Muzzleloading shops and ranges in Huntsville, AL?

[maillemaker]

I live in Huntsville (Hi Mr. Collie! )

A lot of folks are talking bad about Swan Creek, but you may not know that for about the last 2 years now this is a managed range. It is staffed by state park rangers and RSOs who tend to be pretty vigilant. New cement benches with adjustable seats, and they provide target frames. The only down side is now you can only shoot while the range is "open", whereas we used to shoot until sundown in the summer time. And it's shut down for duck season (Jan-Feb). I shoot almost exclusively at Swan Creek. I only go out to Skyline when Swan Creek is closed. Skyline is an hour and 15 minutes away from my house. Swan Creek is 30+ minutes.

The only place that used to sell real black powder was Mr. Big Guns (or whatever it was called before them), but now nobody does. Very rarely you can find percussion caps at Cabela's.

I buy all my powder and caps online now. Just placed an order for 25 pounds of 3F Goex from Buffalo Arms for $582.16 delivered (about $23 a pound). This is even cheaper than buying in-person at Back Creek Gun Shop at the Nationals. I buy musket caps from Powder Inc. Best to buy in bulk to save on hazmat and shipping.

For all you Huntsville folks, if you are interested in competition of Civil War firearms, you should check out the North-South Skirmish Association. The first competition (skirmish) of the year is in 2 weeks - February 23-25, at Brierfield Ironworks State Park, just south of Birmingham. It's about 2.5 hours from Huntsville. My team is hosting.

Here is the schedule for 2024:

February 23-24 - 4th LA, Brierfield, Alabama
March 22-24, 20th GA, Brierfield, Alabama
April 26-28 - 14th MS, Brierfield, Alabama
May 15-19 - Spring Nationals, Winchester VA
June 21-23 - 4th TN, Brierfield, Alabama
August 23-25 - 3rd GA, Brierfield, Alabama
September 13-15, Palmetto Guard, Brierfield
October 2-6, Fall Nationals, Winchester VA
November 1-3, Forrest Escort, Eva, Tennessee

My team, the 4th Louisiana Delta Rifles, is one of the largest in the region. Many of our members live in Huntsville. We'd love to have you shoot with us! Here are some of us at Brierfield:

4th Louisiana Delta Rifles website:
https://4thla.weebly.com/

Deep South Region website:
http://www.deepsouthnssa.com/





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[Historian]

Thank you for this write up. Yes Swan Creek has much more stringant rules now I just don't like crowds but maybe I need to revisit that line of thinking and visit Swan Creek. After having hunted on Redstone Arsenal for 37 years we seldom had any if all issues out there.

 

[Gvilleddie]

I only go to Blue and Gray. Very nice range. I never see other BP shooters out there.

 

[Historian]

Just looked at their requirements and really? I don't shoot pistols ergo, I do not need a pistol permit as I do not pack. I shoot mainly shotguns because I am so far sighted that pistols are worthless to me. I shoot 3 muzzleloaders in 20 gauges and cartridge O/U's in 28ga and 20ga. Wish you the best.

 

[Robin Henderson]

2024 Alabama Muzzle Loading Schedule (Rifle and Pistol)
Greetings Shooters:

Below is our muzzle loading schedule for year.

April 7, 2024 (Sunday) at 1:00 - 30 Shot (National Championship Aggregate)
Magic City Gun Club
7089 Narrows Road
Pinson, AL 35126

May 5, 2024 (Sunday) at 1:00 - 30 Shot Silhouette Match
Magic City Gun Club
7089 Narrows Road
Pinson, AL 35126

May 17-19, 2024 (Friday –Sunday)
Alabama National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association Territorial (Rifle & Pistol)
Brierfield Ironworks State Park
Brierfield, AL

June 2, 2024 (Sunday) at 1:00 – 30 Shot Match (National Championship Aggregate)
Magic City Gun Club
7089 Narrows Road
Pinson, AL 35126

July 7, 2024 (Sunday) at 1:00 – 30 Shot Silhouette Match
Magic City Gun Club
7089 Narrows Road
Pinson, AL 35126

August 4, 2024 (Sunday) at 1:00 – 30 Shot Silhouette Match
Magic City Gun Club
7089 Narrows Road
Pinson, AL 35126

October 11-13, 2024 (Friday –Sunday)
Alabama State Muzzle Loading Rifle Championship (Rifle and Pistol)
Brierfield Ironworks State Park
Brierfield, AL

I will be sending out program information for the Territorial and State Championship as we get closer to the time. If anyone has any questions or needs additional information, you can contact me at 205-629-7192.

 

[yellowhammer]

...Pinson, AL...

Sure is pretty countryside in that area; Pinson; Argo; Springville... Scenic hills and trees...

 

[Tom the Tinker]

Hey all Alabama guys, I read earlier in this thread that the Hobbs Island firing range in Huntsville was not black powder friendly. I called and spoke with Matt who assured me in no uncertain terms that that is false. That, in fact, there are a number of members who shoot BP. The only restrictions that he could imagine (his words) were if a substantial drought were to occur.

