2021 smallbore silhouette nationals - 08/16/21
You never really read much about silhouette here on the CF. Not sure why as it’s likely the shooting game that most prepares you for hunting that most of us do.
I’ve been a semi-casual smallbore silhouette shooter for several years after abandoning a short lived time at high-power. A couple years ago dragged CF User Roof (Joe R) into it and upgraded my equipment. I only shoot one match a month (Atglen PA) but it’s a fun well-run match. Joe also shoots the matches once a month at Fairfax Rod and Gun and he has swingers in his range at home so he can actually practice. I kinda rely on the once a month and shooting my air rifle.
Regardless of my “A” shooter classification, Joe and I decided to go shoot the nationals in Ridgeway PA last weekend.
Summary? A great time! About 140 shooters and you have not met a more friendly and helpful crowd. Usually it’s a bit larger than that but teams from Canada, South Africa, Australia and I‘m sure some domestic folks didn’t make it and there was only one team from Mexico. The shoot was three-ish days. Practice match Saturday and matches on Su/Mon/Tuesday.
One of ten racks of guns - When they post the equipment survey I'll link it but I suspect 90% Anschutz (I'm shooting a 1712) and 75% + Leupold scopes.
Ridgeway the town – We stayed at a local hotel but had been warned there’s not much there. We found the complete opposite – Lovely town. It had numerous restaurants (and a brewery) and people and the Clarion River runs through town. Frankly, I’d be very happy to live there.
Ridgeway the range (http://www.ridgwayrifleclub.com) itself is a spectacular facility. We were shooting on the 100 yard dedicated smallbore silhouette range (10 positions for each animal) but they have several others including a 1000 yards. The metal swingers are there all the time including the big white buffalo @ 1000 yards. For $45 a year it’s worth it if we even go up a couple times a year so we may join. World class facility in lovely country and the town loves having it.
The 1000 yard range
Lots of interesting conversations with folks. One in particular was with a well-known Master class shooter who was on the NRA silhouette committee before the NRA disbanded it. His feeling is the NRA is at a major crossroads and the only reasons they won’t get rid of the entire competitive program is (1) Ego/politics/control (2) the money it brings in. Silhouette is low on the money side and he thinks that it’s only a matter of time before either a new organization stands up to run silhouette or someone like CMP takes it over.
I did manage to shoot well enough to pick up a 3rd in Hunter A one day after a tie so shooting it out with the 4th place finisher.
I’ve been a semi-casual smallbore silhouette shooter for several years after abandoning a short lived time at high-power. A couple years ago dragged CF User Roof (Joe R) into it and upgraded my equipment. I only shoot one match a month (Atglen PA) but it’s a fun well-run match. Joe also shoots the matches once a month at Fairfax Rod and Gun and he has swingers in his range at home so he can actually practice. I kinda rely on the once a month and shooting my air rifle.
Regardless of my “A” shooter classification, Joe and I decided to go shoot the nationals in Ridgeway PA last weekend.
Summary? A great time! About 140 shooters and you have not met a more friendly and helpful crowd. Usually it’s a bit larger than that but teams from Canada, South Africa, Australia and I‘m sure some domestic folks didn’t make it and there was only one team from Mexico. The shoot was three-ish days. Practice match Saturday and matches on Su/Mon/Tuesday.
One of ten racks of guns - When they post the equipment survey I'll link it but I suspect 90% Anschutz (I'm shooting a 1712) and 75% + Leupold scopes.
Ridgeway the town – We stayed at a local hotel but had been warned there’s not much there. We found the complete opposite – Lovely town. It had numerous restaurants (and a brewery) and people and the Clarion River runs through town. Frankly, I’d be very happy to live there.
Ridgeway the range (http://www.ridgwayrifleclub.com) itself is a spectacular facility. We were shooting on the 100 yard dedicated smallbore silhouette range (10 positions for each animal) but they have several others including a 1000 yards. The metal swingers are there all the time including the big white buffalo @ 1000 yards. For $45 a year it’s worth it if we even go up a couple times a year so we may join. World class facility in lovely country and the town loves having it.
The 1000 yard range
Lots of interesting conversations with folks. One in particular was with a well-known Master class shooter who was on the NRA silhouette committee before the NRA disbanded it. His feeling is the NRA is at a major crossroads and the only reasons they won’t get rid of the entire competitive program is (1) Ego/politics/control (2) the money it brings in. Silhouette is low on the money side and he thinks that it’s only a matter of time before either a new organization stands up to run silhouette or someone like CMP takes it over.
I did manage to shoot well enough to pick up a 3rd in Hunter A one day after a tie so shooting it out with the 4th place finisher.