World Championship Precision Rifle .22 - UK

Personal insights and community report from the IPRF PR22 Worlds in the UK, with photos and honest results provided by shooter Hans Van der Veken.

The rolling hills of the British countryside were the setting for this year's Precision Rifle Shooting World Championship, which brought together shooters from all over the world. More than 250 participants from dozens of countries lined up at the start, all with the same mix of excitement, motivation, and determination. For many, it was the culmination of years of training; for everyone, it was a chance to compete with the world's best. For me, participating meant much more than just another competition. It was a unique opportunity to represent my country at the highest level, to reconnect with old friends and make new ones with shooters I had previously only known from scoreboards or online.

Arrival and Atmosphere

The United Kingdom proved to be a worthy host. From day one, there was a healthy tension in the air. Squads quickly formed, conversations flowed effortlessly despite different languages and accents, and once again it became clear why Precision Rifle Shooting is more than just a sport — it is an international family.

The landscape immediately set the tone. Fields, valleys, and unpredictable winds ensured that no shot was a given. No amount of training at home could fully prepare you for the vagaries of British weather.

Stages and Design

The stages were both creative and demanding, from rocks to natural elements — every situation required adaptability. Transitions were tight, the time pressure was unforgiving, and the wind made every mistake immediately visible.

A highlight for me was Stage 4 – “Feeling trapped?”, where I scored 10 hits out of 12 (83%). Stage 19 – “Big Log Business” was also strong, again 83%, showing that my fundamentals hold up against the best.

But there were also difficult moments: Stage 8 – “Jump Around” brought in only 2 hits out of 12 — a hard lesson in transitions under pressure. All stages were 12 shots and 90 seconds apart, ranging from 35m to 208m, with some at an angle of 17° upwards.

The poor results were mostly due to not following the correct sequence, in which case no impact is called and you have to figure out for yourself what you did wrong in 90 seconds, which is not easy, so extreme concentration is required.

Community and camaraderie

What sticks with me most is the strength of the shooters community. Between stages, shooters exchanged equipment and tips, and encouraged each other—even direct competitors. In the evenings, there were stories, laughter, and friendships that transcended the competition.

Team Belgium supports each other during the training sessions — spotting, learning, and improving together. The sponsors and partners also contributed to the atmosphere, with the latest optics and weapons, but always with a sense of togetherness and growth of the sport.

Reflection and Outlook

Participating in the World Championships in the UK was both humbling and motivating. I returned home with valuable lessons, a greater appreciation for the international Precision Rifle Shooting community, and pride in having represented Belgium.

At a World Championship, you learn the most from the best in the world.

The sport continues to grow, and this World Championship proved once again that precision rifle shooting is more than just competition—it is a culture of respect, learning, and shared passion. Memories of tough training sessions are complemented by strong connections and a renewed drive to improve.

The countdown to the next Precision Rifle Shooting World Championship has already begun, and if this event makes one thing clear, it is that the future of our sport is both challenging and promising.

My Results

Rank: 208 / 256

Total score: 134 / 240 – Hit rate: 55.8%

Best stages: 4, 19, and 20 (83%)

Most difficult stage: 8 (16.7%)

For reference: the winner had a 95.4% hit rate.

My gear

#CZ457 #Zeiss S5 LRP #Khales Rangerfinder bino's #timneytriggers #Position7 magwell and mags #EC-Tuner #MDT Bipod #Lapua Center-X #garmin #Spuhr  #armagedongear #The vision products #eberlestock upranger #ultimateballistics Kestrel

Our sponors

• Optics and more - webshop for long range shooting - https://www.opticsandmore.be/

• HR Total Therapies - Therapies for Animals and Equestrians  https://hrtotaltherapies.com/

• Belgium PRA - https://www.bepra.be

• FROS - Flemisch Sport Federation - https://fros.be

• BR DISTRIBUTION - http://www.dekaise.be/

Hans Van de Veken

https://www.youtube.com/@HansVanderVeken