questions about Lever action Sil. matches

[RU shooter]

Im thinking about getting back into some type shooting competition again since I quit shooting "formal" highpower a few yrs ago. This lever action sil. seems interesting . I know Ridgeway has these matches and Im gonna look for some local clubs that offer it .But I know nothing about whats involved in it ? Well besides I use a lever gun! At what ranges is it shot ? All off hand or off sticks or ? How accurate does your rifle need to be? Mine aint a tackdriver by any means.... (old 32 winny) ! Do you need full power jacketed level loads or will your average mild cast loads be good enough?

Thanks,Tim

[C.F.Plinker]

These are the rules my club uses:

Course of Fire: 40 round match, fired offhand, 10 shots each at steel Chickens, Pigs, Turkeys, and Rams at 50, 100, 150, and 200 meters respectively (full-size silhouettes).
Rifles: Tubular magazine lever-action, tubular magazine pump-action, or single-shot. No semi-auto, box fed, or bolt actions. Rifles must have an exposed hammer, and must have iron sights only, including open, tang, or receiver types. Fiber-optic, hooded, and Globe type front sights are allowed. Stocks must be solid wood, no synthetic or laminated types. No scope rails or ported barrels. Target or Schutzen-type items such as thumb hole stocks, palm rests, adjustable and/or hooked butt plates, and adjustable cheek rests are prohibited.
Ammo: Rimmed, center-fire cartridges using round or flat-nosed bullets (35 rem. permitted) e.g.; 25-35, 30-30, 32WS, 32-40, .357 mag/38 spec., 38-40, 38-55, .41 mag, .44 mag/spec., 44-40, 45 Long Colt, 45-70.


The targets are set up in banks of 5. You get 2 minutes to shoot a bank in order from left to right. One point for each hit. If you miss a target you go on to the next one. After the 5 shots you make the line safe and the shooter goes downrange and resets and paints the targets thay fell over, then returns to shoot the next 5 shots. You will be squadded with 3 or 4 other shooters. When all have finished that set of targets (say the chickens) you all move and shoot at another bank of targets i.e. pigs. Repeat until everyone has shot chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams. Any ties are then broken in a shoot off.

It's a lot of fun and a good way to spend time with like minded fellows and gals.

[runfiverun]

we shoot to 200 meters for the long range silhouette.
and to 100 yds for the pistol cartridge silhouette on half size targets.
there is also a 22 levergun shoot on the same 100 yd range.
the ranges are 25-50-75-100.
and 50-100-150-200.
most guy's use something small for the 100 yd event like a 25-20 or 357.
and something bigger like a 38-55 or 45-70 for the 200.
i have shot my 44 and 45 in both events and just swapped ammo out.
but could easily use my 375,30/30, or whatever.
some use tang sights and click up to each distance.
just depends on whether you want to compete seriously or just have fun with your gun.

[crabo]

For your bang per buck, it is hard to beat the 22 levergun match. Unfortunately some range construction shut ours down about a year ago. I miss it.

[RU shooter]

200 meters aint too bad I guess. So full size animal targets are approx. what size? Since they are closer I would assume full snort loads arent needed to knock them down? Would something like a 170-180 gr cast bullet around 1600 fps be suitable.

[btroj]

That load would be fine.
I used the 311165 RD over 16 gr of 2400 in my 30-30 Marlin and never lost an animal that I hit.

I used a single load and adjusted my aim point to account for distance. Seemed to work well enough for me.

The targets are very hittable for a decent shooter, 10 turkeys in a row is an accomplishment however.

[Catshooter]

RU,

The silhouettes are 'full size', and not all that light. In my experience, the load you list will work, but the hits had better be good. A load of that level may only turn or wiggle the rams. Ours weigh in at about 55 pounds and the 150 grain 30-30 factory loads are just a bit light. The 170 do better.

Bullet mass does make a differnce. When I use a 45 Colt the rams went down fine with the 260 boolits that left the muzzle at 1450.

I really enjoy the match. A ton of fun.


Cat