Hello,
I'm considering shooting smallbore cowboy rifle silhouette but I have no experience with the equipment it needs. Is there some place I can get its rules?

As I understand, you cannot have optical sights and must use iron sight. Are you limited to the factory sights? Or can you install after market sights (any limitations) ?

The rifle has to be lever or pump action; I've never used either one, which is better?

I can't find any production lever or pump .22LR rifles; the only company that I found was Henry, any other manufacturers? Should I get used?

Is having adjustable windage important? Some rifles dont' have it.

What rifle do you recommend for around $500?
Thanks! Maybe I'll see you on the line at the next match!

Buy a Marlin model 39A. it has a 24" barrel and is probably the best rifle for the job. You can change the sights but there are limitations so it's probably best you talk to some people in the know about whats legal and what isn't

You can use like a Lyman or Williams rear peep and say a Lyman front globe (17A), but your front sight /insert must be a post configuration.

Go to the NRA rule book site http://www.nrahq.org/compete/nra-rule-books.asp and click on Rifle Silhouette. This will have all the info about the three different types of Cowboy Silhouette shooting.
There's SmallBore, Pistol Cartridge & Cowboy Lever Action. Each has its own requirements. I use a Marlin 39A for SB, a Marlin 1894/357 for PC, and a Winchester Model 94/30-30 for CLA.
The easiest game to get into is Smallbore with a .22 caliber Marlin 39A.

I like the Henry Goldenboy. Marble rear sight and Lyman 17A Front sight. There are three other guys I shoot with and they have had many problems with the Marlin 39A. Feed problems, ejection problems, etc. Plus the Henry is less expensive.

Just my 2 cents,
Minuteman

I shoot a marlin 39a with lyman front and rear site.My wife shoots a browning bl-22 with williams on rear and lyman on front.I have had some problems with my 39a feeding and ejecting,but alittle gun smith work fixed the prolem.good luck.

G'Day All
I use a Marlin with a Williams 39tm tk sight which gives you the adjustment knobs. Also there are hand tightened Gib lock screws available now which make life easy. Most shooters here in Australia use marlin 39a's with a few other brands in the mix.
Juddy
The Chairman

I have an older (pre-1988) Marlin 39a Golden with a Marble's tang sight and a Lyman 17a front. I have a conservatively estimated 25,000 rounds through this rifle with no malfunctions whatsoever. Several of my shooting friends have the same setup. Works for us. I know a couple of guys who have the newer 39a's with the rebounding hammer and the safety, they have nothing but trouble with them.

G'day folks,
Yes I use a Marlin 39A as well, mine is an old girl though dating back to the early 60s, yes it is Mico-grooved. I bought it cheap nearly twenty years ago as it had a broken firing pin. Repalced that and never had any trouble since.
I have a Lyman peep fitted and the front post I have just filed down so it almost matches the leg of the Turkeys. Rough but reasonably effective.
That's my cowboy SB outfit.

If you can find an older 39A I would seriously look at it as the longer barrel balances very nicely compared to the other makes.

Regards,
Outback Mick