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February 11th, 2020

Shooting USA TV Features 2019 Bianchi Cup This Week

2019 NRA Bianchi Cup Columbia MO Action Pistol Championship
Jessie Harrison is a multi-time Bianchi Cup Ladies’ Division Champion.

Bianchi Cup Pistol MatchThis week’s edition of Shooting USA, which airs Wednesday, February 12, features the NRA Bianchi Cup. This competition is one of the most prestigious and popular events in the world of handgun shooting. Officially, the annual competition in Columbia, Missouri is known as the National Championship of NRA Action Pistol. But to everybody, world-wide, it’s the Bianchi Cup, the trophy named for one of the founders, John Bianchi. In the past 30 years the match has become the richest handgun tournament in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire. Shooting USA will spotlight top male and female Bianchi Cup competitors in both wheelgun and and semi-auto pistol divisions. Along with North American shooters, the Bianchi Cup draws top handgun competitors from around the globe. Shooting USA airs Wednesday nights, on the Outdoor Channel, at 9:00 pm Eastern and Pacific, and 10:00 pm Central.

CLICK HERE to Preview Shooting USA Episodes »

John Scoutten and his team report the action from the Bianchi Cup. This year shooters from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan traveled to Columbia, Missouri in search of the perfect 1920 match score. Each round is the aggregate of the four (4) fired events: Practical, Barricade, Falling Plate, and Moving Target Events. Each of the four events requires 48 shots to complete. 480 points possible on each event. Three of the four are scored on the NRA tombstone P1 target. You must hit in the 10-ring or inner X-Ring on EVERY shot to shoot a “clean” 1920.

Bianchi Cup Pistol Doug Koenig 2017

27 Years ago Doug Koening set the standard with a 1920. Since then, every Open shooter knows that he or she must “clean” this match (i.e. score a “1920”) to have a chance to take the title of “Champion”. The X-Count is the tie-breaker.

Bianchi Cup Pistol Doug Koenig 2017
Here are the top four women shooting the Practical Event during the Colt Championship Final in 2017. From top: 2017 Bianchi Women’s Champion Cherie Blake, third place SFC Katie Bahten, second place Anita Mackiewicz, and fourth place Jessie Duff. Shooting Sports USA Photo

In this video, 18-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig demonstrates Fast Follow-up Shots

Bianchi Cup — Classic Course of Fire
The MidwayUSA/NRA Bianchi Cup is a combination of Speed and Accuracy. Competitors shoot from both standing and prone positions and are also required to shoot with both strong and weak hands at various stages. Stages may combine stationary and moving targets. As conceived by former police officer and holster-maker John Bianchi, the Bianchi Cup originated in 1979 as a Law Enforcement Training match. The Course of Fire consists of four separate matches:

  • The Practical Event: From the appropriate shooting line, the shooter fires at distances from 10 yards to 50 yards under varying time limits.
  • The Barricade Event: From within shooting boxes and behind barricades, a shooter fires at targets on either side of the barricade at different distances and under varying time limits.
  • The Falling Plate Event: From the appropriate shooting line, the shooter fires at 8 inch round steel plates arranged in banks of six at distances from 10 to 25 yards under varying time limits.
  • The Moving Target Event: From within shooting boxes at distances ranging from 10 to 25 yards, the shooter fires at a target moving from left to right with the target being exposed for only 6 seconds.

Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is widely considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet.

Bianchi Cup Revolver

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November 27th, 2019

Zombies and A-Tips on Doug Koenig’s TV Show

Doug Koenig Championship season zombies heartland hornady a-tip bullet factory

Doug Koenig’s Championship Season returns to the Pursuit Channel for its ninth season. On this week’s episode, Koenig shoots the Zombies in the Heartland multi-gun match in Nebraska. Sponsored by Hornady, the Zombies Match is one of the biggest 3-gun matches in the nation. Later in the episode Koenig visits Hornady’s bullet-making factory in Nebraska.

