A 3rd place finish in Gun slinger at the 2025 Pyramyd Air Cup

[Northeastbeast]

For years I watched Gun Slinger from the sidelines. Thinking to myself "I can hang with these shooters" and I was not wrong. With the support of Rx Target systems I got myself a complete Gun Slinger lane for my home. I grinded day in and day out no matter the weather. Times between 35 and 28 seconds with a mag change. Fastest time being 26 seconds. I knew if I did my part id see myself some where at the top.

My first relay went smooth no mistakes and sailed stright through to the 2nd round. Ended up with a bye that round do to a shooter Gun issue. 3rd round was against Alex Hatfield a former multi time champion of speed. Nervous yes but also confident in my skill set. We started going target for target till the last target. As mine dropped I hurd the range officer call red.....Me I was overwhelmed with emotion yelling out LETS GOOOO!!!! At the top of my lungs.

Relay 4 was against another killer in speed
Ryan Spanagel Again nervous but confidence at an all time high. No mistakes no misses i was done in dusted in 32 seconds. Ryan ended up taking 1st in springer gun slinger. Should see that man work that TX200 fast and accurate is an understatement.

Now i were past him I thought who could stop me? Well me thats who . Made it to the semi finals against another killer Thane Simmons. Ready..set...go i pull my trigger nothing. Panic rushes over me as I realize I forgot to turn my rifle on Thane was off and running and im waiting for my rifle to turn on now. I start and im moving blasting down the first two rows in no time....to late Thane is done. A frustrating way to lose but he was perfect.

Now im competing for 3rd. This time rifle is on and im ready. I blaze through my targets so in the Zone I hear my opponents mag fall and hit the table as im on my last few targets I knew in that moment the battle was won. Last two targets go down and im on the podium

Well I can say i am happy with my accomplishment in Gun slinger a Rookie in the game and was able to podium against the best speed has to offer. Next year i will be back and be more then ready. I have zero excuses for my loss, Thane was just better and perfect. In speed you can not make any mistakes or it's over in the blink of an eye.

Rifle- 22 caliber Skout Epoch 22
Scope- Sightron STAC 1-6x24 IRAR1
Ammo- 22 caliber JTS 22.07Grn
Bipod- Accu-Tac BR4 Rmac 80s edtion

 

[Billm]

Congratulations

 

[Northeastbeast]

Congratulations

Thank you

 

[pan60]

nice!
: )

 

[Solo1]

Congrats! Good shooting! You’ll get them next year!

 

[dunz]

Nice work! Great commitment pays dividends - Congratulations!

 

[Roamin Greco 1]

Congrats on your medal. I hope you have continued succes.

When did you start training and what was your training regimen?

 

[Dogowski]

For years I watched Gun Slinger from the sidelines. Thinking to myself "I can hang with these shooters" and I was not wrong. With the support of Rx Target systems I got myself a complete Gun Slinger lane for my home. I grinded day in and day out no matter the weather. Times between 35 and 28 seconds with a mag change. Fastest time being 26 seconds. I knew if I did my part id see myself some where at the top.

My first relay went smooth no mistakes and sailed stright through to the 2nd round. Ended up with a bye that round do to a shooter Gun issue. 3rd round was against Alex Hatfield a former multi time champion of speed. Nervous yes but also confident in my skill set. We started going target for target till the last target. As mine dropped I hurd the range officer call red.....Me I was overwhelmed with emotion yelling out LETS GOOOO!!!! At the top of my lungs.

Relay 4 was against another killer in speed
Ryan Spanagel Again nervous but confidence at an all time high. No mistakes no misses i was done in dusted in 32 seconds. Ryan ended up taking 1st in springer gun slinger. Should see that man work that TX200 fast and accurate is an understatement.

Now i were past him I thought who could stop me? Well me thats who . Made it to the semi finals against another killer Thane Simmons. Ready..set...go i pull my trigger nothing. Panic rushes over me as I realize I forgot to turn my rifle on Thane was off and running and im waiting for my rifle to turn on now. I start and im moving blasting down the first two rows in no time....to late Thane is done. A frustrating way to lose but he was perfect.

Now im competing for 3rd. This time rifle is on and im ready. I blaze through my targets so in the Zone I hear my opponents mag fall and hit the table as im on my last few targets I knew in that moment the battle was won. Last two targets go down and im on the podium

Well I can say i am happy with my accomplishment in Gun slinger a Rookie in the game and was able to podium against the best speed has to offer. Next year i will be back and be more then ready. I have zero excuses for my loss, Thane was just better and perfect. In speed you can not make any mistakes or it's over in the blink of an eye.

