Shooting steel silhouettes is fun. For many of us, the “instant gratification” of knocking down steel is more fun than shooting paper. In fact, this very website came into being because the founder enjoyed shooting 600-yard steel silhouette matches in Southern California. That lead him to building a 6mmBR rifle and starting 6mmBR.com which evolved to become AccurateShooter.com.
Today’s video showcase covers a variety of metallic silhouette shooting disciplines. There are the classic smallbore and centerfire silhouette formats, shot from a standing position. One of the world’s top silhouette shooters, Eric Mietenkorte, shows how to shoot silhouette standing. But we also show varmint silhouette matches shot from prone position and from the bench. The Editor’s 600-yard silhouette matches were initially shot from prone (F-class style), and then later from a bench. Both formats were fun.
We also feature a cool video from New Zealand, showing handgun silhouette matches hosted at a beautiful, verdant range in Kiwi country. The handgun shooters use a reclined, foot-forward prone position.
So, whether you shoot prone, sitting, or standing, shooting metallic silhouettes is fun and challenging. Hearing the clang of steel and seeing a metal silhouette tip over is true “instant gratification”.
Metallic Silhouette — A Mexican Import
Silhouette shooting came to this country from Mexico in the 1960s. It is speculated that sport had its origins in shooting contests between Pancho Villa’s men around 1914. After the Mexican Revolution the sport spread quickly throughout Mexico. ‘Siluetas Metalicas’ uses steel silhouettes shaped like game animals. Chickens up front followed by rows of pigs, turkeys, and furthest away, rams. Being that ‘Siluetas Metalicas’ was originally a Mexican sport, it is common to hear the targets called by Spanish names Gallina (chicken), Javelina (pig), Guajalote (turkey) and Borrego (ram). Depending on the discipline one is shooting, these animals are set at different distances from the firing line, but always in the same order. CLICK HERE for NRA Rifle Silhouette Rules.
In this next video, silhouette champion Eric Mietenkorte talks about proper hold: “Consistency is key! Form a solid stance that is repeatable and allows you to have a natural point of aim. If you don’t come down on target adjust your feet, don’t rotate your body with your torso muscles.”
Erich explains his aiming method: “Pick a spot on the target and shoot for that. Try not to hesitate, if you’re on target, take the shot. It’s easy to get locked up by trying to make a great shot better. Make sure to follow through, keep that trigger pulled back. Don’t forget to have fun!”
Beautiful Rosebud Silhouette Range in Alberta, Canada
This video was created at the scenic Rosebud Silhouette and Benchrest Club in Alberta, Canada. The video offers an introduction to both centerfire (High Power) and smallbore Metallic Silhouette Rifle disciplines, including equipment and match format. These fun and challenging sports can be shot year-round, as you can see in the video below, which includes winter sequences.
Texas Varmint Benchrest Silhouette
If you like accurate rifles and reactive targets, you’ll enjoy this 48-minute video from Shooting USA TV, which features long-range varmint silhouette competition in Texas, the Lone Star State. We have participated in these kind of matches on the West Coast — they are definitely a ton of fun. The sport combines the pure accuracy of benchrest competition with the fun of knocking down critter targets. These are smaller than standard silhouettes, so it’s quite a challenge to hit them at 300 yards and beyond.
In this episode, host John Scoutten competes with his 6.5 Creedmoor PRS rifle. He found that 1-MOA Coyotes offered plenty of challenge at 385 meters! Most shooters at this Texas match use benchrest-grade rifles with premium front rests.
A similar Varmint Silhouette bench/prone match is held monthly at the Pala Range in Southern California. Prone shooters compete side-by-side with bench shooters. Ten steel “critter” targets are set at each of five yardages: 200m – Field Mice (“pikas”); 300m – Crows; 385m – Ground Squirrels; 500m – Jack Rabbits; 600 yards – Prairie Dogs. Competitors shoot 50 targets, 10 each at five different yardages, alternating among the five distances. So you might start at 500m then do 200m next, then do 600 yards etc. — the target distances are in mixed order to enhance the challenge.