Doug Koenig’s Championship Season airs on the Pursuit Channel three times each week. NOTE: If you don’t have cable, you can view shows online on your computer or mobile device at Pursuituptv.com. Weekly Cable TV broadcast times are:

Wednesday at 5:30 pm (EST) | Friday at 9:00 pm (EST) | Saturday at 1:00 am (EST)

Click HERE to View Episodes on Computer or Mobile Device »

Koenig Competes in Zombies Match in Nebraska
Teaming up with Jason Hornady and his son, Doug travels to Nebraska to shoot the popular annual 3-Gun Zombies in the Heartland match. Using pistol, rifle, and shotgun, Doug’s team shoots the Open Division Industry Match and runs six challenging stages using zombie-themed props.

Zombie Hornady Heartland Pandemic

This “Pandemic” 3-Gun fun match, one of the biggest three-gun shoots in the nation, takes place each summer at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. The Pandemic features a rich prize table worth over $150,000. Prizes include pistols, rifles, shotguns, scopes, AR uppers, gun parts, and gear of all kinds.

See A-Tip Bullets Crafted at Hornady Factory
In the second part of the episode, Doug visits the Hornady production facility to see how the new, sequentially-packaged A-Tip match bullets are made. These feature a very uniform aluminum tip for consistent BCs. Doug views 6mm 110 grain A-Tips as they roll off the manufacturing line. Doug plans to use this 6mm bullet in his future PRS competitions.

Doug Koenig Championship season zombies heartland hornady a-tip bullet factory
Hornady A-Tip match bullets koenig 110gr bullet

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October 5th, 2019

Precision Rifle Matches Featured on Doug Koenig TV Show

Doug Koenig PRS practical rifle competition Ruger Precision Rifle RPR production division class

Doug Koenig’s Championship Season returns to Pursuit Channel celebrating its 9th season. The latest show features long range precision rifle competition. Doug travels to the 2019 Masterpiece Arms (MPA) Spring Shootout in Georgia, campaigning his 6mm Creedmoor bolt-action Ruger Precision Rifle. Doug has been a top competitor in Production Division (factory class), having posted multiple first-place Factory Class finishes in recent months.

Doug Koenig PRS practical rifle competition Ruger Precision Rifle RPR production division class

Each week, Doug Koenig’s Championship Season airs on the Pursuit Channel three times: Wednesday at 5:30 pm (EST), Friday at 9:00 pm (Eastern Primetime), and Saturday at 1:00 am (EST). View past seasons and previously-aired episodes at PursuitTV.com. You can also see previews and get competition news on Doug Koenig’s Facebook Page.

Koenig said, “I’m relatively new to long range precision rifle competitions, but it’s the combination of shooting from fixed or uneven barricades, to the variety of shooting positions and distances that has captured my excitement for this sport.”

Koenig secured a Production Division win at the 2019 MPA Spring Shootout held at the Arena Training Facility in Blakely, GA with a final score of 173.00 and a time of 58.89. “The MPA match had some long shots out to 800-1356 yards, but my factory rifle got the job done and helped me win my third production class title in a row. That proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get started in PRS competition.”

factory production PRS doug koenig

Precision Rifle matches offer a variety of challenges not found in benchrest or High Power matches. Over the course of multiple stages, competitors must shoot a wide variety of positions, standing, prone, and from barricade, while the clock is ticking. Some PRS/NRL matches even have moving targets. These matches test shooting fundamentals, while demanding good wind reading skills, and the ability to shoot at multiple distances in a stage. That demands good “dope” and the ability to hold-over and hold-off.

Koening Goes Hunting for Argentine Stag
Doug Koenig is also an avid hunter. In this Championship Season episode from 2016, Doug takes viewers into the field on an Argentine Stage Hunt. There is also some shotgun shooting footage:

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May 18th, 2019

World’s Best Handgunners Compete at Bianchi Cup Next Week

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff
Jessie Harrison is a multi-time Bianchi Cup Ladies’ Division Champion.

The world’s top pistoleros head to Missouri next week to compete in the 2019 NRA Bianchi Cup, the USA’s most prestigious action pistol match. Also known as the NRA National Action Pistol Championship, this year’s Bianchi Cup event runs May 22-24, 2019 in Hallsville, Missouri at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club. There will be Competitor Registrations Tuesday and Wednesday May 21-22, along with a Multi-Gun Aggregate on Wednesday. Then Championship competition begins at 8:00 am on Thursday, May 23rd.

