Big Bore Blast 2026

If you've never felt the concussion of a 40mm going off downrange, Big Bore Blast is your chance to experience the heavy metal that most shooters only see in movies.

Now in its second year, Big Bore Blast has quickly established itself as one of the premier destructive device events in the Midwest. Hosted at Southington Hunt Club's excellent training facility in Garrettsville, Ohio, this isn't your typical machine gun shoot. While there's plenty of full-auto action, the real draw is the big bore hardware: live fire cannons, grenade launchers, and mortars.

The day kicks off with open range time where registered shooters can blast away at cars and other reactive targets. As the afternoon progresses, the competitions begin with the 40mm grenade launcher competition followed by the mortar competition. Both events draw serious competitors who've been perfecting their craft.

As sunset approaches, the range goes cold for a night safety brief before the main event: the night shoot. There's something primal about watching tracers arc downrange in the darkness, and when the cannons start firing, you'll understand why people travel from across the country for this.

Washington County Machine Guns will be on site with their Humvee, MiniGun, and Ma Deuce available for rental, along with a variety of other machine guns. If you don't own NFA items yourself, this is your opportunity to experience them firsthand.

Vendors will be present throughout the event, and food will be available for purchase. Camping spots are available, some with electric hookups, making it easy to extend your weekend.