On August 22, 2025, at the Hungarian Defence Forces Klapka György 1st Armoured Brigade military shooting range near Szomód, the official world record attempt titled “The Longest Shooting Range at Night” was successfully carried out.
During the record attempt, a .308 Winchester caliber precision rifle was used to hit a target from a distance of 1,100 yards (1,006 meters) after sunset, aided by a thermal riflescope.
What made the challenge unique was the significant influence of natural forces: a crosswind of nearly 9 m/s (30 km/h) and the Earth’s rotation, both of which had a substantial effect on the bullet’s trajectory. After the shot was fired, the sound of the impact could only be heard approximately five seconds later by the shooter.
The record attempt was conducted under strict safety regulations, with the authorization of the Hungarian Defence Forces, in the presence of independent witnesses and the President of the Official World Record.
The attempt was successful: 3 hits out of 5 shots were achieved at a distance of 1,100 yards, thereby setting the Official World Record for The Longest Night Shot.
This achievement represents a milestone not only in technical and ballistic terms but also demonstrates that with proper preparation, equipment, and professional expertise, the boundaries of precision shooting can be continually expanded.
