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

USPSA Racegun2025 1
USPSA Racegun2025 1

Mason Lane Storms to Limited Division Crown at 2025 USPSA Race Gun Nationals

Mason Lane claimed the Limited division title at the 2025 USPSA Race Gun Nationals, finishing with 2213.8829 points

Caile Bradham Wins HOA Title at 2025 World Skeet Championship

Twin titles for Team Blaser’s Caile Bradham at 2025 World Skeet Championship in Texas

Collegiate Rifle: Akron Shatters Season Record in Win Over Morehead State

Akron rifle team posts season-high 4709 in a dominant win over Morehead State, led by standout performances from Rachael Paddock and Matthew Kimball

Renewal and New Records: 1982 National Matches

The 1982 National Matches marked 75 years at Camp Perry, with renewed Army support, record scores and historic victories defining this milestone year

Top Ranked WVU, Georgia Southern Lead Early Collegiate Rifle Season Charge

No. 1 WVU and No. 2 Georgia Southern remain undefeated, setting the tone for compelling mid-season runs in collegiate rifle

LA28 Olympic Shooting Events to Take Aim at Whittier Narrows and Long Beach

As the LA28 Games hit the 1,000-day countdown, Olympic shooting’s return to Southern California will span two stunning venues in Whittier and Long Beach



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