Grant Kunkel Sweeps Area 5 Steel Challenge Championship

by
posted on June 18, 2021
** 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. **
gkunkel-1.jpg

Team Federal’s Grant Kunkel had a stellar performance at the 2021 Area 5 Steel Challenge Championship that netted him six first place trophies, plus the Rifle Master and Rimfire Master titles.

The match, held at the Riley Conservation Club in Terre Haute, Ind., on June 11–13, had 364 shooters competing across six divisions.

Kunkel’s wins in the Area 5 Steel Challenge Championship include first place in Rimfire Rifle Optic (RFRO), Rimfire Rifle Iron (RFRI), Rimfire Pistol Optic (RFPO), Rimfire Pistol Iron (RFPI), Open and Pistol Caliber Carbine Optic (PCCO) divisions.

According to the main match results posted to the Practiscore website, Kunkel's best stage in Open division was Smoke and Hope with a time of 8.01 seconds. His total Open division time was 74.75 seconds, about six seconds ahead of runner-up Ryan Wagner.

As for the Rifle Master award, it's given to the competitor with the fastest Rimfire Rifle and PCC combined time, while the Rimfire Master award is for the fastest combined time in RFPO, RFPI, RFRO and RFRI combined. As mentioned, Kunkel won both awards.

Kunkel gave high praise to his Federal Syntech ammo for Open division, while for the rimfire portions of the match he was shooting CCI Mini-Mag.

“For the handgun Open division, I was shooting Syntech Action Pistol, because it’s extremely soft recoil, accuracy and absolute reliability allow me to concentrate fully while making quick shots and staying on target. I relied on CCI Mini-Mag ammo for the rimfire events.”

Learn more about Steel Challenge. Visit federalpremium.com and cci-ammunition.com for more information about Federal and CCI.


Read more: Mastering Steel Challenge Stages: Five To Go

Latest

Taurussuppressorsnew 2
Taurussuppressorsnew 2

New: Taurus TTX Suppressor Lineup

Taurus enters the suppressor market with the titanium TTX Series, featuring three models for rimfire guns, 9 mm carbines and .30-cal. rifles.

Amaris Cerra Claims Bronze in Junior Women’s Skeet at 2026 ISSF Junior World Cup Porpetto

USA Shooting’s Amaris Cerra took the final qualifying spot via shoot-off and won women’s junior skeet bronze in Porpetto, Italy.

Longshot App Update Cuts Lag and Brings Audio From the Target

New Longshot app version 5.3.5 adds faster streaming, camera audio, better shot-marker tools and a new media review feature for target camera users.

Vincent Hancock Tops USA Shooting Men’s Skeet National Team Ranking

Vincent Hancock tops Men’s Skeet ranking as six Federal Ammunition athletes earn U.S. national shotgun team spots after 2026 Fall Selection Match.

For Its 500th, Beretta Makes The 92FS A Work Of Art

Beretta’s one-off 92FS Diamond pairs 14½ carats of diamonds and 18-karat gold with a faceted refresh for the company’s 500th anniversary.

New: SK Guns Charro Negro

SK Guns opens its Folklore Series with the Charro Negro, a .38 Super Colt 1911 engraved with Mexico’s Black Horseman legend and limited to 200 pistols.

Interests



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