Cheshire County Shooting Sports Education Foundation

Cheshire County Shooting Sports Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit club operating shooting ranges and hosting sanctioned competitions throughout New Hampshire. Unlike a retail operation, CCSSEF focuses on member participation in multiple shooting disciplines with structured competitions, practice events, and safety training.

The club hosts year-round events across five primary shooting categories:

Steel Challenge – USPSA-sanctioned speed and accuracy competitions. Shooters engage steel targets from various distances with categories for every skill level—from beginners to advanced competitors. Registration available day-of or through PractiScore online.

High Power Rifle – Matches featuring WWII-era rifles (CMP sanctioned), modern AR-15 service rifles, AR-based competition rifles, and long-range precision events. Competitions run 200-600 yards. Thursday practice includes 600-yard morning sessions (9am-noon) and 300-yard afternoon practice (4pm-dark). Sunday morning matches.

Action Pistol – IDPA-style defensive pistol competitions held third Saturday of each month with Wednesday evening practice drills. Scenarios emphasize weapon familiarity, target identification, rapid fire, accurate engagement, and safe movement. Stock or near-stock handguns required. Beginners and responsible teenagers welcome with supervision.

Trap – Traditional clay target shooting.

Cowboy Action Shooting – Lever-action rifle and revolver competitions.

Action Pistol requirements: Centerfire pistol, three magazines (or four speed loaders for revolvers), magazine carriers, holster (appendix carry permitted with approval—no drop-leg or race holsters), cover garment (coat or vest), and 100+ rounds of ammunition per match.

High Power: Varies by match type—vintage rifles for CMP events, AR-15s for service rifle matches, competition rifles for F-Class and Palma events.

CCSEF enforces strict range safety policies. All participants required to wear appropriate eye and ear protection. Members must pass the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) test demonstrating understanding of range safety rules. The foundation teaches the four rules of firearm safety:

1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction 2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot 3. Always keep your gun unloaded until ready to use it 4. Always know your target and what's behind it

70% of accidental firearm injuries involve children ages 10-14—secure all firearms to prevent unauthorized use

Basic Pistol safety courses available for members.

Online renewal available for 2026 membership. Master event calendar shows all competitions, practice times, and range closures. Facebook page provides regular updates on scheduling changes and announcements.

2026 Board Members (3-year terms): Kristin D'Ambrisi, Dan Harrison, J.T. Messinese, Hillary Steiner

Officers: Peter Crowell (General Manager), Glen Skoog (Vice Chairman), Ian Strimbeck (Chief Training Officer), Dave Gaillardetz (Assistant Chief Range Safety Officer), Lynn Murphy-Skoog (Membership Director)

Event Contacts: - Steel Challenge: CheshireCountySteelChallenge@email - High Power (Bob Felock): 603-903-0911 - Action Pistol (Walt Lewandowski): 603-499-0057 - Prone Practice/600yd (Pete De Santis): 603-352-7720 - Sniper Matches (Neil Jeneral): 603-352-0094

CCSEF maintains an extensive resource directory linking shooters to major organizations (NRA, NSSF, CMP), manufacturers (Browning, Ruger, Winchester, Remington, Savage, Mossberg, Benelli), ammunition suppliers (Federal, Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi, CCI), and reloading equipment sources (RCBS, Redding, Lyman). Published guides cover range rules, range safety etiquette, and firearm safety for all ages.