This course of fire is used for all of the silhouette categories in both NRA & IHMSA handgun silhouette - Off hand & freestyle, Hunters Pistol / Field Pistol, Smallbore, NRA Smallbore Hunter Pistol, NRA Cowboy Lever Action Rifle, NRA Smallbore Rifle Silhouette and for the non-sanctioned rifle events.

A regular monthly match is 40 rounds (targets) fired in eight strings of five shots each. Each string of fire is two minutes long.

Let's say you want to shoot the category "Conventional Standing" from bank four. On the firing line you will see a chicken with the number 4 painted on it. This is where you start. In front of you at 50 meters are five full size chickens with a number 4 sign to their left.

When the Range Master calls "shooters to the line, for thirty seconds load" you can now handle your pistol and load it. You cannot fire a round until the end of the 30 second load command when you will hear the command "for two minutes fire". During this two minute period you may fire five shots, one at each chicken from left to right, whether you hit it or miss it, your next shot is at the next chicken to the right. At the end of the two minute fire period is the command "cease fire, clear and ground your pistol". Target setters will then go down range and reset all targets. You cannot handle any firearms while anyone is down range. You then repeat the 30 second load and 2 minute fire periods on the "same" bank of chickens for a total of 10 chickens.

Next, move one position on the firing line to your right to shoot pigs at 100 meters. Use the same procedure, two banks of 5 pigs each during two, two minute firing periods for a total of 10 pigs. You have now fired 20 rounds of a 40 round match. 10 chickens and 10 pigs.

Next is turkey's at 150 meters and the same procedure is used, 2 strings of five shots each during two, two minute firing periods for a total of 10 turkey's. You have now completed 30 shots.

Rams are at 200 meters and the same procedure of two strings of 5 shots each makes for a 40 round match.

This normally takes about 45 minutes and shooting at reactive targets that spin and topple is more fun than you can believe.

Use this link or the "back to index" button above to read about firearm action types, classifications, what you can shoot with your type of firearm, scoring etc.. Use the email links to write and ask any questions you may have about Handgun Silhouette or The Los Angeles Silhouette Club.