G. David Tubb, America’s greatest competitive marksman, sadly passed away on July 2, 2026 from serious heart and blood oxygen complications following a lower leg amputation surgery. America’s shooting world has lost one of its true superstars, a man whose records at the range will likely never be surpassed.
If you have ever competed in NRA High Power, Silhouette, or Long Range disciplines, you know the name David Tubb. Arguably the greatest rifle marksman in American history, David has recorded 11 High Power Rifle Championships, 6 Long Range National Championships, and 7 High Power Silhouette National Championships. Over his career David has won 130 NRA trophies for various competitions. No one has even come close to that number of Championships and honors in rifle competition.
After David passed we communicated with his daughter, Christie Tubb Stallter. She was deeply saddened but wanted to help us understand David’s skills and achievements both as a marksman and a father.
G. David Tubb — Great Marksman and Great Father
by Christie Tubb Stallter
Editor: Over his many decades of shooting, David Tubb amassed more major medals, trophies, and awards than any other American marksman in history. Here his daughter lists some of the most important awards. Then Christie explains the qualities David had that made him a great marksman and a great father.
Summary of David Tubb’s Awards
Dad had so many individual match awards that we did not keep records of them all. There are trophies and plaques in stacks up high in storage in a few places at my parents’ house and business office. He had over 130 NRA national trophies over his shooting career.
Dad was most proud of the perfect score he shot to win the 2004 NRA Long-Range Highpower Rifle National Championship in Camp Perry, Ohio. He did not drop a single point over the course of the match, making this his proudest accomplishment.
David Tubb Major Marksmanship Awards
11-time National Highpower Rifle Champion
6 National Highpower Long Range Championships
Several Highpower National Records
7 National Highpower Rifle Silhouette Championships
8 National Highpower Hunting Rifle Silhouette Championships
2-time Wimbleton Cup winner
National Smallbore Rifle Silhouette Champion
4 National Smallbore Hunting Rifle Silhouette Championships
7 Sportsmen Team Challenge Championships
Rifle Masters tournament champion
1998 NSSF Shooter of the year
Int’l Confed. of Fullbore Rifle Assoc. (ICFRA) Palma Individual World Champion
ELR 3-shot cold bore World Record Holder recognized by 50 Cal. Shooters Association
2019 NRA ELR Heavy Gun National Champion
Over 130 NRA Championship Event Trophies (Individual Match Winner)
Memories of Time Spent Together At the Range
Some of my fondest memories with my dad were spent traveling to rifle matches and competing together. We took many road trips to places such as Arcadia OK, Raton NM, and Camp Perry Ohio to compete. I fell off my shooting stool in Arcadia while spotting and he thought that was quite funny. I can remember shooting at Camp Perry and qualifying for a shoot off in one of the 1000-yard matches with iron sights. Dad had not shot well on the same relay and literally came running when he found out I had shot a 200 with 10Xs about 40 targets away from him on the firing line. He was my score keeper for the shoot off which was one of my fondest memories. He was so proud of me.
Dad was constantly testing shooting components. I can remember opening the refrigerator in the garage at home and seeing a rifle sitting in there along with ammo in the refrigerator and freezer. He was testing to see how the rifle and ammo were going to react in colder temps. He was constantly trying to improve shooting products and loved the challenge. Sometimes it drove me crazy because he wouldn’t settle on a load until the very last minute before a match. I guess that is what made him David Tubb. He never accepted “good” and always strived for “excellence”.
Lessons My Father Taught Me about Family, Life, and Achieving Goals
My dad taught us to listen to each other even if we did not agree with one another. My husband always found it fascinating that we could argue at the dinner table with one another and be totally fine with each-other five minutes later. My dad taught me how to have a very strong work ethic which is now something I realize many young adults and teenagers are missing these days. I grew up constantly working outdoors on our ranch doing activities such as farming, building corrals, cleaning out stock tanks, working cattle, building fences. He would always say, don’t do a half-way job or you’re going to have to redo it and boy did I have to redo some projects over the years.
By the time I was 18, I realized I had stronger work ethic that most kids my age. He taught me to work harder, think smarter, and never quit. Why accept a 10 when you can shoot an X on the firing line. This mentality carried into adulthood and is one of the reasons why I have a doctorate. I couldn’t just settle. I had to get to the top in my field.
He taught me to never quit. There is always a way to reach your goals and overcoming the mental aspect is usually more than half of the battle. He will be greatly missed but his lessons instilled in me are being passed on to my children. Dad was not only a world-class shooter, but he was a very generous person. He always answered phone calls and was willing to help, discuss, and problem solve whatever the issue was. This was a very rare attribute for such a successful person. He was always willing to share his knowledge and experience to grow the shooting sports.
David Tubb Biography Video
Click the video above to view an excellent documentary which covers David Tubb’s career in competitive shooting. Called America’s Rifleman, this fine documentary by filmmaker Sheldon Charron takes you inside the life and mind of legendary shooting champion David Tubb.
Learn how David evolved into the most successful rifleman in the history of competitive shooting, the challenges he faced, and how he overcame them on his road to success, both at the range and in his business, Superior Shooting Systems.
David Tubb with the ELR Adaptive Target Rifle (ATR) he designed which has set ELR records. You can see David shoot this rig in the video below:
David Tubb Shoots ELR Adaptive Target Rifle at KO2M
For the Extreme Long Range discipline, David Tubb developed a .375-caliber, long-barreled ELR version of his famous Tubb rifle, called the Adaptive Target Rifle (ATR). A version of this rifle, piloted by David’s son-in-law Nate Stallter, set the current ELR World Record in January 2018.
The TUBB 2000 — Innovative Modular Bolt Gun
David Tubb is arguably the greatest High-Power Across-the-Course rifle competitor in American history. He won many of his championships shooting a modular rifle of his own design — the Tubb 2000, aka T2K. In this video, David shows the features of the Tubb 2000 rifle which makes it adaptable to multiple shooting positions — prone, sitting/kneeling, and standing.
David Tubb Talks about KO2M and Extreme Long Range Shooting
David Tubb’s long-range rifles have performed well in Extreme Long Range shooting. AT the 2019 NRA Extreme Long Range Championship, David Tubb won the Heavy Gun Division. In this video, created during the King of 2 Miles (K02M) competition at the Whittington Center in New Mexico, David talks about the challenges of ELR shooting, and cartridge selection. Big, heavy, large-caliber bullets with ultra-high BCs are favored for the ELR game, but recoil and cost must also be considered.
“America’s Rifleman” Movie Credits:
Production Company: Enter360 Media
Producer/Director/Editor: Sheldon Charron
Production Assistant: Christie Tubb
Lapua Monarch Cup Announces Official 2026 Schedule
The Lapua Monarch Cup, North America’s premier smallbore rifle silhouette competition, has announced its official 2026 schedule. Now entering its fifth year, the Cup features a two-part series of smallbore standard rifle silhouette matches hosted in the United States and Mexico. The Lapua Monarch Cup is built around the annual U.S. Smallbore Rifle Silhouette National Championships, with an additional host country (either Canada or Mexico) selected through a proposal process. CLICK HERE for registration details and complete information on the Lapua Monarch Cup.
2026 Lapua Monarch Cup Competition Schedule:
1st Match – NRA National Smallbore Silhouette Championships
Ridgway Rifle Club, Ridgway, PA, USA | July 26-28, 2026 2nd Match – NRA National Smallbore Silhouette Championships
Saltillo Coahuila, Mexico | October 10 & 11, 2026
About the Monach Cup — “The Lapua Monarch Cup is more than a competition — it’s a premier showcase of precision and passion”, said Adam Braverman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Lapua and advisor to the Cup. “With $25,000 in cash prizes on the line, this event delivers an unmatched experience for shooters while fostering camaraderie and celebrating world-class marksmanship across North America.”
Competitors earn scores from each match within their respective classifications (Master, AAA, AA, & A), allowing all participants the opportunity to compete for a share of $25,000 in cash prizes distributed across the two events.
The Lapua Monarch Cup Board is pleased to welcome new members: Dustin Flint (USA), Gabriel Villareal (Mexico), Jose Corral (Mexico). These three new Board Members join existing members Erich Mietenkorte, Daniel Salazar, Jason Marsh, Jose (Pepe) Valdes, and Chris Cawthorne — with Adam Braverman serving as an advisor. To learn more about the North American Silhouette Shooting Association (NASSA), visit www.nassasilhouette.org.
Erich Mietenkorte Wins 2025 Canadian Rifle Silhouette National High Power Championship.
Team Lapua’s Erich Mietenkorte took top honors at the 2025 Canadian High Power Rifle Silhouette National Championships, winning the 240-shot High Power Aggregate with an impressive combined score of 195/240. Held at the Bull River Shooters Association range in Cranbrook, British Columbia, from June 29 to July 5, the national championship featured both Smallbore and High Power rifle disciplines, with competitors engaging steel silhouette targets from the standing offhand position at distances of 200, 300, 385, and 500 meters.
Mietenkorte competed in both High Power categories — Standard Rifle and Hunting Rifle — scoring 99/120 with his 6.5×47 Lapua in the Standard division, and 96/120 with his 6mm BR in the Hunting Rifle division. Mietenkorte’s combined performance earned him first place overall in the High Power aggregate and national titles in both rifle categories.
“Success in this discipline requires absolute confidence in your equipment. When it comes to consistency, reliability, and performance,?Lapua cases and bullets,?Vihtavuori powders, and?Berger bullets?are unmatched,” commented Mietenkorte. “I used Lapua 108gr and 139gr Scenar bullets in my 6.5×47, and Berger 95gr and 115gr bullets in my 6BR, all handloaded with Vihtavuori N140 powder. These components gave me the precision and consistency needed[.]”
What’s next? Mietenkorte will be competing at the U.S. NRA Rifle Silhouette National Championships at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM, July 20-26, 2025.
In addition to his success in the Canadian High Power competition, Mietenkorte finished 4th overall in the Smallbore Standard Rifle category. In the video below Eric demonstrates Smallbore Silhouette marksmanship skills.
Silhouette Champion Shares His Skills
In the video below, silhouette champion Eric Mietenkorte explains 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!”
The NRA Blog ran an feature on Silhouette shooting by NRA Silhouette Program Coordinator Jonathan Leighton. Here are selections from Leighton’s story:
NRA Silhouette Shooting
The loud crack from the bullet exiting the muzzle followed by an even louder ‘clang’ as you watch your target fly off the railing is really a true addiction for most Silhouette shooters. There is nothing better than shooting a game where you actually get to see your target react to the bullet. In my opinion, this is truly what makes this game so much fun.
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 referred to by their 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.
Before Steel There Was… Barbeque
In the very beginnings of the sport, live farm animals were used as targets, and afterwards, the shooters would have a barbeque with all the livestock and/or game that was shot during the match. The first Silhouette match that used steel targets instead of livestock was conducted in 1948 in Mexico City, Mexico by Don Gonzalo Aguilar. [Some matches hosted by wealthy Mexicans included high-ranking politicians and military leaders].
As the sport spread and gained popularity during the 1950s, shooters from the Southwestern USA started crossing the Mexican border to compete. Silhouette shooting came into the US in 1968 at the Tucson Rifle Club in Arizona. The rules have stayed pretty much the same since the sport has been shot in the US. NRA officially recognized Silhouette as a shooting discipline in 1972, and conducted its first NRA Silhouette Nationals in November of 1972.
Great Video of Silhouette Shooting in Canada with Drone Footage
Now There Are Multiple Disciplines
The actual sport of Silhouette is broken into several different disciplines. High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Cowboy Lever Action Rifle, Black Powder Cartridge Rifle, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, and Hunter’s Pistol are the basic disciplines. Cowboy Lever Action is broken into three sub-categories to include Smallbore Cowboy Rifle, Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Lever Action, and regular Cowboy Lever Action. Black Powder Cartridge Rifle also has a ‘Scope’ class, and Hunter’s Pistol is broken into four sub-categories. Some clubs also offer Military Rifle Silhouette comps.
