Q&A with crack shot Wyatt Gibson
Based in Idaho, Wyatt Gibson starting competing aged just six, and has now been a Hornday Team Member for three years and competing for 12. If the name rings a bell, it’s because his father is the renowned Travis Gibson, who featured on this blog in July 2016.
How old were you when you started shooting, and what was your first gun?
I shot my first pistol match when I was six years old, and my first gun was a bolt-action .22 I got for a Christmas present from my parents.
What was the first lesson you were taught about shooting and guns?
My first lesson about guns was when my dad and I went to shoot prairie dogs. It taught me a good lesson about how destructive guns can be, and how they are not something to play around with.
You compete in a variety of shooting disciplines — do you have a favourite?
My favourite discipline in shooting would definitely be 3-Gun, because you can’t be proficient with just one gun you have to be good with all three in order to do well at matches.
How do you prepare for competitions?
I prepare for 3-Gun competitions by practicing at least once a week leading up to the match.
What’s been your proudest achievement in terms of competitions?
My proudest achievement would have to be finishing the MGM Ironman in Trooper Division four years ago. I had to carry all my gear, including ammo from stage to stage and no-one could help me with anything.
What is your preferred set up for competitions?
My preferred set up for competitions would have to be a Colt Competition rifle, EMG Custom pistol and a Remington Versa Max. I don’t usually run a bone stock gun, so I’ve made a couple of changes, on my rifle I run a Vortex Razor 1–6 in a Warne Scope Mount, I use a Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped barrel and a XLR butt stock. On my pistol I didn’t have to make a lot of changes because it is a very well-built gun. I do run a C-More Red Dot at 90 degrees and I did take a soldering iron to the grip to make it more to my liking. Finally, on my shotgun I have a X-rail from RCI which holds about 30 rounds of shot so I really never have to reload, I also have a Vortex Razor Red Dot on my shotgun as well.
In terms of ammunition for competitions of course it is always Hornady! For rifle I use the 223 Rem 55 gr HP Steel Match for close paper and for anything past 200 yards, I use the 223 REM 75 gr HP Steel Match. For my pistol I use the 9mm + P Luger 124 gr XTP American Gunner.
Do you get nervous during competitions, and how do you deal with that?
I do get nervous before every competition, but I have never really found a way not to be nervous. Once I hear the beep from the timer on the first stage I settle in and I’m not nervous for the rest of the match.
What are you ambitions in life — do you intend to follow in your father’s footsteps?
As of right now I don’t have a set career path, but whatever I decide to do I’m going to do the best I can at it.
What would you like to achieve in terms of shooting in the next five years?
Shooting isn’t just about competing, it’s about the people you hang out with as well. My goal in the next five years is continue enjoying the sport and to have a great time with friends.
Do you think that shooting and competitions have changed for today’s younger competitors, and if so, how?
I do think it has, for the better. When I started shooting there were probably only five or six major matches a year, but now there is a match almost every weekend, so no matter where you live you can find a match within a couple of hours to go and shoot.
What other interests do you have?
A couple of other interest I have would be golfing, flying airplanes, four wheeling and camping. Pretty much anything outside I like to do.
Do you still hunt? And if so, what is your hunting set up?
I don’t really hunt, but I do shoot some long-range matches. I use a Ruger Precision Rifle with a Vortex Razor HD 4–27 in Warne Scope Mount rings, and a Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped barrel chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. For that I use Hornady’s 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD Match, which works really well.
What are the three wins that you are proudest of?
Three competitions that I’m proud of winning would definitely be the 2016 Surefire World Multigun Challenge, the 2015 MGM Ironman in Trooper division. Finally, the 2016 MGM Ironman, I had a really good match and I didn’t have to shoot the last stage to be able to take the win.