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

READ Full 2019 Bianchi Cup Program HERE »

Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is widely considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet. To finish on top, you have to be near-perfect. Ace shooter Carl Benosky explains: “To Win a Bianchi Cup you’ve got to be consistent. You’ve got to shoot good ALL the time… you can’t make any mistakes.”

Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.

At the Bianchi Cup, each round is the aggregate of the four (4) fired events: Practical, Barricade, Falling Plate, and Moving Target Events. Each of the four events requires 48 shots to complete. 480 points possible on each event. Three of the four are scored on the NRA tombstone P1 target. You must hit in the 10-ring or inner X-Ring on EVERY shot to shoot a “clean” 1920.

Bianchi Cup pistol target tombstone silhouette doug koenig

27 Years ago Doug Koening, who has won the Bianchi Cup 18 times, set the standard with a 1920 score. Since then, every Open shooter knows that he or she must “clean” this match (i.e. score a “1920”) to have a chance to take the title of “Champion”. The X-Count is the tie-breaker.

18-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig
NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

Women of the Bianchi Cup

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

Bianchi Cup Family Affair — Chris Cerino Family in 2015

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October 10th, 2018

Sportsman’s Team Challenge This Week on the Pursuit Channel

2018 Bass Pro Big Cedar Academy sportsman's team challenge sportsman rimfire steel
STC Archive photo. Doug Koenig now shoots with Team Ruger. He did not compete this year, instead dedicating his time to running the match.

Speed on Steel. That’s what’s featured in the latest episode of Doug Koenig’s Championship Season on the Pursuit Channel. This week features steel courses of fire at the 2018 Sportsman’s Team Challenge (STC) National Championships in Ridgedale, Missouri. Teams shot plate racks and various steel targets set at distances from 10 to 90 yards. Adrenaline levels were high as fixed time limits were displayed on digital clocks. These steel stages tested competitors’ speed, accuracy, and rapid-loading skills. With over $125,000 in cash and prizes this year, competitors were highly motivated.

2018 Bass Pro Big Cedar Academy sportsman's team challenge sportsman rimfire steel
The pistol stage featured brightly painted plate racks, shot with time limits.

At this year’s STC, fifty teams competed in pistol, rifle, combo, and three different shotgun courses of fire. Competitors came from 14 states and three countries. The three-day event is a family-friendly celebration of community and teamwork, with shooters as young as eight years old in the Sub-Junior and Junior divisions. Colorful reactive targets and visible countdown timers make this multi-discipline event spectator-friendly. It’s a great experience for all competitors — from new shooters to top pros.

2018 Bass Pro Big Cedar Academy sportsman's team challenge sportsman rimfire steel

The STC was directed by 18-time NRA Bianchi Cup National Action Pistol Champion Doug Koenig — now in his third year at the helm of the STC. Koenig said this year’s Big Cedar Lodge venue, home of the Bass Pro Shooting Academy, is a “phenomenal location overlooking Table Rock Lake. [Big Cedar Lodge] demonstrated why it’s a world-class shooting facility … with its stunning vistas and close proximity to nearby entertainment capitol Branson, Missouri.” You can see the lake in this photo:

2018 Bass Pro Big Cedar Academy sportsman's team challenge sportsman rimfire steel

Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, purchased Big Cedar Lodge in 1987. This Missouri venue now serves as a Nature Park and the Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor Shooting Academy.

2018 Bass Pro Big Cedar Academy sportsman's team challenge sportsman rimfire steel

Doug Koenig’s Championship Season can be viewed on Pursuit Channel, available On Demand at PursuitupTV.com. Learn more on Doug Koenig’s Facebook Page or @dougkoenig on Instagram.

There was major industry support for this event. Sponsors included: Berger Bullets, Hornady, Hogue, Lapua, Leupold, Otis Technology, Remington, Ruger, Sierra Bullets, SK Ammunition, Sig Sauer, Starline Brass, and Vihtavuori.

