You’ve seen the trailer, but today we’re officially kicking off episode one of the 2023 Rock Chuck Olympics. Meet our five world-class competitors and watch to join the experience.
Disclaimer
Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.
Building the Rock Chuck Olympics
Creating the Rock Chuck Olympics was an immense undertaking. Inspired by RCBS’s vintage logo, I wanted to create a world-class event like never before where hand-selected competitive shooters and gun influencers learn from one another and compete for the Golden Rock Chuck award across various shooting stages.
Meet the Competitors
F-Open World Champion Erik Cortina shares his passion for shooting on instagram (@erikcortina) and on YouTube: Erik Cortina – Cortina Precision. Erik is also well-known in the PRS community and owns Cortina Precision, famous for tuners. He came into RCO excited to learn and eager to work with pistols and AR’s – two platforms he doesn’t often shoot.
Nils Jonasson goes by @noskillsnils on Instagram – but don’t let that fool you. Nils is a world champion speed pistol shooter on Team CANiK. He competes in IDPA, USPSA, and 2-Gun. Make sure to subscribe to his YouTube channel!
Jim Harmer of Backfire is more of a hunter than a shooter with a focus on bolt guns and accuracy out to long ranges. His content is available @backfire on YouTube and backfire.tv.
Piet Malan journeyed all the way from South Africa to participate in the Rock Chuck Olympics. He specializes in PRS, but has been branching out into hunting and other types of shooting. His contagious energy and sense of humor kept everyone engaged during the event. Follow Piet at @impactshooting on YouTube and Facebook and @impactshootin on Instagram.
Adam Wies, better known as Who-Tee-Who, or Who-Tee for short, is seemingly everywhere. You can find him on WhoTeeWho.com as well as @WHOTEEWHO on Youtube, @who_tee_who on FaceBook and @mrwho_tee_who_ on Instagram and Twitter. He is best known for bolt guns, hunting, candid reviews and for communicating with his fans.
The Stages
Match directors know how grueling and rewarding building stages can be. I wanted to engineer a stage catering to the specialty of each shooter, including the hunters. Seth Gardner from D-M Targets made multiple trips to the Ultimate Reloader Ranch and worked tirelessly to create the best experience possible and capture my vision. Nothing was plug and play. The Ultimate Reloader Team (and some friends), surveyed the land, cut trails and hiked T-posts and targets out to some crazy distances.
Stage 1: Hidden Rock Chucks
This stage was blind to competitors and consisted of steel targets at unknown distances along a wooded trail. Flags indicated the location and direction of each target, but competitors still had to find them and engage each twice with a .223 Stag AR. Given a fixed round count and time limit with time multiplier, competitors had the option to skip a target and move on to the next. This stage was designed with hunters in mind.
Stage 2: Pistol Run-N-Gun
This straightforward stage required competitors to engage a series of pistol targets with two rounds from a 9mm Canik Rival-S in as little time as possible.
Stage 3: Pistol ELR
This simple stage posed a significant challenge. Engage the 100 yard rock chuck target until you hit it, then advance to the 265 yard rock chuck.
Stage 4: Ridge Trail 2-Gun
This stage required competitors to switch between carbine and pistol while navigating challenging terrain. (Guns were unloaded while moving.)
Stage 5: PRS Rock Chucking
This PRS stage started with a tank trap and targets placed at moderate distances. Competitors then had to move downhill (with rifle on safe) to engage more targets from a clearing and conclude by shooting off a fallen log.
Stage 6: Rifle ELR
Out at 1,280 yards, Harold the Rock Chuck is causing mischief and needs to be eliminated. Competitors were given five shots with each of three rifles with points per impact varying by rifle. Just for fun, the last rifle in the lineup is the Stag Arms .223 16” carbine, but with an Athlon 6-24 rather than a 4x optic.
The 2023 Rock Chuck Olympics is brought to you by:
D-M Targets (get your Rock Chuck Targets HERE)
Caldwell Shooting Supplies, Wheeler Tools, and Tipton Gun Cleaning Supplies
Additional Sponsors Include:
Hornady Ammunition, Athlon Optics, Canik Firearms, LongShot Cameras
More Rock Chuck Olympics action coming very soon! Please stay tuned and make sure you’re subscribed to the Ultimate Reloader YouTube Channel to catch all of the action.
Thanks,
Gavin
