The Vihtavuori and Applied Ballistics-sponsored duo of Chad Heckler and Francis Colon topped the Precision Marksman field at the 2025 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge. Held June 18-22, 2025, this 5-day event at the Garth Killpack Shooting Range drew a big crowd, with competitors from over 19 countries. Heckler with a score of 930 and Colon with a score of 900 placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the Precision Marksman Challenge event. Heckler’s victory earned him a $20,000 prize while Colon took home $10,000. Those are some of the biggest cash prizes in any rifle event.

Precision Marksman match winner Chad Heckler was elated: “Team CHANCIS secures the top two spots at the 2025 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge! Winning this event last weekend wasn’t easy, Justin and his Utah Airguns family and friends have created something special with this event. The attention to detail and love that was poured into this match was second to none”, said Heckler. “I feel honored to become the 2025 champ alongside [team-mate] Francis Colon. Congrats buddy.”

“There aren’t many times that I’m happy after taking second place, but earning the top two spots with my best friend is epic…” stated Colon. “Massive thank you to Justin Jacobson and the crew at Utah Airguns! This is not just a match… it is an experience! With 5 days of shooting over four disciplines and custom themes, props, music and food, it makes me excited for 2026!”

Tech Tip: If these rifles don’t look like conventional airguns it is because they employ a new design with a slim diameter air tank wrapped around the barrel. These FX DRS Pro MDT 700 Airguns are “designed with the air tank wrapped around the barrel … lowering the profile of the overall rifle, resulting in a very slim front end and an overall more balanced rifle.”

The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge

The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge (RMAC) is a challenging, multi-class tactical-style airgun competition. The RMAC event, hosted by Utah Airguns, is one of the biggest outdoor air rifle matches in the country. It combines the low-cost of air rifle shooting with the fun of PRS/NRL-type multi-stage shooting.

RMAC features four distinct events designed to test diverse shooting skills. The 100-Yard Benchrest event focuses on precision and wind-reading — most other airgun BR matches are at 50 yards or 50m max, so this is tough by comparison.

The Precision Marksman Challenge is a physically demanding event that requires shooters to engage reactive steel targets from various positions and obstacles under time pressure, utilizing both slugs and pellets. The Speed Challenge is a high-energy, head-to-head competition where shooters race through diverse courses of fire. Finally, the Big Bore Slug Challenge showcases the power and accuracy of slug-shooting airguns, with competitors engaging steel targets at distances from 100 to 450 yards.

Modern Tactical-Style Air Rifles

Here are two state-of-the-art tactical air rifles, the BinTac MCAR ($2790.00 from Airgun Tactical) and the FX IMPACT M4 ($2099.99 from Utah Airguns). The BinTac MCAR almost looks like a centerfire rifle at first glance but the air chambers on the buttstock tell the real story.

One of the most unique and popular air rifle matches in the world takes place next week in Arizona. The Extreme Benchrest Championship, hosted by Airguns of Arizona, takes place October 6-9, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. This is the 11th annual Championship and Airguns of Arizona plans on making this the biggest and best one yet. NOTE: The event name is a bit of a misnomer. This is NOT just a benchrest match. In fact this event encompasses multiple airgun disciplines — Benchrest, Silhouette, Field Target, and Action Steel — with targets at 50, 75, and 100 yards.

About the Extreme Benchrest Championship in Arizona
Extreme Benchrest earns its name with airguns being shot as far as 100 yards outdoors where the elements will test the best in ammunition, air rifle, and shooter. With very few limitations on equipment, this all-inclusive match is exciting and truly a test of marksmanship. This multi-discipline event tests shooters in precision as well as speed and adaptability in the field. Along with traditional Benchrest shotoing, the event includes Speed Silhouette, Big Bore, Field Target, and Action Steel shooting. Manufacturers from across the globe are providing top level prizes and awards. Competitors will participate with some of the finest air-gunners in the country. CLICK HERE for more information.

This video is WORTH WATCHING — it shows multiple disciplines and many airgun types:

Sightron Will Be Major Sponsor of Extreme Benchrest Championship for Air Rifles
“We are very excited to be the official optics sponsor of this incredible championship,” said Mack Matsumoto, President of Sightron. “Sightron optics are made to compete at the highest level. The SII Blue Sky 20-60×85 HD spotting scope will definitely be a huge advantage for the competitors utilizing them. The new S6 series of riflescopes among others will be on display during the championship.” To learn more about the complete Sightron product line, go to Sightron.com or visit Sightron’s Facebook Page.

Sightron will be sponsoring the attendee goodie bag with several promotional items. Sightron is also providing a $2899.99 SVIII 5-40x56mm ED Illuminated LRM riflescope for the raffle. Sightron will bring multiple SII Blue Sky 20-60×85 HD angled spotting scopes for viewing by spectators. Several of these will be linked to televisions in the attendee shooting area.