The 2025 World Long-Range Championships were held in Raton, New Mexico, USA 13-17 October 2025. 46 shooters, from 10 countries, participated at ranges between 300 and 1,000 yards. Most competitors used modern-made reproductions of the long-range percussion rifles of the 1800s, but there were a few original arms in use. Original and repro arms competed in different categories.
At 300 yards, top honors in the replica division went to Pieter Truter of South Africa, with Sverre Kvalo and Per Ostby, both of Norway, taking Silver and Bronze, respectively. The original division was won by Ray Hopkins of the USA, with Gene Kinnel of the USA and Balasz Nemeth of Hungary placing 2nd and 3rd.
The repro division of the 500 yard match was won by Thomas Laumer of Germany, with Pieter Truter of South Africa in second place and Markus Gebhardt of Germany placing third. This match was very tight, with all three medalists shooting a 45 – the medals were decided by V-count alone. On the original side of the competition, Balasz Nemeth took the top honors, with Kenn Heismann and David Munch, both of the United States, placing 2nd and 3rd.
At 600 yards, the Gold in Repro was won by Dave Gullo, of the USA. Silver and Bronze were won by Steve Farringer of the U.S. and Anthony Wilson of Australia, respectively. Top honors in the Original class went to Balasz Nemeth, followed by Kenn Heismann and Ray Hopkins.
The 300, 500, and 600 yard scores combine to make up the Mid-Range Aggregate. Pieter Truter of South Africa won the Replica division, with Thomas Laumer of Germany placing second and Steve Faringer of the USA placing third. On the original side, Balasz Nemeth of Hungary won with a solid performance, followed by Ray Hopkins and Kenn Heismann of the USA.
The match then turned to the real long distances – 900 and 1,000 yards. At these distances, mechanical accuracy and expert shot release are not enough. A shooter must read and compensate for the wind. Both at the target and several hundred feet up, where the bullet will be in mid-course.
At 900 yards, Steve Farringer of the USA won first place in the repro division, with Pieter Truter of South Africa in second and Matthew Nash of the USA in third. Of the shooters using original firearms, Ray Hopkins placed first, with Lee Shaver in second and Kenn Heismann in third.
The repro division of the 1,000 yard match was won by Steve Farringer of the USA, followed by Dave Gullo of the USA and Johan DeBeer of South Africa. On the original side, Balasz Nemeth placed first, with Dana Erickson and Gene Kinnel of the USA placing second and third.
The results at 900 and 1,000 yards combined to form the Long-Range Aggregate. The USA swept the top three places of the repro division, with Steve Farringer, Dave Gullo, and Matthew Nash placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively. Of the competitors using original arms, Balasz Nemeth of Hungary won out, followed by Dana Erickson and Gene Kinnel of the USA.
The Grand Aggregate of the World Long-Range Championship combines the results at 300, 500, 600, 900, and 1,000 yards. In the repro division, Steve Farringer of the USA took Gold, with Dave Gullo of the USA taking Silver and Johan DeBeer of South Africa taking Bronze. In the original division, Balasz Nemeth of Hungary won, with Ray Hopkins of the USA winning the Silver and David Munch of the USA winning the Bronze.
The match this year saw a lot of new faces, as well as some veteran competitors. Overall participation was much higher than it had been in the past, promising a bright future for the long-range matches in the years to come. As for the 2027 matches, they are currently scheduled to return to Raton, NM.