3-Gun competitor Bennie Cooley from Idaho, catches up with the Hole Story after his last interview in 2016.

So Bennie, what disciplines you are now competing in?

I am currently competing in USPSA handgun/PCC and USSL 3-Gun matches, plus long-range precision rifle matches in the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and National Rifle League (NRL) series. I am also looking forward to the new NRL Hunter Long Range shooting series because it is aligned to hunting big game, with caliber and weight restrictions, keeping the matches more realistic to field environments encountered while hunting.

Tell us what you’ve been up to over the past few years.

Life hasn’t slowed down that’s for sure! Competing in 3-Gun has always been my top priority. It translates well to the professional training that I conduct with military and law enforcement professionals. I am also pursuing the precision rifle side of the house by competing in some of the PRS and NRL matches. Although 2020 was a challenge for shooting sports, it also showed the resiliency of the competitors and match directors who made it happen in spite of the pandemic.

Since we last spoke what competitions are you most proud of?

The USPSA Multi-Gun 2020 Nationals is probably at the top of my list in recent memory. Because of the COVID pandemic, the match had to be rescheduled, however it did not dampen the competitors’ or match directors’ spirits. The match was phenomenal! With target engagements out to 640 yards, it really raised the bar. I was able to place third overall in the Limited division and won several stages overall in the match.

The 2020 Hornady Precision Rifle Challenge in Wyoming should be a bucket-list match for any long-range shooter. Hornady goes all out to make sure the shooters have all that they need. George Gardner and Bryan Sikes of G.A. Precision, and the whole Hornady crew including Neil Davies and owner Jason Hornady, ran the match. It just doesn’t get better than that! The course is located on a private ranch out of Evanston, Wyoming, allowing shooters to enjoy the outdoors while crushing targets across canyons and over lakes. I wasn’t proud of my performance at this match, however the courses of fire, range staff and fellow competitors made getting knocked in the dirt a lot more tolerable. It has also made me up my game and determination to better myself as a long-range shooter.

How has your shooting style changed or improved?

My shooting style, techniques and mental game is always evolving and being refined to help me elevate my overall performance. Equally important is keeping my gear and firearms in top shape, helping to make my performance repeatable, which is key to my overall success. The only thing that I really don’t worry about is my ammunition. Hornady has always performed flawlessly!

Tell us about your current competition set up?

My 3-Gun setup is made up of the following:

Tactical Rifle: Christensen Arms G2 16” barrel with titanium side baffle brake and RCA reduced bolt carrier, AR gold trigger, topped with Leupold Mark 6 1–6x20mm CMR .556 Reticle, launching Hornady 223 73 gr. ELD Match ammunition.

Limited Rifle: Christensen Arms G2 16” barrel with titanium side baffle brake and RCA reduced bolt carrier, AR gold trigger, topped with a Leupold Freedom RDS with BDC cap. The RDS system allowed me to dial in the 640-yard shots at the USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals, while shooting Hornady 223 53 gr. Superformance ammunition.

PCC: Christensen Arms new CA9mm pistol with the Hipertouch Eclipse trigger, topped with Leupold’s Freedom RDS allows me to dial the longer shots in instead of using holdovers. I am running Hornady 9mm 124 gr. XTPs for my reloads, which are extremely accurate and hard hitting.

STI DVC Limited 3-Gun chambered in 9mm is my go-to handgun for 3-Gun competitions. The soft recoil of Hornady 9mm 147 gr. XTP rounds are extremely accurate, hard hitting and feed flawlessly.

Shotgun Tactical/Limited: I am running a Beretta 1301 12 ga. with custom work done by Briley Manufacturing — the gun runs anything I throw at it.

National Rifle League Hunting Series 2020: I am running the Christensen Arms MPR chambered in 6.5 PRC 24-inch carbon fiber barrel and stainless steel side baffle brake, topped with Leupold’s Mark 5 HD 3.5–25x56mm CCH reticle, weighing in at 11.5lbs. Hornady 6.5 PRC 147 gr. ELD Match ammunition really sets the standard for accuracy and reliability in down-range performance. For hand loading the PRC, nothing compares to the precision of Hornady A-TIP Match bullets. I prefer the 135 gr. to the 153 gr. for these types of matches because they allow me to see my target impact better for less than stable shooting positions.

What are your goals for the future?

You mean besides winning, right? I believe that your goals have to enhance your emotional, physical and spiritual side or they are not the right goals to chase. I am going to push my long-range game over the next couple of years as well as spend a little more time with the PCC platform. 3-Gun will continue to be one of my main goals.

What do you think is important to keep our sport alive and what are you doing to encourage this?

It is absolutely critical that we educate the next generation of shooters to take the lead and continue to pursue our Second Amendment rights. We have to show them the fun side of shooting sports. I try to help new shooters at matches and look for ways to give back what others have given to me. People underestimate the power of simple things when it comes to helping others. I am always pushing the more experienced shooters I know to look for opportunities to help out the newer shooters. Never underestimate the power you have to make someone better when the opportunity arises.

What mental tool do you use under pressure?

To control mental pressure, you have to experience it as much as possible. I am very big on what I call “Visual Patience”. Visual Patience is your ability to understand and control the anxiety, and sometimes panic that you feel when you think you are going too slow. Controlling this has a lot to do with your mental and physical preparation. Understanding there is nothing that you can do physically while shooting that your mind will perceive as being fast, will allow you to have more composure and execute what needs to be done at a higher level.

What challenges did you come across in getting to where you are today?

I could write a book on this! Let’s just say that burning the midnight oil is an understatement with 16–20-hour days the norm for many years… Your life has to evolve around shooting and improving your skill sets. You also have to do this while maintaining your job, and more importantly your family. Several times in my pursuit, my priorities became mixed up and it cost me in all areas. If you put your faith and family first, everything else will come into focus. Sometimes as we pursue our dreams, we can blur these lines. However, we always have the ability to correct and get back on course. This is something that is a constant when striving for improvement.

What motivates you to continue improving?

In the simplest of terms “I cannot turn it off!” Shooting competitively and instructing others has been in my life for over 25 years. I am extremely competitive with myself in most aspects of my life, and I am always striving to learn and understand things at a higher level so that I can help others. I know that the knowledge and skill sets honed through competition will always translate into the tactical side of the house, and that will save lives. That really drives me to be a better shooter, instructor and individual.

Tell us a bit about what else you enjoy doing outside of shooting/competing

I am all about family, and my tribe loves anything to do with the outdoors. Whether it’s skiing in the winter at Jackson Hole or jet boating the Snake River, to riding or hiking the Idaho mountains and archery hunting, if I am outdoors, I am in my element. This has always helped me keep life in perspective and never take a day for granted.