New Smallbore Silhouetter

[Bret_K]

It's been a week now since I've shot my first rounds of Smallbore Silhouette and boy was it a hoot! I shot IHMSA silhouette for a few years, but even that has already been about 6 years ago. Nevertheless, I've long been fascinated by the rifle side of the sport. A couple of years ago I bought a rifle from a good fellow on these forums. Adhering to the policy of "Pay once and cry once" I bought a custom Anschutz 1712 and wow! have I ever been happy I did!! However, when a fellow buys equipment like this it puts extra pressure on him because everyone sees the equipment and expects him to shoot accordingly. Undaunted by this pressure, I showed up for a local shoot with some rudimentary sight settings found by shooting at a buddy's backyard range. After a few sighters at each range off a bench I was satisfied that I was "close enough."
I don't think it comes as a revelation to anyone that this is a TOUGH game! Conditions were about as good as one can expect in Kansas for June. My first round was not all that bad as I started out on the pigs and finished with a 16. I think that nerves may have played a little bit of a role because I just could not hold very steady. I bounced back on the next round to finish with a 23. I was very pleased with that result. Of course there were areas for improvement...I only hit 3 chickens (I think it is because my 40m scope setting may be off a little because I only managed 4 or 5 on the first round). On the positive side, I started off with hitting the first 4 pigs (yes I missed the 5th one) and then hit 5 total turkeys, 8 of 10 rams (unfortunately I hit the first 4 of each bank and choked on the 5th one both times!). I find it completely unfathomable that some people are able to shoot perfect scores in this event, but kudos to them. I look forward to following this experience up next month. I just wish there were more events nearby...
Can anyone recommend resources for learning and improving in this game? Thanks in advance! - Bret

[topclass]

repetition is the greatest teacher -- the more you shoot the better off you'll be. ask fellow shooters -- I've found this to be a tremendous resource of information. The silhouette community seems to be very willing to share tips and thoughts because no matter what they tell you, it is still up to you to execute the shot. One of the best pieces of advice that I've received is that this game is definitely one shot at a time. That might self self-evident, but what it means to me is don't worry about the last shot -- it's history; don't worry about the next shot -- it's the future. Just focus on the shot you're on. Sounds easy but it certainly takes mind control, especially after you've run off 3 in a row (or 8 in a row) and start thinking about 5 (or 10) in a row. The challenge is to not look ahead. Or if you drop one anywhere along the way making sure you get the next one, not missing two in a row. There's certainly a physical portion of silhouette shooting, but the mental part is just as, and maybe more, important. that's my 2 cent worth...

topclass

[yankee]

Sounds like you have been bitten by the bug. nose around and ask questions

Info Please Smallbore in Kansas again? Where at? Registered Matches or just fun?? Thanks

[Bret_K]

The match is actually over in Missouri at the Pioneer Gun Club facility.

[eric614]

Have fun One target at a time. Follow thru. Watch the target go down thru your scope. Have fun Best of luck also

[teetertotter]

I participate to mainly have fun. I don't practice, maybe 100 rounds a week if I do. Then have our Thursday eve and once a month Sat. Matches. I shot two 20's last year and the past 2 months, 13-17. I'm in my 5th year and love the sport and having friends. I have received tips, written them down, carry in my case, and read them occasionally when I get serious. July 3rd. when we get home from vacation, I should know if we keep the animals black or switch to yellow. I painted the practice swingers yellow before we left on vacation last week.

It is like golf for me, if I have a good round or a poor 9 holes a week, no big deal. I enjoy no matter the final score.
Yes, practice makes perfect.

[snaketail2]

And it get easier the more you shoot - OK, not really, but you can learn some new profanity and a new set excuses pretty quickly. Don't think of the match as 40 or 60 shots - think of it as one good shot, and do it 40 or 60 times.

[Bret_K]

Second month of shooting down. I shot a score of 19 twice. Seems like I should have done better, but isn't that always the case? What a marvelous game...always seems to be more mental than physical. I guess that's why I keep missing...just too mental.

[OldRanger]

This is my first year shooting too, and last match I got a pair of 17's, which are my best official scores yet. Wish I could get more range time to bump those scores up. Ah well, I really don't compete against anyone but myself.

Does anyone know if they make a 1712 in left handed? Or at least with a left handed stock, kinda sucks when the monte carlo roll is on the wrong side....

[teetertotter]

This is my first year shooting too, and last match I got a pair of 17's, which are my best official scores yet. Wish I could get more range time to bump those scores up. Ah well, I really don't compete against anyone but myself.

Does anyone know if they make a 1712 in left handed? Or at least with a left handed stock, kinda sucks when the monte carlo roll is on the wrong side....

Us left handers are very limited other than going custom. CZUSA still has their 452 American, LH. for sale, which I use. I would have bought their Silhouette model 2+ years ago, but did not make LH. I assume, since the they have LH, American 452's yet for sale, they are not making in the new 455 series. Perhaps they might be getting out of the LH business too?
My 2 cents.

[OldRanger]

I hear the CZ's are ok, but I want an annie. I almost had a left handed fortner action, but the guy decided to keep it. That would make for an interesting silo gun eh? I've got some calls in, I'll find an action some day...

[topclass]

to my knowledge the only way to get a 17xx action in a LH stock is to have one made. I have a 1710 in a LH Wooster stock. Rifle makes hunter weight so I use it for both classes. Fortners are an interesting albeit very expensive way to go. I, too, had a LH barreled action in my sights but it was not to be...