Air Gun

Contact: Neil Autrey

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PSC Air Pistol Silhouette shooting summary

NRA rules will be used

Targets:

Metallic silhouettes of animals set on stands. The targets are 1/10 scale of full size big bore targets. For reference, the chicken is the smallest animal, about the size of a quarter. We will shoot a 40 round course; 10 chickens at 10 yds, 10 pigs at 12.5 yds, 10 turkeys at 15 yds, 10 rams at 18 yds.

Course of fire:

Targets will be shot in banks of 5 animals. The first shot will be at the left-most target. The second shot will be at the second target, even if the first target is missed. Continue this sequence through 5 targets.

The normal course of fire is chickens, pigs, turkeys, rams. We will use a ‘shotgun’ start, i.e. shooters may start on other targets, then move to other stations to shoot the next animal in the above sequence. This allows us to start shooting with relay 1 full.

The NRA course is all shot from the standing position. Two hands may be used. Artificial braces, holding the wrist with the second hand, or contact of arms with the body (like in standing rifle shooting) is not allowed.

Commands:

No air guns are to be handled until the command ‘load’ is given.

The first command will be ‘load’. You can then handle your air gun. You have 30 seconds for sight adjustments and loading.

The second command will be ‘fire’. You then have 2.5 minutes to fire five rounds at the first bank of targets. This is not a speed event. Most air guns are single shot and there is sufficient time to load one round at a time.

The third command will be ‘cease fire’ , then a short break will be taken.

The above sequence will be repeated for the second bank of targets. Upon the last ‘cease fire’ you will bench or box your air gun with empty chamber indicator in place

When the line is clear, the range officer will allow shooters to proceed down range and re-set targets.

When everyone is back, the range officer will direct you to move with your equipment (actions open and empty chamber indicators in place) to the next animal. When you get to the next station, place your air gun on the bench and do not handle until the next ‘load’ command is given.

Scoring:

A target hit and off the stand is 1 point. A target hit, but not off the stand (and they do sometimes spin and remain on the stand when hit on the edge) is a miss. Targets shot out of sequence are scored as misses. A perfect score would be 40 points.

Classifications:

Iron sights and scope sights are separate categories of competition

Within these categories, shooters will have classifications from lowest to highest: B, A, AA, AAA, Master. Open Sights: B= 0-7, A= 8-15, AA = 16-22, AAA = 23-30 and Master = 30-40. Scope: B= 0-14, A= 15-21, AA = 22-29, AAA = 30-35 and Master = 36-40.

NRA rules determine the classification – in general you establish your classification in the first time shooting and are moved up in class when you shoot 3 scores in the next highest category or shoot a score more than one class above your classification.

We will have some practice matches without worrying about classifications to allow club members to give it a try and get accustomed. Later, we will register the matches with NRA at which time you will have to obtain an annual silhouette NRA scorebook in which your scores and classification will be recorded and presented when you enter matches. Cost for this book is $13/yr.