Cardinal Shooting Center Expanding

by
posted on October 23, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ccrangeupgrades-2.jpg
When I first visited the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, OH, I called it “Disneyland for competitive shooters.” Like the theme park, the Cardinal Shooting Center is not sitting on its laurels, instead choosing to expand an already-vast facility, including new bullseye pistol ranges.

Cardinal Center | 100-point, 100-yard pistol range
Aerial view of one of the new covered, 100-point pistol ranges at Cardinal Center in Marengo, OH.

To learn more about the expansion, we talked to championship pistol shooter Jim Henderson, previously with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), and the newly-minted Cardinal Center competitions director for pistol and rifle.

“The Cardinal Center will have a total of three ranges, with 100 covered points per range. Currently, we have one range of 100 covered points that’s near completion,” said Henderson. “We just need some cosmetic things done.”

Two of the three ranges that Henderson mentions will have 100-yard berms with three target distances: 25 yards and meters, 50 yards and meters, and 100 yards. The final 100-point range will feature both 25- and 50-yard distances. In addition to the new bullseye pistol ranges, there’s 14 separate 40- x 75-foot pistol bays, and a 50-yard action shooting area.

Cardinal Center | Scoring pistol targets
Scoring targets during a test bullseye match.

But, the folks at Cardinal aren’t stopping with the range upgrades. There are plans to construct a new clubhouse, including a retail store. Henderson says they will have everything from guns to t-shirts for sale. And there’s endless outdoor recreation activities for when shooting is done for the day.

“We have hundreds of RV and campsites, and a couple dozen cabins to rent. Also, there’s a 150-person banquet hall, indoor pool, camp store and a pond for fishing,” added Henderson. “We even have a cornhole tournament area, and a full-service restaurant on site.”

The facility offers plenty to see and do, just remember to bring comfortable shoes, because you may be walking a lot. It’s that big. Thanks to the campground, cabins and RV camp, competitors can bring their families for matches.

“Our goal here at Cardinal is to make the complex a destination trip for the entire family,” said Henderson.

Cardinal Center | Marengo, Ohio
Jim Henderson is planning fun side matches to enhance the friendly rivalries at the new Cardinal Center bullseye matches. Bring your friends!

Below is the bullseye match schedule for the Cardinal Center in 2019.

  • April 14: 2700 match, lunch provided, $45 entry fee
  • May 12: 2700 match, lunch provided, $45 entry fee
  • June 9: 2700 match, lunch provided, $45 entry fee
  • July 2-3: 3600 match (.22/CF/.45/SP), lunch provided, $150 entry fee, .22 EIC/DR/SP EIC matches will all be $15 each
  • August 11: 2700 Ohio State Outdoor Championship, lunch provided, $70 entry fee, .22 EIC/DR/SP EIC matches will be $15 each
  • September 8: 2700 match, lunch provided $50 entry fee, .22 EIC/DR/SP EIC will be $15 each
  • October 13: 2700 match, lunch provided, $45 entry fee
  • Spring League: April 24 - June 26, $85 entry fee
  • Fall League: August 7 - October 9, $85 entry fee

Go to www.cardinalcenter.com to learn more about this facility.

Latest

1990 NRA Nationalmatches History Campperry 2
1990 NRA Nationalmatches History Campperry 2

Politics, Weather and Rising Stars Mark a Turning Point: 1990 National Matches

The 1990 National Matches at Camp Perry saw funding threats, severe weather cancellations and major victories by shooters like David Tubb and Jim Meredith as a new decade began.

Review: GP Arms Patriot Rebel

The GP Arms Patriot Rebel is a mid-level 2011 built for Limited Optics, delivering 1,000-plus rounds of flawless reliability including a full USPSA Nationals.

Milan Cortina 2026: Team USA’s Masters Defends Paralympic Biathlon Title With Perfect Shooting

Oksana Masters defended her Paralympic biathlon sprint title with flawless shooting at Milan Cortina 2026, with teammate Kendall Gretsch taking silver.

MidwayUSA Foundation Sends $7.5 Million to 995 Youth Shooting Teams Across 46 States

MidwayUSA Foundation concludes its February grant cycle with more than $7.5 million paid to youth shooting teams nationwide, funded by endowments that allow teams to draw 5% annually in perpetuity.

2026 NSCA Championship Tour Opens in March With Eight Stops and Expanded Winchester Ladies Cup

The NSCA Championship Tour, Powered by Winchester returns for 2026 with eight stops, $40,000 in added Ladies Cup payouts and 120 cases of ammunition for women competitors.

Westin Anderson Wins Junior HOA Title at 50th Spring Grand American

Westin Anderson wins Junior HOA and Singles champion titles while Ziggy Tkaczenko sweeps the wheelchair division at 50th Spring Grand American in Tucson.



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.