American marksman and long-time U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit instructor Brandon Green claimed victory at this year’s NRA UK Imperial Meeting, winning the prestigious His Majesty The King’s Prize. Competing for the very first time at the historic Bisley ranges, Green achieved a memorable triumph in what is regarded as one of the most renowned shooting events in the world.
Since 2015, Giraitės Ginkluotės Gamykla (GGG) has been the official ammunition supplier for the Imperial Meeting, with every competitor using GGG rounds. Although it was his first time ever shooting with GGG ammunition, Brandon highlighted that he was pleasantly surprised by its performance, consistency, and reliability throughout the competition.
GGG: First – congratulations! How does it feel to win His Majesty The King's Prize at such a historic competition like the NRA UK Imperial Meeting?
Brandon Green (BG): This was a truly remarkable experience and surpassed any expectation I had of coming to Bisley. To be lucky enough to win such a prestigious competition was an unbelievable experience and one that I will always remember.
GGG: Could you tell us a bit about your background and career in the military before retiring?
(BG): I started my competitive shooting in 10-meter air rifle but switched to service rifle and long range when I joined the U.S. Army. I was a competitive shooter and marksmanship instructor for the United States Army Marksmanship Unit for a little over 20 years, retiring from service in early 2024. During that time, I had the opportunity to compete in a variety of marksmanship competitions, and I picked up a particular fondness for the long-range sports.
GGG: This competition has a long-standing reputation for precision and discipline. How did you prepare specifically for this match?
(BG): In preparation for any competition, I will take the time to ensure that my equipment is in good condition and performing as expected. I spend a great deal of time throughout the year working on positions, shot execution and mental management to keep those things at a proficient level. This keeps my confidence high and ensures that I don’t have to rush into anything in preparation for a particular event.
GGG: In terms of GGG ammunition – have you heard about it before? Or even have you prepared in USA by shooting with GGG ammo?
(BG): I’ve heard about the “issued” ammunitions in the past but never really knew anything about GGG specifically. I have never seen it for sale here in the U.S., so I had never shot any of it before the Imperial. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it shot through my rifle, and I was very impressed with its performance overall. I did not talk to a single competitor that had issues with it in their rifle during the Imperial.
GGG: What would you highlight as the top qualities or standout characteristics of GGG ammunition, based on your personal experience during the competition?
(BG): I would say that the consistency of this ammunition was very impressive and a pleasant surprise.
My rifle tracked very well, and I did not seem to have any issues with zeros shifting from day to day or with variations in the weather. I made sure to keep the ammunition dry and out of the elements which led to zero surprises with the performance.
GGG: What inspired you to participate in the NRA UK matches, and how did you hear about the competition? I assume you’re no stranger to competitive shooting, but how did this particular event compare to others you've participated in – especially in terms of format or atmosphere? Also, you mentioned that this is your first NRA UK competition, how do you evaluate your first experience so far? What were your initial impressions of the event and its level of competition?
(BG): For years I had heard about meetings at Bisley and knew that it was a place that I wanted to compete. The history and heritage of the Imperial meetings make it one of the most renowned events in the world of shooting sports and if you’re a serious competitor, you must experience it! My friends from the UK rifle teams all told me that I would love the experience and they were correct.
GGG: You achieved this win using GGG ammunition, as used by all competitors at the Imperial Meeting. What was your experience with it on the line? As a seasoned marksman, how would you evaluate the consistency and reliability of GGG ammo during the match? Would you recommend GGG ammunition to other competitive shooters or professionals? If so, why?
(BG): As most would be, I was somewhat sceptical about shooting ammunition that I had never tried before, but that feeling faded very quickly. Early in the competition I realized that this ammunition performed as well as my hand loads at the short ranges and soon realized that it was very consistent at long range as well. I would not hesitate to train or compete with this ammunition and would love to see it become more available in the U.S.
GGG: What does this victory mean to you in the broader context of your career in shooting sports?
(BG): This would be a highlight in anyone’s shooting journey, and I feel very fortunate to add it to my list of accomplishments. I hope to use the publicity from this event to spread the knowledge of our shooting sports and bring new competitors into the game. Competitive shooting is wonderful sport with truly remarkable people, and I hope we can share that with rest of the world.
GGG: What advice would you give to young or aspiring shooters who dream of competing – and winning – at events like this? Do you have any advice for first-time participants at NRA UK matches or those considering trying GGG ammunition for the first time?
(BG): My best piece of advice would be to get out and experience it! You will learn more from the other competitors than you can imagine. Don’t be shy and make friends out there, you will cherish the memories for a lifetime. If you have access to the GGG ammunition, try it out and see for yourself, and if you don’t have access, don’t hesitate to get it at the match and have faith that it will shoot well.
GGG: And finally, how do you celebrate a win like this – a quiet moment, a good meal, or straight back to training?
(BG): The event itself is a huge celebration, and you get to share the experience with people that can truly appreciate it. That’s what makes the Imperial Meeting so special. Once I got back to the U.S. it was straight back to training for the ORA and DCRA matches in Canada which took place two weeks after the Imperial.
See official photos of the event here.