Mitchell Fitzpatrick, a talented shooter from Applied Ballistics, won the 2023 Nightforce Extreme Long Range Steel Challenge in Wyoming on June 16th. The Nightforce ELR match took place June 9-11 at the Tillard55 Ranch in Glenrock Wyoming. During the three day match, competitors shot 20 stages with targets ranging from 725 yards up to 2125 yards. Individuals and teams were both awarded.Francis Colon, a member of Team Vihtavuori, finished third overall. He stated: “Not every challenge is created equal. In this case there was a need for extra help at the last minute to run the Applied Ballistics LLC Mobile Lab during the Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge. I usually have months to prepare a rifle, barrels and ammo before a match. In this case, however, I only had a week-and-a half to build a new Barrett MRAD in.300 Norma Magnum, break it in, and start learning how to shoot it. “Colon explained that he was “out of his element” with an average target distance over 1200 yards and winds of 10-25 mph. The AB solver in my Kestrel5700 continued to assist me with solid solutions at all distances. The result — finishing third out of over 280 shooters, [with] my buddy Mitchell Fitzpatrick taking first overall — is truly incredible and humbling. “Colon noted: “The nerve-racking insecurity of maintaining first round impact on 1.5-2MOA target at distances between 800 and 2200+ yards is difficult to describe. It was thrilling and rewarding. Thank you Nightforce Optics, Barrett…and thank you SIG SAUER with the Sig Kilo 10K rangefinding binos! “Colon said that after the match he had less than a month and a half to get a brand new rifle, break in the barrel, and learn how to shoot the.300 Norma Magnum with its heavy recoil. I used Berger.30 Cal Hybrids and Lapua.300 NM Brass powered by Vihtavuori N565 in order to create a high-performance, consistent load. It worked exactly as expected. It was important that my powder and projectile were as consistent as possible, with an average target distance of more than 1200 yards and winds between 10-25 mph. This would help me make better wind calls. This was my first ELR and first time shooting the rifle beyond 100 yards. To achieve this level of performance with these hurdles to overcome, is testament to Vihtavuori’s, Lapua’s, and Berger’s products working together to produce an incredible system”, stated Colon, a top-ranked Precision Rifle Series shooter.
Tags: Applied Ballistics, Mitchell Fitzpatrick, Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge, Vihtavuori Powder, Wyoming ELR match
