Contestants were not allowed to have cell phones, newspapers, books, television or the Internet during filming in an effort to promote interaction. During their downtime, cast members debated the 9 mm vs .45 ACP and came up with their own design for a new NATO rifle cartridge, according to eventual champion Iain Harrison.
Contestants were given a limited amount of practice time with the firearms used in each episode, teaming up with experts in the different shooting disciplines featured. One of those experts was former American Rifleman Executive Field Editor Garry James, who coached the cast on flintlock rifles.
After averaging 2 million viewers per premier episode in season one, The History Channel sent out its casting call this past summer for season two. The producers were looking for “anyone with mind-blowing shooting skills and a big personality to take on exciting physical challenges with multiple guns and mystery projectile weapons.”
While the show will have a similar look in its second go-around—contestants will be vying for another $100,000 prize—there will be some differences. Fans of the series can look forward to the return of the high-speed HD impact shots in extreme slow-motion.
“The producers of the show have been pretty good about asking for feedback, with regards to how it’s going to be developed for the second series,” Harrison said. “Without giving too much away, I’d say that many of the concerns of the shooting community will be addressed the second time around. This was a learning experience for everybody.”
