This weeks' Shooter Spotlight goes to Jeff Medlin, winner of the Heavy division at Spearpoint Ranch March ELR match on March 23 in Kansas. Jeff has had an impressive shooting career including a record for Longest Shot in Competition.
Jeff was using our 550gr LAZER out of his 416 Hellfire for this win.
Interview with Jeff:
Q: Match Name/Date/Location of your Win:
A: Spearpoint Ranch ELR/ March 23, 2024/ Barnard, Kansas
Q: How long have you been shooting Extreme Long Range?
A: My journey into Extreme Long Range (ELR) shooting kicked off back in 2019 with the "World's Longest Shot Challenge" in Valdina, Texas. To say my early experiences were tough would be an understatement. But I don’t give up easily. Instead, I saw that initial setback as a chance to learn. It helped me realize which skills I needed to work on and improve.
Q: What drew you to Extreme Long Range competitive shooting?
A: Extreme Long Range competitive shooting is my fight for sanity amidst the pressures of my job. It's where I find peace and focus. Unlike my past hobby of fashion photography, where my whole world was a 1/4" viewfinder, ELR shooting is about making precise calculations to hit distant targets. It's mentally engaging and helps me unwind in a way that's both challenging and fulfilling.
Q: What drew you to Cutting Edge Bullets and how did you hear about us?
A: I am a member of the Alamo Precision Rifles ELR team, where we've found success through careful equipment choices and teamwork. When I joined the Heavy Gun Class, they were shooting the 375 Cheytac and already using the Cutting Edge 377g MTAC bullets. I suggested transitioning to the 400g Lazer bullets, which turned out to be a great move. Later, when we upgraded to the 416 HellFire rifle, we decided on the 550g Lazer bullets without hesitation. Our consistent performance is thanks to our use of Cutting Edge Bullets, which we believe is a huge part of our success.
Q: Have you shot other monolithic bullets before? If so, what convinced you to change brands?
A: No, I haven’t. Some of my teammates tried other brands, but their results were disappointing. Luckily, I avoided that frustration. As a stats guy, I focus on consistent winners—the ones who consistently perform well. And time after time, with very few exceptions, Cutting Edge bullets are the ones on the podium.
Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between monolithic bullets and lead core bullets that you’ve experienced while shooting?
A: In my experience with Extreme Long Range shooting, consistency is crucial, whether I'm using lead core bullets or Cutting Edge bullets.
When using lead core bullets, I find myself spending a lot more time on preparation. This includes meticulously sorting them by weight, bearing surface, and overall length. Additionally, I go the extra mile of pointing them to enhance their performance and ballistic coefficient (BC).
On the flip side, using Cutting Edge bullets simplifies the process significantly. I just need to take them out of the case and load them because they have consistent dimensions and weight. Moreover, they exhibit consistently low variance in BC. With Cutting Edge bullets, I have confidence that my shots will be consistent and repeatable, making distant target engagements more achievable. They essentially act as an easy button in making long-range shooting more reliable.
Q: What are your goals for the 2024 season?
A: I’ve dedicated significant effort to improving my wind skills, but there’s always room for growth. My goal is to view each training session and competition as a chance to refine the crucial wind skills required in this amazing sport. For me, success hinges on that skillset.
Consistency in match performances will be an additional focus. Putting in the work prior to the matches to ensure readiness and reducing mental mistakes that cost points.
I also will be working on being a better ambassador for the sport, in hopes of growing the number of shooters and matches.
Jeff's rifle and ammo:
- Alamo Precision Rifles 416 Hellfire
- BAT L Action
- Manners LRT 2.0 Stock
- K&S Arms Ltd Barrel 1-9T
- Fluted by Alamo Precision Rifles
- Mirage URL Extended ELR Rail
- BipodeXt by Accuracy Solutions
- Accu-Tac HD-50 Bipod
- SPUHR Scope Mount
- NightForce ATACR 7x35 Mil-C
- NIghtForce Wedge Prizms (Multiple when needed)
- Terminator T5+ Brake
- BulletSeeker SpeedTracker Mach4+ Chronograph
- ABR Adjustable Bag Rider
- Cutting Edge 550g Lazer
- Bertram Brass
- Federal GM Magnum Primer
- TriggerTech Diamond Trigger
- Edgewood Rear Bag
- Inflection DE Ammo Case
- DNA Ammo Case
Congrats on the victory Jeff! We are looking forward to watching you continuous success throughout your shooting career.
