Smallbore Hunter

Smallbore Hunter's Pistol Silhouette

and

Hunter's Pistol Silhouette

Beginning in February and running through November, Smallbore Hunter’s Pistol will be fired on the third Saturday of each even numbered month and (“Bigbore”) Hunter’s Pistol will be fired the third Saturday of each odd numbered month. Both Scoped pistol and open sight matches will be held with the scoped sight matches beginning at 9:00 a.m. and the open sight match following.

These matches will be fired in conjunction with the Smallbore Cowboy Lever Action Rifle Silhouette(same day as Smallbore Pistol) and Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Lever Action Rifle Silhouette (same day as “Bigbore” Pistol) matches using the same ½ scale metallic silhouette targets.

All participants must be members of the National Rifle Association.

The following are applicable excerpts from the NRA Rifle Silhouette Rules which apply to the Smallbore Hunter’s Pistol Silhouette and (“Bigbore”) Hunter’s Pistol Silhouette matches:

3. PISTOLS, EQUIPMENT AND AMMUNITION

CERTIFICATION OF PISTOLS: Pistols must be weighed, measured and certified before being fired in a match. The pistol must be fired in the same configuration as when certified. No one may win an award with an uncertified pistol. In pistol competition, loads that damage targets may be disapproved by the Range Officer or Jury. In case of malfunction certified by the Range Officer or Jury, any replacement pistol must be certified. (See Rule 9.8.)

HUNTER'S PISTOL

•3.1 Hunter's Pistol - A pistol weighing no more than 4 1/2 lbs. complete with all sighting equipment, having a safe trigger, and a barrel no longer than 10 1/2 inches measured from breech face to muzzle (revolver barrel measurement will not include the cylinder). The barrel must not be rebored or rechambered to accommodate a cartridge other than that for which it was originally manufactured. The pistol may be of any action type except bolt action, including manual turnbolt or bolts operated by a straight pull of the handle. This pistol must be or have been a catalog item readily available to the general public with no visible external modifications except as follows:

(a) External finishes, either protective or decorative, or other nonfunctional embellishments such as engraving, inlays or inscriptions.

(b) Replacement of sights with any sights (including scopes, other optical sights or metallic sights). Scopes may not be more than 1 1/2 inches above the pistol as measured from the top of either the receiver or barrel to the underside of the scope tube, nor may the scope be offset from the top centerline of the receiver. Metallic sights that are used in open sight competition must be as furnished by a manufacturer and may not be altered. The original sights (front, rear, or both) may be replaced with sights which are catalog items manufactured to fit the handgun without alteration to the sights, sight assembly or handgun. Replacement sights may not extend the original sight radius by more than 1 inch as measured from the apex of the front sight to the apex of the rear sight. Front sights or assemblies shall not extend beyond the muzzle. The sighting plane may not be higher than 1 inch above the receiver or barrel as measured at the midpoint of the sighting plane. Covered rear sights and sight tubes are not allowed. Any sighting device programmed to activate the firing mechanism is prohibited.

(c) Replacement of grips and forend with custom or hand-made grips or forend. No part of the grip or accessories may encircle the hand. The heel rest may extend at a right angle to the grip only. Upward curvature of the heel and thumb rest and downward curvature of the side opposite the thumb is prohibited (see figure 1). The rear part of the pistol frame or grip which rests on the top of the hand between the thumb and the forefinger must not be longer than 1 1/2 inches. This distance is measured at a right angle to the prolonged centerline of the barrel between points A and B of Figure 2.

These grips must be conventional in that they do not allow support of the gun with parts of the body other than the shooter's hands and do not extend behind the shooter's wrist joints. No additional devices may be added, or any modification made to the forend, gun sights or sight mount which aids in holding, gripping or supporting said gun. Checkering and stippling are allowed.

(d) "Magnaporting" or similar gas venting.

(e) Wide "target" style hammers and triggers, and trigger shoes.

(f) Rebarrelling with any standard factory barrel from the same manufacturer and appropriate to the model.

(g) Hammer extensions to clear scopes.

(h) "Crowning" of barrel to depth of no more than 1/8 inch inward from the outside edge of the muzzle. The overall outer length of the barrel may not be reduced by this operation.

NOTE: Examples of external modifications which are not allowed: *Extended slides or barrels on auto pistols.

*Replacement of barrels with other than the original manufacturer's barrel intended for that model. *Lining of barrels.

