Competitors’ Corner: April 2024

Highlights from the April 2024 issue of Shooting Sports USA, the NRA’s competitive shooting journal.

by
posted on March 27, 2024
** 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. **
Compcorner April2024 1
The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs rifle team posted an aggregate score of 4732-347X at the 2024 NCAA rifle championship in March, capturing the NCAA title for the first time since 2019.
Cover photo by John Parker

On the cover is the Texas Christian University women’s rifle team, who last month won the NCAA rifle championship for the fourth time after previously capturing collegiate rifle shooting’s top title in 2010, 2012 and 2019. The TCU Horned Frogs, coached by shooting legend Karen Monez and anchored by top shooters Stephanie Grundsøe and Katie Zaun, also won the air rifle title at this year’s NCAA championship, held at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia, in March. Read my match report to learn more about this year’s competition.

In Product Focus, Field Editor Art Merrill reviews the new Elex X-Shot scoring app and target system. This new app for iOS and Android can score proprietary paper targets (sold by Eley) with your mobile device’s camera, and allows shooters and clubs anywhere in the world to compete against each other. Additionally, shooters can use the X-Shot app to record and track their own performances. Don’t miss Art Merrill’s review of this remarkable new software that offers a modern take on the cherished postal match.

There are several mistakes that shooters—especially beginners—should avoid making prior to a competition. Field Editor Chris Christian outlines some of these common oversights that can hinder performance in his article this month, along with his solutions that will help you in preventing consequential mistakes before competing at a big match.

In his article about the U.S. Marine Corps MC-58 rimfire training rifle, Art Merrill calls it “an interesting footnote to American and Marine Corps history.” For his examination of the MC-58, Merrill goes in-depth into the history of this training rifle that was designed to mimic the feel of the M1 Garand for recruits, as well as its performance in the field and desirability as a collector’s gun.

This past January after the USA Shooting Olympic Trials, five pistol shooters qualified for the U.S. team, including Katelyn Abeln and Alexis Lagan. Author Bob Reinert recently interviewed these two talented shooters who will be traveling to the Paris 2024 Olympics this summer. Learn more about how they prepare for big matches, plus some interesting facts about them in his article.

Finally, a note about the 2024 NRA World Shooting Championship. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the competition in Camp Atterbury, Ind., this month. If it’s your first time visiting Camp Atterbury, you’re in for a treat, as it is one of the top venues in the country for a large-format match. Be sure to visit ssusa.org for the latest match updates.

John Parker
Editor-in-Chief, Shooting Sports USA

Are you a subscriber?

Not receiving the monthly digital magazine announcement in your inbox? Become a subscriber. Not only is it completely free, it only takes a minute to sign up and it guarantees you’ll never miss a single issue of the NRA’s competitive shooting journal. Subscribe here.

Latest

Fed 2026 Southerngrand 1
Fed 2026 Southerngrand 1

Team Remington Dominates Junior, Veteran Divisions at 46th Southern Grand American

Team Remington captures two championship titles at the 46th Southern Grand American at Silver Dollar Shooters Club in Florida.

USA Shooting Junior Program Gets a Boost From MidwayUSA Foundation Lones Wigger Endowment Grant

A grant from the MidwayUSA Foundation’s Lones Wigger Endowment will cover ammunition, targets, entry fees and travel for USA Shooting’s junior athletes, including the 2026 ISSF Junior World Championship in Germany.

Your NRA In Your Pocket: Official App Now Available on iOS and Android

The NRA’s new official app offers a digital membership card, NRA-ILA news, digital magazines, local event search and exclusive member benefits on iOS and Android.

Historic Runs and Budget Storm Clouds: 1991 National Matches

The 1991 National Matches featured dominant performances by David Tubb Steve Reiter and Lones Wigger amid budget uncertainty and extreme weather.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge: Kyle Lamb’s Guide to Using a Sling for ARC

Kyle Lamb breaks down how a two-point quick-adjust sling stabilizes prone, kneeling and standing positions while enabling fast transitions during ARC competition.

NRA Honorary Club Recognition Has Returned

NRA announces Honorary Club recognition for Precision Pistol shooters who achieved elite scores from 2018 through 2025 after a six-year pause.

Interests



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