What's the deal about shooting Smallbore Rife silhouette? I believe its the reactive targets. Target that do something after being hit. It brings out the tin can shooter in all of us.
Smallbore rifle silhouette is shot with a 22 LR chambered rifle. There are two classes of rifle. The Hunting rifle has to be a factory available rifle that weights no more than 8.5 pounds with sighting equipment. The trigger must lift 2 pounds and the only modifications allowed would be bedding and the addition of a recoil pad. If barrels are replaced, they will have the same contour as the factory. The rifles most often seen on the line are Remington 541s with a few Sako Finfires, Marlins, Cooper, Anshutz and sometimes a Ruger.
The silhouette rifle lets you do some modifications. The weight can be 10 pounds 2 ounces, custom actions are allowed with barrels no to exceed 30 inches. Palm rest and hooked butt plates are not allowed. There are a few other rules about the scope not being over 1.5 inches above the bore and the rules specify the drop of the toe and depth and thickness of the fore end.
The typical course of fire is 10 shots at a set of small metal targets shaped like animals, placed at 40, 50, 75, and 100 meters. Shot in groups of 5 targets in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. This is then repeated for the second bank of 5 targets. The match consist of 40 shots, all fired off-hand without a shooting coat or sling. This is often referred to as shooting off your hind legs like a man.
Gateway will host tournaments in various months, on the fourth Saturday of the month, beginning at 10 A.M. with practice at 8:30 A.M. Check the club calendar for match dates. The Sunshine Classic is the Southeast Regional Championship held in April for the last 12 years. In the past shooters from as far away as Washington, New Mexico, Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Louisiana,, not to mention Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas have attended and shot in this tournament. This is the best attended Small-bore rifle silhouette in the southeast.
This is a fun sport, the equipment is readily available and ammo and match fees are reasonable. Try it you may like it.
Hugh McCombs is the match director and can be reached by telephoning him at 904-309-1988