Taya Kyle takes on NRA World Shooting Champion Bruce Piatt at American Sniper Shootout

by
posted on December 2, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
main_lead.jpg

Billed as the shootout of the century, Taya Kyle will use TrackingPoint’s Precision-Guided Firearms to take on reigning NRA World Shooting Champion Bruce Piatt in the inaugural American Sniper Shootout. If Piatt wins against Taya and the TrackingPoint system, he will take home the $1 million prize.

Set for this Saturday, December 5 in Mason, TX, proceeds from the event will benefit the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. Sponsors are already planning to make the American Sniper Shootout an annual event.

null
2015 NRA World Shooting Champion Bruce Piatt. Photo courtesy of Becky Yackley.

The American Sniper Shootout is the first match to pit a novice shooter armed with military-grade TrackingPoint systems against the best in the world in a head-to-head competition featuring shots similar to those encountered by soldiers in battle. NRA World Shooting Champion Bruce Piatt will compete using current military squad-level and sniper firearms.

“I am a novice shooter,” said Taya Kyle, wife of Chris Kyle, the most prolific sniper in American history. “When I shoot TrackingPoint guns, I feel Chris's spirit in my hands. Chris would be proud to know that every soldier now has the power to dominate any adversary, and it's even better that this event benefits military service men and women, veterans, first responders and their families through the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.”

TrackingPoint is staking $1 million on Taya out-shooting the champion. “This is all about helping our veterans and their families,” said Bruce Piatt. He added, “This may be the most exciting competition ever and if TrackingPoint guns perform as advertised our soldiers have a dominant overmatch capability.”

Chris Kyle had an early influence on the development of TrackingPoint guns. In a chance encounter in 2009, TrackingPoint Founder and CEO John McHale and Kyle explored the nuances of precision shooting and the possibility of building a gun that would change the face of war. 

“Chris and I went back-and-forth on how to make everyone an extraordinary shooter,” said McHale. “We were both excited, realizing it was entirely possible to give our troops insurmountable squad-overmatch capability. We knew we were on to a world-changing idea. That was the day TrackingPoint was born.”

null
The challenger, Taya Kyle.

The American Sniper Shootout is comprised of a series of common shots encountered in war at unknown distances on static and moving targets. Shooting positions include prone, off-hand and blind shots in which the shooter is completely hidden and unable to directly see targets. Scoring is weighted based on degree of difficulty.

“We want people to know that TrackingPoint Precision-Guided Firearms can save our soldiers’ lives and protect our nation,” said McHale. “And, this event is designed to let our enemies know what's in store for them when they come up against American forces.” 

The day-long event in Mason is open to the public and includes a music festival featuring country superstar Easton Corbin, nine-time Grammy winner Asleep At the Wheel, the Scooter Brown Band, and Donica Knight.

Tickets are still available, please go here to purchase. 

Latest

Echelon Pro SA 1
Echelon Pro SA 1

New: Springfield Armory Echelon Pro 9 mm Pistols

Springfield Armory’s Echelon Pro Comp brings an integral compensator, laser-sculpted grip texture and a steel magazine well to the 9 mm Echelon.

2026 IPSC Shotgun World Shoot: U.S. Women’s Results

Lanny Barnes and Lena Miculek each won three world titles while Dianna Muller took silver at the 2026 IPSC Shotgun World Shoot.

Kentucky’s Braden Peiser Goes Perfect, and the NCAA Rifle Streak Rolls On

Kentucky’s Braden Peiser fired a perfect 600-53X in air rifle against Murray State, the sixth 600 of the young NCAA season.

Hillsdale College Freshman Orientation Moves to the Range

Hillsdale College swapped its freshman campus tour for a Halter Center visit built around safety instruction, live fire and team building.

How One Postal Match Bridged U.S. and Australian Smallbore Competition

SSAA’s postal match sparked the Hands Across the Sea match during the 2026 NRA Smallbore Nationals, and a U.S. team will compete in Australia in 2027.

Rusty Newton Goes 5-for-5 at 3,119 Yards to Win King of 2 Miles

Rusty Newton went 5-for-5 at 3,119 yards to win the 2026 King of 2 Miles Global Finals at the NRA Whittington Center.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.