Air Rifle Silhouette

During AAFTA field target match days, we will be hosting a side game/match using 1/10 scale silhouette targets placed at the NRA defined distances. 

  • Chickens at 20 yards
  • Pigs at 30 yards
  • Turkeys at 36 yards
  • Rams at 45 yards

Each set of targets is configured in a bank of 5 targets, and will use a pull to reset mechanism.  We expect the targets to operate with 4 fpe at the target; so rifles typically used for 10m rifle competition may not have enough energy to knock down the longer range targets, but the guns used for Field Target will be perfectly suited.  We are using the RX Targets Speed Silo banks with a pull to reset modification.

The maximum caliber allowed is .22 caliber, pellets only (no slugs or BBs).

You will want to use a scope.  It may be difficult to see the targets with open sights.  The targets will be painted white.

There will be two different ways you can play: 

  • Traditional NRA Silhouette Rifle Rules (single shot per target, from Standing position) - 20 shot course.  
  • Field Target Silhouette following your chosen AAFTA division rules for score. (single shot per target, chickens shot from kneeling, pigs from standing, and turkeys and rams from the freestyle position) - 20 shot course.  
  • Timed Silhouette (per our own rules) - Fastest time wins



Fees and Participation

You can shoot silhouette as many times as you are willing to re-enter.

You can mix and match your courses of fire between the traditional NRA style Silhouette, FT Silhouette, or Timed Silhouette runs.

The cost is:

  • $5 for two runs
  • $2 for the third run
  • $2 for the fourth run
  • $1 for the fifth run, and $1 for each run thereafter. 

Match Dates

Our match dates are posted on our Field Target page.  This event is held during select field target matches.  Check the dates to make sure you are attending when this event is being offered. 

Timed Silhouette (PSA Ruleset)

These rules differ from other speed shooting silhouette games, which are typically shot head-to-head in a tournament style.  Our targets are at different distances, and are shot for time, not head-to-head. 

When shooting for time/speed, you will be the only person on the line shooting at silhouettes.  The goal is to knock down 20 targets (5 each of chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams) in the shortest time possible using as many shots as needed to do so.  Any targets that remain standing when the timer is stopped will be assessed an 10 second penalty per target left standing. 

The shooter will be responsible for operating a stopwatch.

You can shoot single shot or use magazines.  There are specific rules regarding magazine usage vs. operating in a single shot mode.

You can shoot from any position, including from the bench.  You can use any type of front rest including attached bi-pods, tri-pods, etc.  The gun must be shot from the shoulder.  A rear bag or rear monopod is not allowed, but you can place your fist on the table and rest the gun on your fist.

The gun must be a manually cycled action.  No semi-auto or auto cycling guns. 

General rules and preparing to shoot.

  • The guns starts unloaded, and can be cocked/open and ready to accept a magazine.
  • You can be touching the gun at the start. 
  • A single shot loader/tray can be in the gun to start, if shooting single shot.
  • A pellet pouch or pellet pens can be used/worn to assist with single shot loading.  A tin of pellets can be used as well.
  • If shooting from magazines, all magazines must be outside the gun and placed on the table, ground, or stool/chair.
  • You can switch from shooting from a magazine to single shot during the course of fire, but you cannot switch from single shot to magazine. If using a magazine, you will always start shooting from the mag.
  • Your magazines can be fully loaded/filled with pellets to start.
  • Your hands cannot be touching the magazines or pellets (tins, pouch, pellet pen, etc.) to start.
  • You can have as many magazines as needed to complete the course of fire.  
  • If shooting using magazines, you must perform at least one magazine change during the course of fire where the magazine is completely removed from the gun and dropped/placed onto the table/ground/stool.  If only using one magazine (i.e. with large capacity) you will remove the mag from the gun, and touch it to the table/ground/stool and then place the mag back into the gun at least one time during the course of fire. 
  • During the course of fire, if anything falls to the ground it is out of play.  If you accidentally drop a mag to the ground, you cannot pick it up, even if it is loaded with pellets.  If starting from a ground sitting position, your mags may start on the ground, but if you fumble a mag back to the ground after picking it up, the mag is out of play.
  • The course of fire starts when the timer is started, and ends when the timer is stopped.  If you accidentally stopped the timer during the course of fire, your run has ended (unless you haven't shot any shots, which will call for a restart.)
  • If you start the timer and don't shoot a shot, whether or not you loaded a mag or loaded a pellet, you can choose to stop the run and restart after making the gun safe and performing all necessary unloading procedures. 

