From Big Bore Airgun Deer Hunter to EBR Grand Champion Competitor

By Chris Turek – 2025 Extreme Benchrest Grand Champion

A Journey I Never Planned

It’s been less than a week since returning from Extreme Benchrest 2025, and I still can’t quite believe what happened. Sitting here, I can see the medal and plaque beside me—both engraved Grand Champion. Somehow, those belong to me.

How did that happen?

The short answer: obsession. Once I got into airguns, it took over everything. But my journey didn’t start with competition—it started with wanting to hunt deer with a big bore airgun. What followed was a path I never expected, one that took me from casual hunter to professional competitive shooter.

Finding the Spirit of Competition

My hesitation toward competition ran deep. I served as a 19K Armored Crew Member Tank Gunner in the U.S. Army, where every year we went through Tank Table VIII qualifications. It was intense—battalion-level rivalries, bragging rights, and nonstop pressure. After eight years of that, I had no interest in revisiting anything that felt remotely similar.

Even when I got into shotgun sporting clays and archery with my dad, I noticed how some competitions carried the same energy: big egos, little camaraderie. So when I first heard about airgun matches, I pictured more of the same—and stayed away.

Then I attended the Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge, and everything changed. Instead of ego battles, I found a community of passionate shooters who helped one another, shared tips, and cheered each other on. It wasn’t about beating someone—it was about becoming better together. That spirit is what drew me in.

The Road to Improvement

Since 2019, I’ve been chasing progress. I started small—local events, small groups—and I was hooked immediately. After the pandemic, I decided to go all in.

I track every match, every card, every score in a spreadsheet. Seeing the growth from the low 210s to consistent 230s reminds me that this sport is less about beating others and more about mastering yourself, your process, and the environment. Each improvement came from refining my setup, learning conditions, and trusting my gear.

Gear That Made the Difference

Winning Extreme Benchrest 2025 didn’t come from luck—it came from preparation and the right tools. These are the five pieces of equipment that made the difference.

1️⃣ Karma Red Panda Air Rifle

My primary rifle was the Karma Red Panda, and without question, it’s one of the finest airguns I’ve ever shot. Working with DonnyFL, Saber Tactical, and Karma Airguns gives me access to some incredible equipment—like the FX King in a Saber Tactical chassis—but for this season, I fully committed to mastering the Red Panda.

What sets it apart is its barrel engineering—pure consistency and precision across conditions. But more than that, it taught me this lesson: whatever rifle you choose, commit to it. Learn its quirks, understand its sweet spot, and make it yours. Whether it’s a Red Panda, FX King, RAW, Daystate, Thomas, or Skout—full mastery beats hype every time.

2️⃣ Element Optics Theos Scope (36x)

At 100 yards, shot visibility is everything. The Element Optics Theos at 36x magnification delivered the clarity I needed to verify every impact, even when shots stacked on top of each other.

Its fine parallax adjustment and rock-solid reticle tracking prevented the double-shooting errors that ruin cards. When rain rolled in during EBR, the Theos’s anti-fog coating proved its worth—crystal clear while others fogged over.

3️⃣ Saber Tactical & Accu-Tac Support System

Benchrest is all about stability. My winning setup paired an Accu-Tac bipod on an ARCA rail up front with a modified Saber Tactical Universal Pro Monopod in the rear.

Sliding the bipod to adjust rifle harmonics allowed me to fine-tune balance and recoil behavior. The monopod’s roller-wheel mod gave me controlled movement—unlock to absorb recoil, lock for pinpoint adjustment. That precision made all the difference when reading shifting wind windows.

4️⃣ Ammunition & Process

This year, I rotated between AEA 50-grain pellets and ZAN BR-100 56-grain pellets—both heavy hitters that outperform the traditional 44-grain .30 cal in wind.

A 10 mph crosswind can push a 44-grain pellet 2.5 inches at 100 yards. The 50s and 56s? Closer to 1 inch. That’s the difference between a 9 and a 10.

