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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!  All other rules, time limits, etc. 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.  

Upcoming Silhouette Events

Latest Match Report

Sanner’s Lake Rimfire Silhouette Match Report – October 2025

Crisp autumnal weather greeted seven precision rimfire shooters who ventured out to the range for the last 2025 Sanner’s Lake Rimfire Silhouette Match of 2025. The occasional gusty winds added an extra element of uncertainty to the already-difficult task of hitting the tiny steel egg targets at distance, sparking ongoing discussions about how much “Kentucky windage” to apply, if any.  When the smoke finally cleared, it was Jeff Heisler taking the top spot with 39 eggs cracked, just missing the last egg at 100 yards, an excellent performance given the conditions.  Congrats to Jeff!  Andrea Swierczek was nipping at Jeff’s heels the entire match and hoping for her second perfect match in a row, but an overzealous wind call caused her to miss her first egg at 100 yards, thus tying Jeff’s score but losing the “longest consecutive string of hits” tie-breaker. Further down the scoreboard, Greg Banta and Kayla Wentz battled it out for third place, with Greg squeaking by Kayla with a solid, if frustratingly imperfect performance of 38 eggs toppled.  Meanwhile, new silhouette shooters Michael Liddy and Chris Martin put in decent performances as they figured out how to manage dope and wind and trigger squeeze and all the other things that go into silhouette shooting.  See all the match results and details below.

SLSC Silhouette Match Report October 2025.docx

This was the last Sanner’s Lake Silhouette Match for 2025, thanks to all who participated this year.  Join us in 2026 for the next season which may include some interesting changes to the match format...see you then!


Match Photos

The Sighting-In Ritual – arguably the most critical stage of the match:


The Agony of the Near Miss:


Match POC

Mark Swierczek

swierczekml@gmail.com

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.






Match Reports


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 mins 30 sec.

    • 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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