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Long Range Varmint Silhouette

CONTACT:

Monte Forbes – monte@moondog.net

MATCH NOTICE:

Make sure you are registered and present by 8am for the Safety Brief. Any shooters not present for the safety brief cannot participate in the match. Please see further safety information below:

SAFETY NOTICE:

Please do not approach or congregate at any range, unless a PVGC Range Safety Officer (RSO) for that range/match is present. If the RSO is not present, please wait outside the gate. If the gate is open and an RSO from another match is present, please wait for your match RSO outside the gate. This has become a problem when there are two PVGC matches held on the same day. Please do not bring firearms forward until directed by the RSO for the particular match you are involved in. With your help, we can keep this sport safe. Thank you.

Long Range Varmint Silhouette Match Description

  • Long Range Varmint Silhouette (LRVS) is a fun, challenging rifle match which will test and develop your abilities in the arena of precision rifle shooting.
  • In contrast with many typical “target rifle” games, LRVS is designed to improve technical skills related to hardware and technique within a practical context.
  • Shooters are faced with having to change target and range for each shot. The size of the targets are such that minor corrections for changing conditions are common on a shot-to-shot basis, requiring the shooter to rapidly assess the conditions prior to each shot.
  • Shooters engage targets from 165 to 850 yards, depending on the class qualification.
  • Many competitors find that the most challenging aspect of the match is to assemble and maintain a consistent rifle/optics/load system, as well as pay closer attention to the fundamentals of positioning and trigger control.
  • Suggested minimum requirements for the match are a 1 MOA-accuracy centerfire rifle with an optic of at least 10x magnification which can be rapidly adjusted for impact. Typical competitors use a heavy-barrel bolt-action rifle in 6mm – .30cal chamberings, with a 15-20x target scope and graduated reticle.
  • Triggers with less than 2-lb pull weights are strongly discouraged, as is ammunition which creates reliability problems when cycling loaded cartridges – such things are better left to bench shooters and have no place in the field.

Basic Equipment

  • Eye & ear protection.
  • Rifle with adjustable target-type scope or holdover reticle. Heavy-barreled “precision” type rifle recommended.
  • Field bipod or backpack-style front rest.
  • Ammunition – centerfire caliber .17 to .338 (“heavy varmint” caliber or bullet weight recommended). NO ARMOR-PIERCING OR STEEL CORE AMMO IS ALLOWED, FULL METAL JACKET AMMO PLEASE SEE THE MATCH DIRECTOR FOR APPROVAL, if we see FMJ on the line we will inspect the ammo.
  • 40 rounds of ammunition for record, plus another 10-20 for sighters.
  • Binoculars or spotting scope if available.
  • Fee: $10 Club Member, $15 Non-member, $10 Junior (<18).

Course of Fire

  • Squads: Shooters are separated into squads after signup and the safety briefing. Each squad is assigned a firing position.
  • Sighter period has changed this year. We have added 5 minutes extra to the first round of the first relay. This is provided primarily for a fast check of zeros or estimated drops.  Please come to the match with your rifle sighted in and have approximate drop data.
  • Hanging steel varmint targets are shot at various ranges following the scorecard for each class. A total of (4) 10-rd relays are fired by each competitor.
  • A Relay consists of (2) 5-round Strings, each taking no more than 3:00 minutes, with a 1:00 minute rest period between Strings.
  • Competitors will shoot 1 round (single-load) at each varmint type during a 5-round String. Target order is called by a spotter using the scorecard.
  • Each line of targets (approximate ranges): Squirrel at 165 yards, Squirrel at 330 yards*, Crow at 430 yards, Woodchuck at 430 yards, Rabbit at 550 yards, Coyote at 550 yards, Coyote at 665 yards*, Bobcats at 750 yards*, Coyote at 850 yards* (*depends on Class qualification).

General Rules

  • Gate opens at 7:30 am on event dates to receive the mandatory safety briefing before the match. Please show up early and help with setup. We should finish by 1:00PM
  • This is a “long range varmint” oriented match. Approach it as you would if setting up in the field for long-range shots.
  • All firing will be done single-load in the prone position, from a field rest of some type such as a backpack or hunting bipod. Allowances for bad backs, joints, and other physical limitations are made at the Match Director’s discretion. We have benches available for these situations, the rifle support rules still apply.
  • No artificial rear support is allowed – the rear of the rifle must be supported by the shooter’s arms/body only.
  • No mechanical rests or “benchrest” type equipment will be allowed. If you are not sure about your gear, just ask the Match Director to review it. Generally speaking, equipment that would be used in the field is legal for use in the match.
  • The ideal calibers for this are the .243 class and up using long range match bullets, however people have shot this match successfully with everything from a .223 to a .300WM.

Scoring

  • Targets consist of hanging steel silhouettes, painted white. Points are scored by “hitting” the target.
  • A “hit” is defined by a bullet strike anywhere on the white steel target surface. Hits will be observed by 2 spotters in each squad using visual target hit indication (violent movement of the target, bullet splash on white paint).
  • Spotting is an essential skill for long range shooting. Participants are expected to aid squad members by spotting and giving accurate calls. This is a good time to hone skills in observing trace, reading hit and miss dust patterns, and detecting correct target behavior for hits.

Classes/Awards

  • There are 4 classes in Long Range Varmint Silhouette (highest to lowest): Master, Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman. Each class is awarded 1st-3rd Place ribbons at each match. Junior (less than 18 years old) shooters are eligible for 1st & 2nd Junior as well as regular awards at each match. There are additional awards given after each season based on total points earned. Any ties will be broken by counting the most rabbits, then chucks, etc.
  • In order to advance in class, a shooter has to score a given point count in the previous class. In order to move down a class, a shooter must in three consecutive appearances score below a lower threshold for that class (see Class specifics below).
  1. Master Class – Shoots targets at the following yardages: 330, 430, 550, 750, and 850.  Qualification: Score 30 or more in Expert Class (score less than 20 three times to move back).
  2. Expert Class – Shoots targets at the following yardages: 330, 430, 550, and 750. Qualification: Score 25 or more in Sharpshooter Class (score less than 15 three times to move back).
  3. Sharpshooter Class – Shoots targets at the following yardages: 330, 430, 550, and 665. Qualification: Score 15 or more in Marksman Class (score less than 10 three times to move back).
  4. Marksman Class – Shoots targets at the following yardages: 165, 430, and 550.