Dirty Dozen

posted on June 27, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
rackley2015_fs.jpg (6)

By Paul Rackley

With only 12 shooters left in the house, Top Shot producers brought back a popular challenge from Seasons One and Two. In what I’m calling dropping dice, the competitors split into teams captained by two of my favorite shooters—Kelly and Jamie—to compete head-to-head with the Remington New Army 1875.

In the challenge, shooters shot out the dots on dice for one point for each hit. However, in a twist the shooter who knocked out the dots on the dice first closed the door on the competition. Gabby jumped Kelly’s team to a quick lead that continued for the next two pairs to shoot. But as the dots increased Jamie’s team ties the score before Chris humiliates Brian Zims and sends Kelly and group to the proving ground. There, the producers twisted things up by having Kelly, Brian, Gary, Alex, Gabby and Joe try to send three bullets through the center of three CDs for a point for each successful shot.

To be honest, it was pretty disappointing to see three of the six shooters go zero for three, but Kelly exhibited his rifle-shooting skills with three perfect shots. Of course with three shooters at zero, a tie-breaker was used to send Gabby and Alex to Elimination where they faced an old fashioned shooting gallery with the Ruger 10/22.

While Gabby is a great shooter, especially in her discipline, I quickly realized that she was probably headed home after this challenge. She had never fired this iconic rifle, much less set up her own little shooting gallery as a kid. She did very well, considering, hitting 45 of her 100 targets. Unfortunately for her, Alex hit 58.

I’m going to miss Gabby. She wasn’t a great female shooter. She was a great shooter who happened to be female. She is also the only woman to have ever made it to the individual stage of the competition, and the only woman to win an Elimination Challenge.

Latest

Mendoza RM22 01
Mendoza RM22 01

Hecho en México: The Mendoza RM22 Rifles

Mendoza Firearms claims that its RM22 rimfire rifle is the first indigenously produced rifle to be exported to the United States.

Preview: MGE 1911 Grips

Mammoth Grip Exchange is a small startup company that specializes in crafting replacement stock sets for M1911-pattern pistols in a dizzying assortment of exotic materials...

Gun Of The Week: Mossberg 990 Aftershock

For this Gun Of The Week episode, American Rifleman staffers hit the range with the Mossberg 990 Aftershock, a non-NFA, shotshell-firing firearm that provides plenty of power in a compact package.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 14, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Christensen Arms Evoke: A Budget-Friendly Hunting Rifle Built For The Field

For hunters seeking a well-built, no-frills hunting rifle, the Christensen Arms Evoke offers a host of desirable features, all at a price that leaves room for hunting tags and travel costs.

Wholesale Change in Glock Lineup & Other Industry Moves

Fall 2025 has proven to be a volatile time within the firearm industry, with companies like Glock announcing major changes to its product lineup, while other companies announce expansions and moves.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.