Due to circumstances surrounding the Covid 19 pandemic, Loomis Battery will not be able to have the Long Range Historic Artillery Program in 2020. Spectators can contact: Grayling Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 217 Grayling, MI 49738 (800) 937-8837 visitor@grayling-mi.com |
Spectators should bring their own binoculars and ear plugs. These matches are conducted by Loomis’ Battery of Michigan Light Artillery, Inc. a non-profit living history organization founded in 1960 and dedicated to interpretation of historic artillery through exhibits and marksmanship.

While we respect the prudent use of historic artillery in living history and historical site interpretation, we contend that a full hands-on understanding of artillery can only come from exercising it with projectiles, in a controlled firing range situation. This will not be for everybody. Standards of range safety, quality of ammunition, gun tube and carriage cannot be compromised.
For those who are interested we recommend the annual Historic Long Range Artillery Competition sponsored by Loomis Battery, Inc.- with the cooperation of the Michigan Army National Guard. It is usually held around the third weekend of July. Exact dates will vary depending on annual range availability. The program is open to the public as a free spectator event at Camp Grayling, Michigan, about 250 miles north of Detroit.
Participation as a competitor is by invitation. The program features competition with pre-1898 field guns and mortars at ranges up to 1200 yards. Up to 24 full size field guns and a dozen mortars can participate in this program.
Mortar shooting
Hotchkiss 1.65 inch Mountain Rifle
Visitors
A winning gun crew and their target 1000 yards down rangeGatling gun prepared for demonstration
WINNERS!
Special thanks to David W. Schmidt of Grayling, Michigan for the photos!