2018 NRA Extreme Long Range National Championships

by
posted on August 2, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2018elr-1.jpg

The second annual NRA Extreme Long Range (ELR) Match took place at Camp Atterbury, IN, on July 12, 2018 during the National High Power Rifle Championships. This particular ELR match consists of shooting 36-inch square plates from 1500 to 2000 yards, with no practice shots or sighters, demonstrating a shooters’ ability to engage ELR targets from a cold bore. Critical to ELR shooting is knowing ballistics, estimating the wind, and having an extremely accurate rifle―paired with equally precise ammunition.

Some big names attended this year’s event, including David Tubb and Bryan Litz, who placed seventh and 11th respectively. Meanwhile, the top slot was taken by Paul Philips of Applied Ballistics, shooting a .416 Barrett while being spotted by John Droelle and Bill Gravatt. Chase Stroud and Stanley Cutsforth took second and third, both shooting .375 caliber rifles.

Applied Ballistics | 2018 NRA ELR National Team Champions
Applied Ballistics’ ELR Team Champions: John Droelle (l.), spotter and wind coach; shooter Paul Phillips (r.), shooting a .416 Barrett Applied Ballistics rifle with 550-grain Cutting Edge Bullets, Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56 mm scope, McMillan ELR Beast Stock, Bartlein barrel, BAT Action, VihtaVouri Powder, assorted Applied Ballistics gadgetry, Crosstac Mat, Edgewood rear bag, Phoenix Precision Bipod, Gross Bipod Mat, Holland level, and Alex Sitman Bedding


For a complete listing of the final aggregate results from the 2018 NRA ELR National Championship, see the scoresheet below.

Scoresheet | 2018 NRA ELR National Championship
Though only the second of these events, the match has experienced a real surge in popularity, well attended by the aforementioned big names, and sponsored by some of the best in the business. Cutting Edge Bullets, Nightforce, McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, Holland’s Shooters Supply, Applied Ballistics, Vihtavouri Powder, and Crosstac, all of whom played a role in Paul’s big win, were also major sponsors of the event. Below is a banner listing all of the match’s sponsors.

Sponsors | 2018 NRA Extreme Long Range National Championships
Read about last year's event at this link: www.ssusa.org/articles/2017/8/7/new-nra-one-mile-extreme-long-range-rifle-match.

Photos by Tactiholics

Latest

2026 Topshotgun Shotshow Lede
2026 Topshotgun Shotshow Lede

Best Of SHOT Show 2026: Top Shotguns

SHOT Show 2026 highlighted the latest shotguns, from over/unders for competition to field-ready semi-automatics with adjustable stocks and enhanced handling features.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge Stages Put Practical AR Skills on Display at NRA World Shooting Championship

ARC Level One and Two-Gun stages at the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship highlighted practical AR skills, competitive efficiency and the program’s nationwide training mission.

New: Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+

Stoeger’s STR-9 Thinline+ keeps a one-inch profile while adding a ported barrel, optic support and 19+1-round capacity.

Kayle Browning Opens 2026 With Trap Gold in Abu Dhabi

Federal’s sponsored shooter Kayle Browning delivered a flawless final to win women’s trap gold as U.S. shooters posted multiple podium finishes in Abu Dhabi.

Collegiate Rifle: History Made in Lexington

No.1-ranked Kentucky breaks national aggregate record in collegiate rifle as Akron’s Kimball and Siek deliver standout performances in tough battle.

Lyman Launches Sonicore Suppressor Lineup Priced Under $300

Lyman’s new Sonicore suppressor family adapts a long-running European design for U.S. production, offering modular, lightweight cans at low prices.



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.