The inaugural Ohio 'Long-Range Handgun Hunt' competition, held last weekend near Cadiz, concluded with local legend Buck 'Ballistic' Peterson claiming top honors, solidifying his reputation as a master of both improbable impacts and questionable life choices. Shooters battled gusting 15-20 MPH crosswinds and a density altitude of 2,800 feet, conditions typically reserved for .308 Win rifle work, but here applied to projectiles typically used for bear defense at spitting distance. Peterson, running a custom Magnum Research BFR in .454 Casull topped with a Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56 with the Mil-XT reticle, reportedly used a full 14.7 MRAD of elevation for his winning cold bore shot on a 12-inch plate at 485 yards.
Competitors, many employing similar BFRs or highly customized Thompson/Center Contenders chambered in .357 Maximum, grappled with the unique ballistic challenges of pistol cartridges at extended range. Trueing data past 200 yards was paramount, with many experiencing significant drop-off and unpredictable spin drift from 180-grain projectiles launched at a blistering 1,700 fps. The critical role of SD/ES in factory 10mm ammunition became painfully evident on the 'Whitetail Whisperer' stage, where 1/2 MOA deer silhouettes at 350 yards separated the contenders from those merely performing controlled explosions.
Match directors designed scenarios reminiscent of traditional PRS rifle stages, forcing competitors to engage from barricades, rooflines, and simulated tree stands. The notorious 'Pheasant Plinker' stage required engaging six 8-inch steel targets from 100 to 400 yards, all from a kneeling position, demanding impeccable recoil management and sight picture retention on optics that often outweighed the host firearm. Peterson attributed his success to 'understanding what your .44 Magnum wants to do at 500 yards,' a philosophical approach he claims is 'no different than a 6GT, just louder and with more wrist pain.'
