Q&A with Hornady-sponsored shooter, Carl Bernosky
Carl, tell us a bit about yourself.
I live in a small Pennsylvania coal region town, Ashland. I was raised in Gordon two miles from where I live now. My wife Margaret and I have been married for 39 years and have two daughters Carlee and Maura. My grandfather opened a furniture business in 1929, a retail store and upholstery shop. I worked there for as long as I can remember, eventually owning it after my parents retired, but 16 years ago I decided to switch careers and moved into stock and rifle making and I’ve never looked back since.
Shooting is my number one hobby, but I do some hunting. I enjoy archery hunting and bird hunting with my two English setters, Abbie and Penny.
What age were you when you started shooting, and who taught you?
I started shooting as soon as I could hold a rifle (BB, pellet gun). My dad was a competitive shooter. He shot smallbore position in a winter league, and Hi-Power during the summer. He would take me to the range when he practiced where I would shoot from sandbags, progressing to shooting positions and bigger and better rifles until I was old enough to start shooting home matches in the league, eventually the full winter smallbore season and summer Hi-Power matches at the age of 12.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from shooting?
Shooting teaches perseverance and attention to detail. The shooting sports I grew up shooting were based on precision marksmanship. The goal was to shoot every shot as close to the center as possible. I learned a lot from watching other shooters and listening to them when they discussed their performances. When I started to shoot bigger matches I watched better shooters and learned something new each time. I always tell newcomers to never miss the opportunity to watch good shooters shoot. Everyone can always learn something new, helpful or inspiring.
Who has been your biggest influence in shooting, and why?
My family has always been my biggest influence. When I was first starting my grandparents and parents were always supportive with my endeavors as well as helping with equipment and ammo. Later, Margaret was 100% behind my efforts to be a successful shooter, never questioning the time or money spent on what is an expensive hobby.
How do you prepare for a competition?
Over the years I have grown confident in my skill set to shoot the competitions I choose to shoot. I can get up to speed fairly quickly. I currently shoot NRA Hi-Power Rifle, NRA Action Pistol and NRA Long Range Rifle. I spend a lot of time at the range a few weeks before a major shoot. The first week or so I concentrate on the fundamentals and recalling the small things that make a difference in my performance. The next couple of weeks is spent shooting at the highest levels, shooting the highest score I can achieve, so I can peak just in time for the competition. I enjoy shooting different disciplines, switching guns and courses keeps me fresh and working hard.
Tell us about your competition set up.
I shoot many different types of competitions so I use a variety of different set ups from many different manufacturers. Most of my competition rifles and pistols are custom “Frankenstein guns”, parts from many different manufacturers. I’ve reloaded all of my shooting career and continue to do so, but the consistency and accuracy of Hornady ammunition makes me wonder why when available in a caliber I’m using.
Some of my favorites include:
● Hornady products, bullets, brass, ammunition for “everything” along with Hornady firearm security products
● Geissele Automatics products. Bill has been a friend for many years
● 1911 pistols in 38 Super for NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup)
● I’ve been using Vortex Optics for the past six months on my long range, smallbore and Precision Rifle Series (PRS) rifles
● 6 HAGAR, 6mm and 6.5mm Creedmoor, 308 Win, 6 SLR are my favorite rifle calibers
What has been your greatest achievement?
Having success early in my shooting career. It has opened the doors to meet, compete and train with the best shooters in the world for a long time. Those associations have allowed me to shoot many shooting disciplines start with a level of instruction and understanding of equipment most never get the opportunity to enjoy.
What are your goals for the future?
Unfortunately, I’m on the downside of my shooting career. Two back surgeries during the last couple of years has limited my ability to train hard or even participate in some of the disciplines which I have had success. I see myself shooting more long range prone and smallbore prone. I hope to shoot some PRS. The format and rifle skill of PRS enthusiastically interest me, wish I were a bit younger, faster, and agile.
I guess the ultimate goal for me is to learn to enjoy shooting without the need to be the best. Being an enthusiastic ambassador for the shooting sports, and participating in the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and shooting.
How long have you been a Hornady shooter?
I have been a Hornady sponsored shooter since 2009. Hornady’s sponsorship has given me the opportunity to shoot more and has extended my shooting career. I consider it a great honor to be a Hornady brand ambassador. The company gives back to the shooting/hunting sports like no other in our industry. Hornady is on the cutting edge of product design and development. I’m proud to wear the colors and be associated with this awesome family.
Tell us a little about your company and the rifles you make.
16 years ago, after my parents retired from the family business, I decided to switch careers. I was given the opportunity duplicating stocks for Alex Sitman of MasterClass Stocks. I bought a duplicating machine, vertical mill, and precision lathe, along with all the other equipment needed to build stocks and rifles and started learning how to run them. I never went a day without work and never dreaded a day of work. Most of the stocks and rifles I build are for competition prone, F-Class, bench rest, with an occasional hunting stock or rifle.
