Happy hunting ground
Top 16%
average finish here
Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest is their spot: an average finish in the top 16% across 2 visits.
- 2 visits
- best finish 3rd
- average top 16%
SMOKIN GUNS BBQ
SMOKIN GUNS BBQ is a competition barbecue team with 42 Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) contests on record between 2013 and 2024. Their best overall finish is 3rd of 25 at the Hog Wild West BBQ Contest (2017). They are ranked #2385 of 6,491 teams in the KCBS power rankings.
At a glance (the record in numbers)
Rating
1524
peak 1600 · rated over 42 contests
Contests
42
in the data
First seen
Aug 16, 2013
latest Sep 20, 2024 · 11.1 years on the trail
Grand champs
0
0 reserve
Category wins
1
6 podiums
Overall top-10s
9
21% of 42 contests
Best top-10 run
2
straight overall top-10s
Avg finish
top 49%
overall standings
Perfect 180s
0
Current form
645.79 ▼
last 5 Master vs avg 656.00 (-10.21)
Walk rate
50%
contests with a top-10 call
Consistency
±21.61
spread of their Master overall scores (lower = steadier)
Strongest meat
Brisket
avg 165.18 · weakest Chicken (162.61)
Road miles
3,284
across 42 mapped stops · furthest 786 mi
Schedule strength
55%
of rated fields were softer than their average draw (1570)
Purse competed for
$187K
listed at 10 contests — purses, not winnings
State championships
0 🏅
won from 13 state-championship entries
Master avg
656.00 / 720
42 Master contests · 0 GCs
Team of the Year (rank per category by season — the year links to the full board on kcbs.us)
| Year | Series | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 ↗ | Master | #865 (125 pts) | #944 (130 pts) | #1021 (120 pts) | #1001 (115 pts) | #831 (165 pts) |
| 2023 ↗ | Master | #938 (120 pts) | #1092 (115 pts) | #1196 (115 pts) | #825 (175 pts) | #782 (200 pts) |
| 2021 ↗ | Master | #1236 (60 pts) | #1286 (60 pts) | #1309 (60 pts) | #1262 (60 pts) | #1245 (60 pts) |
| 2019 ↗ | Master | #901 (309 pts) | #887 (339 pts) | #933 (324 pts) | #771 (419 pts) | #989 (294 pts) |
| 2018 ↗ | Master | #603 (569 pts) | #673 (539 pts) | #728 (494 pts) | #661 (559 pts) | #519 (714 pts) |
| 2017 ↗ | Master | #586 (672 pts) | #755 (527 pts) | #666 (612 pts) | #394 (977 pts) | #550 (717 pts) |
| 2016 ↗ | Master | #1237 (238 pts) | #1305 (243 pts) | #1267 (253 pts) | #1602 (178 pts) | #922 (383 pts) |
| 2015 ↗ | Master | #530 (708 pts) | #771 (478 pts) | #614 (638 pts) | #527 (738 pts) | #516 (728 pts) |
| 2014 ↗ | Master | #708 (504 pts) | #864 (419 pts) | #755 (489 pts) | #915 (394 pts) | #562 (659 pts) |
| 2013 ↗ | Master | #779 (396 pts) | #1025 (301 pts) | #837 (386 pts) | #1126 (266 pts) | #660 (491 pts) |
Overall rank by season
Teams like this (closest power rating)
The teams rated closest to SMOKIN GUNS BBQ, each with one reason worth a look.
95 rated teams sit within a point of this rating, so a place on this list means the numbers match — no more than that.
#2,400 of the rated field
- Contests
- 34
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 18%
- Peak
- 1557
2–0 in 2 shared contests (100% to SMOKIN GUNS BBQ)
2 contests in common so far: too few to settle anything, but a team SMOKIN GUNS BBQ has actually stood beside rather than a stranger on the same rating.
⚔ Head-to-head#2,371 of the rated field
- Contests
- 19
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 26%
- Peak
- 1550
1–1 in 2 shared contests (50% to SMOKIN GUNS BBQ)
Fewer contests behind them than SMOKIN GUNS BBQ has cooked, 19 to 42, which makes theirs the less settled rating of the two.