Both brands were consistent out of the tin, but I still size and roll-sort my pellets for perfect uniformity—head and skirt dimensions matter. Using a ZAN sizer and roll test helps ensure every shot behaves predictably.

5️⃣ FX True Ballistics Chronograph

This chronograph changed everything. Unlike traditional models, the FX True Ballistics Chronograph calculates ballistic coefficient (BC) in real time.

Now, I can tune based on aerodynamic performance, not just velocity or group size. Seeing one pellet show a 0.07 BC versus another at 0.05 BC tells me instantly which one will handle wind better. That data-driven insight saves cards, air, and time—and directly improved my consistency.

Honorable Mention: Patch Worm Cleaning Kit + Ballistol

My maintenance routine was simple but essential. Between each 25-shot card, I ran a Patch Worm cleaning kit through my .30 cal Red Panda with Ballistol.

A quick sequence—dry, Ballistol-damp, then dry again—kept my barrel clean and my point of impact rock-steady through all three days of EBR. Ballistol is my go-to because it’s safe for barrels, seals, and O-rings, and won’t harm PCP components.

Both Patch Worm kits and Ballistol are now available through DonnyFL.com, so any airgunner can keep their barrel running true from match to match.

Final Thoughts: The Journey Is the Reward

In the end, it’s not just about the gear—it’s about the process, the community, and the growth.

I never set out to be a competitive shooter. I just wanted to hunt deer with a big-bore airgun. But through obsession, curiosity, and the help of a supportive community, I found a new passion—and a championship title.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you belong on the firing line at your local match, trust me—you do.

Put in the time. Learn your gear. Find your tribe.
You’ll be amazed how far this sport can take you.

✅ Gear Featured:

• Karma Red Panda

• Element Optics Theos 36×

• Saber Tactical Universal Pro Monopod

• Accu-Tac Bipod with ARCA Rail

• AEA 50 gr / ZAN BR-100 56 gr Pellets

• FX True Ballistics Chronograph

• Patch Worm Cleaning Kit + Ballistol

From Deer Hunter to EBR Grand Champion | Chris Turek’s Journey

How Chris Turek went from big-bore deer hunter to winning Extreme Benchrest 2025 — see the gear, mindset, and tools behind his championship success.

Keywords:
airgun competition, Extreme Benchrest 2025, Chris Turek, Karma Red Panda, Element Optics Theos, FX chronograph, benchrest shooting gear, DonnyFL, Saber Tactical, air rifle setup, airgun tuning

URL handle:
/blogs/fieldnotes/from-deer-hunter-to-ebr-grand-champion

Featured Image Alt Text:
“Chris Turek holding 2025 Extreme Benchrest Grand Champion medal with Karma Red Panda air rifle”

📖 Blog Body (HTML/Markdown-Ready)

From Big Bore Airgun Deer Hunter to EBR Grand Champion Competitor

By Chris Turek – 2025 Extreme Benchrest Grand Champion

A Journey I Never Planned

It’s been less than a week since returning from Extreme Benchrest 2025, and I still can’t quite believe it. The medal and plaque beside me—both engraved Grand Champion—are mine.

The short answer: obsession. Once I got into airguns, it consumed me. But this didn’t start as a quest for trophies. It started with a simple goal: to hunt deer with a big-bore air rifle. What followed took me from hunter to competitor, and ultimately, to the top of the podium.

Finding the Spirit of Competition

My hesitation toward competition ran deep. I served as a 19K Armored Crew Member Tank Gunner in the U.S. Army, where we competed annually in Tank Table VIII. It was intense, high-pressure, and full of rivalries. After eight years, I wanted nothing more to do with that environment.

Even when shooting clays or archery with my dad, I saw the same attitudes—big egos and little camaraderie. So when I first heard about competitive airgun matches, I avoided them.

Then I attended the Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge, and everything changed. Instead of ego battles, I found a community—shooters helping shooters, sharing tips, laughing, and pushing each other to improve. That spirit of growth and friendship drew me in.

