Long before Jessie Harrison became one of the most talented female shooters in the US, Hornady recognized her potential and gave her the support she needed to fulfil it. She was already using Hornady products when she was sponsored with bullets from Hornady in 2011 and still relies on Hornady to stay at the top of her game. Born and raised in Georgia, Jessie still resides in the state and has now been competing for almost 19 years. She started her career in Cowboy Action Shooting before transitioning to more modern disciplines such as Multi-gun, Steel Challenge, United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA)/ International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) and Bianchi Cup. Jessie became the first female to earn Grand Master status in United States Practical Shooting Association, the highest ranking available, and has also set multiple ladies’ World Speed Shooting records. Here, we find out more about her story and her shooting passion.
When did you start shooting?
I was raised in a family of shooters, so it was a way of life before I ever knew it would be my career. My earliest memories of shooting were from around six or seven years of age. My dad would take my brother and I to the range. He was shooting muzzleloaders at the time and my favorite part was when it was my turn to help him clean and load the next shot. He would then carry the firearm over to the shooting bench and I would sit in his lap so I could see over the table to shoot. We shot silhouettes, knocking over iron pigs, hogs and gofers. The smell of the black power and gun cleaner still brings back those memories today.
How did you get from there to the professional shooter you are today?
My dad introduced me to competitive shooting as well. I started in Cowboy Action Shooting, since that’s what he was competing in at the time. From there I eventually transitioned to multi-gun. It was a natural fit because I was used to shooting three guns in cowboy. I tried my skills at Steel Challenge and USPSA before contesting the Bianchi Cup. I fell in love with shooting and competing after my very first match and learned that I could make a career out of it if I started shooting more disciplines that had an industry to support it. So, I slowly started acquiring the gear for the matches I wanted to shoot. The rest is history!
How long have you been sponsored by Hornady?
I’ve been shooting Hornady since 2011. They were one of my very first sponsors as a paid shooter. I shot their products before I signed with them because they have the best and most accurate products available. So, naturally when an opportunity presented itself to work with them I was extremely excited!
What are the main differences between the shooting disciplines you have competed in?
I’ve competed in five different shooting disciplines throughout my career: Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS), Multi-gun, Steel Challenge, USPSA/ IPSC and Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup). These are all very different from each other, with different skills required in each. CAS is more about the dressing up and the period date guns needed to shoot. I used Ruger single action revolvers, a lever action rifle and Winchester model 97 pump shotgun. I always loved how fast these old guns could be shot. Multi-gun, USPSA and IPSC is all practical-based shooting, with a mix of steel and paper targets in a field course that the shooter has to navigate through while shooting. Steel Challenge is pure speed and accuracy, scored on a total time basis to determine who the fastest is. Action Pistol shooting is mostly accuracy based with time limits. The time limits aren’t fast compared to what else I shoot, but do add a level of concern when you’re competing. I currently compete in USPSA/IPSC, Steel and Action Pistol. There isn’t enough time in the year to shoot everything, but something from these disciplines translates to the others and helps make me a better-rounded shooter.
If you had to choose one discipline to specialize in, what would it be?
If I could only compete in one discipline it would probably be practical shooting, just because it’s always different. Steel Challenge and Action Pistol are a set course of fire that doesn’t change, so I like the diversity in practical shooting.
What’s been the most valuable lessons you have learned from shooting?
Growing up around firearms, my dad instilled firearm safety at a young age which taught me responsibility — with a firearm and my actions with it as well. Once I started competing, I learned how to set goals and achieve them. I learned about discipline in my training and in my shooting. I’ve learned how to interact with others in a professional manner and how to be a good sportsman. All of these lessons translate to everyday life and business life as well.
What advice would you give someone thinking about taking up shooting?
I encourage everyone to educate themselves on firearms and safety and to find a sport or discipline to shoot in. There are plenty of resources available to assist someone who might be interested in shooting and I know they’ll love it once they try it.
How thorough is your preparation for competitions?
During my season, I aim to be on the range Monday through Friday, but life happens or sometimes the weather isn’t agreeable, so it varies. But, generally, I like to run drills that will exercise and improve my fundamentals. If there is something specific that I need to train for a match, I’ll set that up too. I also train in the gym every day to be in good physical condition as well. I’ll adjust my training during my season so that I’m working out specifically for shooting, then relax it some during the off-season.
What has been your proudest achievement?
One of my proudest moments has been becoming the first female Grand Master in USPSA. That’s the highest classification in our sport, the top 5%. I had to score a 95% or better on classifier stages to obtain the ranking and this is scored against all shooters. Typically, when I compete, I’m shooting for the ladies’ title, not head-to-head with the men, but our classification system doesn’t differentiate between the two.
Tell us about your competition set-up
I have multiple competition set-ups for each discipline I compete in, but my favorites are my Taurus 1911 single stack in 9mm. I use Hornady 115 grain HAP bullets loaded for low recoil to shoot steel challenge with. My other favorite set up is my open gun for USPSA. It’s a STI 2011 custom build by Tim Thompson, chambered in 38 Super Comp with a Bushnell optic. I use Hornady 125 grain HAP bullets loaded in a custom competition load to meet sport requirements.
What ammunition do you use for competing?
For Steel Challenge I use Hornady 9mm 115 grain HAP bullets, custom loaded. In USPSA Open it’s Hornady 9mm 125 grain HAP bullets, custom loaded to 38 SuperComp. For Single Stack I use Hornady 9mm 125 grain HAP bullets, custom loaded to 38 SuperComp and for Limited it is Hornady 10mm .400” 180 grain HAP bullets, custom loaded to .40 S&W. When I compete in the Bianchi Cup I use Hornady 9mm 125 grain HAP bullets, custom loaded.
You’re also a keen hunter. What’s been your most memorable hunt to date, and what would be your dream hunt?
All of my hunts have wonderful memories surrounding them. Something about the outdoors creates relationships and memories you can’t find anywhere else. But one of my most memorable trips was a spring black bear hunt in Montana with Brenda Weatherby. We spent days looking at bears in the distance and multiple close encounters that allowed us to fall into a routine of what to do and when, without even having to speak. She was right by me when I harvested my bear, sharing that moment with me. It’s a bonding moment that can’t be forged in any other way. We relied on each other in the mountains and found support in one another. Every time I see my beautiful bear rug I’m reminded of those memories. For the hunt, I used a Weatherby Camilla rifle chambered in .308 Win.