Rimfire Speed Silhouette from the Bench
Fast and full of action, the Speed Silhouette competition is an exciting event shot on the clock. Competitors take 16 shots from 30 to 60 yards. The event is timed and the timer stops whenever the shooter finishes their final target by knocking it down. This event is a blast to shoot, and may even be more fun to watch live, as the results unfold within seconds of each relay start.
New Zealand Handgun Metallic Silhouette
New Zealand is one of the world’s most beautiful island nations, so we can’t think of a better venue for a silhouette match. This video features a handgun silhouette match with targets at multiple distances. The competitors use a special reclining position on the ground, with the handguns (mostly revolvers) aligned on the side of the leg.
Silhouette Shooting Scoring Procedures
This video from the Metallic Silhouette Shooters Society (MSSS) covers the basic rules of rimfire and centerfire silhouette matches. And then the video explains how the shooting strings during silhouette matches are scored. Yes the system is binary (knock-down vs. miss), but there are details, such as when a plate is hit but doesn’t fall. CLICK HERE for a second MSSS video that explains how to get started in silhouette shooting and lists the equipment you’ll need.
The Where To Shoot Mobile App quickly locates shooting ranges near you, drawing on North America’s most comprehensive directory of shooting ranges. Users can search by current location, state, or zip code. Once you locate a range, you can view activities offered along with a summary of range facilities. You can even get driving directions. If you don’t want to install an App, you can also access the NSSF shooting range database and maps via the NSSF WheretoShoot webpage.
The app is modeled after NSSF’s popular WhereToShoot.org® website and is updated frequently with range information for every U.S. state and Canadian province. Once you’ve located a place to shoot, the App can provide directions to the range. The App also includes video tips for shooters, news, and firearm-safety information.
Each day, on Facebook, the NRA National Firearms Museum showcases something special from the Museum collections. A while back the Museum displayed a trio of snakes — three very special Colt Pythons. From bottom to top, these three prized wheelguns are: Colt Python serial number 2, number 3, and number 5. And yes, that is the original box for Python #2 (at bottom). The museum says such low serial number guns were typically produced for a company executive or key members of the gun design team.
Loved for their beautiful finish, nice balance, and great trigger, Colt Pythons have proven to be excellent investments. Since the Colt Python was first introduced in 1955, Python prices have gone through the roof. A pristine, LNIB early-era Colt Python can now command very high values in the thousands. And these rare single digit examples might sell for over $15,000+, as estimated by the NRA museum. How much did a Python cost in 1955? You could purchase the Royal Blue model for just $125.00! Factory-engraved models started at $245.00, according to this Colt advertisement from June, 1955:
History and Design Evolution of Colt Python Revolvers
You can see hundreds of other interesting firearms on the National Firearm Museum website, www.NRAMuseum.com. Or, if you’re lucky, you can see the collections in person. The NRA now operates three Museum locations: the NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia; the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum in Springfield, MO; and the Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest in Raton, NM.
The 2025 Precision Tactical 2-Rifle Match runs this weekend, April 26–27, 2025 at the NRA Whittington Center in Coal Canyon, New Mexico. This unique event challenges competitors with eight dynamic stages designed to test their skills with two rifles — an AR-15 (.223 Rem/5.56 NATO) and a precision rifle (.223 Rem to .300 WinMag). This event is challenging — shooters must carry all their gear including bipods, packs, rangefinders, slings, and optics. The stages are quite varied, with everything from close rapid-fire challenges to 1,000-yard precision shots. Match stages include both field and stationary formats. Competitors transition between rifles while managing gear, movement, target acquisition, and time limits.
The NRA Whittington Center, nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico, provides a world-class backdrop for this tactical challenge. Match directors state: The “Two-rifle match at the NRA Whittington Center in Coal Canyon is a rugged and demanding shooting competition set against a stunning New Mexico backdrop. The event is designed for competitors looking to put their skills to the test. Competitors will tackle eight stages across two days, each crafted to challenge their proficiency with two different rifles. These stages require shooters to adapt to various positions and distances. The natural terrain adds to the excitement of the match.”
