SPORTING SHOOTERS
ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA ALICE SPRINGS BRANCH INC.

Rifle Metallic Silhouette Rule Book

    

    

    

Originating in Mexico in the early 1950’s, metallic silhouette is both a SSAA core and internationally recognised event that exposes the shooter to prevailing weather conditions while he/she attempts to knock over metal targets in the shape of chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams over 4 different distances whilst in the offhand (standing unsupported) position.

The various competitions are shot from a range of distance and positions, depending on the firearm calibre and category, but all competitions aim to improve hunting marksmanship skills under range conditions. Metallic silhouette matches consist of 40 shots, ten at each of the four types of targets, although at State or National Championships 80 or 120 shot matches are typically held. State and national championships are held annually, as well as postal competitions and international matches with SSAA teams regularly competing.

There are three different classes of Lever Action Silhouette Rifles, and targets are scaled in size and weight to correspond with the ranges over which the match is held and the types of rifles used.


Rifle Cartridge Lever Action Silhouette - allows for any lever action centrefire rifles .25 calibre or larger with a tubular magazine of original manufacture or replica thereof. A rimmed case loaded with a round or flat nosed bullet must be used.

Pistol Cartridge Lever Action Silhouette - allows for scoped commercially available or previously commercially available sporting and hunting-style rimfire rifles of .22-calibre Short, Long or Long Rifle cartridge that have not been modified. The maximum weight of the rifle (including sights) is 3.86 kgs. The trigger may be adjusted, but not replaced with a custom trigger, and requires a minimum trigger pull weight of 907 grams.

Smallbore Lever Action Silhouette - allows for scoped centrefire rifles of 6mm/.243-calibre or larger, with a maximum weight of 4.6 kgs and trigger of any release weight. Rifles may be custom made and scope power is unlimited.


The following course of fire for Rifle Cartridge Lever Action Silhouette club events on Long Range Pistol targets are as follows:

- 2 x 5 shots at 50m chicken targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)
- 2 x 5 shots at 100m pig targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)
- 2 x 5 shots at 150m turkey targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)
- 2 x 5 shots at 200m ram targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)

The following course of fire for Pistol Cartridge Lever Action Silhouette club events on 1/2 scale Long Range Pistol targets are as follows:

- 2 x 5 shots at 40m chicken targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)
- 2 x 5 shots at 50m pig targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)
- 2 x 5 shots at 75m turkey targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)
- 2 x 5 shots at 100m ram targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)

The following course of fire for Smallbore Lever Action Silhouette club events on 1/2 scale Smallbore targets are as follows:

- 2 x 5 shots at 40m chicken targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)
- 2 x 5 shots at 50m pig targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)
- 2 x 5 shots at 75m turkey targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)
- 2 x 5 shots at 100m ram targets in the offhand position (two and a half minutes for each group of 5 shots)