Rifle- 22 caliber Skout Epoch 22
Scope- Sightron STAC 1-6x24 IRAR1
Ammo- 22 caliber JTS 22.07Grn
Bipod- Accu-Tac BR4 Rmac 80s edtion

Way to go Dan! We're proud of you brother.

 

[Jaabaa]

To me(just my opinion and interest) This is fun..
And with all those shooters I'd be bound to learn something.
Good Job!!!

 

[Pumacarl]

Very cool, congratulations big time!

 

[Joey 69]

Way to Go Hamster!!

 

[Ezana4CE]

Well would you look at that!! Nicely done.

 

[duchunter007]

Nice shooting!!

 

[Centercut]

Great shooting Dan. I’ve never been there, looks like fun.

I was surprised actually at all the misses from many of the shooters, until I found out that PAC uses 1/10 size animals compared to EBR using 1/5 size. Distances are similar except for the shortest ones (chickens). Usually the top shooters miss maybe one or two. Those 1/10 size targets are much harder and it’s easy to see why even the top shooters were missing 5 to 10 shots.

What is your opinion on shooters being allowed to insert a mag, blow off a shot then put in a large capacity mag and finish the round? I’m not sure what skill that demonstrates? It is the decision of PA, so it is what it is. This type of thing happens at RMAC also. IMHO the shooter should be required to knock down at least one target prior to a mag change. Anyway, just a thought.

 

[Northeastbeast]

Great shooting Dan. I’ve never been there, looks like fun.

I was surprised actually at all the misses from many of the shooters, until I found out that PAC uses 1/10 size animals compared to EBR using 1/5 size. Distances are similar except for the shortest ones (chickens). Usually the top shooters miss maybe one or two. Those 1/10 size targets are much harder and it’s easy to see why even the top shooters were missing 5 to 10 shots.

What is your opinion on shooters being allowed to insert a mag, blow off a shot then put in a large capacity mag and finish the round? I’m not sure what skill that demonstrates? It is the decision of PA, so it is what it is. This type of thing happens at RMAC also. IMHO the shooter should be required to knock down at least one target prior to a mag change. Anyway, just a thought.

I stood on the sidelines for a few years and watched the better shooters learning what worked and applied it. The first mag can have up to 10 rounds. I only use one and get right to my full mag. Untill they modify of change rule I think it works best. My first few relays I didn't miss any but my final relay I missed more then id like to admit. Wind plays a part and only 22 caliber is allowed. Yes targets are much smaller at the cup making it a real challenge. Ive not been to EBR yet hoping next season to go and participate in all the fun.

 

[Centercut]

I hope you can make it to EBR next year. Skout usually sends a Team. There are more events to shoot there, it’s another great event and the OG of big Airgun competitions.
Easier to make the 100Y finals than RMAC but harder than PAC.

 

[Northeastbeast]

I hope you can make it to EBR next year. Skout usually sends a Team. There are more events to shoot there, it’s another great event and the OG of big Airgun competitions.
Easier to make the 100Y finals than RMAC but harder than PAC.

I will for sure be shooting bigbore,50&100 benchrest & speed. Possibly Extreme FT

 

[Centercut]

I will for sure be shooting bigbore,50&100 benchrest & speed. Possibly Extreme FT

Might as well shoot all the events if you come. I’m shooting One Gun this year so EFT, Speed Silo Pro, 50Y BR and 75Y qualifiers for the 100Y Final. Plus I’m shooting the same gun in Steel Scramble (Like PRS or NRL-22). Different ammo but same gun/barrel/scope. Then probably my .30 Black Wolf if I make the Finals at 100Y.
You’d like EFT. It’s like AAFTA but for men….

 

[Northeastbeast]

Might as well shoot all the events if you come. I’m shooting One Gun this year so EFT, Speed Silo Pro, 50Y BR and 75Y qualifiers for the 100Y Final. Plus I’m shooting the same gun in Steel Scramble (Like PRS or NRL-22). Different ammo but same gun/barrel/scope. Then probably my .30 Black Wolf if I make the Finals at 100Y.
You’d like EFT. It’s like AAFTA but for men….

You are a brave man to switch rifles for the finals . I probably will shoot everything. I'm waiting on a new Skout compact in 177 for FT ive got a 22 25 & 30 that ill use for everything else.

 

[Centercut]

Yeah, this is the first time I’ll do the One Gun which has to be .22 caliber and you shoot the four events with same gun. But you have the option to switch in 100Y finals.
Yeah, my .30 Skout has done very well this year in 100Y BR and in EFT.
So you have one Skout with three caliber options? Easy to do with that gun. The .22 LW 28 inch barrel is very very good with both pellets and slugs.