Black Powder Cartridge Metallic Silhouette

PDF:  2025 Northwest Black Powder Silhouette Bulletin

PDF:  BPCRS Regional 2025 entry

What Is Black Powder Cartridge Metallic Silhouette?

That is a mouthful. But attached to that name is a game of western nostalgia with (usually) modern made (but historically accurate) rifles. The Silhouette game itself does not come from antiquity, but was first created with smokeless arms in mind. After a time, shooters who liked the old guns suggested that the NRA add a black powder cartridge category to Silhouette shooting and, with some rule adjustments, BPCRS was born.

There are four types of targets, ten of each type. The chickens are shot off hand at 200 meters. The rest of the targets are shot from cross sticks, either standing, sitting or prone. Most shoot from the prone position. These targets include pigs at 300 meters, turkeys at 385 meters, and rams at 500 meters.

How Does an Event Run?

A spotter/coach can sit next to the shooter using binoculars or a spotting scope to help call the wind and to call hits and misses for the purpose of scoring. A good spotter/coach provides a distinct advantage for the shooter in suggesting windage corrections and accurately noting for the shooter precisely where the previous shot went, whether it was a hit or a miss.

The course of fire is usually 40 shots plus sighting shots. The target, and bank one starts on, is randomly selected. After the targets are set, shooters for a particular relay are called to the line with their unloaded rifle. A generous amount of time is allowed for the shooter and spotter to set up. A cross stick must be stuck into the ground and adjusted for height, a shooting mat is unrolled and angled appropriately, ammo is set up to be in easy reach, and a spotting scope for the spotter/coach needs to be correctly pointed and focused. When the range master determines that all are set to go, he calls “Relay X, for your first bank of 5 targets, you will have 7 minutes and 30 seconds (pause) READY.” At that point the shooters may load their rifle, but not before. After 30 seconds the range master will call “FIRE”. The shooter then has 7 minutes to shoot as many sighting shots at the “swinger” as he chooses, while leaving himself enough time to shoot five shots for score. The shooter decides he is going for record, he announces to his spotter/coach, “GOING FOR SCORE”. No further sighting shots may be taken after this. The five silhouettes are shot at in order (left to right), whether it is a hit or a miss.

After time has expired, the range master will call “CEASE FIRE”. All rifles will be unloaded at this announcement. An approximate two minute pause takes place before the range master calls out, “Relay X, for your second bank of 5 targets, you will have 5 minutes and 30 seconds (pause) READY”. At this point the shooter may load his rifle. After 30 seconds, the range master will call out “FIRE”. The shooter then has 5 minutes to shoot at his targets in order, hit or miss (there are no sighting shots in this second stage). After the 5 minutes have expired, the range master will call, “CEASE FIRE. REMOVE YOUR RIFLES FROM THE LINE. MAKE THE LINE SAFE.” After the range master has determined that rifles are removed and the line is safe, he will announce, “Target setters may go forward.” The shooter then joins the others who shot during that relay to go down range to reset and paint the targets that were knocked over.

The above describes a typical relay that will repeat itself 3 more times throughout the day for each respective shooter, the conclusion of which will see 40 shots fired for score, 10 at each animal.

What is the basic equipment one needs to compete in BPCRS?

1. An original or replica rifle with an exposed hammer that is typical of the buffalo hunting era. A Sharps 1874, 1875 or 1877 are examples of such rifles. Others include a Winchester High Wall, a Remington Rolling Block or a Ballard. These rifles should be equipped with proper target sights, both front and rear, to be competitive. There are other similar rifles that are allowed. If in question, call and ask.
2. Ammunition original to the era that is an American caliber loaded with black powder or Pyrodex only. Only plain or cup based lead bullets may be used. Paper patch or grease groove bullets only. Coated bullets are not allowed.
3. Cross sticks
4. Shooting mat
5. A decent quality spotting scope and tripod for your spotter/coach
6. A chart that has each silhouette shape on it so that the spotter/coach can show the shooter where the bullet impacted, hit or miss.
7. Blow tube to blow several breaths down the bore from the breech end to help keep black powder fouling soft during the course of fire.
8. Eye and Hearing protection
9. A line box that allows the shooter to have only five rounds readily available once he has announced he is “going for score.”

That is the basic rules of the game and the minimum kit needed to compete. Once a new shooter gets his feet wet, and observes and talks to others, he can improve his kit as his budget and inclination allow.

There are several companies around the country that specialize in replica black powder cartridge rifles, and other companies that specialize in all that one needs to compete in BPCRS. The Black Powder Cartridge director would be happy to point a new shooter in the various directions needed to equip themselves for competing.

It is a great group of people who compete in this game, and no one is above helping a new shooter feel welcome. If a spotter/coach is needed, one will be found. If interested, please email the Black Powder Cartridge director for more information.