Range 2 Targets CMP Talladega

[Slamfire]

I recently shot in another Bullseye Match at CMP Talladega Alabama and was able to take a few more pictures, which may be of interest.

Range 2 is the Bullseye Pistol Range, 25 yard and 50 yard electronic targets. Here the AMU shooter is firing at the 50 yard targets, notice the electronic monitor to his right.



This is one of my better 22 LR Timed fire groups, you can see the shot placement on the monitor.



Row of 25 yard targets



50 yard targets folded down when 25 yard targets are in use.



Retraction mechanism



Front of target. Upper circle is a cover for a red light. Bottom for a green light. During the timed and rapid fire sequences, the red light is illuminated for a few seconds after the "all ready on the firing line" command. Then it switches off and the green light at the bottom turns on. The green light is the signal that your 10 second rapid fire, or 20 second timed fire sequence has started. When it is finished the green light goes out and the red light turns on. The scoring electronics knows if you fired a shot before the green and after the green! You have to be mindful not to shoot when the red illuminates, as I am not the only shooter to fire when the red light turned on!



Back of target



There is a heavy plastic frame over a white corrugated plastic sheet. The heavy plastic frame seems to be there to protect the mechanism underneath. It is easily unlatched to reveal the rollers and the rubber roll.



Matches went quickly. Sign up in the Clubhouse started at 0900. Those who did not have a safety orientation watched the film. The 2700 Bullseye Match started at 1000 and all was over at 1400. The CMP awarded some ribbons and certificates to the match winners and the shooters were packed up and off the range about a half hour later. You shoot in the shade, an amazing amount of time is saved not having to go down range to score, staple and paste targets. The shooter receives a print out of his targets and the score of each shot, this is something I have not seen elsewhere.

 

[egd]

Wow, great pics and story. They really have a nice setup.

 

[Telekinesis]

I've shot at the 200/300/600 yard rifle range at CMP Talladega utalizing those same type of targets. They are very useful and it's great having the screen next to you which immediately shows your results (and no need to use a spotting scope). You can get new targets at the push of a button.

The only thing I wish the targets had was a contrasting point at the exact center of the target so that the shooter would have a precise point to aim at instead of a large black dot (I know that's not kosher for competition though so it's understandable that they don't have them). A quick demo on how exactly to read the additional info on the screens could be useful too. Most of the ROs were less than helpful - insulting my shooting rather than actually answering my questions about the system. Eventually someone came by to help out though, so it worked out.

 

[ATLDave]

I have little or no interest in shooting bullseye, but I am in awe of those who can do it at a high level. Also, great pics!

 

[Laphroaig]

Thanks for posting. I've yet to shoot on an electronic target and am dying to do so. I might get a chance in September.

I've put Talladega on my bucket list.

That's a nice timed fire, BTW!

 

[Slamfire]

And I got the name of the range wrong. The Bullseye Pistol Range is Range #3.

Map for CMP Talladega is here.

http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Talladega-Pricing-022717-WEB.pdf

There were guys at the match who had never been, and they were, frankly, amazed. I keep on pointing out that the range bathrooms have hot and cold running water! Usually, at the ranges I shoot, you have to go around the berm to relieve yourself, and you bring your own water to wash up. This facility has picnic tables, vending machines, the place is amazing.

You can also spend way too much money at the Creedmore shop in the Club house.

The only thing I wish the targets had was a contrasting point at the exact center of the target so that the shooter would have a precise point to aim at instead of a large black dot (I know that's not kosher for competition though so it's understandable that they don't have them).

I agree. Iron sights are on the way out, I shot with them for decades, still using them in Smallbore Prone, but by and large, everyone else is using optics. I did shoot a F Class match and the CMP put up paper targets over the centers so you would have an aiming point. You can pay for the CMP to put up paper targets on your firing point, but you have to plan ahead. Something I seldom do.

With my scoped rifles, I basically have to quarter the big black dot, and that leads to inaccuracy. I am absolutely sure that this high shot was due to me trying to "aim" a little higher, get the group up, but I did not have an aiming point nor a reference point, so the shot went way high.



This is the rifle range, just at sunset.





More rifle range pictures.







I never figured out what this group was doing, but they all got their picture taken around the John Garand statue.





I have always found the RO's friendly and willing to talk your ears off about guns. I have to budget my time yakking about guns or I will use up the day and not shoot! They love old guns.

 

[Slamfire]

I thought I would scan the Winner's 22 LR Match score sheet. These are printed and given out after the match. I got permission from the Winner for a copy. This gentleman is an extraordinary pistol shooter, and if you want to win a National Bullseye Championship or two, this is the level at which you have to emulate. This is the first page showing the 50 SF stage and through the rapid fire part of the National Match Course.