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May 22nd, 2018

2018 Bianchi Cup Kicks Off Today in Missouri

2018 Bianchi Cup NRA Action pistol Championship columbia Missouri
The amazing Doug Koenig, shown above, has won 18 Bianchi Cup titles, more than any other human.

2018 Bianchi Cup NRA Action pistol Championship columbia MissouriMany of the world’s top pistoleros are in Missouri this week competing in the 2018 NRA Bianchi Cup, the USA’s most prestigious action pistol match. This year’s Bianchi Cup event, which follows the NRA National Action Pistol Championship, runs May 22-25, 2018 in Hallsville, Missouri at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club. Today there will be registration and a Special Multi-Gun Match. The official First Shot Ceremony is on Wednesday, May 23rd, at 7:45 am. Then Cup competition begins promptly at 8:00 am on Wednesday.

Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is widely considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet. To finish on top, you have to be near-perfect.

2018 Bianchi Cup NRA Action pistol Championship columbia Missouri

As in 2017, this year’s match will feature a second “Championship” Round. There will be no multi-gun aggregate match. After completion of the match’s 192-shot, 1920-point aggregate, the top 36 competitors will fire an additional 192-shot Championship Round. Scores from the Championship Round will combined into an overall Aggregate to determine each category’s champions. CLICK HERE for 2018 Bianchi Cup Program Guide.

Watch Colt Speed Event at 2013 Bianchi Cup Championships:

Bianchi Cup

Ace Shooter Jessie Harrison (from Bianchi Photo Archive)
Bianchi Cup 2015 Missouri

About the Bianchi Cup
The Bianchi Cup is the NRA National Action Pistol Championship, a major tournament held every May in Columbia, Missouri. The premier action pistol championship, the Bianchi Cup boasts the largest purse of any tournament on the action pistol calendar. The Bianchi Cup is the only major shooting tournament that has retained its original Course of Fire since its inception. The Course of Fire consists of four separate matches:

  • The Practical Event: From the appropriate shooting line, the shooter fires at distances from 10 yards to 50 yards under varying time limits.
  • The Barricade Event: From within shooting boxes and behind barricades, a shooter fires at targets on either side of the barricade at different distances and under varying time limits.
  • The Falling Plate Event: From the appropriate shooting line, the shooter fires at 8 inch round steel plates arranged in banks of six at distances from 10 to 25 yards under varying time limits.
  • The Moving Target Event: From within shooting boxes at distances ranging from 10 to 25 yards, the shooter fires at a target moving from left to right with the target being exposed for only 6 seconds.

At the Bianchi Cup, there are six categories for individual competitors: Civilian, Police, Service, Junior, Woman, Senior, Grand Senior, New Competitor, International, and Revolver.

Bianchi Cup Revolver

Competitors need plenty of ammo at the Bianchi Cup. Look at that collection of magazines.
Bianchi Cup NRA Pistol championship 2018 ammo

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February 21st, 2018

World’s Best at Bianchi Cup — NRA Action Pistol Championship

2017 Bianchi cup

Want to see the best semi-auto pistol and revolver shooters on the planet in action? Then check out Shooting USA TV later today. Today’s broadcast features in-depth coverage of the 2017 Bianchi Cup. Shooting USA’s John Scoutten and Julie Golob report from the NRA Action Pistol Championship, better known as the Bianchi Cup, after one of its founders, John Bianchi.

ShootingUSA AIR TIMES FOR 2018 (Outdoor Channel)
Wednesday 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific, 8:00 PM Central
NOTE: Shooting USA is listed as a one-hour show in your cable menu.

In the past 30 years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire. Shooting USA will spotlight top male and female Bianchi Cup competitors in both wheelgun and and semi-auto pistol divisions. Along with North American shooters, the Bianchi Cup draws top handgun competitors from around the globe.

In 2017 shooters from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan traveled to Columbia, Missouri in search of the perfect 1920 match score. Each round is the aggregate of the four (4) fired events: Practical, Barricade, Falling Plate, and Moving Target Events. Each of the four events requires 48 shots to complete. 480 points possible on each event. Three of the four are scored on the NRA tombstone P1 target. You must hit in the 10-ring or inner X-Ring on EVERY shot to shoot a “clean” 1920.

