ESS Extreme Stress ShootingGreat Falls area, Montana Call 406-750-1309

Members-only outdoor range · Big Sky Country

A safe, friendly place to shoot under the Montana sky.

Bring the family, learn the basics, or sharpen your skills. Safety first, good company always.

Become a member See hours
A shooter firing a rifle at steel targets in an ESS range bay while an instructor stands close behind him, both wearing ear protection, in evening light

Welcome to ESS

Extreme Stress Shooting is a family-run outdoor range in the Great Falls area. Whether it's your first time holding a firearm or you've been shooting for decades, you'll find a relaxed, welcoming spot where safety comes first and questions are always welcome.

Extreme Stress Shooting is an outdoor shooting range located near Great Falls, Montana. I am a Montana Certified Firearms Instructor, USCCA & NRA instructor, & retired Army Special Forces. I emphasize safety in all training and love training beginners in firearms safety & their use.

We have a number of firearms that you may experience shooting (numerous handguns, AR-15 & AK style rifles, 2 black powder rifles, & 1 black powder pistol). If you wish to shoot any of those guns, please let me know in advance so that I can make sure the ammunition is available.

— Ken Leppell, owner
An ESS instructor coaching a boy wearing ear protection beside a silhouette target on a stand in front of the dirt berm

Instruction & Courses

Shooting instruction available. New shooters and families welcome. Just ask when you book.

Instruction by Ken Leppell, certified USCCA Instructor and certified NRA Instructor.

Courses Ken offers

  • USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense
  • USCCA Emergency First Aid

Additional instruction can be tailored, with gun rentals available under instruction.

Ask about dates when you book.

Inside the ESS clubhouse, an instructor adjusts a student's grip and stance during a class

Membership

ESS is open to annual members and their exploratory guests. There are no day passes.

Exploratory Membership $10

Try the range for one month. Exploratory members must be accompanied on the range by an annual member.

Download & print the Exploratory member form (PDF)

Annual Membership $40

Use the range on your own for a full year.

Like it? If you upgrade within your exploratory month, it’s just $30 more for an annual membership, and your year starts from the day you became an exploratory member.

Hours

Dawn to Dusk

Evening and night shooting available by request. Call or book ahead.

Limited shooting supplies available on site. Target stands for rent; just give us a heads-up when you book.

Open holidays too, though staff may not be on hand to help.

Directions

Range address: 963 Highwood Mountain Lane, Great Falls, MT 59405

Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps

From Great Falls: Head east on 10th Ave S (US-87/89) past Malmstrom AFB and turn left onto MT-228 (Highwood Road). Stay on MT-228 about 18 miles, crossing the Belt Creek bridge, then turn right onto Highwood Mountain Lane (gravel). About 26 miles, 45 minutes from downtown.

Last mile: Follow Highwood Mountain Lane about 0.3 mile to the house where the lane ends. The sign-in checkpoint is on your right just past the house. Then continue on the dirt road about 0.7 mile to the range.

Questions finding us? Call 406-750-1309.

Aerial photo: turn off MT-228 onto Highwood Mountain Lane, follow it south to the house and the sign-in checkpoint, then take the dirt road west and south to the ESS range
The last mile: turn off MT-228 (1), pass the house and the sign-in checkpoint on your right (2), then follow the dirt road to the range (3). Imagery: USDA NAIP 2021 via USGS (public domain). Roads © OpenStreetMap contributors.
The ESS sign-in checkpoint beside the dirt road: a light-blue sign board with notices and a black drop box, a mailbox, and a blue post
Sign-in checkpoint: on your right just past the house. Look for the blue sign board and mailbox.
Annotated aerial map of the ESS range: the road in from the north, the supply shed, parking and restroom near the road, Ranges 1 to 5 in a row along the berms, and Range 6, the long range, with its firing line at the west end shooting east to targets out to 675 yards
Range layout: Ranges 1-5 along the berms, Range 6 is the long range (to 675 yds). Supply shed, parking and restroom by the road in.

Range Rules

These keep everyone safe and having a good time. Range staff have the final say. Thanks for helping!

  1. Treat all guns as though they are loaded until proven otherwise.
  2. Never point your firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy.
  3. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are on target and have made the decision to shoot.
  4. Always be sure of your target and know what’s behind, in front of, and around the target.
  5. Eye and ear protection are required for everyone on the firing line, shooters and spectators.
  6. Obey all cease-fire calls immediately. Unload, open the action, step back from the line. Never handle firearms during a cease-fire.
  7. Children are welcome and must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. (Children means anyone 17 and under, unless they are a member of the Armed Services.)
  8. No alcohol or drugs before or during shooting.
  9. Shoot only at approved targets and within your assigned lane or bay.
  10. A signed waiver is required for every shooter before range time (see below).
  11. Do not shoot at wildlife on or around the range.
  12. All glass targets are prohibited.
  13. Leave range bay cleaner than you found it.
  14. No Tannerite without prior approval.
  15. Shooting after hours or in limited visibility is available upon request.
  16. Approved AR-450 and above steel targets only and at 10 yards or greater.
  17. No steel core ammunition is to be used on ESS steel targets.
  18. Pets are allowed but are the owner’s responsibility and must be kept under control by the owner, never downrange, and not permitted to roam freely around the facility.

Upcoming Club Shoots

Local clubs host matches here. Come shoot, or just come watch.

Liability Waiver

All shooters need a signed waiver before range time.

Download & print

Print it, fill it out and sign it, and bring it with you on your first visit.

Download & print (PDF)

No printer? Paper copies of the waiver are available on request at the sign-in checkpoint across from the house on your way in.

Children (17 and under, unless a member of the Armed Services) need a parent or guardian signature.

Join / Contact

All shooters need a signed waiver before range time. Get the waiver →

For purchase Limited ammo available for purchase — call for availability.

Requests go to ESS by email. We'll get back to you to confirm.

An instructor and a young woman shooting at paper targets in an open ESS bay below the big dirt berm, fence line and blue Montana sky above