3GN Spotlight: Jeff Cramblit

Jeff Cramblit has been around this 3-gun block a time or two. With nearly two decades of competition experience, Cramblit, if relatively unknown outside the pistol and 3-gun worlds, is very highly respected within those tight communities. And for good reason—Jeff can flat out shoot.

Ranked #21 on the final 3GN Standings for 2011, Cramblit maintained that pace during the 3GN Championship match, finishing 8^th overall, only a handful of points behind the incomparable Jerry Miculek. Then in the elimination round of the 3GN Championship Shoot-Off, Cramblit knocked out a tough young competitor in Stag’s Kalani Laker.

Now Cramblit faces another young gun in Rustin Bernskoetter, who proved at Ozark he has the talent to win it all.

To most casual observers, Taran Butler or Mike Voigt is the favorite. Or possibly rising star such as Bernskoetter or Tyler Payne. But here’s the thing, don’t sleep on Jeff Cramblit.

Remember, he’s been around the 3-gun block a time or two, and Wednesday night in Vegas just might be Cramblit’s time to shine.

3GN: How long have you been competing?

JC: Competing since 1985, I've shot USPSA Pistol, Skeet, a lil’ Trap, High Power Rifle, Sportsman Team Challenge, IPSC Shotgun, Precision Rifle Matches—but obviously Outlaw 3-Gun has stuck the best since the days of the old SOF matches.

3GN: What match win or finish in your shooting career has meant the most to you?

JC: First Time I won the Alabama State Pistol Championship, I think in 1991, being in top 16 at North American Championship in Canada back in about ‘93 and being in 3-Gun Nation Top 8 this year.

3GN: What do you do for a living?

JC: Analyst on a Navy Support Contract for a small defense contractor, Gryphon Technologies.

3GN: How do you balance a professional career that's not shooting related with the time on trigger needed to shoot at your level?

JC: I'm actually shooting on experience and technique as I don't have that much time to practice. I try to cram for the test, so to speak, when a match comes along but between job, life and helping run events I probably shot less than 8000 rounds last year total for all 3 guns combined. I focus on fundamentals and quality practice.

3GN: You shot well in West Virginia in the 3GN Championship match, then again in the first round of the Shoot-Off. How confident are you coming into Vegas?

JC: I have focused on the challenge to come and feel confident I will perform well. At the very least my shooting for the rest of the year will be better from the practice I have put in for the big event.

3GN: I know you've spent at least some time making practice runs leading up to this match. What have you been working on specifically?

JC: Primary focus has been pistol, as it is the farthest from what I normally shoot. Shotgun runs have been looking really good and rifle practice is feeling strong, so focusing on the handgun. I have a few poppers to shoot on, so I bought a plate rack to work on as I have never had one and didn't have local access, and we have had to shoot them in the past for the shoot-offs.

3GN: Removing yourself from contention, who do you feel is the favorite of this group?

JC: Taran would have to be the favorite as he is such a strong shooter, has the time and assets to practice, but I think he can be beat. I've focused quite a bit on the physical aspects of getting to the guns and in position, and this is probably the only weak link in his game. A tenth of a second is all someone has to be ahead to win this, and that can be made in foot speed and movement. It’s not all shooting if you go back and review the tapes and look at it, you actually spend more time moving than shooting.

3GN: What would winning the 3GN Championship mean to you?

JC: It would actually be my first big win above an area type match—I'm overdue.

3GN: A $50,000 first place prize, what do you think that means for the sport? 

JC: (It’s) nice to see $ going up, as many of us have spent so much over the years participating. It would be nice if it could continue t grow, as it is such a fun and exciting sport to participate in. It may never be Nascar, but it sure beats shooting tin cans.

3GN: Hundreds of spectators, under the lights, 3GN cameras and NBC Sports Network—should be a wild scene. Can you handle the pressure and win it all?

JC: Yep, been around long enough (I) don't think all that will matter. You are really shooting against yourself anyway, you don't have time to look around or see what the other guy is doing. If I shoot well and move well I will be as hard to beat as anyone there, though everyone there has the potential. It’s all execution in that minute!

Eds. Note: Cramblit and the remaining Final 8 3GN Championship Shoot-Off Finale competitors will battle it out Wednesday, Jan. 18 at the Clark County Range in Las Vegas. The winner becomes the 2011-2012 3GN Champion and takes home a cash prize of $50,000 from Leupold Tactical Optics and NBC Sports.

Posted on 1/10/2012