Advanced Optics with HUD and Custom Ballistic Profiles
Among the high-tech gear being used in this match is the new Burris XTR Precision Shooter (XTR PS) riflescope. Available in 3-18x50mm and 5.5-30x56mm models, XTR PS has a Programmable Elevation Knob (PĒK) system. Even more impressive, this optic boasts an integrated HUD (“Heads Up Display”). The digital HUD delivers real-time data — elevation, wind hold, angle compensation, and countdown timer. The scope’s HUD works with custom ballistic profiles via the BurrisConnect™ App.
Need something for the walls of your “man cave” or reloading room? Looking for a great birthday gift for one of your shooting buddies? The creators of the Cartridge Comparison Guide offer a collection of wall posters showing ammunition types from 17 caliber rimfire cartridges all the way up to giant 35mm military rounds. ChamberIt.com currently offers 12 different large wall posters that display a huge variety of cartridge types. For example, the American Standard Poster (shown above) contains every standardized cartridge mass produced in the USA as of 2021. The cartridges are 100% to scale (life size). These posters feature full color images on high gloss / high quality 100-lb poster paper.
For example, the Rifleman’s Classic Poster (below), a full 38 inches wide and 27 inches tall, is the most comprehensive. This $17.76 poster displays over 300 rifle cartridge types at true size (within 4/1000 of an inch). Cartridges shown range from .17 caliber all the way up to the big boomers (including some cannon shells). The Rifleman’s Classic Poster includes nearly all American Standardized Rifle Cartridges and many European rifle cartridges.
Rifleman’s Classic Poster Click to view large size poster.
Ammunition Performance Specifications Poster
There is also an interesting Ammo Performance Specs poster. This shows dozens of popular hunting cartridges with the velocity, energy, momentum and recoil for each cartridge displayed in a bar graph.
This shows the actual size of the Ammo Performance Poster as displayed on a wall.
The handsome Colt Blued Python revolver has earned the 2025 NRA Golden Bullseye Award for Handgun of the Year, as chosen by the editors of NRA publication American Rifleman. This prestigious award will be presented at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits being held this week in Atlanta, Georgia.
The double-action Colt Blued Python is offered with 3″, 4.24″, 5″, 6″ and 8″ barrels in .357 Magnum chambering. It has a superb trigger and features a target adjustable rear sight and user-replaceable front sight.
» CLICK HERE for Photo Gallery of New Blued Python
Colt has posted: “Built on a legacy of performance, the Blued Python is a .357 Magnum available in 3″, 4.24″, 5″, 6″ and 8″ barrel configurations, appealing to both collectors and avid shooters. The classic carbon steel Blued Python serves as a passport to a bygone era, where firearms were not just tools but also exquisite works of art. Modern upgrades ensure finely tuned double-action operation that delivers an impressively smooth trigger pull and consistent shot-to-shot reliability.”
Colt’s new Blued Python has a target-adjustable rear sight and replaceable front sight. The modernized ergonomic Walnut grip features a Colt Gold-tone Medallion.
“We’re honored the Blued Python is being recognized for what it is – an iconic American revolver,” said Joshua Dorsey, President of Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC. “This NRA award is a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of our design and engineering teams, and a nod to shooters who demand reliability, accuracy, and confidence in every trigger pull.”
The 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits kick off today. The big event runs April 24-27, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The NRA expects tens of thousands of attendees. The event includes speeches, seminars, exhibits, and a large, 14-acre exhibit hall where gun manufacturers and other vendors showcase their products. This Thursday the 24th there are Ring of Freedom member gatherings and the Wall of Guns opens for viewing. The full Exhibit Hall opens Friday morning, April 25th.
Key Highlights
The NRA Leadership Forum features respected political Leaders and Second Amendment advocates.
Seminars and workshops on firearm safety, shooting sports, and the Second Amendment.
Exhibit Hall showcasing over 14 acres of guns, gear, and other products from various companies.
