North-South Skirmish Association - Home Range

Home Range

The N-SSA's headquarters and main range, known as Fort Shenandoah, are located on approximately 430 acres (1.7 km2) of land approximately seven miles north of Winchester, Virginia. Facilities include a rifle range, a separate revolver range, and private camping.

The main rifle range has a firing line over one-quarter mile (400 m) long, with room for nearly 600 competitors to shoot simultaneously. Shooting distance in this configuration is 50 and 100 yards (91 m). The width of the range is employed, with a slanted firing line, to provide distances of up to 300 yards (270 m) for artillery and long-range rifle competition. This range is controlled from a single tower, and is one of the largest in the world.

The revolver range has a firing line of approximately 250 positions. Distances available are 25 yards (23 m) for the entire line, and 50 yards (46 m) for approximately 25 positions. The full width of the revolver range is normally used only for revolver team competition.

Member units are assigned campsites for their use throughout the year. Utilities are limited to central water and toilet facilities. Most competitors and their families spend skirmish weekends on the range - a particularly enjoyable experience during the prime camping seasons of late May (Spring Nationals) and early October (Fall Nationals).

Planned activities for a typical skirmish weekend include children's programs, dances, cook-outs, and trips to "Sutler Row," where vendors display and sell Civil War firearms, accoutrements, and clothing.