As a former law enforcement SWAT sniper, precision rifle competitor and outdoor author, Colton Bagnoli is no stranger to high-stakes marksmanship. What began with plinking cans at age nine evolved into a lifelong pursuit of precision, from hunting with his father to competing in elite Precision Rifle Series and National Rifle League Hunter competitions. Based in northwest Montana, Bagnoli now spends his days testing gear, crafting rifles and helping others refine their shooting skills.
What are your first memories of handling a firearm?
I started shooting cans with a single-shot .22 when I was nine years old. My dad started preparing me for deer hunting the following year with his old Savage Model 99 chambered in .243 Winchester.
Tell us how you began in competitive shooting.
I first started shooting competitive pistol in my early 20s while living in Arizona. Shortly after, I moved to Montana and began building custom rifles, beginning my journey down the rabbit hole of precision rifle shooting. Due to the challenging courses of fire and positional shooting off obstacles, I started shooting PRS and NRL Hunter matches, as well as team competitions like the Mammoth Sniper Challenge.
What firearms and other gear do you use for competition?
As an outdoor writer, I shoot different rifles and equipment every year to test out new products. Most often, I shoot a Zermatt TL3 action with a PROOF Research Carbon fiber or Steel Prefit barrel and a Timney HIT trigger. Depending on the match layout, my stock will vary from heavy chassis to lightweight carbon-fiber stocks. For pistol shooting, I run a Glock G17 with a KKM comp barrel, Timney Trigger and Trijicon SRO red-dot optic.
For ammunition, I handload all my match ammo with Hornady A-Tips. I also run Fiocchi pistol ammo in matches.
The Mountain Bipod from MTN Gear NZ is my favorite bipod to throw on a rifle, along with a Flatline Ops Halo X level on every scope.
Tell us about your range bag and what you carry in it besides your firearms.
I use a Hornady range bag I got at a shooting event several years ago. It works great and I can fit plenty of ammunition in the bag. Plus, it has extra pockets for tools and other small items. I always keep a full set of Allen wrenches, staples and spare batteries for every device in my range bag. I also carry a portable fan with batteries to help cool off my barrels. In addition, the fan helps to keep mirage out of the optic when shooting on cold days, when even a few shots will start to heat things up.
What do you do in your free time?
As an outdoor writer and competitive shooter, I am on the range for work and in my free time as well. When I am not evaluating a firearm or optic, I am usually testing load data for different projectiles and to see what accuracy I can get from various barrels and cartridges. In the summer, I spend a lot of time fly-fishing rivers and lakes near my home in northwest Montana.
What would you tell someone interested in finding out more about your sport?
Find some nearby precision rifle matches or clubs and sign up to shoot any rifle match you can find. Even if you only have a hunting rifle, attending these matches will show your deficiencies and what you need to work on for training and equipment. The precision rifle community is extremely friendly and is always willing to help new shooters with the sport.
Any tips for new shooters?
Spend money on professional training, not gear. Too often, I see new shooters buy full rifle setups and struggle with the fundamentals of marksmanship. As a new shooter, getting professional instruction will shorten your learning curve dramatically and help you source what gear you need and what you don’t.
Don’t believe everything you read or hear on social media about precision rifle shooting. Be sure to vet the information you take in and find your own truths, as there is a lot of misinformation out there.
Find Colton Bagnoli on Instagram: @papwinkle
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