Sedalia, Mo – Team Berger’s Larry Bartholome showcased his world-class shooting prowess by winning the 2025 Western Wildcat Smallbore F-Class Championship. The event, held at the renowned Ben Avery Shooting Complex from March 19–23 and hosted by the Desert Sharpshooters Rifle Club, brought together the nation’s top smallbore shooters in a grueling four-day competition.

Bartholome secured his victory with a grand aggregate score of 6363 and an impressive 434 X’s, maintaining remarkable consistency throughout the match. His triumph comes on the heels of a strong third-place finish at the NRA Metric Prone National Championship, further cementing his reputation as one of the finest F-Class shooters in the world. “The Western Wildcat is one of the most challenging smallbore matches in the country, and I knew I had to bring my absolute best,” said Bartholome. “Thank you to the Lapua group for producing such great .22 ammo. I couldn’t have won without it. The Lapua X-ACT I shot was outstanding.”

Bartholome’s victory at the Western Wildcat highlights not only his personal dedication and skill but also the critical role of precision equipment and top-tier ammunition in elite-level competition. His latest achievement adds to his already distinguished career and reinforces his status as one of the premier shooters in the F-Class discipline.

Bartholome prepared for the competition by having his rifle lot tested at the Mesa, Arizona, Lapua Rimfire Performance Center. This meticulous process ensures optimal ammunition performance by testing unique lots at both 50 and 100 meters to identify the best match for a shooter’s rifle. Lapua’s Rimfire Performance Centers, located in Mesa, AZ, and Marengo, OH, provide this same service to all competitive shooters seeking an edge in their performance. Appointments can be scheduled for those looking to refine their ammunition selection and enhance their match readiness.

About Berger
Berger manufactures precision projectiles and match-grade ammunition for Target, Hunting and Tactical applications in Mesa, AZ. Berger is part of the Capstone Precision Group, the exclusive U.S. distributor for Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori and SK-Rimfire products. For more information, visit Bergerbullets.com.