Team Hornady relied on accurate and consistent Hornady ammo to score key wins at the 2011 JP Enterprises Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship (RM3G), August 4-6, at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, N.M. Over 280 competitors from 20 states competed in nine challenging stages designed to shake comfort levels, and test skill and physical limits at an elevation of 6,600 feet. Match designers Denise and JJ Johnson used the dusty and rocky foothill terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to obscure targets with prickly pears, pine trees, washed out gullies and fallen limbs. Pistol targets were set from 2 to 50 yards, with long-range rifle targets from 2 to 600 yards.

Adam Popplewell won the Heavy Metal Scoped Division, shooting Hornady Steel Match 155 grain in his 308 rifle, and 45 caliber HAP reloads in his pistol. "The stage designs were tough, but they couldn't outsmart the accuracy of my Hornady bullets," he said. Teammate Tate Moots finished third in the Heavy Metal Scoped Division.

Michael Voigt won the RM3G Open Division, crediting Hornady 125 grain HAP bullets in his 38 Super handgun and Hornady 223 Rem 75 grain Match ammo in his rifle for giving him the confidence and accuracy he needed to come out on top. "The scenery here is absolutely phenomenal," said Voigt. "There were a lot of unknowns going in since this was my first time attending this match, but I knew I could count on Hornady ammo to hit the targets consistently."

It was the first time competing at the RM3G for Team Hornady member Maggie Reese, too, but she handled it well with a first place finish in the Ladies Open Division, using Hornady 125 grain HAP pistol bullets, and Hornady 223 Rem 75 grain Match ammo. "The terrain was amazing," said Reese. "We saw everything from elk, pronghorn and rattlesnakes, to a beautiful black bear strolling along a mountainside. The Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship was rifle intense, with off-hand and awkward shots, and distances you don't normally see at 3-Gun matches. Using Hornady ammo really boosted my confidence."

Though he was relatively new to the Heavy Metal Irons Division, Team Hornady's Rob Romero finished with a win. "I used Hornady 155 A-MAX because it has good trajectory and less drop for long distance targets," explained Romero. "Hornady 45 cal 230 grain HAP delivered winning results in my pistol because of its accuracy. The load is always consistent, and the gun tracks much faster."