In the serene countryside of Kentucky, where rolling hills meet the horizon and the crackle of gunfire echoes through tranquil mornings, I find myself immersed in a unique pursuit: the American Rimfire Association Unlimited Class .22 rimfire benchrest matches.

This seemingly niche sport has captured my attention, time and wallet. My wife now claims to be the weekend widow to my newfound passion.

The ARA Unlimited Class competitions are not your typical shooting matches. Both the Unlimited and Factory classes have 20 minutes to shoot a 25 bull target (a 0.0250 dot) for a maximum score of 2,500. Here, participants meticulously prepare their equipment, fine-tuning every aspect from rifle stability to ammunition selection. As a photojournalist, the transition from capturing moments through a lens to capturing the perfect shot on the range was a natural progression. My journey began with a simple curiosity but soon evolved into a passion as I delved deeper into the technically-driven sport of benchrest shooting.

At ranges across the South like Kettlefoot, Prairie Station, Big Chief’s, Chickenfoot and Kentucky Regulators, where the rhythm of life often aligns with the slow drawl of a summer afternoon, the ARA Unlimited Class matches add a different cadence – a rhythm measured in precise shots and the thrill of hitting the bull’s-eye. I’ve always appreciated the art of precision, whether it’s in photography or shooting. There’s a certain satisfaction in pushing yourself to achieve the smallest possible groupings at varying distances.

The ARA, the sanctioning body for rimfire benchrest, emphasizes consistency and accuracy over sheer power or speed. Competitors spend hours honing their skills, often in solitude, as they strive for the elusive perfect score. Each match presents a new challenge, testing not only marksmanship but also mental discipline and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. The ranges are filled with an explosion of colorful wind flags as competitors use their best Kentucky windage to knock out the bull.

My years shooting pictures, waiting for just the right moment, have been a lesson in patience and persistence. It’s not just about pulling the trigger. It’s about understanding wind drift, controlling breathing and maintaining focus throughout the competition.

Beyond the technical aspects, I have found camaraderie among fellow shooters, a community bound by a shared passion for precision shooting and a respect for the sport’s traditions. The atmosphere at ARA matches is one of friendly competition, mutual encouragement and good natured ribbing. To grow the sport, veterans freely share tips with newcomers, but sometimes hold back a few of their most coveted tricks for fear of sharing too much and being bested.

Junior shooters are welcomed and encouraged in an effort to grow the sport as well as bring down the median age at the range so it doesn’t look like an AARP convention. At a recent match, I was seated next to a father and son sharing a rifle and doing well. I, on the other hand, was shooting poorly and at the bottom of the pack going into the final card. The fidgety and excitable 9-year-old, Christian, looked over between cards and asked how I was doing. I replied that I had seen better days. In his youthful candor, he leaned close and said, “I’m not shooting too well, but at least I’m beating Joe!”

I know I should have turned away and taken my lumps, but instead, I leaned in and whispered, “I’m Joe.”

In the heart of the Bluegrass state’s rolling hills, where the heritage of marksmanship runs deep, a sport where patience meets precision, and every shot tells a story of dedication and determination is alive, well and growing.

To learn more about the American Rimfire Association, visit www.americanrimfire.com.

— Daily News Publisher Joe Imel can be reached at (270) 783-3273 or via email at joe.imel@ bgdailynews.com.