Q&A with Hornady-sponsored shooter Jared Milinazzo
Meet Jared Milinazzo, a seasoned competitive shooter and dedicated Hornady-sponsored athlete. With 18 years of competitive shooting experience under his belt, Jared shares his journey into practical shooting, the kit he reaches for at every match and the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way.
Tell us about yourself and your introduction to shooting.
Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I’m a mechanical engineer by training but I’m currently working in the explosives field. I’ve been involved in competitive shooting for 18 years, with 15 of those years dedicated to practical shooting. My journey began with family shooting outings, a cherished pastime since my very earliest memories.
My transition into competitive shooting occurred while working with a firearms-related business in Albuquerque. An owner introduced me to competitive shooting, and it really sparked my interest. I vividly remember my fascination when I handled his high-end race pistol, worth $3–4k. Until then, I had only shot Glocks and similar firearms. The smoothness of that pistol’s action amazed me, and shortly after, I acquired my first 1911.
Why did you specialize in practical shooting?
My journey through different shooting disciplines started with IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation), focusing solely on pistols. While I also dabbled in PRS (Precision Rifle Series), I found 3-Gun shooting to be the most captivating. 3-Gun combines three crucial aspects: pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooting, creating a dynamic and challenging sport that resonated with me.
Did you take any training classes?
In my early years of competitive shooting, I was a pretty decent shooter, but a turning point came when I attended training classes, including one with the legendary Jerry Miculek. These classes elevated both my shooting skills and mental preparation, which are critical to performing well in matches.
What’s your current competition setup?
I currently compete in two different classes in 3-Gun:
Tactical Scope Class:
● JP Enterprises AR-15 Pro rifle in 223 topped with a Vortex 1–10 scope running Hornady 73 gr ELD® Match ammunition.
● Remington VERSA MAX shotgun.
● Triangle Shooting Sports custom-built 2011 pistol in 9mm shooting Hornady 147 gr XTP cartridges.
Heavy Scope Class:
● JP Enterprises AR-10 in 308 with Vortex 1–10 scope and Hornady 155 gr BTHP American Gunner.
● Benelli Nova pump-action shotgun with Hornady 12-gauge reduced recoil slugs.
● Para-Ordnance P14–45 pistol with Hornady 230 gr XTP.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from shooting?
Shooting has taught me two invaluable life lessons: focus and resilience. No matter who you are, mistakes are inevitable. What truly matters is how you bounce back from those setbacks and learn from them.
Do you have any advice for aspiring competitive shooters?
The best way to take your first steps into competitive shooting is to attend a 3-Gun match and observe what’s going on. Many newcomers have misconceptions about what 3-Gun shooting entails and end up purchasing a bunch of unnecessary tactical gear. At a match, you can see what equipment experienced shooters use, gear that they’ve refined over years of competition.
How do you prepare for competitions?
In the two months leading up to a match, I shoot at the range every weekend and engage in dry-fire practice during the week. As the match date approaches, I focus on the aspects of shooting that require those really fine motor skills and focus, for example the difficult pistol shots.
What’s your greatest achievement in your shooting career?
It’s got to be winning the Rocky Mountain 3-Gun match that really stands out as a significant accomplishment. It’s one of the premier natural terrain matches out there and a highly competitive event.
What are your future goals?
While I don’t have grand ambitions at the moment, I’m looking forward to participating in the Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun match in Arizona next March.
If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
If I could meet one person, it would be John Wayne. I grew up watching his western movies and while that wasn’t the sole reason I was interested in guns, it certainly led me down the path that’s shaped the shooting I do now.
How long have you been sponsored by Hornady?
I’ve proudly been a Hornady-sponsored shooter since 2009. I reached out to the company as a junior shooter when I was winning matches and, although they had a full roster of sponsored shooters at the time, they offered me their shooters’ package. This allowed me to order directly from Hornady, benefit from product discounts, and has been immensely beneficial throughout the past 14 years of my competitive shooting journey.