⚔ Head-to-head#2,381 of the rated field
- Contests
- 11
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 0%
- Peak
- 1530
1–0 in 1 shared contest (100% to SMOKIN GUNS BBQ)
Level with SMOKIN GUNS BBQ on power rating, which is the whole reason they're on the list.
⚔ Head-to-head#2,390 of the rated field
- Contests
- 5
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 40%
- Peak
- 1535
1–0 in 1 shared contest (100% to SMOKIN GUNS BBQ)
Their last contest in the data was back in 2015, 9 years before SMOKIN GUNS BBQ's most recent — their rating stopped moving when they stopped cooking.
⚔ Head-to-head#2,401 of the rated field
- Contests
- 5
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 0%
- Peak
- 1524
0–1 in 1 shared contest (0% to SMOKIN GUNS BBQ)
Both teams' first contest in the data came in 2013.
⚔ Head-to-head#2,393 of the rated field
- Contests
- 29
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 17%
- Peak
- 1565
They've been 1565 at their best, 41 points above where they sit today — they're arriving at this rating from above.
⚔ Compare careersFamiliar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)
| Opponent | Meetings | Ahead | Behind | Win rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLAPS BBQ | 24 | 5 | 19 | 21% | ⚔ compare |
| GETTIN' BASTED | 24 | 4 | 20 | 17% | ⚔ compare |
| S&S BBQ | 23 | 13 | 10 | 57% | ⚔ compare |
| DIRT ROAD BBQ | 21 | 2 | 19 | 10% | ⚔ compare |
| PIG NEWTON | 19 | 11 | 8 | 58% | ⚔ compare |
| GRILLAS | 19 | 8 | 11 | 42% | ⚔ compare |
| Sons of a Brisket | 19 | 7 | 12 | 37% | ⚔ compare |
| GETTIN' SAUCED | 18 | 4 | 14 | 22% | ⚔ compare |
| 4 LEGS UP BBQ | 18 | 4 | 14 | 22% | ⚔ compare |
| Wabash BBQ | 17 | 6 | 11 | 35% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKE THIS BBQ MO | 17 | 4 | 13 | 24% | ⚔ compare |
| DUSTY ROADS BBQ | 16 | 15 | 1 | 94% | ⚔ compare |
| T'S SMOKIN PIT | 16 | 11 | 5 | 69% | ⚔ compare |
| ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | 16 | 8 | 8 | 50% | ⚔ compare |
| LOVE 2 Q | 16 | 4 | 12 | 25% | ⚔ compare |
By meat
| Category | Entries | Calls | Wins | Podiums | Best | Worst | Average | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 42 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 172.5600 | 142.8684 | 162.61 | top 63% |
| Pork Ribs | 42 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 178.3200 | 141.7144 | 163.68 | top 53% |
| Pork | 42 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 176.5716 | 138.2512 | 164.52 | top 51% |
| Brisket | 42 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 177.1428 | 147.4400 | 165.18 | top 43% |
“Calls” = top-10 category finishes (getting called to the stage). Scores here are the final weighted totals KCBS publishes; per-criterion appearance/taste/tenderness marks aren’t in the public results feed.
