Lapua Renews Partnership as Official Ammunition Supplier for U.S. Biathlon
Lapua, a global leader in premium rimfire ammunition for competitive shooting, is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with U.S. Biathlon as the organization’s official ammunition supplier. Based in Midway, Utah U.S. Biathlon was founded in 1980 and has partnered with Lapua for many years in support of athlete performance at the highest […]
Lapua, a global leader in premium rimfire ammunition for competitive shooting, is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with U.S. Biathlon as the organization’s official ammunition supplier. Based in Midway, Utah U.S. Biathlon was founded in 1980 and has partnered with Lapua for many years in support of athlete performance at the highest level.
Biathlon is a unique winter sport that combines the physical demands of cross-country skiing with the precision of rifle marksmanship. Athletes compete while carrying a smallbore .22 LR rifle that must meet a minimum weight requirement of 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs). During competition, athletes engage five targets at a distance of 50 meters (55 yards), firing five rounds from either the prone or standing position, where accuracy and consistency are critical.
“U.S. Biathlon is proud to continue our partnership with Lapua as our official ammunition supplier for the upcoming quadrennial,” said Tim Burke, Director of Athlete Development for U.S. Biathlon. “In a sport where medals are decided by seconds and centimeters, having absolute confidence in our equipment is essential. Lapua provides that confidence, and we look forward to another Olympic cycle with our athletes competing with the world’s best ammunition.”
“We are honored to continue our partnership with the U.S. Biathlon Team,” said Adam Braverman, Vice President of Marketing at Lapua. “Supporting athletes who demand absolute performance aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence and precision.”
For additional information on the US Biathlon Team, visit usbiathlon.org.
Team Lapua’s Justin Utley Earns Third Place at 2026 Oklahoma Prone Masters Challenge
Team Lapua’s Justin Utley captured third place at the 2026 Oklahoma Prone Masters Challenge, held April 17–19 at the Oklahoma City Gun Club in Arcadia, OK. The two-day 1,000-yard prone match challenged competitors with demanding weather conditions. On Saturday, shooters battled extreme wind and cold temperatures while firing three 20 shot strings. Sunday brought significantly […]
Team Lapua’s Justin Utley captured third place at the 2026 Oklahoma Prone Masters Challenge, held April 17–19 at the Oklahoma City Gun Club in Arcadia, OK.
The two-day 1,000-yard prone match challenged competitors with demanding weather conditions. On Saturday, shooters battled extreme wind and cold temperatures while firing three 20 shot strings. Sunday brought significantly calmer conditions for the final two 20 shot strings, allowing many competitors to improve scores.
Utley competed with his .308 Palma rifle, shooting Berger 155.5 Grain Fullbore Target Rifle Bullets, Lapua 308 Win Palma brass, and Vihtavuori N150 powder. This proven combination delivered exceptional precision and consistency throughout the match.
Saturday Scores: • 185 2X • 179 3X • 185 3X
Sunday Scores: • 198 11X • 199 9X
“I am very happy with the performance of the rifle and ammo combination,” Utley said. “These components just flat-out perform.”
Utley’s next competition will be the Texas State Rifle Association Service Rifle Championships, scheduled for May 15–17, 2026.
Lapua Ballistics App has just received an update designed to smarter customization, expanded language support, and improved feedback tools. The 2026 update brings a set of thoughtful improvements designed to make the app even more intuitive, flexible, and user‑friendly. Whether you use the app for detailed trajectory modeling or simply want the most accurate 6DOF‑based […]
Lapua Ballistics App has just received an update designed to smarter customization, expanded language support, and improved feedback tools. The 2026 update brings a set of thoughtful improvements designed to make the app even more intuitive, flexible, and user‑friendly. Whether you use the app for detailed trajectory modeling or simply want the most accurate 6DOF‑based calculations available, this update enhances the experience in meaningful ways.
New app features
Twist rate direction
Users can now define twist rate direction in two ways:
By tapping the new directional icon, which visually indicates clockwise (right‑hand) or counter‑clockwise (left‑hand) twist
Or by entering a positive or negative value, just like before
This dual‑input approach makes the setup process smoother and more accessible, especially for users who prefer visual controls.
