Silhouette shooting: Hitting steel targets with precision in Germany

German silhouette shooting blends precision with tradition at national championships

Silhouette shooting, a precision sport with roots in early 20th-century Mexico, has grown into a structured discipline in Germany. The sport involves hitting steel targets shaped like animals at varying distances, attracting shooters who value accuracy and patience. Recently, the German Championships in Philippsburg drew 151 participants over three days, showcasing the discipline's steady popularity.

The sport began in Mexico, where live animals were originally used as targets. By 1948, these were replaced with steel silhouettes, known as siluetas metálicas, for ethical and practical reasons. The discipline soon spread internationally, reaching the United States by 1962. Today, it is governed by the International Metallic Silhouette Shooting Union (IMSSU) across 26 countries.

In Germany, the Bund Deutscher Sportschützen 1975 e.V. (BDS) includes silhouette shooting in its official rulebook. The German version features steel targets at distances up to 50 metres. Competitors fire at four animal-shaped targets in sequence: chicken (25m), pig (33m), turkey (42m), and ram (50m). Each distance has five targets, with a maximum possible score of 40 hits.

The sport divides into eight categories, covering pistols, revolvers, and rifles. Shooters use their standard equipment, though international handgun competitors often opt for high-performance revolvers or pistols chambered in rifle calibres. Rifle shooters may engage targets from a standing position at distances reaching 500 metres. The lack of time pressure and immediate feedback on hits add to its appeal.

Across Germany, around 50 to 60 clubs now offer silhouette shooting as a regular discipline. Bayern leads with roughly 20 clubs, followed by Nordrhein-Westfalen (15) and Baden-Württemberg (10), according to the Deutscher Schützenbund (DSB). The recent German Championships in Philippsburg saw 447 attempts over three days, reflecting the sport's organised growth.

Silhouette shooting continues to expand in Germany, supported by a network of clubs and national regulations. The discipline's focus on precision and varied distances provides a distinct challenge for competitors. With structured championships and international oversight, it remains a specialised yet accessible shooting sport.