By field size and state
By contest size
| Field | Contests | GCs | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium (20–39) | 18 | 0 | top 60% |
| Large (40+) | 24 | 0 | top 40% |
Repeat visits (contests they've cooked twice or more)
| Contest | Visits | Best | GCs | Avg finish | Last visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBQ and Fly In on the River | 5 | 9 | 0 | top 43% | Aug 16, 2019 |
| The Best Dam BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake | 3 | 26 | 0 | top 67% | Apr 12, 2019 |
| 2024 Cameron Elks BBQ Cook Off | 2 | 24 | 0 | top 86% | Jul 12, 2024 |
| Big Blue BBQ Championship | 2 | 23 | 0 | top 96% | May 31, 2024 |
| Hog Wild West BBQ Contest | 2 | 3 | 0 | top 26% | Sep 7, 2018 |
| Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest | 2 | 3 | 0 | top 16% | Sep 11, 2015 |
More numbers
Busiest season
2015
8 contests
Contests a season
4.2
across 10 seasons in the data
Most contests held in
MO
26 of 42 contests · 4 states in all
Contests visited
32
6 of them more than once
Opponents faced
2,229
finished ahead 3,240 times, behind 2,250
Longest layoff
2 yrs
Sep 28, 2019 → Sep 16, 2021
Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)
20241 milestone
- Most recent contest 36th Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook Out
20182 milestones
- 25th tracked contest The Best Dam BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake
- Peak power rating (1600) 23rd Annual Platte City BBQ Cook Off at Basswood Resort
20152 milestones
- 10th tracked contest Covington Cork & Pork Festival
- Career-best single call (Pork Ribs)178.3200 Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest
20142 milestones
- First category win (Brisket) Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest
- First overall podium Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest
20135 milestones
- First tracked contest BBQ and Fly In on the River
- First call BBQ and Fly In on the River
- First overall top-10 BBQ and Fly In on the River
- First overall past 90% of a perfect score673.6572 BBQ and Fly In on the River
- Career-best overall score685.5996 BBQ at the Races Kansas Speedway
Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)
📈 Biggest rating jumps
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| +15.8 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue-OPEN CONTEST | Sep 16, 2021 |
| +13.6 | BBQ and Fly In on the River | Aug 16, 2013 |
| +13 | The Best Damn BBQ Contest | Apr 10, 2015 |
| +12.6 | Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest | Sep 12, 2014 |
| +11.4 | BBQ at the Races Kansas Speedway | Aug 17, 2013 |
📉 Toughest weekends
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| -14.8 | Big Blue BBQ Championship | Jun 2, 2023 |
| -14.6 | Bikes Blues & BBQ | Sep 25, 2015 |
| -13.4 | Covington Cork & Pork Festival | Jun 26, 2015 |
| -10.9 | The Best Dam BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake | Apr 12, 2019 |
| -10.6 | Big Blue BBQ Championship | May 31, 2024 |
Scores over time (% of a perfect score, averaged over 5 contests — tap a meat to add it)
Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)
Where they finish (overall)
Best vs average (by meat)
How entries end (by meat)
Season by season
| Season | Contests | GCs | Top-10s | Category wins | Walk rate | Avg finish | Best overall (% of perfect) | Avg overall (% of perfect) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 85% | 91.3% | 88.4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33% | top 85% | 92.8% | 89.2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | top 2% | 96.2% | 96.2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20% | top 66% | 92.4% | 89.8% |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 50% | top 52% | 94.2% | 91.5% |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 83% | top 34% | 94.7% | 93.1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67% | top 53% | 92.2% | 90.9% |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 63% | top 41% | 95% | 91.1% |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 50% | top 35% | 95.1% | 91.4% |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 67% | top 20% | 95.2% | 93.3% |
Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)
| Date | Event | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 20, 2024 | 36th Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook Out 🏅 Kearney, MO | 22 / 32 (657.6000) | 21 (169.1200) | 23 (162.2744) | 28 (157.6684) | 14 (168.5372) |
| Jul 12, 2024 | 2024 Cameron Elks BBQ Cook Off 🏅 Cameron, MO | 26 / 28 (626.7088) | 27 (160.5260) | 25 (156.5256) | 24 (159.4172) | 27 (150.2400) |
| May 31, 2024 | Big Blue BBQ Championship 🏅 Marysville, KS | 23 / 25 (624.3888) | 24 (151.9200) | 15 (167.4172) | 25 (150.2172) | 23 (154.8344) |
| Aug 18, 2023 | BBQ & Fly-In on the River 🏅 Excelsior Springs, MO | 42 / 57 (651.8172) | 43 (162.2516) | 49 (158.2400) | 37 (167.3828) | 35 (163.9428) |
| Jul 7, 2023 | Cameron Elks BBQ Cook Off 🏅 Cameron, MO | 24 / 30 (668.4456) | 27 (163.9544) | 26 (159.9656) | 13 (172.5484) | 9 (171.9772) |
| Jun 2, 2023 | Big Blue BBQ Championship 🏅 Marysville, KS | 28 / 28 (607.2912) | 28 (148.5256) | 27 (148.5144) | 28 (150.8572) | 21 (159.3940) |
| Sep 16, 2021 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue-OPEN CONTEST 🏅 Kansas City, KS | 8 / 467 (519.3940) | 351 (159.3944) | 224 (166.8344) | 357 (157.7028) | 327 (158.1940) |
| Sep 28, 2019 | West Bottoms BBQ Contest 🏅 Kansas City, MO | 25 / 29 (651.3488) | 16 (170.8344) | 27 (158.8572) | 25 (162.2516) | 25 (159.4056) |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 40th American Royal World Series of Barbecue- OPEN CONTEST 🏅 Kansas City, KS | 85 / 468 (489.6228) | 124 (169.7488) | 362 (158.2172) | 49 (173.7028) | 287 (160.5028) |
| Aug 16, 2019 | BBQ and Fly In on the River 🏅 Excelsior Springs, MO | 53 / 68 (641.4972) | 63 (155.9544) | 50 (161.0972) | 57 (159.3600) | 34 (165.0856) |
| Jul 12, 2019 | 2nd Annual Cameron Elks BBQ Cook Off (JUDGES FULL) 🏅 Cameron, MO | 22 / 35 (665.0060) | 28 (162.8000) | 19 (165.6916) | 5 (174.2744) | 27 (162.2400) |
| Apr 12, 2019 | The Best Dam BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake 🏅 Smithville, MO | 45 / 54 (620.3888) | 53 (147.9200) | 37 (161.6800) | 35 (161.7144) | 50 (149.0744) |
| Sep 15, 2018 | 39th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) Kansas City, KS | 280 / 467 (654.1252) | 428 (153.0856) | 284 (163.4172) | 217 (165.6568) | 83 (171.9656) |
| Sep 7, 2018 | Hog Wild West BBQ Contest Leavenworth, KS | 10 / 25 (667.3488) | 8 (169.7144) | 18 (154.8116) | 6 (173.1544) | 5 (169.6684) |
| Aug 17, 2018 | BBQ and Fly In on the River (JUDGES FULL) Excelsior Springs, MO | 40 / 57 (643.8284) | 44 (159.3944) | 24 (165.6800) | 32 (164.5600) | 47 (154.1940) |
| Jul 13, 2018 | 1st Annual Cameron Elks BBQ Cook Off (JUDGES FULL) Cameron, MO | 13 / 24 (657.0056) | 7 (171.9772) | 8 (169.1316) | 19 (153.1084) | 15 (162.7884) |
| May 18, 2018 | 23rd Annual Platte City BBQ Cook Off at Basswood Resort Platte City, MO | 8 / 37 (678.1944) | 25 (166.2400) | 21 (166.2516) | 10 (168.5600) | 2 (177.1428) |
| Apr 13, 2018 | The Best Dam BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake Smithville, MO | 35 / 51 (650.1716) | 35 (162.2400) | 38 (159.3944) | 33 (164) | 25 (164.5372) |
| Sep 8, 2017 | Hog Wild West BBQ Contest Leavenworth, KS | 3 / 25 (681.6348) | 4 (171.9772) | 14 (164.5488) | 2 (176.5716) | 7 (168.5372) |
