Reality Shots once again got to pick the brain of the most recently ousted Top Shot star: competitive shotgun shooter Kyle Frasure. Despite some rough performances in the first few challenges, Kyle made it past the halfway point and had only positive things to say about his experience.

American Rifleman: What is your reaction to the statement in this week's episode that some of the red team members thought you were "kind of a joke?"

Kyle Frasure: Frankly, I have to admit that my performance in the first two challenges was a joke. I don’t take any offense to the statement that some of the red team members thought I was a joke in terms of shooting ability. All of the people in the house operated as a family. With that being said, there was endless mocking and joking about everything under the sun, especially when it came to shooting ability. I hold everyone in the house in the highest regard and have the utmost respect for all of them.

AR: Tell us about the dynamics of the blue team as the show went along. Was Jay as disruptive as it seemed early on?

KF: From the get go, the Blue Team got along swimmingly. Despite the varied backgrounds of the members, we understood that each one of us brought a different skill set to the table. We really did have it all in terms of shooting skills and experience. We had archers, pistol professionals, pistol instructors, CQB experts, and shotgunners. The team started breaking down after the second pistol challenge when a few of the team members felt that Jay was giving unwanted and incorrect coaching. Things came to a head after the nomination range in which Jay and Jermaine were selected to go head to head in the elimination challenge. Jay felt that he was betrayed, and in all honesty, he was. We really hashed things out after Jay won that challenge—we talked and got everything out on the table and rebuilt the team. Jay is a great guy with the absolute best intentions, although sometimes he is misunderstood. To this day, I am very close friends with Jay and will be for a very long time.

AR: Did the blue team make a mistake putting Chris Tilley up for elimination?

KF: I don’t think we made a mistake in putting Chris Tilley up for elimination. The challenge was lost due to the two missed shots: one by Chris and the other by Daryl. Due to the lack of performance, both were nominated. It has been said that the strategy was too aggressive, but I have to disagree. We very likely would have won had we not missed those two shots.

AR: What has been the blue team's main downfall?

KF: There were a couple of contributing factors to our downfall as a team up until this point. Firstly, we made some egregious mental errors throughout the challenges; most notably the third challenge where, bless his heart, Jermaine got lost in the heat of battle and wanted to win the whole thing himself.  Secondly, due to the lack of cohesion within our team, our full potential was never really realized.

AR: Your experience was extensively with shotguns. Do you feel like you didn't get to show the fans your true shooting talents?

KF: While I’ve shot a wide array of firearms, my experience mostly pertains to shotguns. Unfortunately I was never able to show the viewers what I am best at. I really would have liked to have had a chance to shoot clays out of the back of a truck like I have been seeing in the previews. Although I didn’t get to shoot shotguns on the show, I really do feel like I settled into my role on the team and was eventually able to show that I have an inkling of shooting ability.

AR: Explain how the fundamentals of shooting changed when you were shooting upside down.

KF: Shooting upside down was one of the coolest shooting experiences I’ve ever had. Once Ashley and I found out that we were going to shoot upside down, we couldn’t help but laugh like little kids. I mean, this is something that most people will never experience. If you can do this safely, you should definitely try to replicate it. When upright, you lift the firearm against gravity and steady it by using your arms and shoulders especially. When you’re upside down, you have to use the opposite muscles to stabilize the gun. Not only that, just to keep your body taught and straight, your ab muscles are in constant strain. Not only was it exhilarating, but also a great workout.

AR: Did you feel like you went out in the best way possible, losing to Ashley's perfect run?

KF: From the bottom of my heart, I could not have been more proud to go out the way I did. If I was going to be eliminated, I wanted it to be in a ridiculously exciting challenge and against the absolute best. I got my wish; Ashley is not only a phenomenal shooter, but also a wonderful person. If somebody is going to beat me, it better be with a perfect score.

AR: What did you make of the overall experience of Top Shot?

KF: I had the time of my life while on Top Shot. It really was a dream come true to be on this season. I know that over 2,000 people had that same dream and only 16 realized it. I am so grateful that I was one of the 16. I was able to meet 15 other people who have the same passion for shooting from all walks of life. I am proud to call the 13 guys and the 2 girls in the house friends for life.

AR: What does the future hold for you in shooting?

KF: Because of the demands of school for the past 3 years, I have had to take a reprieve from competitive shooting. I am hoping that I can get back into sporting clays as a shooter and, more importantly, as an instructor. I really feel that being on Top Shot makes me an ambassador to the shooting sports and it is my responsibility to show others (especially the youth) that the sports are welcoming of novices and a great place to meet some of the best people in the world.

AR: Who is your pick to win Season 2?

KF: My pick for the winner of Season 2 would have to be Brian or Daryl. Brian is arguably the best bullseye shooter that has ever and will ever exist. He is a master with that 1911 and a great guy. I am sure he will go far. Daryl is a wild card because he is so versatile with so many different weapons. He is another outstanding competitor and great friend.