The 2026 SAAMI Ballistics Conference

September 15-17, 2026

A 2-Day Technical Seminar and Training Course plus a range day at the testing laboratories of U.S. Element Space & Defense for product demonstrations and a tour of their facilities.

Presented by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc.

OVERVIEW:  2026 will be the sixth biennial SAAMI Ballistics Conference. The purpose of the Conference is to serve as a training workshop and discussion forum addressing a broad range of topics relevant to small arms ammunition design, ballistic laboratory/test facility operations, methods, and related equipment and materials.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?:  The SAAMI Ballistics Conference will be of special interest to small arms ballistic laboratory technicians, ammunition and firearm designers and test engineers, test facility managers, and civilians, law enforcement, and military who utilize the SAAMI standards in the manufacture or qualification of ammunition and firearms.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: The SAAMI Ballistics Conference will be held Tuesday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 16 in Baltimore, MD at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court located on the scenic inner harbor. There will be an optional site visit on Thursday, September 17 to U.S. Element Space & Defense in Belcamp, MD to demonstrate ballistic test equipment and to tour their facilities.

The agenda for this year’s event includes presentations on:

• PCB Ballistic Pressure Sensor User’s Training and Practical Workshop.
• Building a Defensible Lead Testing Program.
• Propellants – the science, selection, and use considerations.
• Legal considerations of test recordkeeping to mitigate product liability risk.
• The US FBI Terminal Ballistics Method.
• Integrated Measurement for Ballistics & Firearms Dynamics.
• Challenges to Measuring Next Generation Ammunition Designs.
• OSHA Is Coming.  Now what?
• Ballistic DAQ System Overview.
• Ballistic Pressure Sensor Calibration.
• Practical Measurements – Ballistics & Firearm Dynamics.
• The final agenda can be viewed here.

RSVP:  Please RSVP to [email protected] if you have any questions or wish to receive additional information on this important industry conference.

REGISTRATION:  To Register for the SAAMI 2026 Ballistics Conference, please click HERE.

ADDITIONAL TOPICS:  We are always looking to keep the Ballistics conference pertinent and valuable to the sporting arms and ammunition and firearms manufacturing community. If there are specific relevant topics you would like to see covered at this conference, or if you are interested in presenting, please include that information with your RSVP or to provide those ideas directly to Alan Serven, Senior Director of Technical Affairs at [email protected].

Any other questions can be addressed to [email protected].

2022 SAAMI® Ballistics Conference A  2½-Day Technical Seminar and Training Course Presented by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. September 13-15, 2022, in Rapid City, South Dakota OVERVIEW: 2022 is the fourth biennial SAAMI Ballistics Conference. The purpose of the Ballistics conference is to serve as a training workshop and discussion forum addressing a broad range of topics relevant to small arms ammunition ballistic laboratory/test facility operations. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? The SAAMI Ballistics Conference will be of special interest to small arms ballistic laboratory technicians, ammunition and firearm test engineers, and test facility managers, civilian, law enforcement, and military who utilize SAAMI’s American National Standards in the manufacture or qualification of ammunition and firearms. View the complete event agenda here. ABOUT THE CONFERENCE: The SAAMI Ballistics Conference will be held September 13-15 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Registration for the event is now open. REGISTER NOW Any inquiries should be directed to Wanda Heckel [email protected].

This event is supported by the following sponsors: Gold Sponsors PCB Piezotronics, Inc. DEWESoft Silver Sponsor Kistler Group Bronze Sponsor Oehler Research

Media contact:
Brian Osowiecki
203-426-1320

SAAMI Welcomes On Target Ammunition as Newest Member

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute^® (SAAMI^®) is pleased to announce that On Target Ammunition has been accepted as a Supporting Member. Based in Grain Valley, Missouri, On Target Ammunition is a leading manufacturer of rifle and pistol cartridges.

“We are excited to have On Target join the SAAMI family,” said Rick Patterson, SAAMI’s Executive Director. “The company brings a unique perspective on the ammunition manufacturing business to the table, and we’re looking forward to working with them.”

“We at On Target are very pleased to become a part of the foremost technical organization in the firearms and ammunition industry,” said Bill Hale, Owner of On Target Ammunition. “As a manufacturer, we desire to support our customers’ requirements by being on the leading edge of technical progress and strongly believe that being a member of SAAMI will provide us with the technical knowledge and standards to become an industry leader.”

Headquartered in Newtown, Connecticut, SAAMI is an association of the nation’s leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components. SAAMI was founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government and is an ANSI-accredited standards developer. SAAMI’s many tasks include creating and publishing industry standards for safety, reliability and interchangeability, coordinating technical data, promoting science-based decision-making by regulators and legislators and promoting safe and responsible firearms use. These efforts are conducted on a global scale. For more information, visit www.saami.org.

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About SAAMI
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government, is dedicated to creating and promulgating technical, performance and safety standards for firearms, ammunition and components, and is committed to being the preeminent global resource for the safe and responsible transportation, storage and use of these products.

SAAMI BALLISTIC INSTRUMENTATION GROUP WORKSHOP

A 2-Day Technical Seminar and Training Course

Presented by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute.