The course of fire is conducted as follows:

  1. Before preparing to shoot, find a buddy to observe your run before starting.  Your buddy is there to ensure the course of fire is conducted correctly and there are no safety infractions that occur during the course of fire.
  2. The gun starts unloaded.  Magazines are outside the gun and on the table/chair.  Hands are not touching anything that holds pellets.  You can be touching the gun.  This is the ready position.
  3. Press the start button on the stopwatch.  Ensure the timer is running.
  4. Load your gun
  5. Shoot and knockdown targets, take as many shots as needed.
  6. If shooting from a magazine, you must complete a magazine change before the last target falls.  If you shoot the last target before changing a mag, you must change the magazine and fire at least one shot before stopping the timer.  Failure to do this will be assessed 35 second penalty. 
  7. Confirm you have knocked down all targets you are able to knock down.
  8. Press the stop button on the stopwatch.  Your run has ended. 
  9. Unload your gun. make it safe, and store it in a bag/case if vacating the line. 
  10. Record the time and other appropriate information on the scorecard/

Scoring

  • Record the time on the stopwatch.
  • Count the number of remaining targets, and record the number of targets still standing.
  • Indicate any other penalties on the score card (i.e. mag change failure).
  • The math to assess penalties will be conducted by the match statistician/match director.

Divisions will be by power plant (PCP/Piston) and magazine usage (single shot/magazine).

Field Target Silhouette Summary

The Field Target (FT) Silhouette rules are meant to easily integrate the FT shooter into the silhouette game.  The equipment rules are exactly the same as your chosen AAFTA division rules.  During the course of fire, you will shoot from Kneeling, Standing, and the Freestyle position following the position restrictions/allowances identified for your AAFTA division. 

Chickens are shot from the KNEELING position, pigs are shot from the STANDING position, and turkeys and rams are shot from the FREESTYLE position.

Otherwise, the course of fire and pacing are the same as the Traditional NRA Rifle Silhouette rules.  You will have one shot per target, with 2:30 minutes to shoot 5 targets, repeated across the 4 animal types.  You are scored by number of targets knocked down having a maximum possible score of 20 points per run.

Traditional NRA Rifle Silhouette Summary

When shooting silhouette in the traditional way, you will be taking one shot per target (shot left to right) and be scored by the number of targets you knock down.  Here is a summarization of the things to know: 

  • All shots are taken from the standing position.
  • You will have 2:30 minutes to shoot 5 targets for each designated bank of targets (chickens, pigs, turkeys, rams)
  • We will attempt to have two shooters on the line at a time, one person will shoot chickens then pigs, while the other shooter will shoot turkeys then rams, followed by a lane switch to shoot the other set of targets.
  • If you miss a target, do not shoot at it again.  This is an accuracy competition, you only get one shot per target. 
  • You are not allowed any special shooting equipment like shooting coats, shooting pants, or shooting gloves. 
  • You can wear a vest, such as a commercially available shotgun vest.
  • You can wear a gloves for warmth, but the glove cannot be padded or unnecessarily heavy.
  • Although a sling may be attached to the gun, it cannot be used in the standing position.  It cannot be wrapped around the arm in any way, and must hang freely from the gun.
  • At this event, a "run" is a 20 shot match.  If you want to shoot a full silhouette course of fire (40 shots), it will require 2 runs to complete.

Additional rules can be found in the NRA Silhouette rule book

Palmyra Sportsmen's Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

410 Sportsman Rd. Annville, PA 17003

717-832-0488

email: office@palmyrasportsmens.com

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software