Special events, concerts, and notable celebrity meet-and-greets.
The NRA Foundation Wall of Guns returns for 2025 with great gun prizes. The member favorite Wall of Guns is open April 24-27 with 60+ prize guns.
Outfitter Area — Attendees can book the hunt of a lifetime in the outfitter section with respected hunting guide services from throughout the world.
The Exhibit Hall is open all three days, with over 14 acres of the latest guns and gear from the most popular companies in the industry as well as smaller, newer companies.
Show Registration and App
The NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits is free to all NRA members and their families (spouses and children under 18 years old), uniformed military and law enforcement personnel.
Registration: You can register online or join the NRA at the door if you are not an NRA member. Nonmembers can grab a 3-day pass for just $10.
FREE Event Phone App: Download SHOW Map App for Android.
Visit NRAAM.org for event schedules and Atlanta hotel information.
There will also be music events including a big show on April 26th with country music stars Big & Rich performing in the Sidney Marcus Auditorium.
AR owners know that their black rifles require regular cleaning and maintenance. And this modular platform allows many options for stocks, fore-arms, and optics mounting. That ability to customize is one of the AR’s major attractions, but customization requires solid understanding of the AR’s design and components.
To help AR owners optimize and maintain their rifles, Gun Digest Media has a 320-page illustrated book: AR-15 Setup, Maintenance and Repair. Authored by Patrick Sweeney, this paperback book is a “one-stop guide to repairing, maintaining and modifying America’s favorite rifle.” The current price for the book is $29.99 from Gun Digest, or $24.62 on Amazon (sale price). Gun Digest also offers a $27.99 Digital Download version.
GET FREE 40-Page AR-15 Book Sample
Note, if you are interested in the book, there is a substantial 40+ page FREE sample available on the Amazon site. You can see the entirety of the first two chapters from the Kindle digital version. CLICK HERE to visit Amazon.com and then click on the button labeled “Read Sample” below the cover image.
AR Set-Up and Maintenance
If you need to disassemble and maintain your AR rifle, swap barrels or handguards, add optics, or customize the stock, Gun Digest’s AR-15 Setup, Maintenance and Repair book tells you what you need to know. From field-stripping to barrel mounting and trigger installations, the book covers a wide range of topics. The book provides step-by-step instructions for set-up and maintenance, with hundreds of detailed photos. The book also includes AR gunsmithing chapters with reviews of recommended tools.
Author Patrick Sweeney is a certified master gunsmith and armorer instructor for police departments. Sweeney has also authored the notable 4-volume Gunsmithing the AR-15 series (Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, and Vol. 4) and 20+ other titles for Gun Digest Books.
Whether you want to learn about disassembling your AR for regular maintenance, field-stripping, swapping out parts, adding optics or customizing a stock, AR-15 Setup, Maintenance and Repair guides you through everything you need to know to keep your AR-platform rifle running well. There are also tips on how to improve accuracy, and maintain your bolt carrier group properly.
Authored by Patrick Sweeney
Published by Gun Digest Books
ISBN-13: 978-1951115470
320 pages, softcover, 8 ¼ x 10 7/8 inches
Editor’s NOTE: The key to keeping an AR running reliably is proper lubrication (in the RIGHT places), and regular cleaning of the bolt carrier and bolt, including ejector recess and extractor recess. The majority of non-functioning ARs we’ve seen had gunk, lube, carbon, and brass shavings in those recesses.
Other AR Books by Patrick Sweeney
Bonus Video — AR15 Maintenance with Jerry Miculek
In this helpful video, legendary shooting Jerry Miculek explains how he cleans and maintains his AR-platform rifles. Miculek shoots ARs in three-gun competitions.
Will you be traveling out of state this spring? Or do you have questions about your own state’s firearms laws? Then you’ll want to have quick access to summaries of gun laws in America’s 50 states. Here’s a very valuable online resource you may want to bookmark.
