NRA Launches 2017 World Shooting Championship

The 2017 NRA World Shooting Championship kicks off on Sept. 14 at the Peacemaker National Training Center located in Glengary, WV and runs until Sept. 16, when the undisputed world champion is crowned.

"Peacemaker National Training Center will once again host the greatest shooters in the world for the ultimate challenge in the shooting sports," said Cole McCulloch, director of NRA Competitive Shooting and founder of the championship. "This year the NRA is going back to basics and returning the match to the original format of two divisions for professionals and amateurs, putting everyone on an even playing field."

The World Shooting Championship is sponsored by Kimber and features two groups of shooters that compete in a comprehensive test of their shooting skills through 12 different stages using pistols, rifles, shotgun and combined arms. The groups are divided among professional, sponsored shooters and amateur shooters. Each group shoots the competition stages with firearms, optics and ammunition provided by event sponsors, so results come down to individual skill more than equipment setup.

Up for grabs is $250,000 worth of cash and prizes. First place winners receive the title of 2017 World Shooting Champion, along with a cash prize of $25,000. Second and third-place winners also receive cash prizes, as well as High Lady and High Amateur Junior winners. Competitors who don't place in the top slots won't go home empty, though. A full prize table is available to all shooters, including an amateur-designated prize table that has more than $100,000 worth of gear for shooters to take home.

The overall championships are presented by Kimber, while a number of Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors also help to put on the event, including companies like Nightforce Optics, Daniel Defense, Smith & Wesson, Walther Arms, Leupold, Timney Triggers, Bushnell, Mossberg, Ruger, Aguila Ammunition and SIG Sauer.