Big Bore Long Range
* Cowboy Long Range
* Texas Fast Draw
The range is located at “the hill” right behind Herman Brune’s house, approximately ¼ mile back up FM 1890 toward Hwy
71 from Gunsmoke.
BIG BORE LONG RANGE
by Charles Goodnight a.k.a. Glenn Urbarnek
This match is pretty much just what it says it is, long range shooting with big bore rifles. There are two classes of rifles used, Single Shot and Lever Action. Single Shots are any of the exposed hammer, single shot rifles (Sharps, Winchester
hiwalls, Remington rolling blocks) used back in the Old West and commonly known as buffalo guns. Generally used calibers are 38-55, 40-65, 45-70, 45-90. The Lever Action class is shot with lever guns such as the 1886 Winchester, Model ’93 Marlin, and the Model ’94 Winchester. Commonly used cartridges are the 30-30 Win, 38-55, and the 45-70. This match is shot on a full size silhouette range, so the distances really are long. The Chickens are at 200 meters (218
yds), the Quigley bucket is 265 meters (290 yds), the Pigs are 300 meters (328
yds), the Turkeys are 385 meters (421 yds) and the Rams are at 500 meters (547
yds). There is also a life size buffalo target at 850 yds.
This match is based on the Black Powder Silhouette format, with a few changes. These changes were made not only because the match is just for fun and the extra entertainment, but also to make it available to more shooters and to speed the match up a little. One thing that is the same is that all bullets must be LEAD only, no jacketed or half jacket bullets. As far as powder is concerned, it doesn’t matter if you use smokeless or black powder, either is OK for this match. Again, it is just for fun. Only open sights are allowed. They can be either the standard “V notch” rear with blade front, or a “Vernier” rear with globe front. The Chickens must be shot standing and off-hand, all the other targets may be shot with the use of cross-sticks from either the sitting or prone position.
The shooting order is a little different. Everyone is on the line at the same time, with every shooter shooting at the same bank of animals. Shooters fire one shot each, starting with shooter #1and working down the firing line. When the last shooter has fired, it comes back to shooter #1 and the order is followed again till each shooter has fired a total of five rounds for score at that bank of animals. Each shooter is allowed to fire one “sighter round” at each bank of animals before the five record rounds. The Lever gun shooters shoot right along with the Single Shots, same rules and guidelines. Officially, the end of their match is with the Turkeys, but they are welcome to, and almost always shoot at the Rams anyway. After the last Ram shot is fired, the “hits” are totaled up and First, Second, and Third place pins are awarded in each category. The range is then taken down. After that, most everyone comes back up the hill, cleans their rifle, and then enjoys a little social time exchanging information about guns and loads, or just swapping stories before heading home.
Come on out and give it a try. If you don’t own a rifle that fits the requirements, come out and watch. I can pretty much assure you that after the match, at least one of the shooters will offer to let you take a few shots with their rifle to give it a try. Big Bore Long Range is a very challenging sport on an individual level. It is very satisfying to see a Ram topple over, then you hear the “clang” of the bullet striking the steel. Especially, when you know that Ram is only 24 inches wide, and have just done it at over 500 yards with an open sighted rifle.
