Shooters from around the world and the US traveled to Frostproof, FL, July 19-21 to show off their speed shooting skills at the 2013 Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting Championships.

The top shooters, including competitors from Europe and Japan, participated at the Steel Challenge Shooting Association’s (SCSA) premier professional and amateur pistol competition.

One of the top winners was champion competitive shooter, firearms instructor and television personality Max Michel of Team Sig-Sauer, who won the high overall world champion title while setting a new world record, and record times in six different events.

In winning the High Overall title this year, Michel broke record times (in seconds) on the following stages: Accelerator, 8.70 (Previous 8.94- 2007); Round About, 7.51 (Previous 7.96-2011); Five to Go, 8.97 (Previous 9.58- 2007); Speed Option, 9.09 (Previous 9.73- 2010), and Rimfire, 61.84. His overall record time was 75.58 (Previous 78.90 -2012). The much sought after Steel Master award, which is a combination of three match aggregates—iron sight, optic sight, and rimfire times combined—was awarded to BJ Norris.  Unlike other shooting sports, the Steel Challenge World Shoot is all about speed and mechanics, lending itself to the notion of setting and breaking speed records. The match draws professional shooters and amateurs alike from a broad spectrum of shooting sports, including the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA).

Hosted in 2013 at the UniversalShootingAcademy, Steel Challenge shooters compete annually for international titles as well as thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.

“Steel challenge is a chance to go out and really see how fast you can shoot accurately.” said USPSA President Phil Strader. “The format of the match allows competitors to go full out and that results in some really exciting runs.”  Steel shooting challenges the competitor to draw from a holster and shoot accurately at maximum speed. Differing from practical shooting, each stage at a Steel Challenge match asks a competitor to shoot five steel targets arranged in a pattern, with a designated stop plate that must be shot last. The competitors are timed with the lowest cumulative time crowned the victor.

The Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA) is a membership organization run by USPSA chartered to grow and extend speed-steel shooting competition at the club level. The Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting Championships features eight set stages designed to test every aspect of a shooter’s skills, speed, accuracy and focus. Until recently, the Steel Challenge was held once a year as a World Championship, but has now expanded and can be shot at any local club.