JULY 11, 2026 BADLANDS 600, LONG RANGE RIFLE COMPETITION
July 11, 2026 saw the Badlands 600 happening at the Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch just west of Medora, North Dakota, again. Sponsors included Kelbly’s, Bullet Central, and many others. Shooters of all ages from little fellers, to big and grey, bent and old all came to play the same game on the levelest playing field in the shooting sports.
Bring your own bench, or belly down and cut loose. It’s shooter’s choice. The bench of choice seems to be split between homemade, Legacy and Home Made - Made In The USA. The belly to the ground guys shot on mats, tarps, and mats on tarps.
Of calibers/cartridges there are many. 6mms are contenders. Dashers, BRs, BRAs, GTs and others are on the line in droves. 25s are represented and handle the wind like champs. 6.5s handle the wind and recoil into their drivers when pressed. 7s appear and bark. 30s under 3200fps are allowed, and make themselves known in the order they are registered.
There are heavy barrels, hunting barrels, varmint barrels and truck axle barrels. Guys hang weights off their rifles, shoot light rifles, use bipods, benchrest rests, and pile bags under forends and get after it.
Some reload and measure every shot. Some shoot factory and strip the paint off the steel as well as the scientists. And regardless of their finish - everyone was glad to be there - and everyone had a good time.
Then there are the most important people at the match, like every other organized match anywhere - THE VOLUNTEERS!
There are score keepers, water suppliers, timers, spotters, and painters. Yup, some lucky fella gets to ride a fourwheeler with purpose, scoot out to the steel and erase w/paint all evidence of purposefully placed projectiles propelled w/prejudice @600 yards! Bugger of a job if you can get it!
Thank you to Match Directors - Zac Rodne, Tyrel Lynn and The Buffalo Gap Ranch for allowing us to shoot another Long Range Rifle Competition!
The Dakota Rifle Company is the effort behind these matches: