Some shooters call the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park in Talladega, Alabama, the best shooting range in the country. Whether it’s the best or not is open for debate, but CMP Talladega is certainly one of the most advanced public outdoor facilities in the world — most of the shooting positions feature electronic scoring on Kongsberg Electronic Target Systems.
The 500-acre facility is located two miles from the world-famous Talladega Superspeedway. The facility features a rifle range with targets at 200, 300, and 600 yards, a 100-yard multi-purpose range, and a 50-yard pistol range. It also includes 15 action-pistol bays and a trap field, 5-stand field, and a 15-station sporting clays field, all with automated trap machines.
CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park is open for daily use. Hours of operation are Wednesday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
On the Kongsberg state-of-the-art electronic targets, groups and scoring are viewed via electronic monitors by participants and spectators. Sporting clays, 5-stand, and trap are shot using swipe-card technology and fully automated trap machines.
High Power shooters will appreciate the Kongsberg target faces, which may be reused thousands of times — meaning no need to paste new faces between relays in the pits. In fact, there will be no pit duty required at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park, dramatically cutting down the time typically demanded by a single match.
Fees for park usage vary by age group, time limit and range of choice. All juniors (age 10-17) must be accompanied by a responsible adult while on the ranges. Both the junior and responsible adult must successfully complete the CMP Marksmanship Park Safety class prior to participating in live fire on park property. Click here to download a brochure about the facility.
The 13,000-square-foot CMP Park Club House features glass windows that overlook the 600-yard range and the Alabama mountain views. Inside, the building contains classrooms, lounge areas and a well-stocked pro shop, operated by Creedmoor Armory, to handle its guests’ firearms supplies, memorabilia and equipment needs.
In addition to range use, visitors can enroll in classes, purchase firearms accessories, or observe range activities via the closed circuit monitors.
The video below shows the U.S. Marine Corps Shooting Team and the U.S. Army Service Rifle Team testing the systems at CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park.
