Winchester Celebrates NILO Farm’s 70th Birthday With Limited-Edition AA Target Load Boxes

Since 1952, Winchester’s NILO facility in Illinois has been a premier destination for hunters and other visitors

by
posted on June 22, 2022
Winch NILO AA 1

Winchester is celebrating the 70th anniversary of NILO in style, giving its AA 12-gauge light target load (AA128) commemorative packaging that will be available only for a limited time. NILO is Winchester’s hunting and shooting facility located in Brighton, Illinois.

The front panel of the limited-edition AA packaging depicts a throwback shotgunner with shells, dressed in Winchester’s familiar red color, along with the text “NILO Celebrates 70 Years.”

It was in 1952 that John M. Olin took more than 600 acres of farmland joined by timber and transformed it into a wildlife oasis. He created the ideal place to raise and train the best Labrador retrievers in the world and called it NILO (Olin spelled backwards). The land was dedicated to unparalleled hunting, sport shooting, gun dogs and conservation education.

Celebrities, political dignitaries, sports stars and avid outdoors enthusiasts have been among the many people to enjoy the hospitality at NILO. Since the beginning, Winchester’s AA shotshells have been the ammo of choice on NILO fields and on its ranges. The new specially packaged AA light target load ammunition not only commemorates the legacy of John M. Olin, but also his commitment to conservation and the shooting sports.

Earlier this month, the facility hosted the 2022 NILO Open, a sporting clays tournament boasting $35,000 in prize money. Entry fees for the two-day competition included 100 rounds of Winchester AA shotshell ammunition for shooters to use on the 15-station sporting clays course.

Interested in visiting NILO? The facility is open to the public year-round, but only by reservation. There are certain shooting days for sporting clays, trap, skeet and five-stand, so be sure to check before booking. Hunting season is October 1 to March 31 for pheasant, chukar and flighted ducks. Go to www.nilofarms.com to find out more. Visit www.winchester.com to learn where you can find AA shells in the limited-edition NILO throwback boxes.

Latest

Sagen Gold 1
Sagen Gold 1

Maddalena Wins Women’s Rifle Gold At ISSF Lima World Cup

Olympic silver medalist Sagen Maddalena wins Women’s 50m Rifle 3-Position gold medal at 2025 ISSF Lima World Cup.

Panic-Buying, Not Tariffs, May Repeat Ammo Shortages

NSSF and other experts weigh in on what may cause an ammunition shortage in the future.

West Virginia University Wins 20th NCAA Rifle Championship Title

WVU rallies during air rifle to secure victory over Kentucky by one point at the 2025 NCAA rifle championship in March.

Springfield Armory On New Kuna 9 mm Pistol: ‘Exceptional Performance In A Portable Package’

There’s plenty to gawk at in the new Springfield Armory Kuna roller-delayed 9 mm pistol.

Team Remington’s Connor Thigpen Wins High All Around Title At 2025 Triple J Classic

Team Remington’s Connor Thigpen wins High All Around title, takes third place in High Over All at 2025 Triple J Classic.

Team USA Women Sweep Skeet Podium At 2025 ISSF World Cup Lima

Women’s Skeet podium sweep, plus five skeet event medals for USA Shooting athletes at 2025 ISSF World Cup in Lima.

Interests



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