US National Steel Championships

Several Team Hornady® members competed at the 2012 US National Steel Championships, March 29 - April 1, 2012, at the Titusville Rifle and Pistol Club in Titusville, Florida. Now in its sixth year, the match drew 203 competitors for the Main match, and 87 for the Rimfire match from 24 states, Canada, Japan and Russia.Jessie Duff won the overall Ladies Champion, Ladies Steel Master, and the Ladies Limited, shooting Hornady® 9mm 115 grain XTP® bullets. "I couldn't have asked for more accurate performing ammo over the course of the three day match," said Duff.

Max Michel finished second in the .22 Rimfire match and third overall in the Main match. "I used Hornady® 115 grain XTP® bullets due to the reduced power factor needed for this event," Michel commented, "and because they're incredibly accurate for the 35 yard targets, or even smaller targets at 15-20 yards."

Doug Koenig finished fourth in the Limited division, and his son Trevor won Top Overall Super Junior in the main match.

Match Director Mike Calloway observed, "I'm very proud this match continues to attract extended families and first time shooters to a national event. It speaks to the growing interest in the shooting sports. The park-like setting of the club, with gators looming nearby and some stages shaded by oak trees, makes it an ideal place to hold a match."

The eight-stage match is designed for competitors to perform at maximum speed over three days while maintaining their stamina, and controlling the accuracy of their equipment. A unique feature of the US National Steel Championships allows competitors to arrive a few days early to practice on the range, with the same course of fire as the actual match.