2024 Minnesota Tactical Shotgun Championship
The Arnzen Arms 2024 Minnesota Tactical Shotgun Championship took place on September 28, 2024. It was held at the Forest Lake Sportsman’s Club. This event was a big deal in the world of competitive shooting.
It brought back a beloved tradition and set the stage for future events. These events will lead up to the 2026 Shotgun World Shoot in Greece.
A Test of Skill and Endurance
Competitors faced a tough day of shooting. They tackled 10 diverse stages that tested their limits. The course design was praised for its creativity.
It included short, medium, and long courses, as well as jungle runs. The match had special stages, like an all-slug and an all-buckshot stage. These stages tested shooters’ versatility and skill with their firearms.
Shooters had to fire approximately 225 total shots, including 12 slugs and 12 buckshot. This required both skill and endurance. The stages had different round counts, from 12 to 40, testing every aspect of shotgun shooting.
Divisions and Fierce Competition
The championship had four divisions, following USPSA Multigun Shotgun rules: Heavy (pump), Tactical, Modified, and Open. This allowed for different shooting styles and equipment choices. It attracted top talent from across the country.
The results in each division showed the high level of competition:
Modified Division
- Taylor Ohlhausen – 100% (924.5601 pts)
- Evan Nichols – 92.96% (859.4620 pts)
- Matthew Martini – 92.16% (852.0465 pts)
Taylor Ohlhausen’s perfect score in the Modified Division was a standout performance. It set a high bar for the competition.
Open Division
- Varick Beise – 100% (909.3149 pts)
- Brian Nelson – 99.81% (907.6274 pts)
- Kyle Roble – 97.84% (889.6305 pts)
The Open Division saw a close race. Varick Beise narrowly edged out Brian Nelson by 0.19%.
Standard Division
- Cody West – 100% (991.0023 pts)
- Tim Ho – 90.06% (892.4830 pts)
- Becky Yackley – 88.11% (873.1404 pts)
Cody West dominated the Standard Division with a perfect score. Becky Yackley’s third-place finish highlighted her skill as the top female competitor in this division.
Standard Manual (Pump) Division
- Samuel Rydberg – 100% (1025.0000 pts)
- Travis Vogel – 67.65% (693.3884 pts)
- Jeff Grimm – 47.79% (489.8922 pts)
Samuel Rydberg’s commanding win in the Standard Manual Division showcased his mastery of the pump-action shotgun.
View Full Results on Practiscore
The level of competition surprised even seasoned shooters. Matt Martini, a competitor aiming for the 2026 World Shoot, noted the talent on display eased some of his concerns about the qualification process for Team USA.
A Venue Worthy of Champions
The Forest Lake Sportsman’s Club proved to be the perfect backdrop for this high-caliber event. Recently expanded with three new competition bays, the club has transformed into a world-class shooting center. Its history of hosting national competitions, including the Nordic Components Tactical Shotgun Match and the Federal USPSA Multi-Gun National Championship, made it an ideal choice for reviving this storied event.
More Than Just a Competition
For many shooters, this championship was more than just a match. Samuel Rydberg, the pump division winner, returned to all-shotgun competition after a five-year break. Brian Nelson, competing in the Open Division, found the match “great fun” and hopes it will be a two-day event in the future.
The event was also a test for equipment. Nelson used a Taran Tactical x Genesis Arms Dracarys 3G shotgun and is excited for future matches. Other shooters learned a lot about their gear and how to improve.
Looking Towards Greece 2026
This championship was the first in a series leading to the 2026 IPSC World Shotgun Shoot in Greece. It was a big deal for those aiming to join Team USA. It also sparked talks about how to pick the national team.
Martini said these qualifiers are key for those aiming to represent the USA in Greece. He thinks team selection should consider both past achievements and current performance. Most top shooters agree that picking the team early is important for training and preparing.
A Bright Future for Tactical Shotgun
The 2024 Minnesota Tactical Shotgun Championship has sparked renewed interest in tactical shotgun competitions. There are rumors of another qualifying match in Texas next year, showing growing interest nationwide.
This championship will be remembered as a key moment. It showed the skill of American shotgun shooters and the lasting appeal of tactical shotgun competitions.
The event drew talent from all over, including top shooters from Texas like Taylor Ohlhausen. It was known for its welcoming atmosphere, making everyone feel at home. This spirit of friendly competition and improvement is what made the event special.
Arnzen Arms and Minnesota 3 Gun have not just revived a beloved event. They’ve started a new chapter in tactical shotgun shooting. As we move towards Greece 2026, the Minnesota Tactical Shotgun Championship shows what’s possible when tradition meets modern competition.
