Background

Collectors

The Firearms
Rifles  

Where to Start?

Most SSAA ranges 

Major Benchrest Shoots:

• National

Scoring
Group sizes

Targets

The official  

State Benchrest Dicipline Chairperson Phil links please.  

National Rule Book Phil links please.

National Benchrest Dicipline Page - National Hall of Fame, Scores, Up Coming Shoots, Posters and much more.

Phil links please.

Handgun Metallic Silhouette

Handgun Metallic Silhouette competition is a unique shooting sport in a number of ways. Targets are life-sized steel silhouettes of chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams. To score a hit, the targets, which are set at varying distances down the range, must be knocked from the stands they sit on. Considering that the ram target in the Centrefire or Big Bore competition weighs in at 23 kilograms and is set at a distance of 200 metres from the firing line, powerful handguns are required to achieve the accuracy and terminal energy needed to effectively score. Competition rules used are the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association Official Rules Competitors are graded by ability and only compete against others of the same ability. Championship events are conducted annually at both state and national levels. There are several categories in each match separated according to the type of handgun used. They are as follows:

• Revolver category: only revolvers as produced by the manufacturer may be used.
• Production category: any semi-automatic, revolver or single- shot handgun weighing not more than 1.8kg and with a barrel length not exceeding 266mm may be used.
• Standing category: any handgun from the previous two categories may be used but the competitor must adopt a standing position only.
• Unlimited category: any handgun weighing not more than 2.04kg and with a barrel length not exceeding 355mm may be used. A separate category also exists, allowing telescopic sights to be used.

There are three official handgun silhouette competitions:

• .22: In this competition targets are set at 25, 50, 75 and 100 metres and the .22 Long Rifle cartridge is the only calibre permitted. Competitors may adopt any safe shooting position.
• Field Pistol: In this competition, targets slightly larger than those used in the .22 match are set at the same distances as the .22 targets but, due to their increased size and weight, heavier calibre centrefire handguns need to be used to achieve knockdown. Standing is the only shooting position allowed in this competition.
• Big Bore: In this competition, full-sized targets are used. Chickens at 50 metres, pigs at 100 metres, turkeys at 150 and rams at 200 metres. Powerful centrefire handguns only are used in this competition. These include .357 and .44 Magnum revolvers, specialised single-shot pistols chambered in rifle calibres including a variety of 7mm and .30 calibre wildcat cartridges. Competitors may adopt any safe shooting position

Handgun Metallic Silhouette competition offers a wide range of categories and skill levels to cater for any interested shooter. The shooting of a handgun over long distances with immediate visual results makes this sport both interesting and challenging.