CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park - Shooting range in Talladega - 4387 Turner Mill Rd, USA

Do you THINK you are a good marksman? Come here and find out definitively, for better or worse. This place is GREAT. It's a completely different experience from a inside-gun-store type range in that it is HUGE, has good, helpful employees and is simply top-notch. To use the whole course you must demonstrate SOME skill by putting 3 rounds in the black at 100 yards. THEN you can go on the the 200, 300 and 600 range. Each station has a sturdy shooting bench with a rifle rest and a screen that records your performance. Smooth concrete floor, nice awning/roof above. It's simply what one needs to relax and test the limits of you and your rifle/optics/ammo. I took a friend, and we had a great first time visit. There is an obligatory safety video, then you pay ($30 for all day/all access) and set out to qualify. House carts are provided to haul all your gear to the ranges, or you can rent one and keep it all day. We most enjoyed the 'unknown distance' range. This is how I have usually had a fun day with a rifle. Random steel targets are scattered all over a hilly field. One hit-one CLANG....There are some shotgun ranges with multiple stations, but we were just on rifle areas. The day we went the crowd was as diverse as an old Benneton ad. A (I'm guessing) 12 year old Indian girl was banging X with an AR next to us, quite a few Asian folks, and probably a third of the crowd was families with more than two kids. Some good old boys and a smattering of super serious people with dedicated target rifles made up the rest. AR and various .30 were most popular, but some overkill was evident with a crazy report now and then and some big brass on the floor like a 300 Winchester.....guess they hunt out West. ANYWAY- this is a top-notch facility with good people and an intelligent setup. If you have a friend that is anti-gun but has an open mind, bring them here. They will probably join the NRA. IF YOU GO- Have a range bag, it's a long way to the parking area. All guns have to be cased. Pistol caliber carbines or rimfire are not allowed on the long ranges. A spotting scope isn't necessary as the target is shown and recorded at each rifle station. Eat before you come if spending all day. If there is a meal available here I didn't see it.

Outstanding range. Ideal for verification on any distance zeros. The automatic range reporting uses microphones on the corners of the self healing targets to compute point of impact, so any type of ammunition except for incendiary can be shot here. Came here just to try out the CMP Garand I purchased nearby. I didn't expect to be proofing my zeros on the other rifles I brought with me.

The best place I've experienced for shooting and practice I've been visiting since 2016. I'm now working towards doing competitions, so I am very thankful this place is only about a 2 hour drive from my home. Worth it every time. The staff and ROs are always very nice, and I've learned a thing or two every visit.

Beautiful range, clean, great staff and safety is a top priority here! I would highly recommend this range!

Shotgun park was really nice and the younger RSOs there were friendly and kind. However, I went to the unknown distances park and an older RSO did his magnet test on my 7.62 Tula copper fmj. He claimed the round was sticking to the magnet. To me, since the round was not vertical making a 90 degree angle on the magnet but close to a 110 degree angle, this implied that the large magnet (about 6 inches in diameter) was trying to attract the case. Later I asked him if the range was no steel core (because potential damage to the metal targets), no steel case, or both. He said steel case was fine so I asked why I could not shoot my ammo. He claimed again it stuck to his magnet. When I politely stated that it was the case trying to stick he, rudely, stated "I am not going to argue this with you". I spoke with someone else up at the front desk who listened very well and said they would work to educate RSOs. When I got home I did my own test on what I had brought and added M855 and a Wolf Bimetal jacket ammo that I did not have with me. The M855 and the Wolf Bimetal stuck to my magnet but the bullets I had with me would not stick. Just be aware that if you bring steel case ammo, even if its is 100% a copper jacket, that you may not be able to shoot it and that an older RSO may be extremely rude if you try and point out a strong 6" diameter magnet is pulling the case. Overall 5/5 for the shotgun park, but this rude experience with the other RSO drops the experience down quite a bit.

UPDATED Went to the shooting park for the first time to shoot an M1 Garand I picked up from here a week earlier. There was an RSO at range #2 named Phil, and he was the most likable guy! Very knowledgeable and helpful, and really enjoyed helping me learn the nuances of the Garand's lock-bar sights! Qualified at the 100 yard range and moved over to the 200/300/600 range. We went back today and actually qualified out to 600 this time with the Garand and the tall gentleman on duty today at range 1 was instrumental in helping me find the range! Many thanks!!

Fantastic operation. Great shop, well stocked. The shooting ranges are exceptional. Definitely worth the effort of the trip...

I travel about five hours to shoot here. I have a friend who lives close, and we link up at least once or twice a year. The 100yd zero range with the electric target and instant feedback is the best in the business. I save up rifles all year to zero here. The unknown distance range is very fun. I love shooting steel, getting the instant, positive feedback. It's much more satisfying than shooting paper. The 600-yard range is nice. I really wish it was further (1k would be amazing), but there are other places for that. It's the best bang for the buck for public ranges. It's one of the cleanest, most well-kept ranges I've ever been to. If you want the best zero range in the business, most polite, professional, and friendly staff give the CMP a shot. I drive five hours to shoot here for four hours or so, and I do it at least twice a year. It's well worth it.