First Silhouette Match

[Hugger-4641]

Took my new Henry Big Boy Classic 45colt and entered my first ever match yesterday at my club. I Was planning to shoot pistol caliber lever, but it was after the lever rifle and I couldn't stay that long. So I entered the lever rifle match. I actually did better than I expected at first. I got 8 on the 50m chickens and 7 on the 100m pigs. Didn't do so good on the 150m Turkey, only hit 4 and one of them spun. Hit 3 of the 200m rams but none fell. My 200gr coated cowboy #4 at 1150fps were planned for the pistol caliber match and didn't have enough punch to knock them over.
For now, I'm happy with the 200gr load for future pistol caliber matches, but for rifle caliber, I've got to do something different.
So, time for opinions on three options I think I have :

1. Should I try to see if I can load the 200gr fast enough to do the job?
I know I can push them about 1700fps safely.

2. Should I move up to 250 - 300gr and see if I can push them fast enough?

3. Should I just get a 30-30 for this and limit the 45colt to pistol caliber matches?

 

[d2wing]

I'd go 30-30 for sure. Flater shooting.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Thanks for the reply!
I'm not so worried about flat shooting, just gotta have enough juice to knock over those 200m rams. But I guess I will start looking for another 30-30. Not gonna take the scope off my 94ae, they been together since 1984.

I did work up a 45colt load with 200gr cowboy#4 that's going about 1560fps. Guess I'm gonna try those until I come up with another 30-30.

 

[crstrode]

30-30 works for me.
180 grain Nosler ballistic tip.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Cool gun, but I'd have to see a video of you hitting Rams at 200m offhand with it before I'd consider buying one

 

[Random 8]

A heavier and/or more efficient bullet will knock over the rams. Your 200 going a bit faster might as well. The 30-30 would be a fine option. A .357 loaded heavy with 170 rn cast would do as well. You could load more conventional loads for pistol cartridge and use the same rifle for both.

 

[Hoser]

I always enjoyed silhouette shooting. In fact, that is what I started out shooting a long time ago. Too bad it is all but dead around here.

If you are getting ringers on rams, a heavier bullet will help. If your hold is steady enough, try hitting them higher.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I've got some 230fmj to play with if these hot 200gr don't knock them over. But I'm not sure if they'll let me shoot fmj in a match. I'm also going to order some 250gr cast and hytek coated cast from Missouri Bullet and try them. Hopefully in the meantime I'll run across a good deal on a 30-30.

 

[Hugger-4641]

A heavier and/or more efficient bullet will knock over the rams. Your 200 going a bit faster might as well. The 30-30 would be a fine option. A .357 loaded heavy with 170 rn cast would do as well. You could load more conventional loads for pistol cartridge and use the same rifle for both.

That's kind of what I'm thinking. If I can find a load that takes the 200m rams down, I'll use it for Turkeys and Rams and keep the 1100fps 200gr load for chickens, pigs, and the pistol calibre matches.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Man! I always wanted to shoot a silhouette match! Jealous!

well welcome the the addiction called Match Shooting!

 

[alfsauve]

My first organized competition was IHMSA. Used .357Max in a T/C for production and standing and a SW 686 for Revolver. You get a big head when you put down 5 rams in a row standing.