Hillsdale College To Construct New Rifle And Pistol Range

Hillsdale College yesterday announced another expansion for its growing shooting sports programs.

The institution said the new rifle and pistol facility, to be called the Ailes Action Shooting Range, will be located at the John Anthony Halter Shooting Sports Education Center, about five miles away from the Hillsdale campus in Hillsdale, Michigan. Additionally, the expansion will serve as the new home of the Hillsdale Action Shooting Team.

Action-focused, the new rifle and pistol range will provide additional opportunities at Hillsdale College’s top-notch shooting sports facilities.

The Ailes Action Shooting Range is slated to have three 30-yard pistol bays and a 40-yard pistol bay, plus a 100-yard rifle range. The facility will join Halter Center's four international skeet fields, 22-station sporting clays course, five international bunkers and nine American Trap fields.

The impetus for the new range’s construction was the success of Hillsdale College’s Action Shooting Team, after winning a national championship on its first try. “Our students are extremely disciplined,” said Head Coach Adam Burlew. “They trained dutifully for months, and I’m proud of their performance under pressure.”

In addition to hosting the action shooting team’s practices and competition, the Ailes Action Shooting Range will be used for youth and community education, action shooting leagues and the College’s Ladies for Liberty and Couples for Liberty shooting camps. It also will be open for use by members of the Halter Center. Annual memberships are available to the general public.

Hillsdale College has been the home of the USA Shooting National Team since 2019, also hosting USA Shooting trap and skeet national championships and development camps.

“Hillsdale College is proud to support the shooting sports at all levels—as the official home of USA Shooting, of our collegiate teams, and of local high school and community leagues and activities,” said Jim Dugan, director of the Hillsdale College John Anthony Halter Shooting Sports Education Center. “If you haven’t already, please come visit us.”

Learn more at shootingsports.hillsdale.edu.