Tell me a little bit about yourself.

My name is George Gardner. I’m from Kansas City, Missouri, I’ve been shooting competitively for 25 years now, mainly in Precision Long Range Rifle but I have dabbled in USPSA in both pistol and carbine. I joined the US Army right out of high school and spent a little over six years active as a Military Police Investigator, post Army I spent 12 years in Law Enforcement the last seven years as a Narcotics K9 Handler. I started GA Precision Rifles in 1999 and now run it full time. I’ve trained all over the country at various facilities but mainly early on in large farm fields with shooting buddies. I’ve held a few national titles in F-Class Open and won numerous matches from 2005–2012 in PRS. Since 2012 I have focused more on being a board member/former owner of the Historian of the Precision Rifle Series and do my best to help out when needed today. I still compete in PRS Open and Gas Gun Division. I maintain a pro classification and manage an annual qualification to the final.

What age were you when you first started shooting?

I started shooting at about age 10. My grandfather would take me rabbit and dove hunting and he bought me my first 22. From there, I perfected my marksmanship by attempting to kill every bird that landed near our house.

Who introduced you to shooting?

My grandfather initially, then in the service. I started shooting NRA High Power while I was in the military with a service rifle and competed in the German Army Schutzenschnur German Sports Badge Competition.

What’s been the most valuable lesson you have learned from shooting?

Patience, becoming a champion does not come overnight. Lots of practice and learning comes long before reward.

Why did you choose to specialize in your discipline?

Long range shooting has always interested me, so has the math and science behind each shot.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in shooting competitively?

Just do it, most guys are afraid of failing and that’s normal, but it’s also how you learn.

Tell us about your competition set-up.

I use a G.A. Precision Team rifle with a Manners TCS stock, chambered in 6mm GT. I shoot Hornady 110 gr A-Tip Match bullets and 6 mm 109 gr ELD Match® bullets in Hornady 6mm GT cases.

How do you prepare for competitions in terms of training and practice?

Back when I was super competitive, I would shoot two or three times a week, compete once or twice a month and shoot 10,000 rounds or more annually. To stay on top on this sport you have to dedicate a lot of time and energy.

What has been your greatest achievement in your shooting career?

The GAP Grind, an event I with the help of a lot of others I created in 2014 to introduce new shooters to the sport. The event has now helped thousands of shooters step into the sport of long range shooting.

What goals do you have for the future?

To continue to help new shooters into the sport, be a mentor for others and hopefully a whole lot of fishing.

What one person dead or alive, would you love to meet and why?

I’ve met pretty much everyone I’ve ever wanted to, however I would love to go on a hunt with Theodore Roosevelt.

How long have you been a Hornady sponsored shooter?

I’ve been a Hornady sponsored shooter since 2014–2015. I love that Hornady gets a lot of feedback from shooters to develop their products. They also actively play a role in the sport by either competing and/or sponsoring it, which is so important to keep the sport alive and encourage new people.