2015 Berger Southwest Long-Range Nationals —and Mid Tompkins gets a Range

by
posted on June 22, 2015
** 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. **
berger.jpg
null
null
Every February for the past six years, Berger Bullets, along with the Desert Sharpshooters Rifle Club has hosted a long-range rifle championship. Held at the Ben Avery shooting facility just north of Phoenix, Arizona, it is different in many aspects—mostly the prize table. A total of $120,000 in giveaways and prizes were handed out in three divisions—Sling, F-Open, and F-TR. Over 350 competitors attended this year, each shooter firing 15 shots at 800, 900 and 1000 yards.

This year during the championship, the 1000-yard range at Ben Avery was renamed the Middleton “Mid” Thompkins Range. As part of the dedication, the new Berger Bullets range building and new parking lot sponsored by NightForce Optics were opened.

The Palma matches marked the beginning of the individual aggregate championship. The F-TR winner was the 2013 National Champion Derek Rodgers, with an outstanding score of 1234-50X.

null
null
In the F-Open division, Charles Ballard from North Carolina coached 3rd Generation Shooting to the daily win, with a 1765-72X team score. Team Berger placed 2nd, just seven points back with Lapua/Brux and Spindle Shooters 3rd and 4th nine points back with Lapua/Brux ahead on X's.

On the F-TR end of the range, Bryan Litz line coached Michigan Rifle Team F-TR to their win. Team Irregulars, captained by Wade Fillingame, finished in 2nd. Third place went to U.S. F-TR Team Blue, coached by Jim Crofts.

When all the F-Open score sheets were tallied, the Spindle Shooters received bronze, Lapua/Brux was awarded silver, and the F-Open Team Champions and gold medal winners were none other than Third Generation Shooting.

The highlight of the match, and perhaps even the week—were the team championships. The course of fire is 20 shots at 1000 yards. The Sling team match winner was Team Phoenix. Second went to U.S. National Tompkins and 3rd was Two Worlds, coached by Lindsay Peden.

At the same time Nancy Tompkins’ team, U.S. National Tompkins, was sending X's down range, the F-TR teams were doing their best to do the same. In the end, the 1000-yard match gold was won by U.S. F-TR Team Blue, 2nd place went to The Irregulars and in 3rd came the Quad Shots. The Quad Shots did not shoot the Palma match, so they were excluded from the team aggregate.

null
Berger Bullets and NightForce made a $420,000 donation to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
In F-Open, Charles Ballard and his team Third Generation Shooting took 3rd place in the 1000-yard match. Second place was awarded to Michelle Gallagher's team, the Spindle Shooters. Winning the 1000 yard match was Lapua/Brux, coached by Erik Cortina.

The Team Championship is determined by adding the Palma match score and 1000-yard scores, for a total possible score of 2600-260X. In the Sling division, bronze went to Team Challenger, silver to Team Phoenix and the champions were U.S. National Tompkins!

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Sling—Team Aggregate
1st U.S. National Tompkins 2563-127X
2nd Team Phoenix 2560-122X
3rd Team Challenger 2555-112X

F-Open—Team Aggregate
1st Third Generation Shooting 2551-100X
2nd Lapua/Brux 2544-108X
3rd Spindle Shooters 2544-90X

F-TR—Team Aggregate
1st U.S. F-TR Team Blue 2513-67X
2nd The Irregulars 2510-75X
3rd Michigan Rifle Team F-TR 2498-60X

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Sling—Individual Aggregate
1st Trudie Fay 1242-64X
2nd Bryan Litz 1238-66X
3rd John Whidden 1237-76X

F-Open—Individual Aggregate
1st Bob Sebold 1236-63X
2nd Christine Harris 1235-45X
3rd Dan Bramley 1230-54X

F-TR—Individual Aggregate
1st Derek Rodgers 1234-56X
2nd Scott Harris 1220-46X
3rd Matt Schartzkopf 1216-38X

Photos by Berger Bullets

Latest

2025 Usashooting Pistolnationals 1A
2025 Usashooting Pistolnationals 1A

Klemp, Tobar Win Big At 2025 USA Shooting Pistol Nationals

Marcus Klemp and Nathalia Tobar emerged as champions in the men’s and women’s 10m air pistol events at the 2025 USA Shooting National Championships in Anniston, Ala.

Review: Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber

Precision meets speed: Ruger’s 10/22 Carbon Fiber raises the bar for rimfire competition, especially Steel Challenge.

Winstead-Severin Outlasts Field To Win 2025 Iron Man Silhouette Championship In Montana

Cathy Winstead-Severin clinches 2025 Iron Man Silhouette Regional Championship in Missoula, Montana, showcasing elite endurance and precision over two grueling days of competition.

A New Generation Rises At Close Of 1970s: 1979 National Matches

New champions emerge as legends endure in a defining year at Camp Perry.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge Takes Center Stage On Shooting USA

Shooting USA heads to Camp Atterbury for a deep dive into the NRA’s latest action shooting format, designed for both new and seasoned AR-15 competitors.

Springfield Armory 1911 AOS Series Showdown

Springfield Armory’s modern 1911s—TRP AOS, Ronin AOS and Operator AOS—go head-to-head in a 1911 AOS series showdown.

Interests



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