Erich Mietenkorte has won the 2023 Iron Man Regional Silhouette Championship for the third consecutive year — a remarkable “Three-Peat” in sihouette shooting. Scoring 280/320 points, Mietenkorte won three out of the four championships during the two-day event, and was the 4-Gun Aggregate Winner.
The 2023 Iron Man Regional Silhouette Championship was held June 3-4 and hosted by the Deep Creek Shooting Range in Missoula, MT. It brought shooters from Washington, Montana, South Dakota, Missouri, and Canada. Each morning, competitors fire 40-shot relays in both Smallbore Hunter and Smallbore Standard Rifle course of fire. Rounds are shot from the offhand position (standing) at targets 40, 60, 77 and 100 meters. In the afternoon, competitors transition to centerfire and again shoot a 40-shot relay in High Power Hunting and High Powder Standard Rifle, with targets at 200, 300, 385, and 500 meters.
“In the past I’ve been asked why I shoot silhouette and not a different discipline and the first thing that comes to mind is, when I’m at a silhouette match, I just feel at home. The people are incredible, the shooting is challenging, and it’s just plain fun! Silhouette competitors are a big part of my second family and I’m happy to be able to shoot and support a sport that brings families together to make great memories,” commented Mietenkorte.
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!”
Mietenkorte trains with SK Ammunition and competes with Lapua Midas+ and X-ACT matched to his rifle at Lapua’s Rimfire Performance Center. For High Power Rifle, Mietenkorte runs a 6mmBR using Lapua cases, and Vihtavuori N140 powder behind Berger 95gr and 115gr VLD Target bullets.
“Training with SK Ammunition, specifically Rifle Match, allows me to hone my abilities. There is no other ammunition I trust going into a big match like this. Training with rimfire ammunition allows me to reinforce offhand shooting fundamentals, which really sets me up for success on the high-power range as well,” stated Mietenkorte.
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The Lapua Monarch Cup 2023 schedule has been finalized. The Lapua Monarch Cup (LMC) is a series of smallbore rifle silhouette matches held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Following an abbreviated schedule in 2022, this year’s LMC event features a competition in each country.
For the silhouette shooting community, we predict the Lapua Monarch Cup will be a highly popular event this year. Here are the locations and dates for 2023 Monarch Cup Matches:
1st Match – Canadian Metallic Silhouette National Championship
— Bull River Shooters Association, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
— June 25-27, 2023
2nd Match – NRA Smallbore Rifle Silhouette National Championship
— NRA Whittington Center, Raton, NM, USA
— July 17-19, 2023
3rd Match – Lapua Monarch Cup
— Club De Tiro Saltillo Safari, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
— Oct. 21-22, 2023
Competitors earn scores from each match within their respective classification (Master, AAA, AA, & A), giving all shooters an opportunity for $25,000 in cash prizes to be distributed within the three countries. The Monarch Cup has become one of the most prestigious smallbore silhouette match in the world. Monarch Cup Director Daniel Salazar Stated: “We are focused on taking this shooting sport to a new level, with new scoring system and new awarding system”.
Adam Braverman, V.P. Sales & Marketing with Capstone Precision Group added: “Lapua is very excited to see this match series take place in 2023. We are happy that we were able to include Canada in the 2023 version. The Lapua Monarch Cup is a world class match made even better with Canada’s inclusion.”
Lapua Monarch Cup Board Members are Erich Mietenkorte, Daniel Salazar, Jason Marsh, Alfredo (Pepe) Valdes, and newly appointed Chris Cawthorne. Adam Braverman serves as an advisor. For registration information and the full details on the Lapua Monarch Cup, visit www.lapuamonarchcup.com
For information on the newly created North American Silhouette Shooting Association (NASSA), visit nassasilhouette.org
About Capstone Precision Group
Capstone Precision Group produces Berger Bullets and Ammunition in Mesa, AZ, and is the exclusive distributor of Lapua Components and Ammunition, Vihtavuori Powders and SK Rimfire. Capstone Precision Group is a Part of Nammo Group. For more information, visit Capstonepg.com.
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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.
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The second leg of the 2022 Lapua Monarch Cup kicks off this weekend, September 17-18 in Saltillo, CH, Mexico. Held at the Club De Tiro Saltillo Safari, this will be the second opportunity for silhouette competitors to accrue points in hopes of winning the coveted Lapua Monarch Cup Championship title.
