June 2nd, 2026
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James Crofts of Team Berger has been crowned the 2026 F-TR Vihtavuori V2 Series Champion following an outstanding performance in Raton, New Mexico. Held May 13–16 at the NRA Whittington Center, the Vihtavuori V2 Finale is an invitation-only, long-range championship. The 3-day event features two, 32-shooter brackets in both F-TR and F-Open disciplines. Competitors earn their place in Ratopn by participating in F-Class Points Series qualifying matches, accumulating points based on their finishes. The top 32 shooters in each division advance to the Finale, where they compete in a double-elimination bracket to determine the champion.
Crofts competed in the F-Class Target Rifle (F-TR) category, which has strict equipment requirements. Rifles must weigh no more than 18 pounds, and competitors are limited to standard .308/7.62 NATO or .223/5.56 NATO chambers with no modifications. Crofts loads his .308 Win match ammo with Vihtavuori N150 powder in Lapua .308 Winchester Palma brass. His bullet choice is the Berger 208gr Long Range Hybrid Target, with a 0.689 G1 BC and 0.354 G7 BC.
“With the continued use and support of Berger and their components, I had 100% confidence in my ammunition,” said Crofts. “I knew if I missed or had a bad shot, it wasn’t the ammo — it was the conditions. Berger bullets, Lapua brass, and Vihtavuori powder are hands down the best.”
Berger congratulates James Crofts on his impressive V2 Series win at Raton, NM. What’s next? James will compete with Team USA this fall at the 2026 F-Class World Championships in Bisley, England.
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Tags: F-TR Championship, James Crofts, Team USA, Vihtavuori V2 Match
