The Future of Hunter-Style Rifle Matches? (Ft. Dan Bertocchini)

In this episode, Dan Bertocchini joins the show to discuss his background in long-range shooting, hunting, and competitive rifle matches. Growing up in Northern California with a passion for hunting and fishing, Dan eventually found his way into the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and competitive long-range shooting. He shares how his experiences in the military, the automotive racing industry, and competitive shooting shaped his approach to the sport. The conversation dives into the growing popularity of hunter-style rifle competitions and how those formats translate to real-world hunting scenarios. Dan explains how skills developed through PRS and NRL Hunter competitions—such as wind reading, positional shooting, and rapid decision-making—can directly improve hunting success in the field. A major focus of the episode Dan's upcoming MDT Hunter Challenge match, which will feature a new match format designed to push innovation in hunter-style competitions. Dan breaks down the unique scoring system that incorporates rifle weight and power-factor handicaps, allowing a wider variety of rifle setups and calibers to compete on a level playing field. The match also introduces cash payouts and incentives for the PRS Sportsman Division, creating exciting opportunities for shooters. Dan and Ken also discuss how this experimental match format could evolve into a larger competitive series, encouraging match directors and shooters to think outside the box and help shape the future of hunter-style precision rifle competitions. MDT Hunter Challenge Match: https://link.impactscoring.net/goto/m...