrange accuracy and 95 per cent weight retention. Available in 2 3/4-inch and three-inch, this slug is sure to be popular with shotgun deer hunters. Remington, 1-800-243-9700; www.remington.com

BEST RIFLE BULLET: Vital-Shok Trophy Bonded Tip
If you think there's no room for improvement in bullets, the guys at Federal are out to prove you wrong. Built on the Bear Claw platform, this new bullet features a polymer tip and boat-tail design, resulting in improved accuracy and a flatter trajectory. And with its bonded jacket and solid copper shank, I can't imagine a better factory load for medium to large game at long distances. Federal Cartridge, 1-800-322-2342; www.federalcartridge.com


BEST VARMINT RIFLE: Model 25 Lightweight Varminter
Long known for out-of-the-box accuracy, Savage should appease even the most discriminating shooter with its Model 25 Lightweight Varminter. A newly designed action and fluted, free-floated barrel form the basis for this superb small-game rifle, available in .223 Rem. and .204 Ruger. There's even a thumbhole stock version (shown here). Savage, (413) 568-7001; www.savagearms.com

BEST RIFLE CARTRIDGES: Hornady .300 RCM and .338 RCM
After the early success of the Ruger .375, you knew it wouldn't take long to expand the platform. Hornady has taken the .375 Ruger case, shortened it, and necked it down to .308 and .338 diameters to create these new rounds. Built for short-action rifles, they outperform the venerable .300 and .338 Win. Mags, even through a 20-inch barrel. Hornady, 1-800-338-3220;
www.hornady.com

BEST LINE OF BINOS: Fury
From compact to full size, from 6.5 to 12.5X, and from 28- to 42-mm objective lenses, Vortex's Fury line of binoculars is bound to have a model suited to your hunting needs. Sporting fully multi-coated roof prisms, all models are waterproof, fog-proof and rubber-armoured. And the tapered, adjustable eyecups make long days behind the glass a breeze. Vortex, 1-866-343-0054; www.vortexoptics.com