In its inaugural year, the Lapua Monarch Cup is a series of smallbore silhouette shooting matches hosted in both the United States and Mexico. Competitors will earn points from each match within their respective classification (Master, AAA, AA, & A), giving all shooters an opportunity for over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Lapua’s Monarch Cup is recognized as the must-attend event of the silhouette shooting world.
“It is with much excitement and joy that the Lapua Monarch board members complete the second phase of the Monarch cup,” commented Daniel Salazar, Chairman of the Board. “The Saltillo Safari Club is putting extraordinary efforts into making this the event to remember. We can’t wait to celebrate the success of the Lapua Monarch Cup and see who the best Silhouette shooter is in the Hemisphere!”
About Smallbore Silhouette Competition
Smallbore silhouette shooting is a fun and challenging shooting discipline that has competitors taking aim at a variety of steel chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams. Shooters, both standing and unsupported, take aim at four banks of silhouettes at increasing distances shooting 40 targets in all. For every silhouette knocked down, the competitors earn one point. Smallbore shooters are shooting at distances of 40, 60, 77, and 100 meters. The Mexico competition will have competitors shooting 80 rounds on Saturday, followed by 40 rounds on Sunday, all within the Standard Rifle division.
For more information on the Lapua Monarch Cup visit lapuamonarchcup.com. The Lapua Monarch Cup board would like to thank all the sponsors who make the Cup the premiere Silhouette series.
Capstone Precision Group
Creedmoor Sports
Decot Hy Wyd Sport
Krieger Barrels
Leupold
Lilja
Lyman
McMillan
RCBS
Redding Reloading
Sightron
SK Ammunition
Silhouette Championship in Pennsylvania For the past few days, the Ridgway Rifle Club in Ridgway, PA has hosted the 2021 NRA Smallbore Rifle Silhouette Championship. Many of the nation’s top silhouette shooters attended this event. After a warm-up match on the 7th, the Championship match began on Sunday, August 8th and concluded on Tuesday, August 10th. Each match day featured a 40-round match with Standard Rifle and a 40-round match with Hunter Rifle. The High Power (centerfire) Silhouette Matches will continue later this week.
Original 1950s Metal Silhouette from Mexico Donated to Ridgeway Club
There was a special dedication at the match. Ace silhouette shooter Erich Mietenkorte explained: “Most people will see this picture and just see the two of us kneeling next to a piece of steel that roughly resembles an ewe. However, in reality it represents the origin of [a sport] that has enriched my life immensely. Rifle silhouette … has added to my life an extended family of some of the nicest, most humble, and selfless people I have had the privilege to get to know[.]
This silhouette was made in the 1950s for the Club De Tiro Y Caza Cananea in Sonora, Mexico and is one of the original targets that was shot at a distance of 500 meters to give birth to the sport of rifle silhouette. It is only fitting that it was presented to the Ridgway Rifle Club for its ongoing efforts in promoting the sport in the United States. Special thanks to Daniel and Carlos Salazar, and Mark Pharr for honoring our sport with this special gift. READ Letter from Club De Tiro.
Here are Team Lapua, Team Berger Bullets, and Team SK members with their awards from the match. The staff of the Ridgway Rifle Club put on an outstanding event, with High Power Silhouette to follow. Excitement is growing for the inaugural Lapua Monarch Cup in 2022.
Congratulations to Luke Johnson on winning the 2021 NRA smallbore rifle silhouette championship. Luke won the overall title and also won the hunter gun championship. Luke’s team Lapua teammate Cathy Winstead-Severin won the standard rifle championship. Cathy Winstead-Severin finished 2nd followed closely by Laura Goetsch. Team SK’s Erich Mietenkorte took 4th overall. CLICK HERE for full Match Results.
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.
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.
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. 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. 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.
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Here’s big news for .22 LR rimfire benchrest competitors and smallbore F-Class shooters. Vudoo Gun Works is now offering precision single-shot rimfire actions, and complete Benchrest/F-Class style target rifles. Vudoo will be selling the new V-22S Single Shot Action, the Vudoo/Flavio Fare BR-VS 0.7-2.8 oz. trigger, and complete single-shot target rifles with benchrest and F-Class-style modern low-profile stocks. With a Rem 700 footprint, the V22-S action can also be used for smallbore silhouette and prone rigs. That’s good news for .22 LR competitors in many disciplines.
