WATCH: Rimfire Challenge with My Daughter
Last weekend was a special one! Munchkin and I hit the road to compete in her second Rimfire Challenge World Championships at the beautiful Lucas Oil Range in Cross Timbers, MO. Rimfire Challenge requires competitors to compete with both the rifle and the pistol. Last year and at nine years old, my little one didn’t feel strong enough or comfortable shooting a rifle. After watching other junior competitors make the steel plates ring though, she decided she wanted to give it a go this year.
We jumped in the truck with her S&W M&P15-22 Sport (in pink) and a new Performance Center Victory for our special girls-only trip. Squadded with multi-time champions Cheyenne Dalton and Kolby Pavlock as well as junior phenom Brixey Nelson, it could have been an intimidating experience. Don’t be fooled by their blazing-fast times though, these young competitors are more than just champions in the results standings. They are wonderful, hard-working and friendly role models that my daughter looks up to.
Rimfire Challenge events present an excellent opportunity for families to shoot together and it’s neat to see so many juniors on the range having fun. Where other sports can place pressure on kids to perform (their parents too), the premise of the Rimfire Challenge is to be safe and have fun. This mom LOVES that! Here’s a very short video I put together to share with friends and family from our trip…
In the first year on its own and out from under the NSSF’s leadership umbrella, the sport is evolving. It will need to find the ideal balance between challenging competitors and staying true to the spirit of the beginner-friendly rulebook. At the local and regional level especially, it’s a great way for parents to cultivate respect and understanding of firearm safety and an appreciation of the shooting sports,
Guns & Gear
Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 Sport, Performance Center Victory, Federal Premium HV Match, Trijicon RMR, Liberty Safe Presidential, Safariland, Caldwell Shooting Supplies, Tipton Gun Cleaning & Wheeler Engineering.
