3GN Spotlight: Bryan Ray
Currently in a three-way tie for first place atop the 3GN point standings, Bryan Ray, an unsponsored shooter from Kentucky, has quickly earned a reputation as one of the top guns in the Heavy Metal division.
Ray burst onto the 3-Gun Nation scene during the unprecedented 32-man 3GN Shoot-Off at Blue Ridge last year, where the unheralded competitor traded his range officer duties and proved he belonged, falling to DPMS’ James Darst on a foot fault. Later, at Ozark, after Ray won his division outright to get a slot in the 3GN Shoot-Off, he laid down one of the more memorable first-round runs of the entire 2010 3GN Tour.
Now with two division wins to his credit, Ray is primed for a run at the 2011 3GN Championship.
3GN: How long have you been shooting competitively?
BR: I began shooting USPSA pistol in 2001. I started out at C class and am now a B in a few divisions (I’ve never shot a major pistol match). My first 3-gun match was a local club match in ’08. My first major match was ’09 Blue Ridge Mountain—what a way to break-in a new shooter!
3GN: What got you into the sport?
BR: My brother-in-law, Brian Vaught (Eds. note: BV is currently 16th in 3GN standings), peaked my interest in shooting. Competition seemed to be a great way to improve our shooting skills. At the time, USPSA pistol matches were about the only local shooting competitions. 3-gun was a natural transition due to my interest in rifles.
3GN: Why 3-gun?
BR: I enjoy the additional challenge of three different platforms. There are many skills that are similar between rifle, shotgun and pistol, but the type of targets we engage are obviously very different between the three. A shooter that is lightning quick with a handgun may not be able to shoot long-range rifle very well, and shotgun is its own monster. The competitors are another draw to 3-gun. I don’t think a more friendly or helpful group of people can be found within the shooting sports.
3GN: Who has been the most influential in your shooting career?
BR: Brian Vaught is responsible for my interest in shooting and we push each other at matches. Trapr Swonson helped me with many of the technical aspects of 3-gun at my first major match. Michael Fordyce has given me a ton of advice over the past couple of years. I had the benefit of shooting with the guys from AMU, Barry Dueck, and Brian Payne at the ’10 Ozark and picked up many tips regarding stage planning. I’ve learned from almost everyone with whom I’ve been squadded. 3-gun competitors are always willing to share and help each other out.
3GN: What are your shooting strengths?
BR: I’m 15+ years younger than most of the other guys in my division, which gives me a physical advantage at some natural terrain matches. I typically shoot long-range rifle well and finish strong with a pump shotgun.
3GN: Where do you still need improvement?
BR: I have difficulty changing my game plan during a course of fire if it starts going south. I struggle with consistency from stage-to-stage, but have focused on maintaining this at the last two matches, which paid off. The handgun is the weakest firearm for me, which is ironic since I’ve been shooting it the longest.
3GN: At your level, how do you learn to improve?
BR: By watching others shoot and listening to those with experience. I also reflect on errors I make within a match and try to learn from those mistakes.
3GN: How tough is it to compete at this level?
BR: At a large, national-level match with several top shooters it takes very few mistakes to drop several places in the final standings. It can be mentally tiring to shoot to the top of your ability for 2 ½ days. The challenges at these matches are unique and frequently not like anything which the shooter may have practiced.
3GN: Explain the time commitment: training, travel, etc.:
BR: It takes enough time practicing with just one firearm, but it’s difficult splitting up dry fire and range time between the three. The average travel time of the major matches I’ve shot is around seven hours each way. Combine 14 hours of driving with a 2 ½-day match and it makes for an exhausting weekend.
3GN: Why is sponsorship important? Or not?
BR: I’m not the right guy to ask that question! I would be in heaven for a couple cases of .308 to show up at my door though!
3GN: How have you been able to rise in 3-gun so quickly?
BR: Voodoo? I’ve worked hard to improve some of the weak parts of my game, but I still have many things to work on. I’ve listened to those shooters who are much smarter than I and used their advise.
3GN: What’s it like to go head-to-head with Taran Butler, Kurt Miller and others?
BR: These guys are great competitors and have incredible knowledge of the game. Shooting against them gives me goals to work towards.
3GN: What’s your most satisfying win?
BR: The win over Kurt Miller in the first round of the shoot-off at Ozark! For us iron sight shooters, he’s sort of like the Godfather, but with a better moustache. It was an honor to shoot against him. My most satisfying match win was the ’10 Fort Benning 3-Gun Heavy Metal division.
3GN: What competition do you want to win above all others?
BR: The next one.
3GN: Who do you think is the best 3-gunner in the country?
BR: There are some amazing shooters both on the national and local scenes. I think Daniel Horner has proven consistently for the last several years that he is the guy to beat in Tac Optics. Patrick Kelley would be my number one pick for the top spot in Heavy Metal. Patrick dominates the division at the matches he shoots. I look forward to shooting against him some time to see how I stack up.
3GN: 3GN is attempting to build a true professional tour. What would it mean to you to make your living doing nothing but shooting and competing?
BR: I think it would be great for those who want to make it their career. I just enjoy slinging lead on the weekend though. I have a great family and do not want to spend more than a handful of weekends a year away from home.
3GN: Your timing seems perfect. You broke onto the 3-gun scene just as 3GN was being launched. Is it fate?
BR: I’ll say yes after I win a check for $5K. I think 3GN has been great for the sport. Its renewed interest for some of the shooters that have been in 3-gun for several years and sparked an interest in a whole new group of shooters. I’m happy to be a part of it and try to promote 3GN and sport at every opportunity.
3GN: If you were running 3GN for a day, what changes would you make?
BR: Heavy Metal equipment would be the only option for the Shoot-Off. And I would replace Chad with a 24-year-old female in a bikini.
3GN: How far can this 3-gun thing really go?
BR: I am amazed at how much the sport has changed and grown in the short time I’ve been shooting. With modern sporting rifle making up a larger percentage of new gun sales the last few years, the population of potential competitors is exploding. 3GN has been a great outlet to draw these people out to matches. There are more major matches this year, and local clubs are getting involved in 3-gun also. I hope to try out for the U.S. 2020 Olympic 3-Gun team.
3GN: How far can Bryan Ray go?
BR: It would appear round two of the Shoot-Off. I’m going to keep shooting as long as it remains fun. With the crowd of competitors 3-gun draws, I anticipate it will be a long time.
In competition, Ray's Heavy Metal gear requires a .308 rifle, pump shotgun and .45-caliber pistol. Ray runs a Springfield Armory M1A Loaded with an SJC Titan compensator. His shotgun is a Benelli Nova with a Nordic extension, with "loading port expertly molded by myself with a dremel tool and sandpaper (paterned after Trapr's)," he says. The pistol is a Kimber Gold Match with an S&A mag well. Ray's gear is rounded out with CCW shot shell holders screwed to "an old USGI web belt" and Blade Tech equipment.
Below are production models of the same type used by Ray.
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