With special thanks to our corporate sponsors Nosler Inc., PCB Piezotronics / MTS Systems Corporation, Oehler Research, Inc, Kistler Instrument Corporation

Location: Bend, Oregon

OVERVIEW:  2018 is the fifth SAAMI Ballistic Instrumentation Users’ Group Workshop. The purpose of the Users’ Group Workshop is to serve as a training workshop and discussion forum addressing a broad range of topics relevant to small arms ammunition ballistic laboratory/test facility operations.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: The SAAMI Ballistic Instrumentation Group Workshop will be of special interest to small arms ballistic laboratory technicians, ammunition and firearm test engineers, and test facility managers, civilian, law enforcement, and military, who utilize the ANSI-SAAMI standards in the manufacture or qualification of ammunition and firearms.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:   The cost of the Workshop is $550.00 for 2 days – August 21-22, 2018. Space is limited to 40 registered attendees. To reserve your space please and submit payment please contact Wanda Heckel at 203-426-4358 x229 or [email protected].

• August 21– 09:00 through 17:00, Townplace Suites by Marriott, Conference Room;
  • SAAMI Conformal Ballistic Pressure Sensor User’s Training: a highly detailed training seminar on the SAAMI conformal pressure sensor system. Presented by PCB Piezotronics / Bob Metz
  • Modern Chronograph Systems and Integrated Velocity and Pressure Data Capture
    Applications in the Ballistic Laboratory / Ultra Long-Range Velocity Capture and the Effect on Ballistic Coefficients: Oehler Chronograph systems are considered the backbone of commercial and military ballistic test centers and now Oehler also addresses ultra long-range time of flight capture requirements for effect on ballistic coefficients. Presented by Oehler Research, Dr. Ken Oehler, Gary Stafford

August 22 – 09:00 through 11:30, Townplace Suites by Marriott, Conference Room;

• • An Introduction to C.I.P. “Drilled Case” and NATO “Case Mouth” Pressure Sensor Measurement: an introduction into the process and protocol of C.I.P. and NATO specific pressure measurement systems. Presented by Kistler Instrument Corporation / Richard Cadille & Michael Bashara
  • 13:00 through 16:00
  • Nosler Inc. – Tour of a Working Ballistic Lab: View an operational ballistic test center utilizing the SAAMI conformal pressure sensor system. Question and answer period. Presented by Nosler Inc. and PCB Piezotronics
  • Nosler Inc. – Factory Tour: Tour the state of the art Nosler production facility and see how the highly acclaimed Nosler rifle and handgun projectiles are produced from start to finish. Presented by Nosler Inc.

LODGING: Townplace Suites by Marriott, 755 SW 13th Place, Bend, OR 97702, :541-382-5006. for guest room reservations. Townplace Suites is extending the GSA approved room rate of $151.00 (plus taxes) to all registered attendees of the B.I.G. Workshop. Please confirm your registration for the Workshop with Wanda Heckel prior to booking your hotel accommodation. Room reservations must be made before August 1.

MEALS / SOCIAL:

• Breakfast: Townplace Suites by Marriott rooms include a continental breakfast.
• Lunches are provided both days courtesy Oehler Research, Inc.
• Morning and afternoon breaks are provided both days courtesy Kistler Instrument Corporation.
• Tuesday Evening Social Meet and Greet: Registered attendees are cordially invited to the Meet and Greet hosted by PCB Piezotronics on Tuesday, 21 August, at 6:00 P.M. at the Deschutes Brewery / Mountain Room.
• Evening Meals: Evening meal arrangements are the responsibility of the attendee.

AIRPORT: Redmond/Bend (RDM) airport is located about half an hour from Bend. Connections may be made through other area airports (Portland) and car rental.

Media contact:
Brian Osowiecki
203-426-1320

SAAMI Welcomes Two New Members to Organization

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute^® (SAAMI^®) is pleased to announce that two new companies have joined its member roster. Savannah, Georgia-based Quantum Ammunition, LLC has been accepted as an Associate Member, and Vairog US, LLC, of Cleveland, Tennessee, has been accepted as a Supporting Member.

“We are very pleased to have these two companies join SAAMI and serve as representatives for the firearms industry as a whole,” said Rick Patterson, SAAMI’s Executive Director. “We’re very much looking forward to their input and support.”

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with Quantum and Vairog for the benefit of the entire industry and welcome both to the SAAMI family,” added Joe Bartozzi, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of O.F. Mossberg and SAAMI Chairman of the Board.

Headquartered in Newtown, Connecticut, SAAMI is an association of the nation’s leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components. SAAMI was founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government and is an ANSI-accredited standards developer. SAAMI’s many tasks include creating and publishing industry standards for safety, reliability and interchangeability, coordinating technical data, promoting science-based decision-making by regulators and legislators, and promoting safe and responsible firearms use. These efforts are conducted on a global scale. For more information, visit www.saami.org.

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About SAAMI
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government, is dedicated to creating and promulgating technical, performance and safety standards for firearms, ammunition and components, and is committed to being the preeminent global resource for the safe and responsible transportation, storage and use of these products.