Does anyone shoot in this match category? How do you like it? I've got a Marlin 45/70 CB with XS sights -- am I going to be able to shoot in this kind of match? How about reloading for these matches? -- any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

William:

You might want to look on marlinowners.com - they have thread specifically for lever action competition(that includes silhouette). I'm just getting into it myself in western PA.

Penndog

Thank Penndog! I'll check it out.

I try to shoot at least one match every month. VERY fun!! Not as easy as it looks, but if you stick with it and practice, you'll improve.

Your 45-70 will work fine, it's the nut behind the trigger that will determine how many of those critters fall over. It is nice to have some elevation adjustment in your rear sights. Some guys use different loads for the various distances.

My 45-70 load hasn't been tested in competition but on paper I can cover everything with on sight change. I use a middlin' lever gun load of SR 4759 under a 405 grain cast bullet. For the chickens I have a bottom of the foot hold, the Boars I hole right on the bottom half. I make a sight change for a low body hold on the turkeys and a top of the back hold on the Rams.

The 30-30 is what I usually use in the Rifle Caliber class, my go to load is a 170 grain cast bullet under enough Unique to get me just over 1400 fps. I have enough elevator ramp for each critter though if it's windy I use a load that pushes that bullet 1850 fps with 2400 for the Rams and sometimes the Turkeys. Mixing the loads I can use one sight setting by taking the boar zero with the 1400 fps load and taking on the Turkeys and Rams with the 2400 load.

WD,
Looks like a lot of fun, and good for getting in shooting-shape for hunting season. I'm in. Does anyone use those "LeverLution" rounds? Are they more accurate at longer ranges?

I think the cost of the Lever Evolution rounds is the main reason we don't see them used in the matches. You would need a minimum of 40 and you'd probably want at least another 1/2 box just to sight in at the various ranges. $50 + just for ammo is a bit rich for most of us for one match.

Here's some video of us at this month's pistol caliber match.
W vs. Pigs with 32-20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQb-5Jz8WIM&playnext_from=TL&videos=IUlgKSzA0ho

Pigs 6-10

Pigs vs 45 Colt