On Saturday 29th November, 2014, the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) hosted another
Steel Challenge Shooting Match at the GDF Timehri Ranges. In spite of the heavy downpour, local
handgun shooters made their way to the Range to hear the melodic pings of lead impacting steel.
The G.S.S.F. through its affiliation to the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (S.C.S.A.)
continues to pioneering this area of sport shooting to members by organizing such matches on a
regular basis.
Steel Challenge is considered to be one of the fastest shooting competitions in the world. The
competition on Saturday consisted of two stages. In a stage competitors were required to shoot five
different steel targets set out at various angles and distances, one of which is designated as a “stop
plate” which is shot last. Registering a hit on the plate stops the time. The total time it takes to hit all five plates is used for the score (Your time is your score.) Misses and penalties add 3 seconds to the time for each. Competitors are scored using an electronic timing device which records the time that every shot is fired. The shooter with lowest time wins.
In his opening remarks, Match Director, Dr. Pravesh Harry welcomed members who came out to
take part in the event through the inclement weather and encouraged shooters to have fun while
keeping safety paramount throughout the Match. Range Master, Mr. Ryan McKinnon, reviewed the
Rules of Steel Challenge and reminded everyone of the safety rules.
The competition requirements were as simple as the scoring, the shooter would assume his/her
position in the shooting box with hands up above their shoulders, upon the audible beep of the
timer, draw their firearm and shoot at the targets, timer stops when the shooter hits what is
designated to be the stop plate.
The challenging first stage named "Speed Option" saw the Stop Plate being located some 35 yards
away, hitting this was made easy-looking by match favourite Ryan McKinnon who set the bar
high causing the other competitors to follow sometimes doubling and even tripling his time total.
Needless to say, a lot of extra rounds were needed as several seasoned competitors relentlessly
strove to secure hits on the steel plates thus causing them to ring with that 'ping'.
The second stage named "Roundabout" saw targets set at closer distances but in somewhat of a
tricky arrangement, this caused shooters to engage them in random orders as they each felt was
best. Ray Beharry won this stage by showing resilience and not backing down from the challenge of
the dominating McKinnon.
The competitor’s best four scores out of five strings of fire on each stage will then be added
together for collective score. The lowest total time/score for all stages wins the overall match.
Stage 1 Speed Option:
1st Ryan McKinnon – 26.9
2nd Pravesh Harry – 37.03
3rd Ray Beharry – 48.77
Stage 2 Roundabout:
1st Ray Beharry – 23.27
2nd Ryan McKinnon – 23.57
3rd Pravesh Harry – 28.95
Overall Winners
1st Ryan McKinnon – 50.47
2nd Pravesh Harry – 65.98
3rd Ray Beharry – 72.04
GSSF President, Ms. Vidushi Persaud presented copies of “Front Sight” Magazine the official
journal of the United States Practical Shooting Association to the new members for participating.
Steel Challenge is the perfect way to introduce newer shooters to competitive shooting because of
the easy to understand Rules and the instant audible feedback of the bullet hitting the plate is
encouraging and satisfying.
The Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation wishes to thank the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier
Mark Phillips, Director of Sport Mr. Neil Kumar, the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of
Culture Youth & Sport and the members of the G.S.S.F. for their usual support.
In Photo, Front Centre Row, Prize Winners from left to right, Ray Beharry, Pravesh Harry
and Ryan McKinnon.
