Fear & Loading: Zombies Coming Back to the Heartland

by
posted on February 22, 2019
** 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. **
zombies_lead.jpg

This year’s Hornady Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match will take place May 31 to June 2 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park located in Grand Island, Neb. The event, now in its eighth year, will feature more zombies—a change requested by shooters—and stages to challenge all competitors, from expert to beginning.

A Pistol Caliber Carbine Division (PCC) is being offered this year, which features AR-15-style firearms chambered for pistol cartridges—9 mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. The class of firearms has grown in popularity in competition and Hornady is offering enthusiasts a chance to hone their zombie-hunting prowess in a new, two-gun division, where enthusiasts can utilize their PCC in place of handgun and rifle.

Registration is already open on the official website. A sponsor reception will take place before the match, May 30, at Riverside Golf Club.

With an unusual course-of-fire, Zombies in the Heartland attracts shooters from across the country and includes some traveling from outside the United States. Annually more than 400 shooters attend, with available slots sold out early each year.

The match will feature 10 competitive stages and five side-match states. Shooters will find new and reactive targets developed specifically for the event, with most targets breaking, falling over or moving. Participants will be required to compete with a pistol, rifle and shotgun. 

Heartland Public Shooting Park, operated by the Grand Island Parks and Recreation Department, is the largest and most comprehensive public shooting facility in America’s Midwest. It hosts a variety of regional and national events each year.

For updates follow the Zombies in the Heartland Facebook page. Sponsorship questions should be directed to Emily Mierau by e-mailing [email protected].

Hotel rooms can be reserved at the Boarders Inn and Suites (3333 Ramada Road, Grand Island, NE). Mention Zombies in the Heartland for reduced rates.

Latest

US Palm STORM CAT4 01
US Palm STORM CAT4 01

Storm on the Horizon: US Palm's Storm Cat4 Rifles & Pistols

Known primarily for its line of AK-platform accessories, this year, US Palm branched out with a full line of AR-style rifles and pistols, all of which have a unique feature set.

Review: Axil XCor Pro Hearing Protection

These do-it-all earbuds from Axil actually do it all.

Federal's New 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak: The Peak Alloy Case Goes Mainstream

Federal introduced its high-pressure Peak Alloy case design with the 7 mm Backcountry in 2025. Now, the company is incorporating it into high-pressure 6.5 Creedmoor loads with the +Peak design.

I Carry: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC in a JM Custom Kydex Holster

In our latest "I Carry" video, a Springfield Echelon 4.0FC is outfitted with Aimpoint's new COA enclosed-emitter red-dot optic, and to carry this optic-equipped handgun, we've selected a JM Custom Kydex holster.

The Armed Citizen® June 5, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Multi-Caliber MK24 to Replace SCAR-H For SOCOM

U.S. Special Forces will soon be replacing their 7.62-NATO-chambered SCAR-Hs with a new, barrel-swapping MK24 Mid-Range Gas Gun-Assault (MRGGA) gun capable of running either 7.62 NATO or 6.5 Creedmoor.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.