MASSENA, N.Y. – With accuracy as such a high job priority is it any wonder that SeaComm Federal Credit Union Assistant Vice President of Finance Shannon Boyce is a world champion in muzzle loading?

Wildly popular in Europe, this shooting sport is gaining popularity here in the United States. The culmination of the muzzle loading competition is the World Championship, where some 1,000-1,200 shooters from 20-25 countries compete in a variety of classes.

For Boyce shooting is in the blood-her father participated in shooting competitions while he was in the service.

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"I used to follow him around like a puppy dog when I was a kid and I started with muzzle loaders when I was seven," said Boyce.

She moved to a small-bore rifle when she was in high school, regularly winning matches and championships. Boyce also shot muzzleloaders, competing in her first world championship at age 15 in Germany, and winning her first world championship a year later in Holland. She competes with an Italian made Pedersoli Tryon Creedemore, a black powder rifle that fires a 45 caliber conical bullet. Distances normally range from 50-100 yards. Her latest addition to her arsenal is a Pedersoli Gibbs, which is a longer-range rifle capable of shooting up to 1,000 yards. Since she has a relationship with the company, she recently endorsed its products at a "Shot Show" in Las Vegas, Perdersoli gave her a great deal on the Gibbs. She says it helps because shooters are responsible for their own equipment and travel expenses, so costs add up over time. "It's a sport that requires strict discipline and constant training so in a championship year I try to practice everyday," said Boyce. The championship is held every other year in locations throughout the world. During alternate years, a regional championship is held with one region being Europe and the other being the rest of the world. Boyce has missed one championship and that was for her honeymoon. Since her first title, Boyce has taken home the gold three times and has recorded world record scores twice.

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