UNDER PRESSURE

SHOOTER READY.” Those two words, which I’ve heard countless times at matches, are the last ones a range officer says before the buzzer in his hand emits a harsh metallic squeal, telling you it’s time to start shooting. Technically, “shooter ready” should be posed as a question, but it’s never said that way. It is part of the ritual of competition in 3-gun and other practical shooting disciplines.

In dynamic long-range rifle competitions—generally called tactical field matches—the R.O. instead says, “Time starts…now.” But the effect is the same. The clock is ticking. It’s go