This Saturday there will be two Smallbore Rifle Silhouette Matches at the Chatuge Gun Club just outside of Hiawassee, Georgia. One 40 shot Standard Rifle match and one 40 shot Hunter Rifle match. Match start time is 12 p.m. with practice starting around 11 a.m. The matches will run rain or shine. The firing line is covered. Go to Chatuge Gun Club site for more information.
The Smallbore Silhouette matches at Chatuge Gun Club are open to all competitors so you do not need to be a club member to attend the matches.
There are several types of rifles that can be used for smallbore rifle silhouette but generally they are hunting type rifles most often with optical sights (scopes) attached. There is no requirement that optical sights be used but due to the relatively small size of the targets, they generally make the sport more enjoyable since they allow the competitor to clearly see the targets. Ammunition is restricted 22 Long Rifle ammunition with no high velocity ammunition allowed. Subsonic ammunition is more accurate than high velocity ammunition, minimizes the possibility of damage to the range equipment and reduces the chance that a ricochet will make it back to the firing line.
Hunting Rifle class can weigh a maximum of 8 1/2 lbs. (including sights) and must have a minimum trigger pull weight of 2 lbs, with a taper barrel and hunting stock. Standard Rifle class can be a maximum weight of 10 lbs. 2 oz. (including sights), any type of barrel/stock, and does not have a minimum trigger pull weight restriction (but it must be a SAFE trigger!). A number of competitors opt to shoot a rifle that meets the more stringent Hunting Rifle class requirements in both the Hunter and Standard matches. Single shot and semi auto rifles can be used.
The course of fire for the Standard Rifle Match and the Hunter Rifle Match is 10 shots at each of the four animals/distances for a total of 40 shots for each match.
10 chicken targets fired at 40 meters
10 pig targets fired at 60 meters
10 turkey targets fired at 77 meters
10 ram targets fired at 100 meters
The course of fire is subdivided into 5 shot strings (first bank of animals), during which the competitors are allowed a 15 second ready period to load and prepare (change sight settings, etc.) for the first shot followed by 2 ½ minutes to fire five shots. A 30 second break then you will do it all over for your second bank of animals. The line commands are “READY”, “FIRE” and “CEASE FIRE”. You will need 40 rounds of ammo for each match for a total of 80 rounds. But bring more ammo for practice/zero and in case you are in a shoot off.
There are no sighting shots included in the course of fire. You must know your zeros for the four distances and make adjustments during the match. There will be a sighting/practice period prior to the start of record fire. During this time, competitors are allowed to confirm zeros with an unlimited number of rounds but once the match starts, no sighting shots are allowed.
Smallbore Rifle Silhouette is shot “offhand” standing unsupported on the clock. No bench rests, no slings, no heavy shooting jackets, no laying down, no running, no gunning, no nothing. Just old school shooting. It is you and your rifle/ammo trying to knock the animals off the rail. Get the 22 LR rifle out and come have some fun.
We put new shooters with an experience shooter to show them how things are done. Metallic silhouette shooters and matches are easy going. We help new shooters to learn the sport. We have a mix of males, females and kids shooting the match. It is a family fun shooting sport. Break out the Ruger 10/22 and shoot some steel.
The Smallbore Silhouette matches at Chatuge Gun Club are open to all competitors so you do not need to be a club member to attend the matches.
There are several types of rifles that can be used for smallbore rifle silhouette but generally they are hunting type rifles most often with optical sights (scopes) attached. There is no requirement that optical sights be used but due to the relatively small size of the targets, they generally make the sport more enjoyable since they allow the competitor to clearly see the targets. Ammunition is restricted 22 Long Rifle ammunition with no high velocity ammunition allowed. Subsonic ammunition is more accurate than high velocity ammunition, minimizes the possibility of damage to the range equipment and reduces the chance that a ricochet will make it back to the firing line.
Hunting Rifle class can weigh a maximum of 8 1/2 lbs. (including sights) and must have a minimum trigger pull weight of 2 lbs, with a taper barrel and hunting stock. Standard Rifle class can be a maximum weight of 10 lbs. 2 oz. (including sights), any type of barrel/stock, and does not have a minimum trigger pull weight restriction (but it must be a SAFE trigger!). A number of competitors opt to shoot a rifle that meets the more stringent Hunting Rifle class requirements in both the Hunter and Standard matches. Single shot and semi auto rifles can be used.
The course of fire for the Standard Rifle Match and the Hunter Rifle Match is 10 shots at each of the four animals/distances for a total of 40 shots for each match.
10 chicken targets fired at 40 meters
10 pig targets fired at 60 meters
10 turkey targets fired at 77 meters
10 ram targets fired at 100 meters
The course of fire is subdivided into 5 shot strings (first bank of animals), during which the competitors are allowed a 15 second ready period to load and prepare (change sight settings, etc.) for the first shot followed by 2 ½ minutes to fire five shots. A 30 second break then you will do it all over for your second bank of animals. The line commands are “READY”, “FIRE” and “CEASE FIRE”. You will need 40 rounds of ammo for each match for a total of 80 rounds. But bring more ammo for practice/zero and in case you are in a shoot off.
There are no sighting shots included in the course of fire. You must know your zeros for the four distances and make adjustments during the match. There will be a sighting/practice period prior to the start of record fire. During this time, competitors are allowed to confirm zeros with an unlimited number of rounds but once the match starts, no sighting shots are allowed.
Smallbore Rifle Silhouette is shot “offhand” standing unsupported on the clock. No bench rests, no slings, no heavy shooting jackets, no laying down, no running, no gunning, no nothing. Just old school shooting. It is you and your rifle/ammo trying to knock the animals off the rail. Get the 22 LR rifle out and come have some fun.
We put new shooters with an experience shooter to show them how things are done. Metallic silhouette shooters and matches are easy going. We help new shooters to learn the sport. We have a mix of males, females and kids shooting the match. It is a family fun shooting sport. Break out the Ruger 10/22 and shoot some steel.