Twist rate minimum value
The minimum twist rate value has been updated from ±5 to ±3, offering more flexibility when configuring custom setups. This enhancement supports a wider range of modeling scenarios and gives users more control over their data inputs.
Swedish language support added
The Lapua Ballistics App is now available in Swedish, expanding the app’s support to nine languages. Users can select Swedish under:
Menu → Set units / Settings
This addition strengthens accessibility for Nordic users and continues the app’s commitment to broad international support.
Enhanced feedback channel for better support
The feedback system has been upgraded to help streamline troubleshooting and customer service. When sending feedback through the app, the following optional information is now automatically included at the end of the email:
App software version
Device type
Operating system
Country
Language variant
Users remain fully in control — this information can be removed before sending if preferred. The feedback channel is located under:
Menu → Send feedback
Download the Lapua Ballistics App
The Lapua Ballistics App is available free of charge for both major mobile platforms, Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Simply search for “Lapua Ballistics” in your device’s app store to install the latest version.
Lapua is proud to support the 6th LAPUA 300m Denmark Open, hosted at the Aarhus Skydebane in Harlev, Denmark. This annual event has become a highlight for 300‑meter shooters across Europe, bringing together dedicated athletes for a full season of precision‑driven competition. The tournament features eight competition days throughout spring and summer 2026, with two […]
Lapua is proud to support the 6th LAPUA 300m Denmark Open, hosted at the Aarhus Skydebane in Harlev, Denmark. This annual event has become a highlight for 300‑meter shooters across Europe, bringing together dedicated athletes for a full season of precision‑driven competition.
The tournament features eight competition days throughout spring and summer 2026, with two disciplines on the program: 60‑shot prone and 3×20. All shooters compete in open classes, while juniors have their own open junior categories. Double matches are available every competition day, giving participants the chance to maximize their performance and ranking.
2026 Competition dates
Day 1: Saturday, 18 April (Week 16)
Day 2: Saturday, 23 May (Week 21)
Day 3: Saturday, 20 June (Week 25)
Day 4: Saturday, 4 July (Week 27)
Day 5: Saturday, 1 August (Week 31)
Day 6–7: Saturday–Sunday, 8–9 August (Week 33)
Day 8: Saturday, 22 August (Week 34)
Across the season, shooters will compete for both honor and attractive prizes. Senior and junior categories each award monetary prizes based on the four best average results in each discipline. In addition, every match earns a ticket for the Lapua lottery draw, with up to two tickets per shooter per day.
Ammunition will be available on‑site, including 6 mm BR and 6.5×55 SE, with special junior discounts.
The event follows ISSF rules, with the exception of open classes and combined match formats. Aarhus Skydebane offers 20 SIUS electronic targets, ensuring a high‑quality competition environment for all participants.
We look forward to welcoming shooters, clubs, and supporters to Aarhus for a season of precision, passion, and top‑level 300 meter sport.
Nancy Tompkins Sets Multiple National Records with Lapua Rimfire
Team Lapua athlete Nancy Tompkins delivered an outstanding performance during the 2026 March Madness smallbore series, earning top finishes and setting multiple national records at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The annual March Madness series is a collection of premier smallbore competitions held each spring and attracts top shooters from across the […]
Team Lapua athlete Nancy Tompkins delivered an outstanding performance during the 2026 March Madness smallbore series, earning top finishes and setting multiple national records at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
The annual March Madness series is a collection of premier smallbore competitions held each spring and attracts top shooters from across the country. The series opened March 7–8 with the 2026 Roadrunner Conventional Prone Regional, where Tompkins captured first place competing in the smallbore F Class discipline.