Bianchi Cup Pistol Doug Koenig 2017

27 Years ago Doug Koening set the standard with a 1920. Since then, every Open shooter knows that he or she must “clean” this match (i.e. score a “1920”) to have a chance to take the title of “Champion”. The X-Count is the tie-breaker.

Bianchi Cup Koenig

In this video, 18-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig demonstrates Fast Follow-up Shots

Here are the top four women shooting the Practical Event during the Colt Championship Final. From top: 2017 Bianchi Women’s Champion Cherie Blake, third place SFC Katie Bahten, second place Anita Mackiewicz, and fourth place Jessie Duff. Shooting Sports USA Photo

Bianchi Cup Pistol Doug Koenig 2017

This Bianchi Cup Preview offers the perspective of newcomers to the game…

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January 13th, 2018

Doug Koenig Leaves Smith & Wesson To Be Team Ruger Captain

Doug Koenig Bianchi Cup Smith and Wesson Ruger 2018
Doug Koenig will exchange the Smith & Wesson hat for one with the Ruger logo this season. The 18-time Bianchi Cup Winner has joined Team Ruger, and will shoot Ruger pistols and rifles in 2018.

Doug Koenig, one of the greatest pistol shooters of all time, has a new team. The long-time Team Smith & Wesson stalwart has joined newly-formed Team Ruger as its Team Captain. Doug will shoot Ruger 1911-style handguns and Ruger polymer pistols. Interestingly, Koenig will also field a Ruger Precision Rifle for some PRS-style events. Doug has actually done pretty well in the past shooting long guns. He won the 2015 NRA World Shooting Championship — a multi-day event featuring rifles and/or shotguns in most of the stages.

This is the first time Ruger has ever fielded a full-fledged pro team. It is an interesting development for Ruger, which has a product mix suitable for a variety of disciplines: Rimfire Challenge, Cowboy Action, IDPA/USPSA, Steel Challenge, and even PRS (Factory Class and Gas Gun Division).

Doug Koenig Bianchi Cup Smith and Wesson Ruger 2018

Why is Koenig leaving Smith and Wesson? It’s mostly about being “on the same page”. Talking to Jim Shepherd of the Shooting Wire, Doug explained: “I’ve been with Smith & Wesson for a very long time — and I want to be really clear about this – they’ve always been good to me.” But, there had been changes at S&W in recent years: “We were going in different directions, and I’d already told them I wasn’t re-signing this year. And when I was approached by Ruger, they were interested in my thoughts on guns.” Read Shooting Wire Report.

Though best known as a pistolero, Koenig is a great long gun shooter as well. Doug won the 2016 NRA World Shooting Championship, beating a field of talented 3-Gun aces. Photo DougKoenig.com.
Doug Koenig Bianchi Cup Smith and Wesson Ruger 2018

Doug was impressed with Ruger’s design staff. He said they have already incorporated upgrades he wanted: “When I talked with Ruger engineers, they asked me what I thought — instead of telling me what they were going to do. So, I told them what I would like to see in a Ruger competition pistol, and it seemed like they were really listening.” In fact, Ruger immediately made upgrades: “A few days after Christmas I got a pair of Ruger pistols with the exact changes I’d talked about already done to them. That is exciting”.

Doug Koenig’s List of Championships:
10-time World Champion
18-time Bianchi Cup winner
2016 NRA World Shooting Champion
More than 70 National Championships
6-time World Action Pistol Championship Winner
3-time World Speed Shooting Champion/Steel Challenge

Watch Doug Koenig’s Championship Season TV show on the Pursuit Channel: Wednesday 5:30 pm (Eastern); Friday 9:00 pm (Eastern); Saturday 1:30 am (Eastern) West Coast prime-time.

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August 22nd, 2017

Handguns 101: Shoot with Both Eyes Open

Doug Koenig Pistol shooting training video
Photo courtesy DougKoenig.com and Leupold.

