Field Pistol & Rifle Metallic Silhouette
Metallic Silhouette is a series of matches where metal 'game animal' targets are set in banks of 5 at varying distances from the competitor specified in each match. The competitor must shoot the targets from left to right and the target must fall from its stand to claim the point. Any target hit out of sequence is considered a miss adding to the skill required to win the match. This great sport that allows the use of nearly every firearm available to sporting shooters in Australia today. Competing in Metallic Silhouette will give you genuine reason to own and use pistols up to .45 cal and rifles the maximum range template, currently set at 7.62 nato with the opportunity to increase with the appropriate safety precautions.
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The broad range of firearms to be used in this discipline has many benefits. Not only does it allow for the competitor to choose a firearm suitable for their age, size, ability and budget it also allows new competitors to use any firearms they already own to try out this challenging sport.
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We encourage youngsters (12 to 18) to come and try with their first range fee and hire of range gun if available free.
The sounds of knocking down your target is satisfying to say the least. From the 'BANG' of your gun the 'CLANG' of the projectile hitting the target, finally the reassuring 'THUD' of your target hitting the ground. This is a truly additive element that makes Metallic Silhouette a great way to get your child started in shooting sports.
Standardised classes for pistol and rifle includes air, rimfire, centerfire and black powder, this is the baseline for Silhouette competition.
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In spirit of the origin of 'Silhuettas Metallicas' side matches and sponsored comps supplement the game with cash and prizes to be won.
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Nothing encourages participants to win like the prospect of winning
something of value, trophies and ribbons aside we would all prefer a cash prize or shiny new rifle at the end of the line.
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Examples of sponsored comps:
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Field & Stream's 22lr Challenge $200 entry fee to cover 10 competitions throughout the year, ammunition covered by entry fee with a $1000 firearm to be won. Winner may choose $1000 store credit
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Safari Firearms weekend shootout $25 entry fee per class with set prizes for each class. Shooters compete over 2 days for a shot at the final round. Cash and prizes to be won. BBQ Lunch & Camping
facilities available.
History...
There are varied accounts of the origin of 'Silhuettas Metallicas' spanish for Metallic Silhouette all point to Mexico in the early 1900's. This is the most entertaining account of its inception that I have read to date so let's take it as gospel and enjoy the story.
The full story can be viewed by clicking HERE
The sport of metallic silhouette shooting, or silhuettas metallicas, had its origin around 1914 when the rebel leader and strategist Pancho Villa and his men were raiding villages and ranches in the northern state of Chikupehua, Mexico. The story goes that on one occasion, having put some distance between themselves and the pursuing Yankee cavalry, the banditos raided a well-stocked ranch in the north where they spend some fourteen days carousing. Eventually a dispute arose between two of Villa’s followers as to who was the better shot. Normally such an argument would have ended in a gunfight.
Above Pancho Villas Rebel Gang
A squad leader, Juan Martinez, decided instead on a shootout they would use two live steers as targets. The animals were tethered to trees at a suitable distant point and the contest began. The contestants were permitted to shoot alternately until one of them succeeded in knocking down his steer and was judged the winner.
The idea caught on and soon chickens, sheep and goats were literally “roped in” to serve as targets. After the revolution, the Villistas returned to their farms and villas throughout Mexico, taking with them a new sport to be practiced at fiestas in the decades to come. The practice of shooting at live animal targets continued and was refined with time, using rifles as well as handguns. All hits that drew blood were counted. Shortly after the Second World War, metallic cut out silhouettes began to be substituted for live animals and this in the absence of a modern animal righteous movement, too. Even so, the original sport of shooting live animals would continue in the outlying areas until the late 1950’s, usually in conjunction with a fiesta. In 1948, the first match using silhuettas metallicas took place in Mexico City. The gunners still shot turkeys, but metal ones now. The original feathered edition had its neck wrung prior to the contest, after which it was placed on ice and presented to the winner after the match. The man who really got metallic silhouette shooting started in Mexico was Don Gongalo Qguilar who was instrumental in staging the Silhuettas Metallicas Nacionales in Mexico City in 1952, four years after he had organized the first informal shoot. The targets were gallinas (chickens) at 200m, gualotes (turkeys) at 385m and borregos (sheep) at 500m. It was several years before the javelina (pig) target came into use.
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Credit: National Silhouette Association of Ireland.
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