Bob Gustin of Cameron Park, California, didn't set out to establish a new record at the 2010 NRA National Rifle & Pistol Championships in Camp Perry, Ohio - so he set two. One as part of a team and one all on his own.
"Guess it was my time," Gustin mused. "After 46 years of shooting here at Camp Perry, I should have set a record at something."
First on the agenda was the Palma Individual title. That's fifteen shots from 800, 900, and 1000 yards. And how many times did Bob make it out of the ten ring? Not once.
"I cleaned it," said Gustin. "I've shot a perfect round before, but never with this many Xs."
His score of 450-33x beat the old mark by six of those Xs. And who's numbers did he beat? Palma teammate Nancy Tompkins-Gallagher. Just to show there were no hard feelings, Nancy and her daughter Michelle joined Bob along with Bryan Litz to set a new Palma Team Match record of 1796-119x. A quintessential feat for the boy who once begged his father to take him to the range.
"Dad never shot a rifle in his life," said Gustin. "I asked so he took me. My father was great that way."
Bob started shooting on the smallbore range. Then, in 1980, he switched to reserve shooting with the service rifle section until ultimately moving to high power in 1990. Twenty years later, he's perfected the shot and spends even more time on the range.
After retiring from a 31 year stint on the California Highway Patrol (No CHiP references please - "I haven't said anything nasty about you yet" ... Bob Gustin ) Bob now gets to do what he really loves.
"I shoot," Gustin laughed. "Well, I also drive my wife around in our motor home. Last place we saw was Shipshewana, Indiana. There's a nice Amish community there that she likes to visit for the quilting, the food and the people."
But retired or not, Bob always finds time for practice. We all do when it comes to doing what comes natural
aids in perfecting one of the things he loves best.
"I just like shooting. It's fun and you meet a lot of interesting people. Especially here at Perry."