A few photos from the PA Cowboy Silhouette Champ.

[w30wcf]

It's great to see the youngsters involved.

Here's the youngest shooter - she is 9 years old
After this shot she asked her spotter "Well....did it go high or low?" Neat!


Here's a young gal that hit 15 javelina in a row and is starting her "long run". She hit #16 then missed #17.
Good shooting!!


"Gunny" with his '73 Uberti .44-40 and......its 30" barrel!
Taking instructions from "Sixgun"



"Sixgun" with his vintage 1886 .45-90



w30wcf

[Chuck 100 yd]

COOL !!!

[Old Savage]

Where is this?

[O.S.O.K.]

That looks like fun!

You may not believe this, but I formulated cowboy silhouette back about 10 years ago - in response to a contest put on by the NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation) that was interested in new shooting sports. I submitted a full rules guideline and course layout. I got no response back other than I didn't win anything IIRC.

Then, a few years later, I saw that the NRA was sactioning cowboy silhouette matches! From what I can see, it's not exactly the same as what I proposed -they use the standard silhouette targets (I proposed "cowboy" targets) and there's no class for fixed sight single action pistols.

If this came from my entry, it would have been nice to be told about it... I've wondered about this... could be that there were several versions of this submitted... it seemed kinda obvious to me at the time.

I need to check into this. I've been out of competitive shooting for 5 years now.

[Ben_Rumson]

That 44-40 knock over the rams ? What weight bullet? Cool pics BTW

[jdad]

That looks like fun!

You may not believe this, but I formulated coboy silhouette back about 10 years ago - in response to a contest put on by the NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation) that was interested in new shooting sports. I submitted a full rules guideline and course layout. I got no response back other than I didn't win anything IIRC.

Then, a few years later, I saw that the NRA was sactioning cowboy silhouette matches! From what I can see, it's not exactly the same as what I proposed -they use the standard silhouette targets (I proposed "cowboy" targets) and there's no class for fixed sight single action pistols.

If this came from my entry, it would have been nice to be told about it... I've wondered about this... could be that there were several versions of this submitted... it seemed kinda obvious to me at the time.

I need to check into this. I've been out of competitive shooting for 5 years now.

Our match director, Mike Dreske, was in on the original rules committee. We're actually doing a "Military Cast Bullet" and an "M1a Carbine (pistol calibre)" class. You can use any military bolt, semi, ss, or lever, any caliber, and with iron sights, but it has to be a lead bullet. The carbine match uses stock rifles, with military ball ammo.

[O.S.O.K.]

Cool. The more different games the better I say.

[KirkD]

Okay, I got a question. I've been shooting a lot of years and have never seen anyone doing offhand shooting like that young woman and Sixgun. The supporting hand is pretty much under the lever/receiver. Have I been missing the secret of offhand shooting all this time? The closest I've come to that is to rest my supporting elbow on my stomach with the supporting hand still under the rear part of the forearm. Do you find it more accurate the way you are shooting in those pictures?

[JerryB]

Kirk, I believe that is a common stance in certain types of target shooting, notice how the girl is leaning way back,that is just how they do it. When I was shooting in the NMLRA matches that position could not be used, we had a few High Power folks that tried to shoot that way and were told it is against the rules. You have to stand up and shoot with out your support arm touching your body. I don't think it would work in the woods anyway for a snap shot.

[Ben_Rumson]

Some shooters rest the trigger guard on the thumb of the supporting hand with the rest of the digits of that hand supporting the stock, magazine or receiver forward of the trigger guard... Target rifles usually have checkering or stippling on the bottom of the trigger guard to aid purchase..

[Ysabel Kid]

Looks like a ton of fun. I'm with KirkD though - that hold doesn't look like it would be well-balanced. Will have to give it a whirl - trying to lean back far enough without throwing my back out!

[w30wcf]

Old Savage,
Tiadaghton Sportsmens Association, Waterville, Pennsylvania.

O.S.O.K.,
The arena for NRA Cowboy Silhouette was established by IHMSA back in the 1970's. IHMSA took the targets used for NRA High Power Rifle Silhouette (late 1960's) and moved them closer so that they could be used for handgun silhouette. The NRA adopted the IHMSA distances for their Cowboy Lever Action class. Jacketed bullets are the most popular but several of us shoot cast bullets.

The smallbore and pistol cartridge leverguns shoot at 1/2 size targets at 1/2 the distance.


Back in 1983 and 1984, Lyman held the "World Cast Bullet Championships" at the Blue Trail Range in CT. Scoped rifles were used on the IHMSA course which was modified to eliminate the 100 meter javelina and the chickens were moved to 100 meter line. I was fortunate enough to attend both events.

