NRA World Shooting Championship Awaits SSSF’s Top Gun Athletes

Six elite youth shooters earn free entry to NRA World Shooting Championship following stellar performances at SSSF Nationals, courtesy of Federal Ammunition

by
posted on September 9, 2025
** 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. **
SSSF WSC2025 1
Six of SSSF’s finest prepare to take on the best of the best at Camp Atterbury in September for the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship.
Photo courtesy SSSF

The road from Ohio to Indiana just got paved with opportunity—and a lot of up-and-coming talent.

This summer at the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation National Championship, SSSF hosted its annual Top Gun Challenge, where multi-discipline youth shooters squared off for prizes, prestige and a potential shot at something bigger. Now, six of those standout competitors are packing their bags for the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, running September 30 to October 4.

SSSF Nationals
At the 2025 SCTP and SASP Nationals, athletes competed in Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, Iron Sight Pistol, Rifle and 1911 disciplines, with their scores from each event being compiled to calculate the Top Gun Challenge winners. Between the SSSF’s clay target and action shooting programs, 39 states were represented at the 2025 Nationals. (Photo courtesy SSSF)

 

Thanks to a partnership with Federal Ammunition, the SSSF is covering all NRA World Shooting Championship entry fees for the top six scorers in this year’s Top Gun Challenge. These young marksmen and markswomen will compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages, where every firearm, round of ammo and piece of gear is supplied.

At the 2025 SCTP and SASP Nationals (SSSF National Championships), athletes showcased skills in everything from Trap and Skeet to Iron Sight Pistol, 1911, Rifle, and more. Their combined performances across multiple shooting disciplines earned them a place among the best of the best.

The NRA World Shooting Championship format will test that versatility even further. With events spanning pistol, rifle, shotgun, and mixed-discipline shooting, the competition culminates in crowning one shooter the undisputed World Shooting Champion.

Set to take place at Camp Atterbury, the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship will push competitors to the limit across 12 challenging stages that span a broad spectrum of shooting disciplines. Divided into Professional and Amateur divisions, athletes will vie for more than $250,000 in prizes during three action-packed days on the range. Thanks to support from Walther and other event sponsors, all necessary firearms, ammunition and equipment will be supplied to competitors. The event opens with a mandatory shooter meeting on September 30, followed by official competition from October 1-3. A special team event and the awards ceremony will close out the championship on October 4.

Father and son Brian and Cole Shanholtz took home the overall championship and High Junior titles, respectively, at last year’s NRA World Shooting Championship.

“We cannot thank Federal Premium Ammunition enough for their support to give our athletes this great opportunity,” said Rick Leach, SSSF president and executive director. “We look forward to seeing what these young athletes can do at the NRA World Shooting Championship. They have already proven themselves at our own National Championship with some very impressive scores in many different shooting sports.”

The stage is set. Indiana awaits.

Find out more about the NRA World Shooting Championship, SSSF and Federal Ammunition.

Latest

NF ATACR 7 35 C661 4
NF ATACR 7 35 C661 4

Review: Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56 mm F1 Riflescope

An in-depth review of the Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56 mm F1, highlighting its rugged build, Mil-XT reticle, premium glass and performance in competition and long-range shooting.

Defining NRA Championship Moments: 1987 National Matches

Tight finishes and standout performances defined the 1987 National Matches, as nearly 5,000 competitors tested skill and endurance at Camp Perry.

Range USA: Redefining the Indoor Gun Range Experience

In 2025, Range USA opened its 50th location in Chester, Va., showing how a customer-first approach turned a single indoor gun range into a nationwide phenomenon.

New: Beretta 694 Black DLC

Beretta updates its popular 694 sporting shotgun with a black DLC finish, refined ergonomics and competition-driven tweaks aimed at consistency and durability.

What’s In Your Range Bag, Amanda Pettersen?

Amanda Pettersen, Alaska-Fairbanks rifle standout and Norwegian national team member, reveals her competition gear, achievements and advice for new shooters.

NRA Introduces Three New F-Class Competition Categories for 2026

The NRA adds three new F-Class categories—F-Production, F-Precision/Any Rifle and F-Limited—to expand participation and modernize competition without altering traditional divisions.

Interests



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