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Staying True to the Hunt: The Challenge of Unknown-Distance Precision Matches

  • Writer: Mac
    Mac
  • Mar 12
  • 5 min read


From a Lone Battle to a Legendary Series



It started as a once-a-year proving ground, a brutal test of skill where shooters weren’t handed anything—no pre-set distances, no easy stage walkthroughs, no second chances. The challenge was raw, unforgiving, and real. I am lucky to have friends all over the country and when Tony of MK Machining hit me up, fired up about an outlaw match unlike anything he’d shot before, it clicked—this format wasn’t just surviving, it was evolving. Another independent match, another test of skill and instinct. You guys know I love these.


The kicker? It wasn’t just for solo competitors. You could take it on alone or run it as a team—doubling the pressure, doubling the problem-solving, and doubling the need to work fast. A match that started as one event a year wasn’t enough. Shooters wanted more. They needed more. Now, it’s a three-part gauntlet, rewarding not just the best marksmen but those who can think fast, adapt under pressure, and execute before the clock runs out—alone or with a partner. The first match is in the books. The second, MCR Match #2, is coming March 15, 2025. This isn’t just another competition—it’s a movement.

Outlaw matches like this are shaping the future of precision rifle shooting. I knew I needed to take a deeper look into this event—so let’s jump in.


Next Up: MCR Match #2




Where: 24401 SSR B, Coffey, MO

When: March 15, 2025

Duration: 6 Hours


Competitors from Match #1—register with the same team name to track series points.





This Isn't PRS. This Isn't NRL. This Is Something Else.




Forget everything you know about traditional matches. Here, the clock starts, and you have nothing but your rifle, your eyes, and your instincts. No pre-marked targets. No given distances. No time to waste. You need to find the target, range it, and make the shot count—before the opportunity disappears.


You won’t know the target distances until you find them yourself. Success depends on movement, positioning, and fast decision-making. Time is short—six minutes for a team, four for individuals—but it disappears fast. Even seasoned PRS and NRL shooters struggle—not because they can’t shoot, but because finding the targets in time is half the battle.


This format erases comfort zones, forcing competitors to rely on fieldcraft and adaptability, not just technical marksmanship. Kirk Burkhead, the founder and match director, put it best—there are two types of people who leave this match: those who say it’s the greatest match they’ve ever shot, and those who hate it. If you like knowing exactly where your targets are, dialing in distances, and shooting from steady props, this might not be the match for you. But if you want to push your field skills further than most competitions ever will, it’s time to take another look.


The Best Shooter Doesn’t Always Win—The Best Finder Does



Precision rifle matches are usually won by the shooter with the best trigger control, the most refined fundamentals, and the ability to read the wind. But in this match, raw shooting skill alone won’t carry you to the top. Success isn’t just about how well you shoot—it’s about how fast you process information, how quickly you locate targets, and how efficiently you act under pressure.


Every second wasted searching for a target is a second lost. The shooter who can scan, range, and engage before the clock turns against them will always have the advantage. When time is running out, those who hesitate, second-guess, or get stuck behind glass trying to locate steel in the terrain don’t stand a chance.


This match isn’t designed for those who want a controlled environment where distances are pre-measured and targets are neatly lined up. It rewards problem solvers, fast thinkers, and shooters who can operate in the unknown. When the final seconds tick away, it’s not always the best shooter standing at the top—it’s the one who never lost sight of the bigger picture.


The Outlaw Spirit: Precision Without the Training Wheels



Before the rise of large-scale series like NRL Hunter, before team-based field matches became a structured format, there were outlaw matches like this—raw, unpredictable, and built to challenge shooters in a way that no standardized competition ever could. This match isn’t borrowing from the big leagues; it was here first, pushing shooters into the unknown before the rulebooks ever caught up.


Unlike today’s sanctioned events, where shooters often have a blueprint for success, this match remains true to its roots—impossible to game, unforgiving to hesitation, and designed to test real-world shooting instincts, not memorized stage plans. There are no spoon-fed target distances. No rehearsed stage movements. No time to second-guess. Just you, your rifle, and the unknown.


The wind shifts? Adapt.The target is buried in the terrain? Find it.The clock is running down? Work faster.

This match isn’t designed to be fair—it’s designed to be real. It separates those who can shoot from those who can hunt. And when time runs out, it’s clear who belongs in this arena and who was just passing through.


Final Thoughts: Are You Ready to Take It On?



The first match set the tone. The second will prove who’s learning. The third will separate those who have adapted from those who haven’t. By the end, only a few will have truly conquered the unknown. With events like this match evolving into a full-fledged series, the message is clear: shooters don’t just want another match. They want a test that feels real. They want a challenge where the answers aren’t handed to them, where success isn’t just about pulling a trigger, but about problem-solving, efficiency, and instinct. This is that challenge. This is the proving ground. So the question isn’t “Can you shoot?”—we already know you can. The real question is—can you find your shot before time runs out?


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