Remembering The 2009 National High Power Long Range Championship

by
posted on January 10, 2019
** 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. **
1-2009-lr.jpg
From the vault: coverage of the 2009 NRA High Power Long Range Nationals, as published in the October, 2009 issue of Shooting Sports USA.

In addition to a consistent sight picture, reading the mirage to calculate shifting wind and a perfectly still trigger release, long-range “artillery” shooters require precision ammunition. The artillery reference is appropriate because of the approximate 12-foot-high maximum ordinate of the bullet trajectory from the 1000-yard line.

Army SPC Sherri Gallagher mastered all of the above as the 2009 National Long Range Champion. In the photo at the top of this article, Sherri congratulates second-place winner John Whidden, who won in 2007 and 2008.

If you recognize the Gallagher name, Sherri is already a world champion Palma shooter. Her mother—Nancy Tompkins-Gallagher, is a three-time long range champion (among many other awards) who competed with the 2009 Roberts Team in England during the National Matches. Older sister Michelle is also a three-time national long range champion (as well as other awards), and their step-father—Middleton ”Mid” Tompkins won the 2009 Long Range High Grand Senior title. As you might suspect, Mid also has a lifetime collection of first-place awards.

A total of 278 shooters competed in the long range matches, which were fired over three days immediately following the high power “across-the-course” championship.

While most long range shooters use a match rifle for the better optics, longer barrels and larger calibers (like the 6mm Sherri uses), many shooters enjoy firing their AR15 (in .223 caliber) or AR10 (in .308 caliber) service rifle and are just as competitive.

2009 NRA National High Power Long Range Championship Leaderboard
2009 NRA National High Power Long Range Championship results

Latest

Mullers ARC July2025 1
Mullers ARC July2025 1

NRA Announces Dianna & Ryan Muller As Brand Ambassadors For America’s Rifle Challenge

NRA announces Dianna & Ryan Muller as brand ambassadors for America’s Rifle Challenge program, promoting AR-15 marksmanship, safety and training.

Eley’s New Trial Packs Let Competition Shooters Find Their Perfect Rimfire Match Ammo

Eley launches trial ammo packs to help shooters test and match precision .22 LR rounds to their firearms.

Ava Downs Captures Junior Olympic Trap Title On Home Turf

Hillsdale’s Ava Downs takes gold in women’s trap at the 2025 USA Shooting Junior Olympic Championships hosted at the Halter Center.

Brandon Powell Claims 8th Georgia State Sporting Clays Title

Brandon Powell wins his eighth Georgia State Sporting Clays Championship, continuing his dominance with multiple top finishes at the 2025 tournament.

Vincent Hancock Claims 30th ISSF Medal As Team USA Dominates 2025 Lonato World Cup

Team USA shines at 2025 ISSF Lonato World Cup with golds from Vincent Hancock and Sam Simonton, plus silver for Dania Vizzi.

Jon Shue Clinches Third Straight NRA National Precision Pistol Championship Title

Shue continues his dominant streak in bullseye pistol shooting after 2025 NRA National Precision Pistol Championship victory.

Interests



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