About The Vudoo V-22S Single-Shot Action
The all-new V-22S action was designed for optimal function in single-shot applications. The action has a three-lug bolt, six o’clock ignition, and the bolt can be dis-assembled without tools. Vudoo claims the action’s 60-degree bolt lift is “the smoothest and lightest of any three-lug [rimfire] design on the market”. The V-22S will be offered in various configurations: right bolt/right port, right bolt/left port, left bolt/left port and left bolt/right port. There is an integral 11mm dovetail mount and optional 0, 20, 30, or 40-MOA Picatinny rails. Another first for this type of action is a complete color-coded mainspring kit with mainsprings ranging from 13 to 18-pound force. The action is currently priced at $1405.00 MSRP.
Vudoo Gun Works V-22S Action Features
Rem 700 Short Action Footprint
Rem 700 Pinned Trigger Interface
Three Lug, 60-Degree Bolt Throw
Six O’Clock Ignition — Vertical Sear Fire Control
Tool-less Bolt Assembly/Disassembly
Color-Coded Mainspring Kit (13-18 lbs.)
Integral 11mm Dovetail Mount
Picatinny Rail 0, 20, 30 or 40 MOA
Trigger Options — Flavio Fare BR-VS or your Choice of Rem-Compatible Triggers
A newly-designed fire control system yields precise, consistent ignition thanks to the Vudoo/Flavio Fare BR-VS Trigger. Vudoo Gun Works teamed up with Flavio Fare to co-develop a trigger for the new fire control system. The BR-VS Trigger adjusts from .7 to 2.8 ounces with heavier pull weight ranges coming soon. [Editor: We have talked to folks who have tried this new trigger and they say it is outstanding.] If you prefer a different trigger, a 60-degree cocking piece will be available as an option.
Complete Rifles Starting at $2800.00
Vudoo Gun Works will offer complete single-shot target rifles with three different match stocks: McMillan Kestros, McMillan Edge, Grayboe Renegade SS. These rifles will be fitted with the new BR-VS trigger, or other trigger of your choice. Complete rifle price ranges from $2800 to $3450 depending on options.
Vudoo Designer Talks about V22-S Action
Mike Bush, Design Engineer and Co-Founder of Vudoo Gun Works told us: “The V-22S is a ground-up Gen 3 design, which is where the tool-less bolt assembly/disassembly started. We rolled this design backwards into what are our current Gen 2 Repeater actions and we couldn’t wait to get the new Single-Shot out and in the hands of competitors, target shooters and those with a general passion for rimfire”.
Mike says the design really works: “I’ve not seen a system that offers better concentric alignment, repeatability and smoothness of operation… add to this, the six o’clock ignition and our new Vudoo/Flavio Trigger, and I think you’re going to see big differences downrange.”
More Details about the V22-S Action
Some folks have asked whether Vudoo’s new action is devived from the Remington 40X rimfire action. Vudoo states: “The V22-S departs from the 40X in that the 40X was a full size center fire receiver converted to handle the diminutive .22LR cartridge. The V-22 has been designed from the ground up as a true-to-scale Rimfire receiver that fits the Rem 700 footprint. The V-22 has a very unique control-round-feed protocol. The bolt has full capture control of the cartridge from the time it leaves the magazine until it ejects the spent round out the ejection port. [So] the cartridge is controlled in a way that it never touches anything on its entrance into the bore. There is no feed ramp, nor does the projectile go in at an angle that would damage it in any way. We all know how susceptible the soft lead of the .22 LR is to accuracy degrading damage and minor nicks during the chambering process. It is eliminated in the V-22’s geometry.”
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With the Nationals Championships for Smallbore Rifle Silhouette cancelled in Canada, USA, and Mexico, the 2020 Lapua Monarch Cup has been postponed until 2021. For more information on the Lapua Monarch Cup visit LapuaMonarchCup.com.
“In light of the current global health situation surround COVID-19, the Monarch Cup Board of Directors made the difficult decision to postpone the Lapua Monarch Cup from 2020 to 2021″, stated Monarch Cup Director, Daniel Salazer. “The uncertainty regarding international travel and the concern for the safety of our friends and competitors, led to this very disappointing decision. We vow to make the 2021 Lapua Monarch Cup an event to remember.”
