Hi all. Hoping someone can respond that has participated in BPCR competitions that are not just local to your gun range. I'm almost to a point to start entering the big events but still practicing and learning. I understand silhouette and long range rules and course of fire at the competitions. What I am unsure of since I have never attended one is the following:
- is there always an opportunity to wipe between each shot in both disciplines?
- is there a requirement to use a wooden dowel to wipe rather than a standard cleaning rod?
- is long range always prone or is seated fine? I suppose prone is more stable than seated anyways.
- are coated bullets allowed?
- since you need a spotter, do they just match up shooters to take turns spotting for each other?
Thanks - Tom
BPCR Silhouettes is a timed team sport, shooter & spotter, where you shoot at metallic silhouettes to knock them off the rail.
You shoot at: chickens - offhand at 200m, pigs - off cross sticks at 300m, turkeys - off cross sticks at 385m & rams - off cross sticks at 500m.
There are 10 like animals on a rail and a "swinger" off the end of the rail for sighting purposes.
The first group of 5 animals you get 7min to take as many shots at the swinger as you need to sight in and then when you go for score, you have 5 consecutive shots at each animal.
You take a "record" shot and whether you hit or miss, you move to the next animal. At the end of the first 7 minutes, there is a 30 sec pause and you then have 5 minutes to shoot at the next 5 animals however, you get no sighters.
Your spotter will keep score and give you sight corrections based upon initial sight settings to get you on the animal plus, wind and mirage during your shooting period. (It truly is a team sport.)
This is repeated for each group of 10 animals at each distance. At the end of the match, the person who has knocked down the most animals, wins the match. You are also classified by your shooting ability and you can also place in your class. NRA has class level breakdowns.
The guns must be authentic (1865-1888) or reproductions of American made, single shot, exposed hammer rifles of 38 caliber and larger with sights same. All cartridges must be loaded with black powder or Pyrodex only! Bullets must be plain base, lead cast bullets, no gas checks. Grease grooved or paper patched. Blow tubes or wiping for fowling control.
To answer your questions:
- is there always an opportunity to wipe between each shot in both disciplines? YES
- is there a requirement to use a wooden dowel to wipe rather than a standard cleaning rod? EITHER
- is long range always prone or is seated fine? I suppose prone is more stable than seated anyways. - IN BPCR Silhouette shooting off crosssticks: prone-kneeling-sitting-standing allowed.
- are coated bullets allowed? NO - plain base paper patched or grease grooves.
- since you need a spotter, do they just match up shooters to take turns spotting for each other? - TYPICALLY the shooter & spotter are a team and normally shoot together. If you don't have a spotter to shoot with, the match director will fix you up with somebody. Nobody who comes to shoot will be denied the opportunity to shoot because he or she does not have a spotter.
Those are the generalities of BPCR Silhouette shooting. Make sure you go to the NRA web-site and read the rules regarding Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette shooting.
The game moves at a good pace however, you'll have plenty of time between relays to clean and set sights for next relay.
Spotting is as rewarding as shooting, for you are the close up eyes of the shooter and you'll get as much satisfaction as the shooter when he/she hits the animal knowing, you helped guide the way.
Feel free to ask anything, we love to help!
