Berger Team member, Justin Skaret brought home a second place finish this past week at the 2026 Southwest Nationals in the long-range sling division.
The 2026 Southwest Nationals returned to Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, AZ, from February 11–15. Hosted by the Desert Sharpshooters Rifle Club, this year’s “must-attend” event saw a sell-out crowd of elite marksmen from 10+ countries competing in F-Open, F-TR, and Sling disciplines.
Skaret credited his success to a specific load combination: Berger 153.5gr LR Hybrid Target bullets paired with Vihtavuori N160 powder and Lapua 260 Remington cases. He noted that this setup was essential for managing “tricky winds” encountered during the Saturday and Sunday sessions.
Skaret’s match scores were as follows:
- Palma Ind – 446-28X
- Any Iron – 199-8X
- Any Iron – 199-9X – Winner
- Iron Agg – 398-17X – Winner
- Any Any – 198-14X
- Any Any – 196-6X
- Any Agg – 394-20X
- 1000 Agg – 792-37X
- Grand Agg – 1238-65X – 2nd Place