The Lapua Monarch Cup was slated to be 2020’s elite event of the silhouette shooting world. The Cup was to be hosted in three different countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Events were planned throughout the summer and fall of 2020. Competitors earn points from each match within their respective classification (Master, AAA, AA, & A), giving all shooters an opportunity for $25,000 in cash prizes. But now that will be moved to 2021.
“Lapua is saddened that this difficult decision had to be made, but we know it’s the right one”, stated Adam Braverman, Director of Sales and Marketing. “The board and Lapua’s top priority is for the health and safety of the international shooting community. However, we are excited to announce that we will continue as the Title Sponsor of the Monarch Cup for 2021.”
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Add another major National Rifle Championship to the list of shooting events cancelled in 2020. We’ve lost the CMP matches at Camp Perry, and the NRA High Power and Smallbore Championships at Camp Attebury in Indiana. Now the 2020 NRA National Silhouette Championships in Pennsylvania have been cancelled due to Pandemic concerns. Here is the official statement from the NRA:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the many ensuing federal and state safety regulations and mandates, the Ridgway Rifle Club has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 NRA National Silhouette Championships which was to be held July – August 2020 at the Ridgway Rifle Club in Ridgway, Pennsylvania.
The NRA and the Ridgway Rifle Club share your disappointment that these competitions had to be cancelled.
A decision regarding the 2021 NRA National Silhouette Championship dates and location(s) will be announced later this year. The NRA and the Ridgway Rifle Club wishes everyone good health and the best of luck. For more information please visit Competitions.nra.org.
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Congratulations to John Mullins, the new 2019 NRA Smallbore Silhouette Hunter Rifle National Champion! Mullins tied for first place with fellow Lapua team member Dustin Flint. Then, in a dramatic shoot-off, Mullins shot 107/120 to edge out team-mate Flint. Notably, both men used Lapua .22 LR rimfire ammunition. Mullins’s ammo choice was Lapua Midas+.
The 2019 NRA National Silhouette Smallbore Championships took place August 4-6, in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. Matches consist of 3 x 120 round relays, all fired from the standing position. For each relay, shooters engage ten chickens at 40 meters, ten pigs at 60 meters, ten turkeys at 77 meters, and ten rams at 100 meters.
Champion Mullins Had Pre-tested His .22 LR Ammo at Lapua Test Center
When asked what was most critical to capturing the title, Mullins stated, “Lapua ammunition was the key factor in my success. I visited the Lapua Rimfire Test Center in Mesa, AZ and paired the most accurate ammunition with my rifle.” Mullins found that Lapua Midas+ outperformed all other options at 50 and 100 meters in the Lapua test tunnel, shown below.
Above is the Lapua Rimfire Testing Facility in Mesa, Arizona. This allows measurements at both 50m and 100m for the same shot. Later this fall Lapua will open a new Test Center in Marengo, Ohio with identical capabilities. For more information regarding ammo testing at Lapua’s USA Rimfire Test Centers, email Lapua here: rimfiretest [at] capstonepg.com
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The Modern Smallbore Silhouette Rifle
Smallbore rifle silhouette is a shooting discipline that can really test a shooter’s ability and fundamentals. The saying in silhouette is “the bench proves the rifle, standing proves the shooter”. To be able to stand and shoot a rifle at targets ranging from 40 meters to 100 meters is no small feat, especially when the 100 meter ram target is just a little bigger than a large potato.
Of course, you need a good rifle. The CZ 455 has been at the top of the starter rifle list for a long time, however, a few newcomers such as the Tikka T1x are definitely challenging that spot. The gold standard in the silhouette discipline seems to be the venerable Anschutz 1712. With a fantastic two-stage trigger, smooth operation, great balance, and consistent accuracy it’s one of the most popular rifles, just look through the equipment survey from the U.S. Nationals and you will see what I mean. Even though the Anschutz is a great rifle, there are those competitors who want more. Enter Erich Mietenkorte, a Master silhouette shooter from Ellensburg, Washington and his P-51 Mustang-inspired .22 LR silhouette rifle.