*Removal of fore-end.

3.1.1 Hunter's Pistol Open Sights –A pistol conforming to Rule 3.1 except only open sights are allowed. Optical, electronic and aperture sights are not allowed.

3.1.2 Hunter's Pistol Cartridges - Only the following pistol cartridges may be used: .22 rimfire,.22 Hornet, .270 Ren.,.30 carbine,.32, .32-20, 9mm, .357,.357 Auto Mag., all standard .38 and .380 pistol and revolver cartridges, 10mm, .40 S&W .41 AE, .41, .44 and .45 caliber identical in exterior case dimensions to unaltered factory pistol cases. Maximum case length for 9mm, .357 (and .38), .41, .44 and .45 shall be established as that of a 9mm Steyr (0.90"), .357 S & W Mag. (1.29"), .41 S & W Mag. (1.28"), .44 Auto Mag. (1.298") and .45 Colt (1.29") l0mm (1.00"), .41 AE (0.866"), .40 S&W (0.847) respectively.

3.2 Smallbore Hunter's Pistol- Identical to the description of the Hunter's Pistol, except that the pistol shall be chambered for only the .22 caliber short, long or long rifle rimfire cartridge. Hot loads, such as "Stingers," are not permitted.

3.2.1 Smallbore Hunter's Pistol Open Sights - Identical to rule 3.1.1 except that the pistol shall be chambered for only.22 Caliber short, long or long rifle rimfire cartridge.

EQUIPMENT

3.7 - Blank

3.8 Spotting Scope - The use of a telescope or other optical device by the coach to spot shots is permitted.

3.9 - 3.10 - Blank

3.11 Gloves - Gloves maybe worn on either or both hands. Such gloves may not afford artificial support.

3.12 - 3.15 - Blank

3.16 Release Triggers - Triggers which function on release are prohibited.

3.17 Ammunition - Ammunition of any description that may be fired without danger to competitors, range personnel or equipment. Tracer, incendiary, armor piercing and similar ammunition is prohibited. Loads that damage targets may be disapproved by the Range Officer or Jury.

3.18 General - All devices or equipment which may facilitate shooting and which are not mentioned in these Rules, or which are contrary to the spirit of these Rules and Regulations, are forbidden. The Match Director or Official Jury shall have the right to examine a shooter's equipment or apparel. The responsibility shall be upon the competitor to submit questionable equipment and apparel for official inspection and approval in sufficient time prior to the beginning of a match so that it will not inconvenience either the competitor or the official.

3.19 Eye Protection - All competitors and other personnel in the immediate vicinity of the range complex are [required by SCSSA rules] to wear eye protection devices.

3.20 Ear Protection - All competitors and other personnel in the immediate vicinity of the range complex are required to wear hearing protection devices.

3.21 Open Bolt Indicators -An Open Bolt Indicator is required in all NRA Silhouette competition to indicate the bolt is open. The Open Bolt Indicator, stock number CT17500 is recommended. A substitute indicator may be used as long as it keeps the bolt open and has a yellow or orange flag extending from the receiver of the pistol. The OBI listed above is primarily used with center fire pistols. OBI'S for smallbore pistols are available on the commercial market.

5.1 The Ground - All references to "the Ground" in the following position Rules are to be construed as applying to surface of the firing point.

5.2 Artificial Support - Any supporting surface except the ground not specifically authorized for use in the Rules for the position prescribed. Digging or use of elbow or heel holes at the firing points or the use of depressions which form artificial support for the elbows, arms or legs is prohibited, except as individually authorized for a physically handicapped shooter. Devices or garments which contribute to the steadiness and rigidity of the shooter's position are artificial support. Wrist bands, gloves which support the wrist joints and clothing which, through being inflexible and/or tight, supports the body in the shooting position are prohibited by this Rule.

5.5 Prone - Body extended on the ground, chest down, head toward the target. The pistol is held in one or both hands with the arms extended toward the targets. The body shall be on the ground or ground cloth with no artificial support. The pistol may not touch the ground.

5.8 Standing - The pistol is held in one hand or both hands at the shooter's option, with the arm or arms not braced or supported by other parts of the body. Neither the "trigger" hand (or arm) nor any part of the pistol may make contact with the opposite arm at any point at or above the pivot point of the wrist.

5.9 Freestyle - Any safe position in which the gun is supported only by the body with no artificial support, does not touch the ground or ground mat and by which no competitors or range personnel are endangered.