The second event, the 2026 Metric Smallbore Nationals, followed on March 14–15. Competing against shooters from across the United States, Tompkins placed fourth overall and set three new women’s national records, including:
120 shot F Class smallbore daily aggregate
A score of 240, establishing a new Smallbore F Class National Championship Aggregate
The series concluded with the 67th Western Wildcat, held March 18–22, where Tompkins earned second place overall. During the event, she set five additional national records, four of which came from the 2 Man Dewar Team event with teammate Michele Medige. Together, the duo set new Open, Civilian, and Women’s records, while also breaking the Senior record. In addition, Tompkins fired a 640 F Class score to set the Double Dewar Women’s Record.
Tompkins competes using Lapua Midas+ rimfire ammunition, lot tested at the Lapua Rimfire Performance Center in Mesa, AZ.
“It is always a joy to shoot Lapua ammunition – it is extremely accurate and reliable,” said Tompkins. “I love shooting small groups.”
Lapua’s Rimfire Performance Center offers .22LR ammunition testing, matching specific lots to a competitor’s rifle. Testing at 50 and 100 meters simultaneously, allows shooters to identify the highest performing ammunition providing a competitive edge. Schedule your testing at either the Mesa, AZ or Marengo, OH location.
Lapua’s Ryan Sponauer Finishes 2nd in AZ Smallbore Championship
Congratulations to Team Lapua’s Ryan Sponauer for his 2nd Place finish at the AZ State Smallbore Prone Championship this past weekend at Ben Avery Shooting Complex in Phoenix, AZ. Sponauer is the Test Center Specialist for the Lapua Rimfire Performance Center just a few miles away in Mesa, Arizona. The AZ State Smallbore Prone Championship […]
Congratulations to Team Lapua’s Ryan Sponauer for his 2nd Place finish at the AZ State Smallbore Prone Championship this past weekend at Ben Avery Shooting Complex in Phoenix, AZ. Sponauer is the Test Center Specialist for the Lapua Rimfire Performance Center just a few miles away in Mesa, Arizona.
The AZ State Smallbore Prone Championship was hosted by Desert Sharpshooters Rifle Club this past Saturday, January 10th and featured 160 rounds fired at 50 and 100 yards. Competitors shared that the weather was very uncharacteristic for the Grand Canyon State, cutting the two-day match down to one day. Cooler temperatures and winds gusting to 30-mph created some challenging conditions.
Sponauer shared, “The challenging weather with shifting and gusting winds made for an interesting weekend. Through our lot testing procedures, I was able to identify an excellent performing lot of Lapua Midas+ ammunition which clearly provided an advantage in the adverse conditions.”
Lapua Service and Rimfire Performance Centers
Find the perfect rimfire ammunition to match your firearm.
Competitors interested in testing Lapua Rimfire Ammunition should contact the Lapua Rimfire Performance Center and ask for Ryan at @ 480-898-2731, or email rimfiretest@capstonepg.com today to schedule a visit to our Ohio or Arizona test facilities. Beyond the United States, Lapua provides elite, world-class rimfire testing opportunities through its international network of Service Centers. Shooters can access professional-grade .22 LR test shooting in Schönebeck, Germany; Konnevesi, Finland; and Røyken, Norway – trusted by Olympic athletes, world champions, and top competitive shooters worldwide.
Blog: Endre László’s Secrets to Championship Shooting
Meet Lapua’s sponsored shooter Endre László, one of Hungary’s most decorated practical shooters and a true master of precision under pressure. Over the past five years, Endre has dominated the Steel Challenge Hungarian National Titles in Rimfire pistol divisions, won four Central European Open titles, and captured national championships in PCC Steel Challenge and IPSC […]
Meet Lapua’s sponsored shooter Endre László, one of Hungary’s most decorated practical shooters and a true master of precision under pressure. Over the past five years, Endre has dominated the Steel Challenge Hungarian National Titles in Rimfire pistol divisions, won four Central European Open titles, and captured national championships in PCC Steel Challenge and IPSC Production Optics. On the European stage, he’s an eight-time European Steel Challenge Champion – six times in Rimfire Pistol Iron Sight and twice in Rimfire Pistol Open – and a 23-time Hungarian and two-time German National Champion. Endre’s accomplishments reflect not only technical skill but an unwavering mental focus, making him a perfect example of what it takes to perform at the highest level.
