Metallic Silhouette Shooting
Metallic silhouette shooting involves knocking down steel targets shaped like animals - chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams - at progressively longer distances. The sport originated in Mexico in the 1940s and has evolved into a precise discipline.
01 // LEARN
What is Metallic Silhouette?
Understanding this shooting discipline
Metallic silhouette shooting involves knocking down steel targets shaped like animals - chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams - at progressively longer distances. The sport originated in Mexico in the 1940s and has evolved into a precise discipline.
Shooters engage targets from standing position (offhand). Rifle silhouette uses heavy steel targets at 200m-500m. Pistol and air gun variants use scaled-down targets at shorter ranges. The challenge is making clean hits to topple each target.
Types & Variations
02 // START
Getting Started with Metallic Silhouette
Equipment, costs, and tips for beginners
Getting into metallic silhouette doesn't require starting with top-tier gear. Focus on safety fundamentals, basic equipment, and finding welcoming places to learn. The community is generally helpful to newcomers who show up prepared with the right attitude.
Essential Equipment
What you need to get started
Safety & Rules
Know these before your first shot
Pro Tips for Beginners
Advice from experienced shooters
What Does Metallic Silhouette Cost?
Realistic budget expectations
$600-1,200
Basic equipment to begin
$2,000-4,000
Quality gear for serious shooters
Hidden costs to consider: Smallbore (.22 LR) is the most economical entry point. Air gun silhouette is even cheaper to shoot.
Silhouette Disciplines
Compare your options
| Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| High Power Rifle Full-size steel at 200m, 300m, 385m, 500m. Heavy rifles in 6.5mm-.308. | Those wanting the traditional full-distance challenge |
| Smallbore Rifle .22 LR at 40m-100m with scaled targets. Same offhand discipline, lower cost. | Best starting point for new silhouette shooters |
| Handgun Scaled targets at 25m-100m. Production and unlimited classes available. | Handgun shooters wanting precision challenge |
03 // ASK
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about metallic silhouette
New to metallic silhouette? These are the most common questions from shooters exploring this discipline. The shooting community is generally welcoming and happy to help newcomers.
Find answers to common questions about metallic silhouette shooting. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us and we'll help you out.
The knock-down requirement removes scoring subjectivity. Either the target fell or it did not. This binary scoring makes competition clear and reduces disputes.
For high power rifle, .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor are popular. Smallbore uses .22 LR. The rifle must generate enough energy to topple the steel at distance.
No. Standard rifle and pistol silhouette require unsupported standing (offhand) position. This is the defining challenge of the sport.
Full-size rifle targets: chickens ~4 lbs, pigs ~15 lbs, turkeys ~18 lbs, rams ~52 lbs. Scaled versions for other disciplines are proportionally lighter.
Entry fees are modest ($15-30). Ammunition costs vary by caliber. Smallbore and air gun variants are very affordable ways to compete.
04 // FIND
Upcoming Events
Find metallic silhouette events near you
Illinois State Rifle Association CMP EIC Pistol Matches
Illinois State Rifle Association CMP EIC Pistol Matches at Illinois State Rifle Association in Bonfield. Check with the host club for match details, start times, and registration.
LRP-UHRC (ULTIMATE HUNTER RIFLE COMPETITION) MONTHLY MATCH
More Information: https://ultimate-hunter.com/ Registration: https://practiscore.com/clubs/uhssclubone
Rifle Match 8/8
For Info, Contact, Jim Esarey (765)749-1387 or Joshua Price (765)993-6000
22 Silhouette Match
DETAILS Silhouette Event- 2nd Saturday from 9 – noon on the MPR for rimfire silhouette. Members of all 5 clubs are welcome. Diablo requested a portion of the MPR ( 8 positions). We operate concurrently with the usual USI public shoot for 2 hrs from 10 to 12. Both the public and the match break and check targets at the direction of the CRSO.Fees are $7 for members and $13 for invited guests. $3 go to USI for each shooter. Fees are collected at the MPR, not at the USI Clubh
Hunter Pistol - Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette: Range 2
Contacts: Augie Kowalik [email protected] 804-836-7284 Aubrey Adcock [email protected] 804-598-4719 Hunter Pistol - Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette Range 2 Open to the Public Practice starts at 9:00 AM Match starts at 10:00 AM
Musketeers (Juniors) Rifle/Pistol
MUSKETEER .22LR: Youth shooters are the future of our sport. Children and Grandchildren of Diablo members, who are between the ages of 8 and 18, may participate in Youth Rifle & Pistol, and Shotgun activities. Rifle & Pistol use .22 cal. rimfire only and shoot at the Multi-Purpose Range. Ammunition is supplied at the rifle events. Some loaner rifles are available, but the shooters should provide their own firearms and parents should help out. During the shoots, a responsible adult, OTHER