To point out, the ten ring at 50 yards and 25 yards is four inches in diameter. There are those who could regularly shoot a pistol within four inches at 50 yards, using sand bags and a rest, but this gentleman is shooting standing, supporting the pistol with one hand. It is extremely difficult to shoot this way, much more than shooting a rifle offhand. Anyone who thinks it is easy, needs to try it.

The 25 yard targets were fired in Timed Fire and Rapid Fire. The ten ring is still four inches in diameter. If you notice, the computer knows when you fired each shot, and the times are on the score sheet. The target is scaled according to the shot distribution. My score card shows the 50 yard target all the way out to the six ring. This gentleman can hold much tighter and so the computer scaled his group accordingly.



When I first started shooting Bullseye I wrote the matches and the sequences, and the times, on a piece of paper, in order to understand the match. I might have gotten "Match" mixed up with "Stage", but this is the sequence of fire for a 900 point match. For a typical 2700 match, this 900 point match sequence is duplicated with a Centerfire pistol (typically a 45ACP) and then there is the 45 ACP stage.

 

[Jim Watson]

The only thing I wish the targets had was a contrasting point at the exact center of the target so that the shooter would have a precise point to aim at instead of a large black dot (I know that's not kosher for competition though so it's understandable that they don't have them).

I agree. Iron sights are on the way out, I shot with them for decades, still using them in Smallbore Prone, but by and large, everyone else is using optics. I did shoot a F Class match and the CMP put up paper targets over the centers so you would have an aiming point. You can pay for the CMP to put up paper targets on your firing point, but you have to plan ahead. Something I seldom do.

With my scoped rifles, I basically have to quarter the big black dot, and that leads to inaccuracy. I am absolutely sure that this high shot was due to me trying to "aim" a little higher, get the group up, but I did not have an aiming point nor a reference point, so the shot went way high.

I have not shot there yet, but a friend who has says he brackets the featureless black with mil dots or other reticle graticules. This lets him hold into the wind controllably. He agrees that a plain crosshair is a bit of a disadvantage.

 

[Slamfire]

I have not shot there yet, but a friend who has says he brackets the featureless black with mil dots or other reticle graticules. This lets him hold into the wind controllably. He agrees that a plain crosshair is a bit of a disadvantage.

Service rifle and Match rifle definitions were changed so that optics can be used, I am of the opinion that except for matches that mandate the things, (Palma maybe?) that irons are on their way out. Predicting is hard to do, especially about the future. I know when I talk to CMP representatives they are happy with the range as is, they receive about a million helpful suggestions per week.Infrastructure is a lot cheaper to change before it is built. So, I don't know what they are going to do. I would like targets that are easier to use with my vintage scopes, but, I am just another squeaky voice who wants something.

 

[boom boom]

Thanks for this thread Slamfire with the pictures. I have driven past the site of the range going and coming numerous times on I-20 but never had the time to stop and smell the gunpowder. Now, if I make the special trip, I know what to expect. BTW, the McDonalds at the CMP exit is pretty good--been stopping there for years in Lincoln, AL.

 

[jmorris]

Very nice. Must have quite the funding.

I knew they would be expensive when their website didn't have prices a little digging and I found a thread from 2008 where they cost $1700-1800 each for the target and monitor. That doesn't even include the linear actuator, power/control systems and stands.

 

[Slamfire]

Thanks for this thread Slamfire with the pictures. I have driven past the site of the range going and coming numerous times on I-20 but never had the time to stop and smell the gunpowder. Now, if I make the special trip, I know what to expect. BTW, the McDonalds at the CMP exit is pretty good--been stopping there for years in Lincoln, AL.

You need to go! For $30.00 a day you can't beat it. This facility is the only one in the US and it is amazing. I have primarily been a rifle shooter, only in the last four years tried Bullseye pistol. But, where else can you get a 200, 300 and 600 yard zero without having to have either someone pulling your target, or, driving downrange to see where the bullets hit and change targets?

The gas stations at exit I-20 E168 are the cheapest in the area, so I top up before heading back west.

I knew they would be expensive when their website didn't have prices a little digging and I found a thread from 2008 where they cost $1700-1800 each for the target and monitor. That doesn't even include the linear actuator, power/control systems and stands.

I have asked the Range Officer's and they have given me target frame values closer to $15,000 each!

 

[boom boom]

Slamfire,
You are absolutely right about being able to top the CMP for $30 day and not having to walk downrange. I'm lucky to get one hundred yards outdoors except for one range and most of the closest are indoor only with caliber restrictions around where I live. I have had some issues with walking long distances due to some health issues the last couple of years. Might be able to squeeze in a visit in the fall.

Nice to know about the facilities from a real life review so thanks for going to trouble to post this and the pictures.
Hopefully, they still will allow me to use plain old iron sights if I bring my old warhorses as I have very few scoped rifles and they are of the MSR type (still with BUIS co witnessed though).