In shooting sports, we often talk about the right equipment, the right ammunition, and the perfect stage plan – but in my experience, what separates good shooters from great champions is the mental game.
Over the years, I’ve learned that mental preparation is just as important as physical training. You can have the best gear and thousands of rounds behind you, but if your mindset isn’t right, you’ll never perform at your true potential.
Here are three key principles that helped me stay calm, focused, and consistent – from local matches all the way to the European Championship podium.
Confidence Comes from Preparation
Confidence isn’t something you can fake. It’s built, not borrowed.
The only way to truly believe in yourself on match day is to know – deep down – that you’ve done the work. When I step onto the line, I want to be able to say to myself: “I couldn’t have prepared better than this.” That thought alone removes doubt and brings calm. The more structured, consistent, and purposeful your training is, the more confidence you’ll feel under pressure.
For me, every training session has a clear goal, and I rely on my Lapua ammunition to keep my results consistent. Knowing that my gear performs flawlessly allows me to fully trust myself.
“You can have the best gear and thousands of rounds behind you, but if your mindset isn’t right, you’ll never perform at your true potential.”
Focus Only on the Task at Hand
Our minds can only focus on one thing at a time – and that’s both a strength and a weakness.
If you let your thoughts drift to who’s watching, how you’re ranking, or what your previous stage score was, you’ve already lost focus.
The key is to train your brain to stay completely in the present moment – to give 100% of your attention to the next target, the next movement, the next shot.
When I step to the line, my world becomes very small: just the grip, the sights, and the steel in front of me.
That narrow focus is powerful – it keeps distractions out and performance in.
Execute the Technique — Step by Step
When the pressure is high, I don’t think about winning or beating anyone. I think about execution.
If I can perform each stage exactly as I’ve practiced – one movement, one sight picture, one trigger press at a time – the results will take care of themselves.
Shooting a full match is just a chain of small technical tasks. Focus on doing each one correctly, and the bigger picture naturally falls into place.
This “step-by-step” mindset helps me reset between stages, maintain rhythm, and avoid overthinking. Whether you’re a beginner or an elite competitor, remember: success is built from small, consistent, technical wins.
Final Thoughts
Shooting is as much a mental discipline as it is a technical one.
Mastering the mental game means trusting your training, controlling your focus, and executing with clarity.
I’ve learned that when my mind is calm and my confidence comes from real preparation, every shot feels easier – more natural. And that’s when the magic happens: when skill, mindset, and precision all align.
About Endre László
Endre László’s journey shows that true shooting mastery goes beyond technique – it’s a balance of skill, preparation, and mindset. Whether on the national stage or competing across Europe, his focus, discipline, and trust in Lapua ammunition allow him to perform at his peak, every time. By applying these mental principles – preparation, focus, and step-by-step execution – any shooter can elevate their performance and approach the line with confidence.
Lapua Monarch Cup Announces Official 2026 Schedule
The Lapua Monarch Cup, North America’s premier smallbore rifle silhouette competition, has announced its official 2026 schedule. Now entering its fifth year, the Cup features a two-part series of smallbore standard rifle silhouette matches hosted in the United States and Mexico. The Lapua Monarch Cup is built around the annual U.S. Smallbore Rifle Silhouette National […]
The Lapua Monarch Cup, North America’s premier smallbore rifle silhouette competition, has announced its official 2026 schedule. Now entering its fifth year, the Cup features a two-part series of smallbore standard rifle silhouette matches hosted in the United States and Mexico.
The Lapua Monarch Cup is built around the annual U.S. Smallbore Rifle Silhouette National Championships, with an additional host country (either Canada or Mexico) selected through a proposal process. The 2026 competition schedule is as follows:
1st Match – NRA National Smallbore Silhouette Championships
Ridgway Rifle Club, Ridgway, PA, USA July 26-28, 2026
2nd Match – NRA National Smallbore Silhouette Championships
Saltillo Coahuila, Mexico October 10 & 11, 2026
Competitors earn scores from each match within their respective classifications (Master, AAA, AA, & A), allowing all participants the opportunity to compete for a share of $25,000 in cash prizes distributed across the two events.
