Metallic silhouette is about knocking things down. Competitors shoot at steel cut-outs shaped like chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams, set at known distances. In SSAA rifle silhouette, a target scores only if it is knocked off its stand, in the correct order and within the time allowed.
Rifle metallic silhouette
The SSAA runs rifle metallic silhouette for air, rimfire, centrefire, service and black powder rifles. The sport began in Mexico in the early 1950s and arrived in Australia in the late 1970s.
Targets. Steel animal shapes on stands in banks of five.
Distances. In centrefire matches, chickens are at 200 metres, pigs at 300, turkeys at 385 and rams at 500. Rimfire matches use shorter distances: 40, 60, 77 and 100 metres.
Format. 10 shots at each of the four target types, 40 shots in all.
Position. Most SSAA rifle silhouette matches are shot standing offhand, without support, not even a sling. The SSAA notes that positions vary with the firearm category, and black powder cartridge rifle events have their own rules, including being the only events where shooting mats are allowed.
The SSAA says most of its branches can host the 100 metre range needed for rimfire silhouette.
Handgun and smallbore silhouette
Handgun silhouette. The SSAA runs handgun metallic silhouette under the rules of the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association, with revolvers and pistols in four categories. Target Pistol Australia runs IMSSU metallic silhouette events, where eye protection is mandatory, and manages a national silhouette team.
Smallbore silhouette. In smallbore rifle, Target Rifle Australia says a number of clubs shoot silhouette as a 40 or 80 shot competition, prone, at distances up to 90 metres.
How to try it
Look for an SSAA branch or club with a silhouette range, or a pistol club that runs silhouette events, and ask to watch a match. Rimfire silhouette needs a much shorter range than centrefire. Clubs can tell you which rifle or handgun suits their events, and whether you can try with club equipment.
Silhouette uses rifles and handguns that fall under different licence categories, and licensing rules vary. Requirements differ by state; check with the club and your state firearms registry.
Reviewed against: Rifle Metallic Silhouette (Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia), International Handgun Metallic Silhouette (Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia), History (Target Pistol Australia), Introduction: Target Rifle Shooting (Target Rifle Australia), General Regulations and General Technical Regulations, Edition 01/2026 (Target Pistol Australia)Reviewed Suggest a correction
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