This is 1 of the biggest long-distance shooting competitions in Europe. About 400 people from respective countries participated in the Long scope Polish Championships, among them soldiers. Our shooters are at the world's forefront. They have the possible to triumph next year at the planet championships, says cf. Michał Oleksiuk of the 16th Division, co-organizer of the Long Range.
The competition was held at a training ground in Orish. This is yet another edition of the event organized by soldiers of the 16th Mechanized Division (mainly the 15th Giżycka Mechanized Brigade) and the 1st Infantry Legions Division, and by the Foundation and firearm Club “Army”. To accomplish the best results, the players had to show to the good eye and the ability to measure weather conditions well and, of course, to have good equipment. The shooters competed in 10 classes depending on the weapon they used.
From Remington to Magnum
The standard class included, inter alia, 223, 5,56×45 mm or 7.62×53R central ignition rifles, the weight of which does not exceed 12 kg with a telescope, two-legged and another fittings. In the mill classes, the standard and military standard were launched by gunmen whose weapons were not modified in any way. In these classes, the organizer allowed the usage of rifles specified as Remington 700, Mossberg MVP Precision, Sako S20 Precision, Savage 110 Elite, Mauser M18 Long Range, Howa 1500 Varmint and respective twelve others.
In the open class, the weapon holders with a calibre of up to 8 mm competed, while in semi-auto, self-repeated central ignition rifles were utilized in the calibre from .223 to .338 in which ammunition had to be shipped from the magazine and loaded automatically. The magnum/military magnum classes required the possession of a central ignition firearm for bullets from the organizer list (among others 50 BMG, 338 Lapua Magnum, 338 Winchester Magnum, etc.).
Also historical shooters who competed in a separate category, with the usage of military central ignition rifles before 1954 (about the caliber from .222 to .50). The weapon had to happen only in the mill configuration. During the competition, you could besides face the class 22 LR (sports weapon) and King of Tank. As part of the second competition, which debuted at the Orzysz Championships last year, it was possible to fire any .222 to .50 caliber firearm together with an observer equipped with a rangefinder and an reflection telescope.
It was easier already.
The targets in the individual categories ranged from 100 metres (22 LR, historical rifle) to over 2200 m (King of Tank). This year, the organizers prepared a somewhat changed expression for competitors in the standard, open and semi-auto category. In erstwhile competitions, the competition began at a distance of 300 mThis time, the first targets were 600 m away. – This change has been dictated by the planet trend to rise the bar at competitions. This is the case in Britain, the USA or Africa. In Poland we have excellent shooters, so we do everything we can to exploit their possible and enable further improvement – says cf. Michał Oleksiuk from the 16th Mechanized Division, co-organizer of the Long scope Polish Championship.
The thought appealed to the players. – In Poland there are many 300-meter shooting stations, but civilians seldom have the chance to shoot at a distance of more than 600 m. That is why this fresh expression of the competition is very favorable and allows to rise the overall level of competition – says Prof. Mateusz Kieda from the 15th Giżycka Komchanizeda Brigade, who won 8th place in the magnum military class this year.
The Long scope ’25 attracted 400 players from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany and the Czech Republic, 3 times more civilians than soldiers. – This year we accepted almost 100 participants from all military units in the country. The consequence was so large that we didn't have adequate space in the military classes to get everybody to shoot. So we had to do a selection earlier. There were even 4 soldiers coming from different units – explains Lt. Olesiuk.
The officer admits that the interest in the profession grows year by year. Like their level, as the results show. – Nearly 75 percent of the people who come to us were the participants of the competition, who are with us from the beginning. They are actual enthusiasts, devoted time and sometimes household life to make in this sport. The remainder of the runners come and go, but all year we have about 20 fresh participants, which we are very pleased with – says Lieutenant Oleksiuk. He besides points out that according to the registry of the Polish Sports Shooting Association in Poland there are about 2,000 civilians engaged in long-distance shooting. “There are besides soldiers who are not missing,” noted the lieutenant.
They measurement the planet podium
The organizer of the Long scope Polish Championship does not hide that 1 of the goals of this year's competition was to prepare the best players for the planet championship in long-distance shooting, which will take place next year in the UK. – Poles are in the world's top position alongside Americans, Russians and Canadians. We have the possible to win the nearest championship, so we request to prepare and train decently – says the officer.
Col. Piotr Semi-brother of 1st Legion Infantry DivisionThat co-organizes the Long Range. “We would like the European Championship to be held at the Orzysz camp outside the Polish global championship. The global top players who see that we have experience in preparing specified projects are already coming to our competition. If only the applicable organisations agree to hold the European Championship in Poland, then the 1st Legion Infantry Division and the 16th Mechanized Division will support this project, says the Colonel.
Soldiers admit that specified competitions are not only a form of sports shooting promotion, but besides an chance to rise combat skills. – This is simply a tangible benefit for the army, due to the fact that our soldiers gain cognition that no ground will give them. It's about exchanging experience with civilian shooters. These are the players who have been driving the planet for 10–15 years and facing the best. The cognition that they can share even in a short but direct conversation is priceless for us – says Colonel Semi-brother.
Polish Long scope 2025 champions in individual classes:
Standard – Krzysztof Łoś (Sagittarius Club “Wilk” Trzebnica)
Factory standard – Sławomir Kopyś (AZS Politechnika Świętokrzyska)
Military standard – David Philipp (MON)
Open – Jacek Jakubiec
Semi-auto – Remigius Balinski (Saggita Defence Academy)
Magnum – Adam Dadaczyński (War Sports Club "Grunwald" Poznań)
Military magnum – Stanisław Krupka (9th Łódź Territorial Defence Brigade)
Historical firearm – Rafał Ciechowski (Sagittarius Club “9mm”)
22 LR – Maciej Lipka (Legion Sports Association)