“The Lapua Monarch Cup is more than a competition — it’s a premier showcase of precision and passion,” said Adam Braverman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Lapua and advisor to the Cup. “With $25,000 in cash prizes on the line, this event delivers an unmatched experience for shooters while fostering camaraderie and celebrating world-class marksmanship across North America.”
The Lapua Monarch Cup Board is pleased to welcome new members: Dustin Flint (USA) Gabriel Villareal (Mexico) Jose Corral (Mexico)
These three new Board Members join existing members Erich Mietenkorte, Daniel Salazar, Jason Marsh, Jose (Pepe) Valdes, and Chris Cawthorne — with Adam Braverman serving as an advisor.
Registration details and more information
For registration details and complete information on the Lapua Monarch Cup, visit lapuamonarchcup.com.
For more information on the North American Silhouette Shooting Association (NASSA), visit nassasilhouette.org.
Riccardo Mazzetti’s journey in Rapid Fire Pistol: From curiosity to career with Lapua Ammunition
Meet Lapua’s sponsored shooter Riccardo “Maz” Mazzetti – an Italian National Team shooter with over 20 years of experience competing at the highest level in the Olympic discipline of Rapid Fire Pistol. Known for his precision, discipline, and relentless drive, Maz embodies the spirit of Lapua’s “Passion for Precision”. “When I look back to the […]
Meet Lapua’s sponsored shooter Riccardo “Maz” Mazzetti – an Italian National Team shooter with over 20 years of experience competing at the highest level in the Olympic discipline of Rapid Fire Pistol. Known for his precision, discipline, and relentless drive, Maz embodies the spirit of Lapua’s “Passion for Precision”.
From Curiosity to Career
“When I look back to the beginning of my career, I can barely believe where I am now and what I’ve achieved.”
When I look back to the beginning of my career I barely can believe where I am now and what I achieved. I started shooting just for being curious about it and I can even say I was not at all talented for that. It’s just through hard work and passion that I could see the first improvements, but it took many years to get the first international achievement.
Now I’m a 41 years old professional athlete part of the Italian Army Team and I’m a specialist for the Olympic discipline named Rapid Fire Pistol, the only pure dynamic discipline within the Olympic program of rifle and pistol events.
ammunition That Matches the Mindset
Rapid Fire Pistol consists in shooting 5 shots on 5 different targets at the distance of 25 meters within a fixed amount of time. In its fastest program I must hit the center of those targets in 4 seconds. This means that the equipment must be perfectly set and personalized to support my performance under pressure. Lapua ammunition is a perfect choice for me, its high quality makes me confident that I won’t have malfunctions, and I can rely on very similar recoils and speed.
“I shoot thousands of rounds each year – every one with a clear goal in mind.”
I always practice with SK Pistol Match since I’m shooting several thousand rounds every year and this ammunition is a high-quality training one.
Sometimes I practice also using Lapua .32 S&W LWC to increase wrist stability, to action the trigger properly without moving the arm, to get use of the recoil and transfer the feeling when going back to .22 LR.
When travelling abroad for competition I just bring Center-X with me, and I have the few training sessions before the match with them to get used to the recoil and empower the feeling I have.
Consistency Through Testing
“At the start of every season, I test my ammunition lots – Lapua’s quality makes that process easy.”
At the beginning of the shooting season, I test my ammunition lots and decide which one will be for competing that year. Quality of Lapua Center-X is always so high that I can easily find a backup lot to be used safely in competition in case of need.
I’m proudly supported by Lapua since many years and with them I went through many successes: 3 Olympic Games participations, medals in World Cups and European Championships, world and national records. My highest competition score is 594 / 600 points shot in 2017 in a international competition in Poland.
I feel deeply honored by Lapua’s trust in my person and I’m sure that when supporting athletes, they don’t just count their medals won, but they really care about their commitment and passion. After all, one of Lapua’s slogan is: “passion for precision”, exactly what we have as shooting sport athletes. Grazie Lapua!
