First go at Sillywets ...

[J.B.]

Well a few in our band of intrepid 'would be' buffalo shooters headed out to the mid west of New South Wales to have a go at metallic silhouette about a week ago and it was quite an experience. The match was basically put on by one of our members who lives out there to give us an introduction and taste of what its like. The rules werent rigidly enforced, in that we were allowed to use slightly overweight rifles ( ie. 12 - 13 lbs) ..and were permitted to shoot sitting on foot stools. No grading of course but as frustrating as it was, it was still a lot of fun.
I was fortunate enough to be squadded with two seasoned silhouette shooters who were invaluable as spotters and were the sole reason I managed a score in double digits at all. I shot my 44 x 2 1/4 and when I managed to connect....the 480 grain bullet left no doubt the target was down. Some do seem to be in suspended animation though when one only grazes the edge.
Was a great experience...and after nearly three months.. I was happy to be able to shoot at all. Only hope its not another 12 months before I get another chance. Yessir... a new found respect for good shooters in this arena. It's a hoot.

[Don McDowell]

Lots of fun ain't it?
I found that open cross hair to be a good one on those animals. I just lined the horizontal hairs up with what looked to be mid body with equal daylight on either end and let er rip.

[J.B.]

Fun, frustrating, rewarding... pretty much what most shooting amounts to. Organised, large calibre plinking ... with rules ! Seriously though , I had a go at handgun silhouette 30 years ago and that was fun too. At least having them fall over wasnt an issue this time...though hitting them at all certainly was. Chickens... well... what can I say about chickens that hasnt been said already.
There were a few scope shooters present on the second day and it was interesting to watch them. Only major adjustments seem to need sight adjustment ..where minor variations were handled by holding off. I guess I'll be shooting scope class eventually so I'd better take some notice now. Now my 44 is just under 12 1/2 lbs.....so lets see...the next one will have to be 28" , heavy half round, pistol grip with checkering ?? Oh dear ...here I go again.

[Don McDowell]

Think about a 77 with a 32 inch tube, in..... 44-90 st

[J.B.]

You're not helping Don ! But yes....I had considered the 90 earlier but pretty sold on the smaller brother with shoulders for now. No money in the bank..so it's dreaming time still. Sitting on a mat on the ground is no problem but I cant shave half a pound off my current rifle easily. Besides.. it gives me an excuse to buy another rifle. "Hey...but I need a rifle for silhouette" . Thinking I might try my 50/70 next time around. Should still hit hard enough and the rifle weighs in at just over 10 lbs. Not as flat a shooter but 500 mtrs shouldnt be a challenge for it. Me maybe..but not it.

[Nuclearcricket]

Yepper JB, that Silly wet game is an entirely different game to play. I am very glad to hear that someone put on a match with flexibility to allow as many shooters as possible to get their feet wet so to speak. It is a great game and a heck of a lot of fun. It is really neat to hear the bang and then clang and see the critter fall. Getting a good score is great but just the satisfaction of being able to hit a target that size and shape at distance is a great reward.
The 50 may be a bit of a challenge but there is no doubt in my mind that it will knock anything over that it hits. If and when you do hit a chicken, you will be wanting to do the chicken dance to celebrate, as opposed to standing there and letting those critters laugh at you.
I am sure that the 44 with the 480 bullet will make those chickens do all kinds of funny things when it connects with them.
I had hoped that my 44 would be done in tome to get a little range time with it this year but as things stand right now it will not be comming home till December and thats just not a good time of the year to go out and do good shooting.
Sam

[Don McDowell]

JB , I've sort of been thinking a #3 with a standard weight 30 inch barrel in the 44-2 1/4 might be just a grand little rifle for a multitude of things..

[Gunlaker]

It's a pretty fun game for sure. That .44 is probably a better choice than the .50-70 :-)

I think the key is to build it around whatever you can shoot chickens best with, and still have enough power for the rams.

Chris.

[Don McDowell]

I've seen some 50-70's used in gong matches, I don't have many doubts one would work quite well in a sillywet match. The recoil isn't bad, a 50-90 would surely take the rams down, but whether or not a shooter could take the 40+ rounds without a recoil concussion might be another ball of worms...

[Kurt]

JB.

I have only shot two silhouette matches both were informal. Once I used a .40-70 and no problem knocking them over.
The second informal one I used my .50-2.5 That just about knocked a chicken over the berm and shot the head off a turkey and the back leg off the ram
A bit over gunned

Kurt