Where to Shoot Silhouette
NRA-Sanctioned matches are found at gun clubs nation-wide. There are also many State, Regional, and National matches across the country as well. You can find match listings on the Shooting Sports USA website or contact the NRA Silhouette Department at (703) 267-1465. For more info, visit SteelChickens.com, the #1 website dedicated to Silhouette shooting sports.
The NRA has released the dates of major competition shooting events this summer and fall. Here is the schedule for NRA national championships in 2025. For each event you’ll find a link for event registration. Spanning multiple disciplines — from High Power and Smallbore Rifle to Precision Pistol and Silhouette — this year’s championships will draw elite shooters from around the country. From the NRA National High Power Rifle Championship to the F-Class Fullbore Long-Range Championship, here’s the full schedule for NRA’s national competitions in 2025.
Register now for your favorite national events. Whatever your discipline — whether you shoot High Power, Smallbore, Precision Pistol, F-Class or Silhouette — there’s a competition for you. F-Class Shooters take note — this year’s Mid-Range Nationals and Long-Range Nationals will be held in different locations:
Mid-Range F-Class at Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club, Palm Bay, Florida
Long-Range F-Class at Bridgeville Rifle and Pistol Club, Bridgeville, Delaware
Photo by Mel Dixon from 2024 NRA National High Power Rifle Long-Range Championships.
NRA National High Power XTC Championship June 1-7, 2025 Winnequah Gun Club Lodi, Wisconsin competitions.nra.org
NRA National High Power Mid-Range Championship June 4-8, 2025 Oklahoma City Gun Club Arcadia, Oklahoma okcgunclub.org
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association National Spring Shoot and NRA Muzzleloading Nationals June 14-22, 2025 Walter Cline Range Friendship, Indiana nmlra.org
NRA National High Power Long-Range Championship July 2-6, 2025 Alliance Rifle Club Malvern, Ohio targetscore.com
The 2025 High Power Long-Range Nationals will be held July 2-6, 2025 at the Alliance Rifle Club in Malvern, Ohio.
NRA National Precision Pistol Championships July 6-10, 2025 Cardinal Shooting Center Marengo, Ohio redfeatheroutfitters.com
NRA National Smallbore and High Power Rifle Silhouette Championships July 20-26, 2025 NRA Whittington Center Raton, New Mexico silhouettenationals.com
NRA National Conventional Smallbore Championships July 20-29, 2025 Cardinal Shooting Center Marengo, Ohio redfeatheroutfitters.com
NRA National F-Class Championship August 2-9, 2025 Winnequah Gun Club Lodi, Wisconsin winnequahgunclub.org
NRA National Lever-Action Silhouette Championship August 6-9, 2025 Ridgway Rifle Club Ridgway, Pennsylvania competitions.nra.org
National Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Championship August 15-22, 2025 Walter Cline Range Friendship, Indiana nmlra.org
Spirit of America National Fullbore Rifle Championship September 5-12, 2025 Bald Eagles Rifle Club, NRA Whittington Center Raton, New Mexico baldeaglesrc.org
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association National Championship Shoot September 13-22, 2025 Walter Cline Range Friendship, Indiana nmlra.org
NRA World Shooting Championship September 30 to October 4, 2025 Camp Atterbury, Indiana wsc.nra.org
NRA National F-Class Fullbore Mid-Range Championship October 8-12, 2025 Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club Palm Bay, Florida competitions.nra.org
NRA National F-Class Fullbore Long-Range Championship October 22-26, 2025 Bridgeville Rifle and Pistol Club Bridgeville, Delaware competitions.nra.org
Visit the NRA Competitive Shooting Division website to learn more about this year’s slate of NRA National Championships.
2025 NRA National Matches Calendar
Here is the 2025 NRA National Matches Calendar showing major championship events and dates. Different events are indicated by various colors: Red for High Power Across the Course, Yellow for High Power Mid-Range, Green for High Power Long-Range, Dark Red for Smallbore and Blue for Pistol. Click the Calendar to ZOOM for easier reading.
The NRA Blog ran an feature on Silhouette shooting by NRA Silhouette Program Coordinator Jonathan Leighton. Here are selections from Leighton’s story:
NRA Silhouette Shooting
The loud crack from the bullet exiting the muzzle followed by an even louder ‘clang’ as you watch your target fly off the railing is really a true addiction for most Silhouette shooters. There is nothing better than shooting a game where you actually get to see your target react to the bullet. In my opinion, this is truly what makes this game so much fun.
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 referred to by their 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.
Before Steel There Was… Barbeque
In the very beginnings of the sport, live farm animals were used as targets, and afterwards, the shooters would have a barbeque with all the livestock and/or game that was shot during the match. The first Silhouette match that used steel targets instead of livestock was conducted in 1948 in Mexico City, Mexico by Don Gonzalo Aguilar. [Some matches hosted by wealthy Mexicans included high-ranking politicians and military leaders].
As the sport spread and gained popularity during the 1950s, shooters from the Southwestern USA started crossing the Mexican border to compete. Silhouette shooting came into the US in 1968 at the Tucson Rifle Club in Arizona. The rules have stayed pretty much the same since the sport has been shot in the US. NRA officially recognized Silhouette as a shooting discipline in 1972, and conducted its first NRA Silhouette Nationals in November of 1972.
Great Video of Silhouette Shooting in Canada with Drone Footage
Now There Are Multiple Disciplines
The actual sport of Silhouette is broken into several different disciplines. High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Cowboy Lever Action Rifle, Black Powder Cartridge Rifle, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, and Hunter’s Pistol are the basic disciplines. Cowboy Lever Action is broken into three sub-categories to include Smallbore Cowboy Rifle, Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Lever Action, and regular Cowboy Lever Action. Black Powder Cartridge Rifle also has a ‘Scope’ class, and Hunter’s Pistol is broken into four sub-categories. Some clubs also offer Military Rifle Silhouette comps.
Where to Shoot Silhouette
NRA-Sanctioned matches are found at gun clubs nation-wide. There are also many State, Regional, and National matches across the country as well. You can find match listings on the Shooting Sports USA website or contact the NRA Silhouette Department at (703) 267-1465. For more info, visit SteelChickens.com, the #1 website dedicated to Silhouette shooting sports.
If your local shooting club wants to attract new members, and provide a new form of competition, consider starting a series of groundhog (varmint) matches. These can employ paper targets, metal silhouette-style targets, or both. Groundhog matches are fun events with straight-forward rules and simple scoring. You don’t need to bring windflags or load at the range, so a Groundhog match is more “laid back” than a registered Benchrest match. Normally there will be three or four rifle classes, so you can compete with a “box-stock” factory gun, or a fancy custom, as you prefer. Many clubs limit the caliber or cartridge size allowed in varmint matches, but that’s just to protect reactive targets and keep ammo costs down. In this article, Gene F. (aka “TenRing” in our Forum), provides a basic intro to Groundhog matches, East-Coast style.
Groundhog Matches Are Growing in Popularity
Though Groundhog matches are very popular in many parts of the country, particularly on the east coast, I’ve found that many otherwise knowledgeable “gun guys” don’t know much about this form of competition. A while back, I ordered custom bullets from a small Midwest bullet-maker. He asked what type of competition the bullets would be used for, and I told him “groundhog shoots”. He had not heard of these. It occurs to me that perhaps many others are unfamiliar with this discipline.
Groundhog matches have grown rapidly in popularity. There are numerous clubs hosting them in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, as well as other venues. They are usually open to the public. Most Eastern clubs have five to twenty cement benches, and overhead roofs. At this time, there is no central source for match schedules. If you’re interested in going to a groundhog match, post a query in the AccurateShooter Forum Competition Section, and you should get some info on nearby opportunities.
How Matches Are Run — Course of Fire and Scoring
Unlike NRA High Power Matches, there is no nationwide set of standard rules for Groundhog matches. Each club has their own rules, but the basics are pretty similar from club to club. Paper groundhog targets are set at multiple distances. There are normally three yardages in the match. Some clubs place targets at 100, 200, and 300 yards. Other clubs set them at 200, 300, or 400 yards. At my club in Shippensburg, PA, our targets are placed at 200, 300 and 500 meters.
