Shell Shock Technologies, LLC. (SST), a leading innovator in the ammunition industry, is proud to announce its continued sponsorship of competitive shooter John Vlieger for the 2026 competitive shooting season. Since 2017, SST has supplied Vlieger with its revolutionary NAS3 cases, which he has relied on for their superior strength, lighter weight, and consistent performance. In 2026, Vlieger will continue to use SST's NAS3 cases along with its loaded pistol and rifle ammunition in high-level competitions.
Vlieger, a seasoned competitor, has achieved remarkable success in the shooting sports industry. With eleven seasons under his belt, he holds the title of USPSA Single Stack National Champion, is a five-time USPSA Area Champion, and a five-time Division USPSA Grandmaster. His competitive career includes helping to secure a 1st Place Team finish in the Open Division and 6th place overall at the 2025 IPSC Handgun World Shoot in South Africa, as well as a 10th-place finish at the 2022 IPSC Handgun World Shoot in Thailand, cementing his status as one of the world's top shooters. A U.S. Army veteran with deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Vlieger applies the same discipline and dedication to his training and competition as he did in military service.
"Continuing my partnership with Shell Shock Technologies into 2026 is something I truly value," said Vlieger. "Their NAS3 cases give me absolute confidence every time I step on the line; lighter, stronger, and built for consistency when it matters most. As I focus on another demanding season, having equipment that performs flawlessly allows me to stay locked in on execution and results."
SST NAS3 cases are engineered for enhanced strength, corrosion resistance, and reduced weight compared to traditional brass casings. These benefits have made them a preferred choice among top-tier competitors like Vlieger, who demand peak performance from their gear.
"John represents the caliber of athlete we build our technology for," said Peter Foss, Managing Partner and CEO of Shell Shock Technologies. "His experience, precision, and relentless drive mirror our own commitment to advancing ammunition performance. As he heads into the 2026 season, we're excited to continue supporting him with innovative solutions designed to perform at the highest levels of competition."
Vlieger has fired over 200,000 rounds of ammunition with SST's NAS3 cases since first becoming a sponsored shooter in 2017. His first appearance for the 2026 season will be at the South Carolina USPSA Section Match in Belton, SC, from March 20 – 21, 2026.
About Shell Shock Technologies NAS3 Cases:
NAS3 cases are 50 percent lighter than brass cases, offer greater lubricity, and will not abrade, clog, foul, wear out, or damage breach and ejector mechanisms. The cases offer greater corrosion resistance, tensile strength (2x stronger), and elasticity than brass. NAS3 cases will not split, chip, crack, or grow (stretch). The pistol cases are fully reloadable (using S3 Reload dies) and can be reloaded many more times than brass cases. NAS3 cases have been tested successfully by customers to pressures over 70k psi. NAS3 cases can be picked up with a magnet.
NAS3 is "Best in Class" for maintaining consistent velocity between rounds. In an independent test performed by H.P. White Laboratory (a major munitions testing facility), rounds fired using NAS3 cases achieved a velocity standard deviation of 0.093 FPS (124-grain FMJ bullet, 4.2 grains Titegroup powder, ten rounds, extreme variation 3fps).
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About Shell Shock Technologies and Shell Tech Ammo:
Shell Shock Technologies, LLC (SST), headquartered in Eubank, Kentucky, is a leading innovator in advanced ammunition case design and manufacturing. Since 2015, Shell Shock has supplied hundreds of millions of high-performance cases to commercial ammunition companies, U.S. defense contractors, and international defense allies. The company's patented, lightweight, and durable cases are engineered to enhance precision, reliability, and functionality across a variety of applications. Expanding on this legacy, Shell Shock introduced Shell Tech, a new line of factory-loaded, hand-inspected ammunition designed for hunters, sports shooters, and defense professionals. Produced at our Calhoun, Georgia, facility, Shell Tech ammo brings unmatched quality, accuracy, and consistency directly to consumers.
Committed to ongoing innovation, Shell Shock's engineers continually develop advanced materials and processes, including pioneering lightweight ammunition links for belt-fed machine guns. With a focus on performance, dependability, and customer satisfaction, Shell Shock and Shell Tech set a new standard in ammunition technology.
For more information, please visit www.shellshocktechnologies.com or follow us on Instagram at @shellshocktech.
About John Vlieger:
John Vlieger is a USPSA National Champion, U.S. Army veteran, and practical shooting competitor based near Lexington, KY. He began competing in 2014 while serving on active duty with the US Army and has since established himself as a top performer in Open Division. In addition to his Open Division success, Vlieger also competes at a high level in Carry Optics and Single Stack divisions, pushing to excel with multiple platforms.
With more than 150 state, regional, and national championship matches completed, Vlieger has earned numerous state and regional titles, along with one national title, through a disciplined training regimen. His results in USPSA competition have placed him among the nation's best and earned him selection to represent Team USA at the 2025 IPSC Handgun World Shoot, where he helped secure a 1st Place Team finish in the Open Division on the world stage and 6th place overall.