Ben,
"Gunny" used his '73 in the Pistol cartridge comp. so no problems with the rams. He has used it on the rifle course in the past with 240 gr. bullets and the Alliant recipe for RL 7 and it has worked well there as well.

Kirk,
Yes, most shooters will hold their arm into their side to help reduce the "wobble area". There are a few very good shooters that do very well holding their rifles as one would in the "hunting" position. If you will look at the last photo of "Sixgun", you will see that he has an extended grip on the forearm and was trying to get his 5 shots off in 40 seconds(!) (shooters are allowed 2 minutes). Below is a side view which shows him a bit better.


Lots of fuunnn!
w30wcf

[Dewight]

That is a beautiful range.

[KirkD]

Thanks, w30wcf for that explanation of shooting stances in your photos. I practice offhand shooting the way I would likely have to shoot when hunting, with my support hand on the forearm. However, I'll have to try out that support hand under the lever position just to see how it does.

[rjohns94]

the stance reminds me of off hand shooting in military high power competition. I have used it with my levers and I find it very stable with good breathing technique.

[Sixgun]

Jack,
You are now the official photographer whenever we attend matches. I can't even remember you taking any, but then again, I can't remember what I had for lunch several hours ago. Nice pics. I always get excited when I see an 1886 Winchester, even if its mine. You got the job steady!!!!!!!!

Yea guys, we had a blast. I usually do the "silhouette stance" and it helps to control wobble, but sometimes I break out and have fun and shoot fast, you know, like I'm busting a real coyote on the run. These things happen when I miss most of the turkeys and I say the hell with it, I'm gonna have fun. After all, we are not shootin' for Cadillacs!

OK Jack, whens the next shoot? I'm ready to go! --------------Sixgun

[jdad]

These things happen when I miss most of the turkeys and I say the hell with it, I'm gonna have fun. After all, we are not shootin' for Cadillacs!

BTDT Wait until you do a pistol caliber match with squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, and buffalos! The groundhongs are standing up laughing at you as you miss.

[centershot]

Thanks for that most excellent report Jack! Wish I could have been there! We are fortunate to have three clubs in the area that offer CLAR (cowboy lever-action rifle) silhouette; the Tiadaghton club mentioned above, the Ridgeway Rifle Club in Ridgeway PA and the McKean County Rifle Club in Marshburg PA. All are located in NW Pennsylvania. I usually shoot at McKean, it's located about 4 hours NNE of Pittsburgh and 2 hrs south of Buffalo, NY. AFAIK, the matches at all three are done for the year, but I'd be happy to post next years' schedule if anyone is interested in joining us! You don't have to join the club, the matches are open to the public. If you're seriously thinking of pursuing this competition you'll want to join the NRA if you're not already a member. It's a huge bag o' fun!

There are three classes; smallbore (.22 LR) fired at 40-50-75-100 meters, pistol-cartridge carbine (any pistol-cartridge carbine,.22 LR included) at 40-50-75-100 meters, and long range (rifle-calibers, 30-30, 45-70, etc...) at 50-100-150-200 meters. Get a rule book from NRA, there are some peculiarities you'll need to know about, but if you have a tube-feed lever action rifle or carbine and would like to shoot this game there is a class for you to shoot in. Give it a try!

centershot

[Rimfire McNutjob]

"Gunny" with his '73 Uberti .44-40 and......its 30" barrel!

With that tang sight I'm guessing he's not short on sight radius now is he. Holy cow.

"Sixgun" with his vintage 1886 .45-90

Probably has a set trigger too ... don't hold back on us, we know he's hoarding all of the good stuff.

[w30wcf]

Sixgun,
Well..I'm a better shot with a camera....but not much better...sometimes things turn out aok ...sometimes they don't I think it best that we both bring our cameras the next time.
Here's the next event:
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... f=1&t=9977

Centershot,
Hope you can make it to the Jubilee.

w30wcf

[Cimarron Red]

McNut,

Yep. Sixgun has all the good stuff! And he knows how to use it.

w30wcf,

Great photos!

[GEOFF]

Great pictures and I thank you guys for sharing them.

What kind of scores won the match??? Also what rifles and calibers were the match winners using. Also sighting equipment.

I've been pretty busy lately and might have missed this info in case it's already been posted.

We shoot as often as we can out here in Wa. State. Lever action silhouette has taught me more about shooting than anything else. Pretty incredible what some guys can do off hand with iron sights!!!

Geoff

[Jay Bird]

They'll let anybody in at those shoots.

[O.S.O.K.]

Established in the 70's... no wonder I did't win anything

Here I thought I had come up with something new - just shows to go you - there's nothing new....