Ed Preckel, Top Gun Shooting Sports - Humble Beginning in 5-stand, Make-A-Break, Family Shooting Business - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights

The Clay Lab Network Podcast

The Clay Lab Network Podcast
Ed Preckel, Top Gun Shooting Sports - Humble Beginning in 5-stand, Make-A-Break, Family Shooting Business - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights
Aug 22, 2025 Season 2 Episode 27
Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights

Send us a text

In this episode of the Clay Mastermind podcast, host Dawn Grant welcomes Ed Preckel, the dynamic president of Top Gun Shooting Sports, renowned for his contributions to the sporting clays and clay target industry, particularly through the Make-A-Break game. Ed shares his journey from a childhood fascination with shooting to becoming a pivotal figure in the clay shooting world. His story is one of passion, perseverance, and innovation, as he recounts the early days of Top Gun Shooting Sports, which he co-founded in 1994 with a friend, and how it evolved into a family-run business.

 

Ed's deep-rooted love for shooting began in his youth, inspired by his father's hunting activities and his own early experiences with clay targets. This passion led him to co-create Top Gun Shooting Sports, where he wears multiple hats, from president to head of marketing and advertising. Ed's dedication to the sport is evident as he discusses the challenges and triumphs of running a business that travels across the country, setting up events and promoting the sport of clay shooting.

 

A significant part of Ed's narrative is the development and popularization of the Make-A-Break game, which he began promoting in 1997. This innovative game has become a staple in the clay shooting community, known for its engaging format and competitive spirit. Ed's vision extends beyond just running a successful business; he dreams of elevating clay shooting to a professional sport, akin to golf or soccer, with widespread recognition and viewership.

Throughout the podcast, Ed emphasizes the importance of family in his journey. His children have been involved in the business from a young age, learning the ropes and contributing to the company's success. This family involvement underscores the personal nature of Ed's work and his commitment to passing on his passion for shooting to the next generation.

Ed's story is not just about business success but also about the broader impact of his work on the shooting sports industry. He highlights the potential for growth and the need for investment to bring clay shooting to a larger audience. His efforts to create a professional league and his involvement in youth shooting programs demonstrate his dedication to fostering a vibrant community around the sport.

 

In this engaging conversation, listeners gain insight into the world of clay shooting through Ed's experiences and aspirations. His story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in achieving one's dreams and making a lasting impact in a niche industry.

 

Top Gun Shooting Sports

 

Dawn Grant Links 

https://dawngrant.com/

https://mindmastered.com/ 

https://ameliashotgunsports.com/

 

Free webinar here: https://dawngrant.com/pages/clay-shooters-mind-game-mastery

Support the show


10% OFF ShotKam Coupon Code “TheClayLab”: https://bit.ly/TheClayLab-ShotKam

Visit Us at www.claylabusa.com for videos, podcasts, and articles about Sporting Clays.

Join as a Channel Member for early access to Videos & Podcasts and to support The Clay Lab

Find us on Social Media
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook

Episode Artwork Ed Preckel, Top Gun Shooting Sports - Humble Beginning in 5-stand, Make-A-Break, Family Shooting Business - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 58:44 Episode Artwork Bruce Potter, Blackjack Sporting Clays – From Sporting Clays Passion to Profession – Competing Against Yourself, Target Setting, & Overcoming Fear - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 52:54 Episode Artwork Don Currie, NSCA Chief Instructor – Evolution of a Sporting Clays Shooter, Mental Process & Excessive Confidence - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 1:03:31 Episode Artwork Bill Davis of Pure Gold Chokes – Pure Gold Chokes Origins, Quality Chokes Matter, Persistence in Business & Industry Cohesion - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 1:18:34 Episode Artwork Matthew Gay - Quiet Eye, Finding the Zone & Understanding Spatial Intelligence in Clay Target Shooting - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 1:21:53 Episode Artwork Michael Biore - Manifesting Success in Sporting Clays, Life, and Quail Creek Sporting Ranch + A New Concurrent - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 55:17 Episode Artwork Owen Haas - Breaking Out in Master Class Through Practice Meditation & Focus in Sporting Clays - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 56:55 Episode Artwork Carson Lingle – Focusing During Shooting, Recovering from a Miss & Shooting Preparations - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 48:07 Episode Artwork Blaize Whitehead - Prep for Competition, Trusting the Process, Confidence & Faith - Clay Mastermind 57:50 Episode Artwork Isobel Ziluca - Sporting Clays Mechanics vs Mental Game, Challenges, Growth and Respect for All - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 55:55 Episode Artwork Dominic Bethel - Everyone Needs a Coach, Shoot Payouts, Gamebore US, Club Management & Gun Industry Marketing Challenges - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 1:03:35 Episode Artwork Brandy Elrod - Paralympic Shotgun Shooting, Youth Shooter Challenges, Coaching, & Lady Outdoor Lifestyles Magazine - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 1:04:52 Episode Artwork Jim Lowery - Sporting Clays as a Legacy Vet, Shooting Fundamentals & Mindset- Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 1:10:40 Episode Artwork Nick Hendrick - World Level Competition vs Social Shooting & A Sporting Clays Champion’s Wisdom - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 1:23:23 Episode Artwork TJ Hawk – Transformation To Being A Master Class Shooter, Target Setting & Coaching - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 58:08 Episode Artwork Dr. Anthony Capasso – Shooting Focus & Mindset: Respecting Targets, Nutrition & Control - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 57:25 Episode Artwork Rylie Sass - Gun Fit, Switching Hands, Sporting Clays Goals & Still Learning - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights 49:34 Episode Artwork Andrea Seefeldt Knight - Target Focused & Subconscious Success in Sporting Clays - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insight 1:04:26 Episode Artwork Drew Ricketts - NSCA FITASC Chief Referee Talks Finding A Passion, Super Sporting Position & Wildlife - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Training & Industry Insight 1:00:05 Episode Artwork Derrick Mein - Olypmic & Sporting Clays Shooting Process: A Winning Process - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant 1:03:14 Episode Artwork Nathan Flanagan - Nationals Target Setter and Challenges of Major Shooting Events - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insight 49:00 Episode Artwork Ashleigh Alexander - NSCA Hall of Fame, Focus + Commitment & Grid Training - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insight 50:07 Episode Artwork Bill Elliott - Shooting with No Fear, Deliberate Training & Overthinking - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant 51:44 Episode Artwork Joseph Calabrace - Night Stalker, Supporting SCTP & Emotions in Sporting Clays - Clay Mastermind 1:04:47 Episode Artwork Kiersten Sales - Talking Sponsorships, The Zone-State & Challenges - Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant 1:03:26