The Road to Improvement

I started competing in 2019, just for fun. But after COVID in 2021, I went all in.

I log every event, every score, every variable in a spreadsheet. Seeing my progress from low 210s to consistent 230s proves this sport isn’t just about others—it’s about mastering yourself, your process, and your environment.

Gear That Made the Difference

Winning Extreme Benchrest 2025 wasn’t luck. It was preparation, data, and the right equipment.

Here are the five key pieces of gear that made the difference:

1️⃣ Karma Red Panda Air Rifle

The Karma Red Panda is one of the most precise rifles I’ve ever shot. Working with DonnyFL, Saber Tactical, and Karma Airguns gives me access to the best platforms, including the FX King. But this year, I went all-in on the Red Panda.

Its barrel design and consistency set it apart. The biggest takeaway? Commit to your rifle. Learn every quirk, find its sweet spot, and master it.

2️⃣ Element Optics Theos 36×

At 100 yards, visibility is everything. The Element Optics Theos offers razor-sharp clarity and 36× magnification—perfect for verifying every impact.

Its fine parallax adjustment and anti-fog performance in rain proved critical during EBR. When other scopes fogged, the Theos stayed clear and reliable.

3️⃣ Saber Tactical + Accu-Tac Support System

Stability is king. My winning setup paired an Accu-Tac bipod on an ARCA rail with a Saber Tactical Universal Pro Monopod (customized with a roller-wheel mod).

Sliding the bipod along the rail fine-tuned my rifle harmonics, while the monopod allowed smooth, controlled alignment during shifting wind windows.

4️⃣ Ammunition & Process

I rotated between AEA 50-grain and ZAN BR-100 56-grain pellets—both heavier than the traditional 44-grain .30 cal.

In a 10 mph crosswind, 44-gr pellets can drift 2.5". These drift closer to 1"—that’s the difference between a 9 and a 10.

I use the ZAN pellet sizer and a roll-sort test for consistency. Head and skirt dimensions are critical, and these small steps prevent fliers and inconsistencies.

5️⃣ FX True Ballistics Chronograph

The FX True Ballistics Chronograph revolutionized my tuning. It measures ballistic coefficient (BC) in real time, not just velocity.

Comparing BCs—say 0.07 vs. 0.05—instantly tells you which ammo resists wind better. It’s a data-driven edge that saves time, air, and targets.

Honorable Mention: Patch Worm Cleaning Kit + Ballistol

Between each 25-shot card, I ran a Patch Worm cleaning kit through my .30 cal Karma Red Panda with Ballistol oil.

This simple routine—dry, damp, dry—kept my barrel clean and point of impact stable across all three days.

Ballistol is safe for PCP barrels, seals, and O-rings, and it’s now available alongside Patch Worm kits at DonnyFL.com.

Final Thoughts: The Journey Is the Reward

In the end, it’s not just about gear—it’s about growth, community, and consistency.

I never set out to become a competitive shooter. I just wanted to hunt deer with a big-bore airgun. But through obsession and support from the airgun community, I found a new passion—and a championship.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you belong on the firing line—you do.

Put in the time. Learn your gear. Find your tribe.
You’ll be amazed how far this sport can take you.

✅ Featured Gear Recap

• Karma Red Panda Air Rifle

• Element Optics Theos 36× Scope

• Saber Tactical Universal Pro Monopod

• Accu-Tac Bipod with ARCA Rail

• AEA 50 gr / ZAN BR-100 56 gr Pellets

• FX True Ballistics Chronograph

• Patch Worm Cleaning Kit + Ballistol

🏷️ Tags (for Shopify)

Extreme Benchrest 2025, Chris Turek, Karma Red Panda, DonnyFL, Saber Tactical, Element Optics Theos, FX Chronograph, Benchrest Shooting, Airgun Competition, Air Rifle Gear, Airgun Tuning