One eye or two? That’s the question that confounds some pistol shooters, particularly during slow fire. When shooting one-handed, some bullseye pistol shooters use a piece of tape or paper on one lens of their shooting glasses to obscure their non-dominant eye. That way they can get a more precise sight picture. However, when shooting two-handed, it’s almost always better to shoot with both eyes open. And if you are doing a “move and shoot” session/match, you’ll surely want to have both eyes open.

Champion pistol shooter Doug Koenig says he always shoots handguns with both eyes open: “To me it’s very simple — I wouldn’t drive my car with one eye closed. I wouldn’t walk around the house with one eye closed. To me, it’s all about your vision, your depth perception.” Doug adds that you definitely need both eyes open to transition quickly from target to target.

With both eyes open you’ll have better depth perception and peripheral vision. You will also be able to transition from target to target more quickly. In a timed, multi-target stage, you’ll want to move your head/eyes to the next target right after you break a shot. You’ll find that you will then reflexively move the handgun on to the new target when you swing your vision on to it. Don’t linger on the target you just shot — move to the next.

Doug Koenig Pistol shooting training video

Here are two other helpful videos from Doug Koenig and the NSSF:

Sight Alignment and Sight Picture

Trigger Press and Trigger Control

Doug Koenig’s List of Championships:
10-time World Champion
18-time Bianchi Cup winner
2016 NRA World Shooting Champion
More than 70 National Championships
6-time World Action Pistol Championship Winner
3-time World Speed Shooting Champion/Steel Challenge

Watch Doug Koenig’s Championship Season TV show on the Pursuit Channel: Wednesday 5:30 pm (Eastern); Friday 9:00 pm (Eastern); Saturday 1:30 am (Eastern) West Coast prime-time.

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September 20th, 2016

Koenig Wins World Shooting Championship with His Own Guns

2016 World Shooting Championship NRA West Virginia Peacemaker
Doug Koenig file photo.

Doug Koenig proved two things this past weekend at the 2016 NRA World Shooting Championship. First, he showed that he is one hell of a shooter, maybe the best action shooter ever. Second he proved that trick, custom race-guns WILL out-perform off-the-shelf firearms. As originally conceived, the WSC has been a multi-discipline match in which competitors shoot an assortment of manufacturer-supplied firearms. But this year, a rule change allowed “BYO” firearms and ammunition in the new Professional Open Division (Pro Open). Koenig’s choice to run in Open Class proved to be a good one — he walked away with a check for $25,000 and the title of 2016 “World Shooting Champion”.

2016 World Shooting Championship NRA West Virginia Peacemaker

Competing in the Pro Open Division (using his own guns for most stages), Koenig dominated, winning all 12 stages while racking up 3000 points, effectively a “perfect” score. Only a couple shooters competed in Pro Open using their own guns and ammo. Though some say he made it look easy, Koenig, a 17-time Bianchi Cup Champion, insisted this was a tough match. After the awards ceremony, Koenig told Shooting Sports USA: “This was a really great match — and a fun test of all the different shooting disciplines. [The WSC] is without a doubt one of the most difficult matches that I have ever shot. I have a lot of respect for the other disciplines that I have never done before.”

Curiously, only a couple competitors competed in Pro Open, while there were 67 shooters in the regular Pro Class, and 131 Amateurs. Given Koenig’s thorough trouncing of the Pro Stock competitors, one wonders what will happen to the WSC event next year. Will more shooters join the Pro Open ranks? Will there even be a Pro Open Division next year? Koenig served notice that if you want to win the overall title, you better bring your own guns. But that would seem to change the signature theme of the WSC — shooting “normal”, box-stock firearms. One wonders how the other competitors felt about Koenig capturing $25K and the title of “World Champion”, while they shot off-the-shelf hardware.

Nonetheless, Koenig deserves full credit for his superb, 3000-point “perfect” performance. In winning all twelve stages (including some disciplines he had never shot before), Koenig’s 2016 WSC performance was truly one for the ages.

