(Grand Island, NE) The 300 and 338 Ruger Compact Magnum (RCM) cartridges from Hornady® received the 2008 Academy of Excellence Award for "Ammunition of the Year." This is the fifth consecutive year that a Hornady® ammunition product has received this award.

The Academy of Excellence Award honors exceptional design, innovation, and service in a variety of categories, and is highly coveted within the shooting industry. Winners are chosen by a select group of 500 shooting industry affiliates including manufacturers, distributors, storefront dealers, and outdoor writers. A tedious two-tiered nomination and voting system protects the integrity and significance of the award by preventing influence from any single group.

Hornady® purpose-built the 300 and 338 RCMs for the toughest hunting in the world. Based on the bestless 375 Ruger case, the 300 and 338 RCMs match or exceed 300 and 338 Win Mag performance from a shorter, more compact, 20" barrel. This compact rifle/cartridge combination provides a lighter and easier-to-handle package, providing ease and flexibility in even the most rugged hunting environments. The 300 RCM is available in 150, 165 and 180 grain offerings. The 338 RCM is offered in a 200 grain SST® and 225 grain SST®. Its efficient design requires 10-15% less propellant which helps extend barrel life, and reduces recoil and muzzle blast. Innovative propellant technology ensures velocity performance and very little temperature sensitivity from -15° to 140°F.

Founded in 1949, Hornady Manufacturing Company, a second generation family-owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska, has become a world leader in innovative bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture.