REMINGTON GUN CLUB

BY: JOHN CAFFEY

Over the last couple of years, the shotgun sports have had their share of changes and challenges. There have been mandatory closures, tightness with target supply and less availability of shells, and reloading components. One thing clay shooters didn’t see much of, was the opening of new clubs. Just when we thought all hope was lost, Remington Ammunition steps up and has decided to do just that. Big Green has not only reopened their trap and skeet club, but they have also expanded to include two exceptional sporting clays courses. trap and skeet fields, but also expand the disciplines offered by building a new sporting clays course. According to Joel Hodgdon, Remington ‘s Director of Marketing, “This is a remarkable facility. We have a ton of exciting events and tournaments planned

The original Remington Gun Club was opened in 1978 in the shadows of Remington’s ammunition manufacturing plant in Lonoke, Arkansas. At that time the club offered both trap and skeet, and was already well known in the MidWest for their registered shoots and other events. As Remington began to experience financial problems, the decision was made, by the previous corporate management, to close the club in 2016. The machines were sold, and the club employees were reassigned within the plant.

Fast forward to 2020. Remington was sold to Vista Outdoors and the new Remington Ammunition President, Jason Vanderbrink, saw the potential in reopening the club. Being an avid outdoorsman and skilled shooter himself, Jason was very interested in pursuing this rebirth. Remington Ammunition was able to partner with the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and Midway USA Foundation for a range development grant. Not only would this partnership revitalize the old

for Remington fans and pros to get out there and break some clays”.

There are currently seven nicely manicured trap fields, three of which are skeet and trap combination fields, which are perfect for registered events. All fields have been outfitted with PatTrap equipment and designed for high volume shooting. These fields have been maintained and upgraded to offer the original American disciplines to shooters on the historic Remington shooting grounds.

Since the inaugural opening of the first sporting clays course a second course has been completed. The first course sports thirteen stations and offers varying degrees of difficulty. The intent is to appeal to every level of shooter, from the beginner to the moderately advanced shooter, who may wish to come out and spend the day making empty hulls. The second course, which has recently been commissioned, offers twelve stations. Course two is up and running, offering more advanced levels of targets than course one. With the advent of two functional sporting courses on site, management plans to host major shoots in the future.

Youth shooting is a major priority to Big Green. The Club is currently hosting a Sporting Clays League for younger shooters. This league has divisions for ages 17 and younger, as well as for ages 18 and older. This six-week 300 target league boasts both weekly ammunition winners, as well as additional cash prizes for the participants.

Both courses are open for golf carts and ATV’s. Currently, the club provides Rugged Gear buggies for shooters who would like to make their day shooting even more relaxing. It is important to note that the course is not difficult to walk, with a total roundtrip distance of approximately a half mile. Shooting at the Remington Gun Club is quite affordable, with a round of trap or skeet costing $6 and sporting clays priced at $20 for a round of fifty and $35 for a round of one-hundred targets. If that’s not incentive enough, Remington has sweetened the deal. There is no membership required to shoot at the club. In fact, the Remington Gun Club is the only public sporting clays course in the entire state of Arkansas. The stated goal at Remington is to make shooting as affordable as it can, so as many people as possible will have the opportunity to participate.

The enthusiasm associated with the Remington Gun Club reopening will likely bring an expansion of the current club house to accommodate the increase in shooting traffic. Since the club is owned and operated by Remington, you won’t need to worry about shells. There are an abundance of Gun Club, Premier STS and Premier Nitro 27 Shells available in the Pro Shop. The Range Manager, Justin Hefner, is always available and willing to help with private events, fundraisers, or corporate retreats.

The range is currently open Wednesday and Thursday, 11am to 5pm and Saturday, 11am to 5pm, and Sunday, 12pm to 5pm.

For more information on the Remington Gun Club, visit their website at remington.com or call 501-676-7961. n