TALLADEGA, Ala. – The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Talladega Marksmanship Park“The Home of Marksmanship” is gearing up for another season filled with rifle, pistol, shotgun and archery events for the public to enjoy throughout the fall months.
A destination for firearms fans and visitors seeking opportunities to practice, compete and learn, Talladega features electronic CMP targets and scoring monitors, as well as designated areas for a variety of purposes, designed for experienced shooters alike. for those just starting out in the sport. The public is welcome to the park to try out their firearms, aim their guns for hunting season, try something new, or just take a tour of the grounds.
Along with daily activities, the CMP hosts its own monthly events in the park throughout the year, including:
- Basic Marksmanship Clinics: Held every week for pistol, rifle and shotgun.
- Talladega 600 – November 14-20, 2022: Known as “A Southern Classic,” the Talladega 600 features popular recreation-oriented rifle and pistol matches, as well as more advanced challenges like EIC and Aggregate competitions.
- Match Tracker Steel Challenge: the Steel Challenge Event (for pistol caliber pistol or rifle) includes five stages, with a minimum of 125 rounds to complete. A total of 175 per weapon fired is recommended.
- USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association): the USPSA events they include six stages, with approximately 115-230 rounds fired and divisions spanning 9mm, .38 caliber, .40 caliber, and .45 caliber.
- 3 × 600 Monthly Match: The 3×600 Rifle Event takes place at Talladega’s 600-yard Coronation Range, with a 60-shot course of fire for a record 600 yards. Each string consists of two sighting shots and 20 recording shots.
- Sports Rimfire: the Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match is open to all ages and features .22 caliber competition in three classes: Class O for open sights, Class T for spotting scopes, and TU for Tactical/Unlimited – fired at 50 and 25 yards.
- Monthly 3 Gun Match: This is a multi-weapon practical shooting event where each of the stages requires the competitor to use and transition between a combination of rifles, pistols and shotguns. Talladega Marksmanship Park 3 Gun Matches are held every fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 am
- 800 Added: Competition course for this rifle event is a total of 80 record shots: 20 shots at 200 yards (standing), 20 shots at 200 yards (sitting fast shot), 20 shots at 300 yards (down fast shot) in 70 seconds, and 20 shots at 600 yards ( simmer upside down). There will be two observers at each stage.
The park also houses Regular monthly specialsI like it:
Thursday Specials, Receive $5 Off a Full Day of Rifle/Pistol Shooting or a Round of Clays
- First Thursday of the month: Women’s Day
- Second Thursday of the month: Public Service Workers’ Day (firefighters, policemen, EMTs, etc.)
- Third Thursday of the month: Military Day
- Fourth Thursday of the month: University Student Day
Bring a special friend: Bring in a new shooter and receive $5 off a daily field pass or clays for you and your guest!
All park visitors can also shoot at the unknown distance range – with over 100 stationary targets set at various yards and range distances up to 620 yards – or CMP archery rangewhich includes 20 life-size target lanes and a 30×60-yard driving range.
For shotgun enthusiasts, Talladega maintains a one-mile Sporting Clays Loop, as well as 5-Stall, Trap, and Wobble Trap areas. In addition, Talladega is home to NSCA-registered target sporting clay shooters and other shotgun events throughout the year.
Outside the line of fire, the facility’s Clubhouse has an assortment Sports shop (open during park hours) which includes a collection of CMP rifles, ammunition, marksmanship, and memorabilia. Park hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 5 pm, and Friday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm (closed Monday and Tuesday).
Stay connected with upcoming events and more at Talladega Marksmanship Park by visiting the CMP website at http://thecmp.org/competitions/talladega-marksmanship-park/. Follow the Park on social media at https://www.facebook.com/cmptalladegamarksmanshippark/ and https://www.instagram.com/cmptalladega/.
The Civilian Aim Program is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearms safety and marksmanship training and the promotion of competitive marksmanship for United States citizens. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log on to www.TheCMP.org.