The NRA-ILA (Institute for Legislative Action) has a great feature on the NRA-ILA’s homepage. From the NRA home page, NRA-ILA.org, you can instantly access a host of information for all 50 states. There is a menu box that includes all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, New York City, and Guam. Look for the box that appears below the “NRA-ILA Top Stories Banner”:
Alternatively, look at the UPPER LEFT for three horizontal lines. Click that to open a drop-down menu. Then select the third line Gun Laws > State Gun Laws. That will open a page with all the 50 states listed in order A to Z. Or bookmark the NRA-ILA State Gun Laws Page.
Shown below is part of the NRA-ILA’s coverage for Georgia, site of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits. There is a summary of the most important Georgia gun laws. Below that is a map showing the states that recognize Georgia carry permits.
Lapua, respected producer of outstanding cartridge cases, bullets, and ammunition, will be attending the 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, scheduled for April 24-27, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. “Lapua uses the highest quality materials to provide shooters with components they can rely on” commented Director of Communications Morgan Joy-Twenter. “We encourage shooters and hunters to stop by booth #1916 to check out the wide range of Lapua products, including our new 7mm PRC, 6mm Dasher, and MaxRange Target bullets.”
New Lapua MaxRange Target Bullets
Lapua will offer new high-BC MaxRange Target bullets. These are designed for long-range precision rifle sports such as F-Class, Fullbore, PRS and other disciplines with distant targets, or where a very high-BC can help enhance long-range hits and accuracy. The first MaxRange Target offerings are a 6.5mm 144 grain and a .30 Caliber 175 grain.
New Lapua 6mm Dasher Cartridge Cases
New for 2025, Lapua will offer 6mm Dasher brass. The 6mm Dasher has long been a popular and versatile cartridge for many precision shooting disciplines such as 600-1,000 yard benchrest, varminting, and PRS/NRL competition. It is an extremely accurate cartridge that can drive 103-110gr match bullets at very accurate velocity nodes, and drive lighter 6mm varmint bullets at high speeds. With the new Dasher brass, you no longer need to spend time fire-forming 6mmBR brass into the higher-capacity Dasher. The Lapua 6mm Dasher brass is expected to arrive in Fall 2025.
New Lapua 7mm PRC Cartridge Cases
The 7mm PRC effortlessly delivers heaviest-in-class .284 caliber projectiles, which are coveted in today’s precision shooting and long-range hunting disciplines. F-Class and long-range match shooters have suffered from the lack of quality 7mm PRC cases and ammunition. Now that will change. Lapua will begin offering high-quality 7mm PRC cartridge cases for its loyal followers this fall.
New Bullets and Ammo Types from Berger
Berger, manufacturer of quality bullets and ammunition for competitive shooters and avid hunters, will attend the 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta Georgia. At booth #1916, Berger will showcase its entire product line, including new ammunition and bullet offerings.
For target shooters Berger now offers new .300 Norma Magnum ammunition with the 245 grain Long Range Hybrid Target bullet. This ammo has shown excellent accuracy in testing (see above). In addition, Berger has new .338 Norma Magnum ammo featured the 300 grain Hybrid OTM Tactical bullet. CLICK HERE for product specifications.
Berger has expanded its hunting ammo line to include .30-06 168 grain and 185 grain Classic Hunter, and .300 WSM 185 grain Classic Hunter. In addition, Berger will offer new hunting bullets in 2025. There’s a new 6.8mm/270 caliber 150 grain Hybrid Target bullet that should work great in .270 Winchester, .277 Fury, and 6.8 Western rifles. Berger will also offer a new 217 grain, .30 caliber Elite Hunter bullet.
NRA Event Schedule and Special Events
The 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits runs April 24-27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia (see MAP below). The large Exhibit Hall will be open 9 AM to 6 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 10 AM to 5 PM on Sunday, providing attendees with the opportunity to explore a host of shooting and hunting products. CLICK HERE for EVENT Schedule.
The handsome Colt Blued Python revolver has earned the 2025 NRA Golden Bullseye Award for Handgun of the Year, as chosen by the editors of NRA publication 