The P-51 Mustang artwork was masterfully painted by Perry Mallet of Spokane, WA from a basic theme sketched out by Erich. This is one of the coolest gunstock paint jobs we’ve ever seen. Bravo Mr. Mallet!
Erich’s Smallbore ‘Silhouette Slammer’
Report by Erich Mietenkorte
At the heart of my .22 LR “Silhouette Slammer” is a Sako P94s Finnfire action. I chose this action due to its incredibly fast lock time. Mated to that is a tight-bore Lilja 4-groove barrel finished at 24 inches. This has a Winchester 52D chamber. The barrel and chamber combination were suggested by Loren Peter of Vancouver, WA, a long time silhouette shooter and gunsmith, and it definitely works! The rifle easily and consistently shoots under one inch at 100 meters with good ammo.
Finnfire Fitted with Modified Anschutz 2-Stage Trigger
The Finnfire was originally equipped with a single-stage trigger but I decided that a two-stage works better for me. There weren’t any available options at the time so I took an Anschutz 5109 trigger from a model 1712 and machined a new sear and mated it up to the action.
CLICK to Zoom Photo Click Image for large, full-size photo showing details of paint-work.
The rifle wears a Leupold FX-3 25-power optic, a scope favored by many silhouette shooters for its clarity, magnification, and relatively light weight. To make weight in Hunter Class, the rifle may weigh no more than 8.5 pounds total with optic! The last component that makes up this winning rifle is the amazing work of art that is the stock. All of these components rest in a custom fiberglass stock made specifically to push the limits of the NRA stock jig that all competition silhouette rifles must fit. The stock was constructed by Steve Wooster, a long-time silhouette shooter from Chehalis, WA. The P-51 Mustang artwork was masterfully painted by Perry Mallet of Spokane, WA from a sketch I did. Perry took an idea and used his artistic abilities to create a masterpiece that looks as good as it shoots.
Getting Started in the Silhouette Game
Erich’s advice for anyone wanting to get started in the fun and challenging discipline of silhouette is to take any .22 LR scoped rifle you have and simply show up at a silhouette match. On many occasions Erich has helped newcomers and has even loaned out his own rifle for novices to try. “One of the best things about silhouette is the generosity and friendliness of the competitors. Silhouette is a shooting sport that you don’t have to be intimidated, all shooting abilities are welcome and everyone has an opportunity to be successful.” To learn more about silhouette shooting, or locate a silhouette match near you, visit Steelchickens.com, a popular silhouette-centric web forum.
In this Video Erich Mietenkorte Shoots Rams at 100M with his .22 LR Silhouette Rifle:
Note the bullet impact locations on those 10 turkeys — that would be about a 1″ group. Great shooter with a great rifle. In Canada two weeks ago, Erich set a new Ram “long run” record, hitting 30 in a row.
The Three Amigos — Along with his P-51 paint job smallbore rifle, here are two of Erich’s centerfire silhouette rigs. Erich notes: “The green rifle is my High Power silhouette standard rifle (class weight limit 10 lbs. 2.0 oz.). This features a Defiance Machine Rebel action with a Lilja #6 Contour barrel finished at 26″. This rig is chambered in .260 Bobcat (aka 6.5×250, i.e. 250 Savage necked up to 6.5mm). This cartridge has the same energy as a .260 Remington but much less felt recoil. It is very efficient and makes a big difference when shooting a lot of rounds in a match.” Stock by Steve Wooster.
The brown rifle (upper right) is a blueprinted Remington 700 action with a Lilja #5 Contour barrel finished at 26″, also chambered in .260 Bobcat. Erich tells us: “I won Second Place at the U.S. National Championships last year with this rifle. Stock made by Wooster. This rifle is for the hunting rifle category (9-lb weight limit). For Hunter rifles in smallbore and High Power the trigger must have a safety and a pull weight at least two pounds. (By contrast, a Standard rifle may have any weight trigger with/without a safety.) Because you can shoot a Hunter rifle in the Standard rifle class, I started my High Power silhouette journey with this rifle and then added the Standard rifle later. I’ll be replacing this rifle this upcoming season with a Defiance Rebel action and barrel chambered in 6mm BR.”
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The second leg of the 
For the past few days, the 
The 
Metallic Silhouette — A Mexican Import
Before Steel There Was… Barbeque
Vudoo Designer Talks about V22-S Action
