Derrick Ratliff is the founder of Horizon Firearms, a custom long-distance rifle manufacturer, as well as sister company iota Outdoors, makers of carbon fiber stocks. In 2012, Derrick pioneered the .22 Creedmoor rifle cartridge, which in the last decade has become arguably the most popular wildcat round in the United States. In 2021, Derrick led the acquisition of Stiller Actions and co-founded Texas Ammunition. All four brands are subsidiaries of Kaspar Outdoors. A 6th generation Texan, Ratliff graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and a minor in Business. At Texas A&M, Derrick was a nationally ranked collegiate compound bow archer.After graduation, Derrick was an engineering department project manager at Bowtech Archery before and after Bowtech’s acquisition by Savage Arms. Following the acquisition, Derrick went on to compete in the Hunting for the Dream TV show, and then filmed and produced the Ranch Hand Horizons TV show for the Sportsman Channel. The success of the show helped Derrick launch Horizon Firearms, and over the last decade he has worked tirelessly to build the company into one of the premier custom rifle manufacturers in the United States. Today, Horizon is headquartered in a 30,000 square foot office and manufacturing space in Bryan, Texas. Derrick is a family man with two young boys. He is a leader at Grace Bible Church in College Station. When at home from work, Derrick runs his family’s 100-acre ranch, Ol’ Rock Ranch, where he and his wife raise Akaushi beef. Derrick enjoys hosting the On The Horizon podcast, sharing his insights on the firearms industry and all things outdoors.