12 trick shots that have to be seen to be believed

As long as there has been accurate guns, there has been competitive and exhibition shooting. In fact, these displays of showmanship and marksmanship are ingrained in American culture. Who doesn’t remember learning about the great American Wild West and the legendary stories of icons like Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill Cody? As the father of exhibition shooting, he toured throughout Europe and America performing his world-famous show, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. These performances often featured incredible feats of marksmanship including shooting a playing card in half, hitting a dime out of mid-air, and a variety of speed-shooting displays.

Not long after this period, competitive shooting became a part of the Summer Olympics, beginning in Athens in 1896. Although first consisting of only two events, dozens more were later introduced but eventually reduced down to six individual and three team events.

In this week’s edition of Gunivore’s Fast Five, we’re going to explore five of the most incredible world records in the world of shooting.

LONGEST CONFIRMED KILL SHOT

While holding any of the world records is something to be proud of, this one is in a league of its own. Almost all record shots are in the realm of recreation, but this unnatural feat of precision shooting took place in the war-torn wastelands of Iraq. Just a few months ago, a sniper from the Canadian Special Forces took out an ISIS militant from over two miles away! The proud Canadian soldier – from one of the world’s foremost counter-terrorism units – not only beat the previous record, he demolished it!

Whereas the previous record was held by British a corporal for a 2,475 meter shot (2,707 yards) in Afghanistan, the Canadian sniper’s confirmed kill was fired from over 3,500 meters (2.25 miles) away – that’s over a kilometer farther! In contrast, the longest confirmed kill from an American sniper was Sgt. Brian Kremer’s 2,300 meter shot in 2004 Iraq – Ranking 5th on the all-time list.

As much as personal skill was required to make this historical shot, we cannot overlook the facts. The Canadian soldier was using the McMillan Tac-50 sniper rifle, the same weapon used by Corporal Furlong and Master Corporal Perry, both fellow Canadians, who hold the records for the 3rd and 4th longest confirmed kill shots, respectively. In addition to the use of one of the industry’s best sniper rifles, our northern neighbors clearly have some of the most talented marksmen and soldiers in the world.

• Model: McMillan Tac 50A1

  

• Caliber: .50 BMG
• Capacity: One 5-Round Detachable Box Mag
• Action: Bolt-Action McMillan TAC®-50 Repeater
• Overall Length: 58” (147.3cm)
• Barrel Length: 29” (68.6cm)
• Weight: 26lbs (11.8kg)
• Finish: Metal Finish (to match stock)
• MSRP:  $11,990.00

FASTEST TIME TO HIT 6 TARGET PLATES WITH A 9MM HANDGUN

One of the more popular fads in the gun industry these days is the sponsorship of competitive shooters who attempt to perform remarkable achievements of speed and accuracy. Max Michel, who captains the Sig Sauer shooting team, is one of the best in the business and is already a world champion IPSC handgun shooter. While he only had to be faster than ten seconds, Max’s goal was to hit all six targets, from the draw, without missing, in less than 2.5 seconds. To accomplish his goal, he opted for one of Sig’s newest and most exciting firearms, the P320 RX, with its revolutionary slide-mounted reflex optic and smooth as silk trigger.

• Model: Sig P320 RX (Full-Size)
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 17
• Action: DAO Semi-Auto
• Overall Length: 8.0”
• Barrel Length: 4.7”
• Weight: 29.5 oz.
• Finish: Black Stainless Steel Frame – Nitron Slide
• Sights: SIGLITE
• MSRP: $1,040.00

1000 YARD SHOT WITH A 9mm HANDGUN

There may not be a more famous or skilled shooter alive than Jerry Miculek. In addition to his countless world records, championships, and shooting achievements, Jerry is also an accomplished gunsmith. Clearly, he is no one-trick pony; besides for crafting his own series of Smith & Wesson 9mm revolvers, he has also designed his own variant of the Mossberg 930 shotgun. Furthermore, Miculek isn’t just a shooter, he is also known for hilarious Louisiana charm. Just watch any of his Youtube videos and you’ll see how amiable he can be. Although most of his records are speed-related, it’s one of his distance shots that I found to be the most impressive. To make this nearly-impossible shot, Jerry used his signature S&W Model 929 revolver. He designed this gun, he knows this gun, and he is comfortable with this gun – If only we all had custom-made handguns …

Take a look!

LONGEST SHOT AT A CLAY PIGEON

Trap shooting is one of the most competitive shooting events in sports and it has produced some incredible shooters around the world. However, when it comes to the best, it’s hard to argue a case against the British George Digweed. The guy has won more world titles and championships and whatnot than you can even imagine. But it was a few years ago where he may have accomplished his most extraordinary feat yet. Performing for the Fieldsports Britain television program and in front of an electrified crowd, Digweed nailed a clay pigeon from 130 yards away. As part of his showmanship, he began at a 10 yard distance and gradually stepped farther away each time he hit his target until he reached his ultimate goal. Finally, while standing amongst the crowd, the Brit hit his target with just one shot from 130 yards away. Bear in mind, that the average effective firing range for a 12 gauge is somewhere between 40-60 yards.

Digweed used his standard weapon of choice: the Perazzi MX2000s precision shotgun.

SHOOTING 13 SELF LAUNCHED CLAY-PIGEONS IN THE AIR

We’ve already seen sponsored shooters from Sig Sauer and Smith & Wesson, and now it’s time for Winchester. In 2012, the world-renowned Italian shooter, Raniero Testa, became the first person to break 13 self-launched clay-pigeons. While hitting 13 target is in and of itself a major accomplishment, the fact that he was the one throwing them makes it exponentially more difficult. Although it took a few tries, the Italian gunman finally nailed it in 1.6 seconds with his Winchester Super X4 – the fastest shotgun in the world. When asked about his secret, Testa humbly noted that it’s all in the throw.

• Model: Winchester Super X4 Composite Sporting

  

• Caliber: 12 Ga.
• Capacity: 4 2-¾” Shells
• Barrel Length: 28”
• Overall Length: 49”
• Finish: Matte Black
• Stock Description: Composite
• Weight: 7 lbs.
• MSRP: $939.99

Check out more Gunivore articles on the EOTech XPS2 and EXPS2

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