On another note, I am always looking for shooting buddies in the Huntsville Area and this thread tells me you are out there.

 

[Historian]

Thanks for the info. I have been curious about them and why they charge so much. I over Chapman mountain and shoot typically at Sharon Johnston Park or out at my buddies place down the road. Send me PM please and I will send you my email and phone number.

 

[yellowhammer]

Thanks for the info. I have been curious about them and why they charge so much. I over Chapman mountain and shoot typically at Sharon Johnston Park or out at my buddies place down the road. Send me PM please and I will send you my email and phone number.

There's a rifle range at Sharon Johnston? Cool. I'll have to check that out. I used to shoot trap and skeet out there years ago; haven't been out there in years.

 

[Historian]

Sorry, the Sharon Johnston park range is Pistol, shotgun and muzzleloader only. Then there are the 3 trap and skeet ranges. No high power rifles allowed. Sorry I did not mention that at first.

 

[yellowhammer]

Historian, That's cool, I mainly shoot black powder nowadays anyway. I'll mosey over there and look it over.

 

[yellowhammer]

I attribute most of my hearing loss to loud model airplane engines, and shooting skeet at Sharon Johnston .

Did both to excess as a young man without hearing protection. How STUPID dang.

 

[Tom the Tinker]

You fly model planes . Perhaps we know each other as I do also. But to your point on hearing loss; I attribute mine to shooting my .45 Colt back in the 70's at Auburn with no protection because if John Wayne could do it.......... Really young and stupid back then but has an upside. I can't easily hear higher pitched voices well. Probably why I'm still married after 39 years.

I haven't been to Sharon Johnston in years. I will have to check it out. Way cheaper than Hobbs Island, but that 380 yd range is enticing.

 

[yellowhammer]

You fly model planes . Perhaps we know each other as I do also. But to your point on hearing loss; I attribute mine to shooting my .45 Colt back in the 70's at Auburn with no protection because if John Wayne could do it.......... Really young and stupid back then but has an upside. I can't easily hear higher pitched voices well. Probably why I'm still married after 39 years.

I haven't been to Sharon Johnston in years. I will have to check it out. Way cheaper than Hobbs Island, but that 380 yd range is enticing.

We might! I started at Auburn in '76... shoot me a PM and we'll talk...

 

[leadhoarder]

Hey all Alabama guys, I read earlier in this thread that the Hobbs Island firing range in Huntsville was not black powder friendly. I called and spoke with Matt who assured me in no uncertain terms that that is false. That, in fact, there are a number of members who shoot BP. The only restrictions that he could imagine (his words) were if a substantial drought were to occur.

On another note, I am always looking for shooting buddies in the Huntsville Area and this thread tells me you are out there.

I am a member there and I shoot my MLs there. I have only seen one other person shooting a traditional ML there. There is usually a week or two before deer season when you see some modern front stuffers and the fake powder.

 

[Pratt]

Just an Idea. You should check with your local Scout camps. Any time Scouts are not camping there. Can not hurt to give them a call. Part of rifle shooting merit badge is the nuzzle loading option.

 

[russellshaffer]

This is off topic but go down to the Space and Rocket Center. You can stand under a real, genuine Saturn 5 rocket. The only one left in the world. This is a leftover, the rest of them went to the moon.

 

[Collie]

Hey everyone thanks for the warm welcome. We've been here a couple of months now and love it, Huntsville is waaaay better than Dallas (where we just moved from).

I've been to Swan Creek a couple of times and really like it. The staff were friendly and there weren't any crazy restrictive rules like the ranges in Dallas. I think whatever recent changes made it really nice and if you haven't been there in a while you should check it out again.

Skyline is pretty far, but I'm planning on checking it out some time soon. I also looked into that range at Hobbs Island and they had something like a 6 week waiting list, so I'll stick to the free ranges for now.

I went to my second NSSA shoot at Brierfield since moving here and I'll be going to my third one this weekend. Y'all should check it out if you're interested in civil war era firearms.

 

[AndyJ]

Welcome to the area. My son and a buddy and I normally shoot at Swan Creek...seems to be well monitored to keep risk down...doesnt mean its perfect - still need to pay attention. The two down sides I see is the closed time between mid nov and early feb...the other is its longest range area is 100 yds. Skyline has a 200 yd area but its a drive. There is also one in Bankhead but its not monitored...was walking back from fixing a target when a young kid started shooting again. Got me excited for sure.
Best of luck in your new home area...weve been here for about 7 yrs and its been good. There's a good BP shop just east of Birmingham in Argo...was there last weekend.

 

[Sebaney]

Hey all, I’m in the Huntsville area as well. I shoot at Swan Creek and Hurricane Creek. Would love to meet up with some of you in the area and shoot.