Taking on the Best in Texas is more than just shaking off the rust. For Ryan, the goal of every match is to win, but there are some technical differences between this match and Rifles Only that allow for some learning experiences in preparation for the latter. The wide-open fields at Cawthon create a more consistent wind experience, giving a more solid reference for gear performance. The terrain at Rifles Only, though almost as flat overall, has more berms to break up the wind, and sometimes that can cause compound and “dirty” winds. This makes it vitally important to understand exactly what your rifle is doing heading into Rifles Only. Another huge difference between the two matches is the course of fire. Dave/Prentice (the Best in Texas Directors) run a course of fire that test competitors’ engagements out at a further distance than Rifles Only. Competing at Best in Texas and seeing impacts on the smaller targets at further distances gives Ryan the confidence to know that his data is correct.

Overall, the atmosphere of Best in Texas is that of a mini finale. Many out-of-state competitors attend because it’s a Qualifier and AG Cup Qualifier match at the same time. Also, the terrain presents some very technical challenges. Multiple barricade designs along with some “separator” stages add to the complexity. While the stages were designed to be straightforward, they still force the shooters to execute the stage methodically – if your mental game is off, your performance will be too. Cawthon matches will expose any flaws in your mental preparations, as well as your gear setup, making this the perfect test on the road to Rifles Only.