OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – September 19, 2023 – Blackhawk®, a leader in law enforcement and military equipment for over 20 years, congratulates tactical athletes Zach Rodman and Ehea Schuerch for their third-place team finish at the Tactical Games West Virginia Regional Team event. Rodman and Schuerch teamed up for the first time at the West Virginia match and were able to reach the podium after a dramatic second day finish.

Throughout the competition, Rodman and Schuerch ran a full suite of Blackhawk gear, including the T-Series® L3D holster with Jacket Slot Leg Strap Adapter plus the Foundation Series Tac Nylon plate carrier and belt. 

“The Foundation Series continues to execute in every difficult environment we compete in, and the West Virginia event was no less demanding,” said Rodman. “Another great item that can be added to any T-Series holster is the jacket slot leg strap adapter. Using it during the match made the holster feel almost non-existent during the ruck event that took us through the mountainous parts of the range. It’s a great piece that any T-Series owner should pick up.”

The West Virginia Tactical Games was the first match in which Rodman and Schuerch joined forces, and both competitors walked away from the event with a new level of respect for their teammate.

“Some things were out of our control and didn’t go as expected, but we fought hard and came back on day two to get the job done,” Schuerch said. “I had an absolute blast getting to partner with Zach for this competition. He’s a powerhouse of an athlete, a solid shooter, and he has a big heart and a passion for this sport and community. He made this weekend the highlight of my TTG season.”

Rodman expressed equal admiration for his partner.

“Ehea was a great teammate in West Virginia. Besides the fact that she is extremely strong, and her metabolic conditioning is world-class, she’s a great shooter and is always encouraging,” Rodman said. “These competitions are a roller coaster throughout the two days you are performing, so staying positive and having a level head is invaluable. I was thankful to have a partner that did both and so much more.”

To learn more about these Blackhawk sponsored athletes, The Tactical Games, or to see the full line-up of holsters and tactical gear that was used, head over to Blackhawk.com.

This invite-only, championship for the best-of-the-best scorers of the most prestigious sniper competitions worldwide was held in Refugio, Texas, Sept. 8 – 10, 2023.

(L to R) Sean Murphy of Nightforce Optics, Greg Hamilton of PROOF Research, winners of the Real World Sniper Championship.

Columbia Falls, Mont. (September 2023) – PROOF Research®’s Weapons Test Specialist Greg Hamilton and Sean Murphy of Nightforce Optics take home a repeat win in the Real World Sniper Championship, held at Bridle Iron South outside of Refugio, Texas, Sept. 8 – 10, 2023.

The championship is a culmination of the best-in-class sniper shooters from Real World Challenges, the International Sniper Competition, the Winston P. Wilson Sniper Championship, and the USASOC Sniper Competition. Only the top performers are invited to this elite competition that includes blind stages held both night and day, with a variety of tasks and challenges for the teams.

“The Real World Sniper Championship included multiple curve balls thrown in throughout the stages,” Murphy explained. “Some of the challenges included a trauma casualty simulation, mid-stage changes to the info, and other seeds of chaos thrown in by the match director.”

Murphy participated as the primary shooter using his Accuracy International AT-X precision rifle with a PROOF Research carbon pre-fit barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor. PROOF Research’s Hamilton shot as the secondary using his 6.5 Creedmoor gas gun with a PROOF Research 20” stainless steel AR-10 barrel. In addition to the carbine for the bolt-gun shooters, Murphy used his .223 carbine with a PROOF Research 11.5” carbon barrel.

PROOF Research is a well-known brand within the precision rifle community and is one of the leading barrel brands used by champion competitors in the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and National Rifle League (NRL). Developed to enhance mission success for our warfighters, PROOF Research’s carbon fiber barrels are designed for long-range accuracy, performance, and reliability under any environmental condition.

Find out more about PROOF Research barrels and rifles at proofresearch.com.

The Horus Heatstroke Open, a much-anticipated event in the Australian PRS calendar, took place this August, drawing 26 elite shooters to Darwin. As the summer heat intensified, competitors from across the country, predominantly from WA and SA, gathered to showcase their skills in this challenging Championship of Fire (COF).

This year’s event was marked by its unique night stages, a first for PRS Australia. These stages, including the spinner, pushed competitors to their limits with minimal lighting on the firing line and demanding low light conditions downrange. It was here that the Trace Adv 4-24×50 FFP with illuminated RMG reticle gave Team ZeroTech a distinct advantage, setting them apart from the competition.

By the end of Day 1, Team ZeroTech had already made a strong impression. Adam Piromanski secured the 6th position, while Mitch Hogan was hot on his heels in 7th place. Their performance was marked by confidence, precision, and a series of high-scoring stages.

Day 2 was no less intense. While Team ZT maintained their momentum, Hogan emphasized the importance of consistency in such competitions. “They’re marathons, not sprints,” he noted, highlighting the pitfalls of sequence errors and low-scoring stages that can quickly change a shooter’s rank.

Despite the challenges, Hogan emerged victorious, clinching the 7th position overall and being honored with the Marksman award. The competition was fierce, with a mere 4 points separating the 4th to 7th positions. Teammate Piromanski also showcased his prowess, finishing 14th overall.

Hogan expressed his gratitude to ZeroTech Precision Optics, Warne Scope Mounts, and TSA Outdoors for their unwavering support throughout the 2023 PRS Season. As the season nears its conclusion, all eyes are now on the ACT, eagerly awaiting to see who will make it to the top 40 and earn an invitation to the grand 2023 PRS Australia Finale at Hilltop in NSW this coming October.

“ZeroTech Precision Optics are immensely proud of our team shooters and their outstanding performances throughout the Precision Rifle Series. Their dedication, skill, and resilience in the face of intense competition are a testament to the calibre of talent we are fortunate to have representing our brand. Mitch Hogan’s triumph, alongside Adam Piromanski’s commendable finish, underscores the synergy between top-tier talent and cutting-edge optics technology.”

Ben Clarke – Global Marketing Manager, ZeroTech Optics

www.zerotechoptics.com