The goal is to score the highest total. The paper targets have concentric scoring rings. The smallest ring is normally worth ten points while the large ring is worth five points. The course of fire varies among the various clubs. Most clubs allow unlimited sighters and five shots on the record target in a given time period. Only those five shots on the scoring rings are counted, so that with three yardages, a perfect score would be 150 points. Tie breakers may be determined by total number of dead center or “X” strikes; or, by smallest group at the farthest distance.
Types of Rifles Used at Groundhog Matches
The same benchrest rigs found at IBS and NBRSA matches can be utilized (though these will typically be put in a ‘custom’ class). Though equipment classes vary from club to club, it is common to separate the hardware into four or five classes. Typical firearm classes can include: factory rifle; deer hunter; light varmint custom (usually a limit of 17 lbs.with scope); and heavy varmint custom (weight unlimited). Some clubs allow barrel tuners, others do not. Scope selection is usually unlimited; however, some restrict hunter class rifle scopes to 20 power. Factory rifles usually cannot be altered in any way.
Good, Simple Fun Shooting — Why Groundhog Shoots Are Popular
Forum member Danny Reever explains the appeal of groundhog matches: “We don’t have a governing organization, or have to pay $50 a year membership just to compete in matches. Sure the rules vary from club to club, but you adapt. If you don’t like one club’s rules, you just don’t shoot there. It’s no big deal.
There are no National records, or Hall of Fame points — just individual range records. If you want to shoot in BIG matches (with big prizes), there is the Hickory Ground Hog Shoot among others. If competition isn’t your bag, many clubs offer mid-week fun matches that you can shoot just for fun. You shoot the same targets but with a more relaxed atmosphere with no time limits.
The best part is you don’t have to shoot perfect at every yardage. You always have a chance because in this sport it really isn’t over until the last shot is fired. Typically ALL the entry money goes to the host club, with much of the cash returned back to the shooters via prizes. Junior shooters often shoot for free, or at a reduced rate. The low entry cost also encourages young guys to get involved who don’t have $4000 custom rifles or the money to buy them.
There isn’t a sea of wind flags to shoot over or to put up and take down. If the range has a couple of flags so much the better, but after all it is a varmint match. No pits to spot shots and slow things down either. If you can’t see your hits through your rifle scope or spotting scope well you are in the same boat as everybody else. That’s what makes it interesting/ sometimes frustrating!
The NRA Blog ran an feature on Silhouette shooting by NRA Silhouette Program Coordinator Jonathan Leighton. Here are selections from Leighton’s story:
NRA Silhouette Shooting
The loud crack from the bullet exiting the muzzle followed by an even louder ‘clang’ as you watch your target fly off the railing is really a true addiction for most Silhouette shooters. There is nothing better than shooting a game where you actually get to see your target react to the bullet. In my opinion, this is truly what makes this game so much fun.
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 referred to by their 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.
Before Steel There Was… Barbeque
In the very beginnings of the sport, live farm animals were used as targets, and afterwards, the shooters would have a barbeque with all the livestock and/or game that was shot during the match. The first Silhouette match that used steel targets instead of livestock was conducted in 1948 in Mexico City, Mexico by Don Gonzalo Aguilar. [Some matches hosted by wealthy Mexicans included high-ranking politicians and military leaders].
As the sport spread and gained popularity during the 1950s, shooters from the Southwestern USA started crossing the Mexican border to compete. Silhouette shooting came into the US in 1968 at the Tucson Rifle Club in Arizona. The rules have stayed pretty much the same since the sport has been shot in the US. NRA officially recognized Silhouette as a shooting discipline in 1972, and conducted its first NRA Silhouette Nationals in November of 1972.
Great Video of Silhouette Shooting in Canada with Drone Footage
Now There Are Multiple Disciplines
The actual sport of Silhouette is broken into several different disciplines. High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Cowboy Lever Action Rifle, Black Powder Cartridge Rifle, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, and Hunter’s Pistol are the basic disciplines. Cowboy Lever Action is broken into three sub-categories to include Smallbore Cowboy Rifle, Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Lever Action, and regular Cowboy Lever Action. Black Powder Cartridge Rifle also has a ‘Scope’ class, and Hunter’s Pistol is broken into four sub-categories. Some clubs also offer Military Rifle Silhouette comps.
