SANNER'S LAKE SPORTSMEN'S CLUB

Rimfire Silhouette

A Rimfire Silhouette Match consists of shooting at steel silhouette targets at four distances using a rimfire rifle. The ammunition used is generally limited to rimfire rounds (such as .22L/S/LR) although other calibers may be approved by the match director on a case-by-case basis.  A silhouette match is normally shot in the standing position at various animal-shaped targets at 40, 60, 77, and 100 meters.  At SLSC, however, this match has evolved into a non-traditional benchrest-style "steel egg challenge" where we shoot 2"x1-3/8" egg-shaped steel targets from benches in a seated position. Additionally, the 100 meter targets are shot at 100 yards due to range limitations.  Typical rifles are either bolt-action or semi-auto although there are no restrictions on action type. It is very helpful to have your rifle sighted-in at 40, 60, 77 meters and 100 yards prior to the match (target stand post holes are provided at these distances on lane 5 at the rifle range).  Telescopic sights are recommended, but you can use iron sights if you're up for a challenge!  Sighting shots are not allowed once the match is underway but we do offer a short sighting-in period prior to the match.  The match at SLSC is unsanctioned but generally follows NRA Rifle Silhouette rules.

New for 2026: we've doubled the number of eggs for your shooting pleasure!  Instead of 10 steel eggs at each distance for a total of 40 targets per match, we'll now be shooting 20 eggs at each distance for a total of 80 targets per match!  Additionally the time limit has been reduced to two minutes per string of ten targets.  All other rules remain the same.  Recommend bringing at least 100 rounds to the match to allow for sighting-in shots, etc.  Match-type ammunition is recommended for accuracy, but whatever works in your gun is fine.  

Latest Match Report

Sanner’s Lake Rimfire Silhouette Match Report – June 2026

Warm but reasonably dry conditions greeted the three shooters who came out for the June SLSC rimfire silhouette match at Sanner’s Lake, and although the turnout was light (no doubt due to the nearby airshow activities), the enthusiasm was high and plenty of eggs went flying!  Two-thirds of the shooters on the line were first-time silhouette shooters but you wouldn’t know it from the scores as everybody quickly got their rifles dialed in and settled down to business.  When the eggs finally settled, it was junior shooter Ronan Bachman and his (borrowed) CZ 457 (plus some able coaching) coming out on top with an impressive 72 eggs dropped.  Right behind him was fellow new shooter Ken Garner posting a solid 56 hits with his Tikka T1x.  Congrats to all the shooters!  See all the details below.

Match results:

Place

Name

Rifle

40m

60m

77m

100y

Total

1

Ronan Bachman

CZ 457

20

19

19

14

72

2

Ken Garner

Tikka T1X

16

15

15

10

56

3

Francis Cox

Ruger 10/22

15

9

8

7

39

        Notes: 20 targets at each distance, 80 targets total.  

                      Ties are broken by most hits at each distance, nearest to farthest, and then by longest consecutive string of hits.

The next match is on 19 July, grab your rimfire tackdriver and join the fun!


Match Photos

Match POC

Mark Swierczek

swierczekml@gmail.com

Upcoming Silhouette Events

Record Board

First person to hit all 40 steel eggs (benchrest match):

Joe Mund - June 2019

First person to hit all 40 steel eggs two matches in a row:

Greg Banta - October 2023

High Score (traditional standing silhouette match): 

22 by Jake S on May 2016 and May 2017

"In A Row" Pins Earned (standing silhouette match):

5 Chickens  - Jake S on May 2016

5 Pigs - Jake S on May 2017

*Note - "In a Row" pins are given for a complete bank - crossing banks for 5 in a row does not count.



More Info

Match Director

Match Description

  • A relay of shooters shoots the course of fire for their respective targets/distance and then rotates to the next station and repeats until all four stations have been completed. More details are in the Course of Fire below.

Who
  • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – all ages, under 18 with an adult.  All skill levels are welcome.  Note that a sighted in rifle makes for a much more enjoyable match. 

Where

When

  • Third Sunday of the Month; May – October
  • Gate opens around 12:15PM; setup starts at 12:30, match starts at 1PM.  Note: range is CLOSED for setup and match 

Cost

  • $5

Equipment Needed:

  • .22 (S/L/LR) Rifle with scope (or iron sights if you dare!) sighted in for 40, 60, 77 meters, and 100 yards 
  • 80 rounds ammunition plus additional for sighters
  • One 10-round magazine is sufficient but 2 is more efficient.  Single loading is also acceptable.  

Course of Fire Details

  • Current benchrest-style match: 
    • Two strings of ten egg-shaped steel targets (2" x 1 3/8") at 40, 60, 77 meters and 100 yards shot from a bench.
    • Targets are shot in order and limited to ten shots for each string.  No extra shots are allowed. 

    • Each string of 10 targets must be completed in 2 min.

    • Minimum of 30 seconds between strings. 

    • After 20 targets have been shot, the stage is complete.  After resetting targets the shooters will rotate to the next station and repeat until all four distances have been completed.

    • No sighting shots are permitted once the silhouette match is underway.

    • Previous standing position match: 
      • Two strings of five steel targets:
    Chickens – 40 Meters

    Pigs - 60 Meters

    Turkey - 77 Meters

    Rams - 100 Yards


    Scoring

    • A target knocked over counts as one point with a maximum of 80 points per match.

    • A turned or nicked target does not count for score.  The target must fall off the stand to be scored.

    The Agony of the Near Miss!

    Sanners Lake Sportmen's Club
    PO Box 1300, Lexington Park, MD 20653

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