| Sep 1, 2017 | 38th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) Kansas City, KS | 186 / 407 (664.4572) | 308 (159.9428) | 316 (157.6688) | 59 (173.7028) | 41 (173.1428) |
| Aug 18, 2017 | BBQ and Fly In on the River Excelsior Springs, MO | 22 / 65 (674.1600) | 46 (163.3944) | 17 (169.1200) | 27 (168.5256) | 8 (173.1200) |
| Jun 2, 2017 | McLouth BBQ Blowout 26th Anniversary (JUDGES FULL) McLouth, KS | 18 / 32 (652.4912) | 19 (163.9656) | 26 (157.7028) | 5 (171.9656) | 21 (158.8572) |
| May 19, 2017 | 22nd Annual Platte City BBQ Cook Off at Basswood Resort Platte City, MO | 11 / 59 (681.6804) | 48 (158.8000) | 12 (171.4516) | 2 (175.4172) | 4 (176.0116) |
| Apr 7, 2017 | The Best Damn BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake Smithville, MO | 19 / 54 (669.0400) | 47 (158.2400) | 7 (173.1316) | 7 (175.4400) | 26 (162.2284) |
| Oct 29, 2016 | 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) Kansas City, KS | 334 / 557 (647.9200) | 380 (159.9544) | 267 (165.1544) | 312 (162.8572) | 328 (159.9540) |
| Jun 3, 2016 | McLouth BBQ Blowout 25th Anniversary (Judges full) McLouth, KS | 22 / 33 (651.3716) | 17 (166.8800) | 32 (150.2516) | 25 (157.6800) | 3 (176.5600) |
| May 13, 2016 | 21st Annual Platte City BBQ Cook-off At Basswood Resort Platte City, MO | 16 / 51 (663.9432) | 20 (166.2400) | 10 (168.5832) | 27 (164) | 19 (165.1200) |
| Oct 3, 2015 | 36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Open Kansas City, MO | 147 / 606 (669.6228) | 485 (155.9772) | 38 (174.8456) | 287 (164.5372) | 39 (174.2628) |
| Sep 25, 2015 | Bikes Blues & BBQ Fayetteville, AR | 32 / 35 (595.4400) | 15 (167.4744) | 33 (141.7144) | 34 (138.2512) | 31 (148) |
| Sep 18, 2015 | Jesse James Barbeque Cook Out Kearney, MO | 11 / 41 (670.8004) | 21 (166.2744) | 21 (163.4288) | 7 (170.8228) | 9 (170.2744) |
| Sep 11, 2015 | Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest Leavenworth, KS | 6 / 28 (683.9540) | 12 (172.5484) | 4 (178.3200) | 14 (168.5484) | 15 (164.5372) |
| Aug 14, 2015 | BBQ and Fly In on the River Excelsior Springs, MO | 14 / 67 (674.8688) | 25 (166.8344) | 44 (161.7144) | 4 (176.0344) | 13 (170.2856) |
| Jun 26, 2015 | Covington Cork & Pork Festival Covington, VA | 23 / 25 (605.7828) | 25 (142.8684) | 11 (161.7600) | 19 (153.7144) | 22 (147.4400) |
| Apr 10, 2015 | The Best Damn BBQ Contest Smithville, MO | 6 / 52 (680.0116) | 17 (168.0344) | 6 (172) | 10 (172) | 12 (167.9772) |
| Apr 3, 2015 | Smokin On Big Creek BBQ Contest Benefiting Operation BBQ Relief (Judges Full) Pleasant Hill, MO | 30 / 71 (665.6344) | 40 (165.7144) | 40 (163.3944) | 50 (162.2400) | 6 (174.2856) |
| Oct 2, 2014 | 35th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Kansas City, MO | 325 / 552 (648.3996) | 391 (159.9772) | 149 (169.1084) | 465 (153.6456) | 199 (165.6684) |
| Sep 12, 2014 | Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest Leavenworth, KS | 3 / 29 (684.5600) | 8 (168.5944) | 5 (173.1544) | 9 (168.5484) | 1 (174.2628) |
| Apr 11, 2014 | The Best Dam BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake Smithville, MO | 26 / 54 (647.3372) | 30 (162.2972) | 47 (152.5488) | 19 (166.2284) | 15 (166.2628) |
| Mar 14, 2014 | NKC MO State Championship BBQ 🏅 N. Kansas City, MO | 15 / 61 (653.0284) | 16 (165.7028) | 9 (166.2744) | 48 (153.0512) | 7 (168) |
| Oct 3, 2013 | 34th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Kansas City, MO | 121 / 535 (657.0400) | 324 (158.8116) | 25 (173.1428) | 199 (163.9656) | 218 (161.1200) |
| Aug 17, 2013 | BBQ at the Races Kansas Speedway Kansas City, KS | 7 / 31 (685.5996) | 8 (172.5600) | 8 (171.9656) | 13 (170.2628) | 9 (170.8112) |
| Aug 16, 2013 | BBQ and Fly In on the River Excelsior Springs, MO | 9 / 66 (673.6572) | 39 (161.1200) | 9 (169.7144) | 30 (165.6800) | 2 (177.1428) |