Where to Shoot Silhouette
NRA-Sanctioned matches are found at gun clubs nation-wide. There are also many State, Regional, and National matches across the country as well. You can find match listings on the Shooting Sports USA website or contact the NRA Silhouette Department at (703) 267-1465. For more info, visit SteelChickens.com, the #1 website dedicated to Silhouette shooting sports.
Do you need targets — not just any old targets, but the correctly-sized targets for specific shooting disciplines (such as NRA Smallbore, F-Class, and 1K Benchrest)? Well you won’t find them at your neighborhood gun store. Precise, dimensionally-correct competition targets are produced by a half-dozen specialty printers. In this article we provide links to the leading target sellers, with a chart showing “who’s got what”. Look for your particular discipline and the vendors will be specified.
Sources for Official Shooting Competition Targets:
AccurateShooter.com offers dozens of FREE, printable targets for target practice, load development, and fun shooting. We also offer a few of the most popular NRA Bullseye targets. One or more of these printable targets should work for most training purposes. However, some readers have asked: “Where can we get the real targets… exactly like the ones used in NRA, IBS, and NBRSA shooting matches?”
All these vendors carry nearly all the NRA High Power and Smallbore targets, including the smaller F-Class targets. National Target has the F-Class and High Power targets, including 100-yard reductions of the 200, 300, and 600-yard military targets.
Orrville Printing currently sells IBS targets for rimfire (50 yard) benchrest, short-range centerfire Benchrest (100, 200, 300 yards), Hunter BR Rifle (100, 200, 300 yards), plus the official 600-yard and 1000-yard IBS targets. National Target Company also has most of the IBS targets. NBRSA short-range, 600-yard, and 1000-yard benchrest targets are available directly from the NBRSA Business Office. Send an email to nbrsa@icloud.com or call (434) 993-9201.
Need Steel, Cardboard Silhouettes or specialty targets? ALCO Target Company in Duarte, California is the USA’s leading producer of the full spectrum of shooting targets including paper targets, cardboard targets, steel targets, and target stands.
One of the most unique and popular air rifle matches in the world takes place next week in Arizona. The Extreme Benchrest Championship, hosted by Airguns of Arizona, takes place October 6-9, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. This is the 11th annual Championship and Airguns of Arizona plans on making this the biggest and best one yet. NOTE: The event name is a bit of a misnomer. This is NOT just a benchrest match. In fact this event encompasses multiple airgun disciplines — Benchrest, Silhouette, Field Target, and Action Steel — with targets at 50, 75, and 100 yards.
About the Extreme Benchrest Championship in Arizona
Extreme Benchrest earns its name with airguns being shot as far as 100 yards outdoors where the elements will test the best in ammunition, air rifle, and shooter. With very few limitations on equipment, this all-inclusive match is exciting and truly a test of marksmanship. This multi-discipline event tests shooters in precision as well as speed and adaptability in the field. Along with traditional Benchrest shotoing, the event includes Speed Silhouette, Big Bore, Field Target, and Action Steel shooting. Manufacturers from across the globe are providing top level prizes and awards. Competitors will participate with some of the finest air-gunners in the country. CLICK HERE for more information.
This video is WORTH WATCHING — it shows multiple disciplines and many airgun types:
Sightron Will Be Major Sponsor of Extreme Benchrest Championship for Air Rifles
“We are very excited to be the official optics sponsor of this incredible championship,” said Mack Matsumoto, President of Sightron. “Sightron optics are made to compete at the highest level. The SII Blue Sky 20-60×85 HD spotting scope will definitely be a huge advantage for the competitors utilizing them. The new S6 series of riflescopes among others will be on display during the championship.” To learn more about the complete Sightron product line, go to Sightron.com or visit Sightron’s Facebook Page.
Sightron will be sponsoring the attendee goodie bag with several promotional items. Sightron is also providing a $2899.99 SVIII 5-40x56mm ED Illuminated LRM riflescope for the raffle. Sightron will bring multiple SII Blue Sky 20-60×85 HD angled spotting scopes for viewing by spectators. Several of these will be linked to televisions in the attendee shooting area.
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