Although the majority of stages at 3-gun competitions use one or more type of firearms, occasionally you'll find a stage focused on one specific gun. Stage 1 of the JP Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Match is strictly rifle, most of it long range.

The NRA Whittington Center is conducive to rifle shooting, particularly long range, because of the natural terrain. The sprawling grounds of the facility and natural backstops created by the hills and mountains create ranges that can only be found in nature.

Stage 1 begins with shooters laying prone beneath a tree, taking shots at targets that are more than 300 and 400 yards away. Competitors can also take a shot at a bonus target set on the ridge line at a staggering 600 yards. From there, shooters move to several paper targets before returning to firing at long range targets from two different positions.

Wind conditions, the shade of the trees, and the sheer distance of targets make this stage challenging for even the most talented rifleman. Take a look at the photos from Stage 1 to see the competitors of the JP Rocky Mountain 3-Gun competition in action.