Greg Jordan won the Professional (Stock) Division with a score of 2934. Jordan had a very strong performance with class wins in the 2-Gun, 3-Gun, and America’s Rifle Challenge stages. Pro Stock runner-up, 41 points back, was Mark Yackley with a 2893 score.

Brilliant Performance by Amateur Competitor Nate Dudley
The Top Amateur at the 2016 WSC was Nate Dudley with 2879 points. Dudley’s strong showing would have placed him ahead of all but four of the Pro Stock shooters*. That’s remarkable. Nate beat 63 Pros, including last year’s WSC Champion Bruce Piatt who finished 8th in the Pro (Stock) division.

The Miculeks — America’s First Family of Shooting
Lena Miculek won the Ladies Championship with a score of 2816, and Lena’s mom, Kay Miculek was the second-place lady. Lena’s father, the legendary Jerry Miculek, finished 9th in the Pro Stock Division.

World Shooting Championship 2016 Lena Jerry Kay Miculek

*Fourth-place Pro Ryan Muller scored 2881 points, while fifth-place Pro Nick Atkinson had 2878 points.
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May 24th, 2015

Doug Koenig Wins 16th Career Bianchi Cup Title

Bianchi Cup Doug Koenig Carl Bernosky 2015 Columbia Missouri

Story based on report by Kyle Jillson for NRABlog.com.

Doug Koenig secured his 16th NRA Action Pistol title this week at the 2015 NRA Bianchi Cup in Columbia, Missouri. Koenig’s final score was a perfect 1920 with 180 tie-breaking Xs. Koenig needed all those Xs to win — runner-up Jeremy Newell (1920-166X) also racked up a perfect 1920 score, but with 14 fewer Xs. Carl Bernosky, a ten-time NRA High Power Rifle Champion, placed third overall with 1918-180X. Australian shooter Anita Mackiewicz set a new record for a female shooter with a 1916-166X.

Koenig’s success at the Bianchi Cup is unparalleled. Doug’s 16 titles account for nearly half of the 37 total Bianchi championships held. Bruce Piatt has the next best career Bianchi Cup record, with five Bianchi titles, less than one-third of Koenig’s total.

(more…)

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May 22nd, 2014

35th Annual Bianchi Cup Kicks Off in Columbia, Missouri

The Bianchi Cup is underway. A record-setting 295 competitors are competing in the 35th anniversary of the NRA Bianchi Cup, which runs May 21-24 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club outside Columbia, Missouri. The first day at the 2014 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup has just wrapped up and there’s plenty of shooting left. Scores are low and it’s still – theoretically – anyone’s game.

2014 Bianchi Cup Columbus, Missouri

Story based on report by Kyle Jillson for NRABlog.com.
The richest and most prestigious handgun shooting tournament in the world, the NRA Bianchi Cup draws skilled pistol shooters from all over the globe. They come for glory… and the loot. This year there will be $500,000 worth of cash and prizes up for grabs.

2014 Bianchi Cup Columbus, Missouri

This event was founded in 1979 by former police officer and holster maker John Bianchi. Success in the Bianchi Cup requires a perfect balance of speed and accuracy. The 192-shot championship allows a maximum aggregate of 1920 points across four timed events: Practical, Barricade, Moving Target and Falling Plate. In addition to being grouped by age, gender, and shooting skill, competitors may opt to shoot in the Open, Metallic, or Production divisions.

2014 Bianchi Cup Columbus, Missouri

2014 Bianchi Cup Columbus, Missouri

Last year’s Open champion, Doug Koenig, is looking to notch his 16th Overall Title and his strong start at the Practical Event is a good first step. Among the other defending champions, past Ladies champion Jessie Duff (photos below) is eyeing a fourth title. National Police Shooting Championship legend Robert Vadasz hopes to earn a sixth Bianchi Cup title in the Metallic Sight Division.

2014 Bianchi Cup Columbus, Missouri

2014 Bianchi Cup Columbus, Missouri

Special Prizes for First-Time Bianchi Competitors
Shooters making their first appearance at the Bianchi Cup will be eligible for a special award from title sponsor MidwayUSA. The top three first-time men, women, and juniors will receive cash prizes of $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second, and $750 for third.

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