Fourteen-year-old Abigail Victoria lives in Logansport, Louisiana, and will be heading west this fall to compete in her first U.S. Nationals in long-range rifle. Her accomplishments include making Master at 1,000 yards in F-Class FTR, which she achieved at the age of 13. In her fourth match, she also tied a national long-range record, making her a co-holder. Abigail is on an all-female rifle team called X-it Strategy.
We thought you’d enjoy learning more about this up-and-coming long range shooter.
NRA Family: When people ask you what you do, what do you say? Elevator speech length.
Abigail Victoria: I am a student athlete that enjoys softball, basketball and F-class shooting.
NRA Family: What’s your history in the shooting sports, and how did you get to where you are today?
Abigail Victoria: I began at the age of six, shooting a Henry .22 LR, plinking steel with my dad and older brother. I moved up to an AR-15 at the age of 11, also plinking steel; then, at the age of 12, I start going to the range with my dad – shooting 500 and 1,000 yards with a .308 Win. At the age of 13, in July of 2018, I shot my first long-range match and loved it. By October, my dad had built me my first FTR 308, and then I broke the FTR range record. It was the very next match in December, I received a Master classification in long range. On February 3, 2018, I tied the junior national record for long range.
NRA Family: What rifle do you shoot for competition?
Abigail Victoria: My dad built my rifle, the .308 Win. I’m sponsored by McMillan (fiberglass stocks), Stiller’s Action, Krieger Barrels, Capstone Precision, Chamber Chillers, Berger Bullets, Triggertech, Tactical Hearing and ELRHQ.
NRA Family: Do you carry a good-luck charm?
Abigail Victoria: Yes, ma’am. I carry my sister’s farm hat. I like to wear it. Honestly, I don’t know what’s special about it, but when I started shooting with it on my head, my scores rose.
NRA Family: Is there a particular discipline in shooting sports that you’d like to improve in?
Abigail Victoria: Definitely my wind reading. We just went to the range today and worked on it. The most important thing about wind reading is understanding the speed and the holdover.
NRA Family: Usually, young people get tremendous support from family members … what’s your story?
Abigail Victoria: I get most the support from my dad, Steve Victoria, who spends days and countless hours reloading and testing the ammo to make sure I have the best bullets possible. He also makes sure that my rifle is cleaned and functioning properly. He helps me with being calm and focused when I’m shooting. If it wasn’t for my dad, then I wouldn’t be shooting at the level I am. My brother, who’s 24, shoots 3-Gun matches—he supports me by always encouraging me to do well. He sometimes goes and practices with me.
NRA Family: You’re in a lot of competitive team sports. What draws you to the shooting sports?
Abigail Victoria: Everybody is easy to get along with in shooting and they’re all willing to help. It’s relaxing to go out and shoot and have fun.
NRA Family: Do you consider yourself to be an ambassador for the shooting sports? Why?
Abigail Victoria: Not really. I feel like I do good when I shoot, but I also know that there is a lot more for me to learn at this point.
NRA Family: Have you ever met anyone that you would consider to be a great role model in the shooting sports?
Abigail Victoria: Yes, my coach, Jenniffer Bondurant. I like to watch how she shoots and her techniques, and I’ve tried it and it works. She’s understanding and she helps us work on our weaknesses. At our last match, she worked with me on a way to hold the rifle and it helped a lot.
NRA Family: Have you encouraged or inspired others whom you know to try shooting?
Abigail Victoria: Yes, I have inspired one of my childhood friends. We were at the TSRA shooting competition, and I let him shoot my gun. After he took the first shot, he was so excited he hit the target at 1,000 yards.
NRA Family: What does the future hold?
Abigail Victoria: I’m unsure to know want my future holds at this point, I can say that I will always have a love for the sport and shooting – whether it’s in competition or teaching and training my children about the sport.
NRA Family: Do you know how to field strip and clean your gun?
Abigail Victoria: Yes, ma’am.
NRA Family: Do you reload with your dad?
Abigail Victoria: Yes, ma’am. My dad looks over my shoulder a lot while I’m reloading.
