Further update: 2026 Imperial issued ammunition
National Rifle Association
Further to the recent communication regarding extreme weather affecting the performance of the TR Imperial ammunition, last week the NRA conducted a trial of three types of ammunition in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
The tests were carried out by GB level shooters at 300, 600, 900 and 1000 yards, gathering data about group size and velocity.
The ammunition tested was the 2026 ‘Imperial’ (Lot 120-GGG-26); GGG 308W in Silver Boxes (Lot 112-GGG-25) and GGG 147gn military specification. We have sufficient of each type available to shoot for the whole or a major part of the Imperial Meeting. The military specification ammunition was discounted at an early stage as not of suitable quality for competitive target shooting.
After careful analysis of the results, it was clear that very high temperatures caused the groups to deteriorate for both lots of 155gn ammunition, with one affected to a greater extent than the other. This deterioration is significantly more evident at long range with Lot 120-GGG-2026.
The tests also confirmed that, with appropriate mitigation, heat sensitivity could be effectively managed.
Mitigations used in the trial included shielding ammunition and firearms from direct sunlight, for example placing a small towel over the action and lower barrel; keeping ammunition covered (preferably in an insulated bag, but not with a chiller block), until required; and minimising the time the round spent in the chamber before firing, i.e. loading only immediately before being ready to take aim.
Samples also have been tested at the Birmingham Proof House. These confirm that maximum mean pressures for both lots of 155gn ammunition are less than the maximum permitted under CIP Regulations and also comply with the lower pressure limit applied to ammunition for Rule 150 specification barrels.
Based on the data from the tests and the quantities of ammunition available, it has been decided that the 2026 GGG ‘Imperial’ ammunition (120-GGG-26) will be used at short range, and GGG .308 WIN (112-GGG-25) will be used for all long range team and individual competitions and also for the following competitions: all stages of HM The King’s Prize, all stages of the St George’s, the Kolapore and the National.
For consistency, the Youth Imperial will also use 2026 GGG 7.62.
Further investigations are underway to establish the causes of this issue, however results are not expected until well after the Imperial Meeting.
Our thanks go to the team of GB shooters who gave up their time to help find a workable solution for this year’s competition.
Published on:
Jun 30, 2026
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