Historic Elimination

posted on July 25, 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 (5)

The producers of Top Shot sure seem to love the trick shots, as well as grouping the shooters into squads to force them to rely on the abilities of others. It almost seemed like prophecy when Kelly discussed how he had gone to the Proving Ground every time he had been grouped with others, but had never placed lower than second competing on his own.

Since last week's challenged ended the run of my other favorite, I sure was hoping I was wrong. Of course, I wasn’t really concerned because Kelly is good and has really dominated at the Proving Ground with whatever gun has been placed in his hands.

To be honest though, the competitors weren’t that impressive in the expedition shooting portion. Everybody was missing, with the extreme exception of Peter who nailed all three thrown soda cans to give his Blue squad the win, and since Gary was able to hit two cotton swabs at 25 feet, the Gray squad, consisting of Adam, Chris and Kelly, traveled to the Proving Ground. There Chris placed a bullet from a SIG P229 1.5 inches from the bullseye of the target 50 feet away. This, of course, meant that Adam and Kelly had to compete in the Elimination, but they didn’t seem too disappointed when they learned they would be competing with a Hotchkiss Mountain Gun that served in the 1902 Battle of Manila.

While Kelly seemed to do better during practice, under the pressure of the challenge, Adam was a little more consistent and continues his quest for $100,000 and the title of History’s Top Shot. Kelly was sent home, but he summed up his feelings with a single line: “I shot a freaking cannon.”

Latest

weapons of war
weapons of war

A Deadly Testing Ground: Guns of the Spanish Civil War

Great powers have often used smaller conflicts as test beds for new weapon systems, and also as dumping grounds for obsolete machinery. The Spanish Civil War was one such conflict.

Sequel: The New Taurus Judge

Not content to merely mark the gun's 20th anniversary with a special engraved edition, Taurus also introduced the New Taurus Judge this year.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 3, 2026

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

Questions & Answers: A Wreck of a Remington 40-X

An American Rifleman reader writes in about a project Remington 40-X .22 target rifle that needs some serious help.

New for 2026: KJI K950 Tripod and Titan Inverted Ball Head

KJI (formerly Kopfjäger) releases the carbon-fiber K950 tripod and Titan inverted-ball head.

Book Review | Guns, Shooting and Hunting: What I’ve Learned in 60 Years

Much of what one learns is truly inexpressible to others—so it’s a wonderful rarity when someone can put their knowledge into words.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.