About Riccardo “Maz” Mazzetti
As a member of the Italian Army Team and specialist for the Olympic discipline named Rapid Fire Pistol, Maz has represented in three Olympic Games, achieving remarkable success throughout his career — including setting the final World Record in the World Cup in Beijing.
Beyond his achievements on the firing line, Riccardo is also deeply committed to shaping the future of the sport. As a member of the ISSF Athletes’ Committee, he actively contributes to creating a better, more sustainable environment for the next generation of shooters.
“I’m driven by passion and my work ethic pushes me to reach my limits in any situation.”
Ammunition of choice:
Lapua Center-X (.22 LR) for competition
Lapua .32 S&W LWC for wrist and trigger control practice
Jens-Ulrik Ladekjær-Mikkelsen: My Journey Through the 2025 Shooting Season
Meet Jens-Ulrik “Julle” Ladekjær-Mikkelsen – one of Denmark’s rising rifle shooters and a proud Lapua sponsored shooter. Julle competes across 10m, 50m, 200m, and 300m disciplines, with a strong focus on 3-position and prone. 2025 has been a year of steady progress, learning, and a lot of lead downrange. Looking back, it’s been a mix […]
Meet Jens-Ulrik “Julle” Ladekjær-Mikkelsen – one of Denmark’s rising rifle shooters and a proud Lapua sponsored shooter. Julle competes across 10m, 50m, 200m, and 300m disciplines, with a strong focus on 3-position and prone.
A Year of Progress and Perspective
2025 has been a year of steady progress, learning, and a lot of lead downrange. Looking back, it’s been a mix of highs, challenges, and everything in between – and that’s exactly what makes this sport so rewarding.
The year started indoors, with air rifle training and the 10 m nationals. Between finishing my bachelor’s degree and preparing for competitions, it was a busy time! I managed to take bronze after a close final, which was a great confidence boost going into the outdoor season.
Lessons from the Range
Once spring arrived, the focus shifted to 50 m and 300 m. Early season matches are always a bit unpredictable, with changing weather and light, but they’re great for finding rhythm. I changed my 6mm action this year and that made for some challenges at the European Championship, but I believe it’s the way forward. This year’s European Cup and national competitions brought both challenges and great moments – from strong prone results and solid 3×20 scores to days where the wind and I weren’t exactly on speaking terms. Still, each match taught me something new about how to stay calm and trust my process. Despite that it still resulted in several medals at the European Cup and some national titles as well.
“Each match taught me something new about how to stay calm and trust my process.”
The season ended with the DGI Nationals, where I managed to take multiple podiums across 50 m, 200 m, and 300 m events. Some of the finals were incredibly close – just a few tenths of a point between the medals – which made it all the more exciting. These moments remind me why I love this sport: the precision, the focus, and the satisfaction of seeing hard work pay off, even by the smallest margins.
Focus Shifts Indoors Again
“Every season feels like a new chapter – not about perfection, but progress.”
Now that the outdoor season is wrapping up, I’m turning my focus back to 10 m for the winter. The goal is to refine technique and consistency, and I will be using indoor 50 m for honing my kneeling, which has been my main focus area this year. Every season feels like a new chapter – not about perfection, but progress.
I’m incredibly grateful to Lapua for the support – who make it possible to compete at the highest level, train with complete trust, and keep improving always knowing the ammunition is keeping its end of the bargain.
Here’s to an even stronger 2026 season – where I hope to be on my way to the European Championships next spring and many more 10s along the way!
About Jens-Ulrik “Julle” Ladekjær-Mikkelsen
With an impressive record already behind him – including multiple national titles and a World Championship team gold in 300m prone – Jens-Ulrik “Julle” Ladekjær-Mikkelsen continues to build his shooting career with dedication, discipline, and a deep love for the sport.
“I recently turned senior and I’m working hard to bridge the gap. In my free time, I enjoy hunting and fishing — great ways to relax and spend time in nature. The best part about shooting for me is working with myself; you constantly improve and learn more about who you are.”
