Frequently Asked Questions

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CTSA is a private, members-only club, and membership is strictly limited to 125 members.  As members leave the club, slots become available and are filled late in the Fall.  Prospective members can apply at anytime during the year, and if accepted, will be placed on a waiting list.

To apply for membership, download and complete the New Member Application form from the Membership page.  Contact the club President and schedule an interview.  If approved and waitlisted, you will be contacted in the Fall to submit payment for the following year.

Silhouette shooting is a sport that will improve your shooting skills in a hurry. A standard silhouette match is 40 rounds fired at four types of steel targets at four distances. There are 10 each of chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams. Distances and target size varies according to the guns used. For International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association (IHMSA) matches, .22 pistols shoot 3/8 size targets in this order: chickens at 25 meters, pigs at 50 meters, turkeys at 75 meters and rams at 100 meters. Big bore (centerfire) pistols shoot full size targets at 50, 100, 150 and 200 meters. National Rifle Association (NRA) Hunters Pistol shooters shoot ½ size targets at 40, 50, 75 and 100 meters. Rifle shooters shoot 1/8 size .22 targets at 40, 50, 76 and 100 meters. High Power Rifle shooters fire at full size targets at 200, 300, 385 and 500 meters. All rifle shooting is off hand.

The Central Texas Silueta Association (CTSA) has matches almost every month. Some matches are not shot in December or January (see the Scheduled Events and/or Event Details pages, or check the RSO Calendar on our home page). We are located on the North side of New Braunfels just off of HWY 46. See the map on our home page.

For rifle or pistol, a .22 is a good place to start. Almost any .22 pistol with adjustable sights will get you started. There are also categories for scoped pistol, if you prefer. For .22 rifle, anything with a scope will work. You’ll probably want at least a four-power scope to start. You’ll need sight settings for the distances you will shoot for either pistol or rifle. If you don’t have sight settings, we’ll help you at the range. If you want to start with big bore pistol or high power rifle, give the match director a call to discuss the caliber you want to shoot and to get some ideas about loads. Many out of the box guns will work fine.

Sure. Silhouette shooting is a great way to introduce youngsters to guns. Safety is the first order of business at all matches. Proper gun handling is strictly enforced and all shooters and spectators on or near the firing line MUST wear eye and ear protection. Many women enjoy rifle and pistol silhouette shooting and many families find that shooting together is real quality time.

All types of silhouette shooting have classifications that group shooters according to their ability. You actually compete only with shooters with similar experience.

Small bore and high power rifle silhouette is shot on the first Sunday of each month. Sign up for the small bore match by 9:30 a.m. and for the high power match by 12:30.

IHMSA handgun .22, field pistol and big bore matches are on the second Sunday of each month. The match starts at 8:30 a.m., sign up continues until 11:00 a.m.

NRA Hunters Pistol matches are on the fourth Sunday of each month.

NRA high power and 22 rifle matches are on other scheduled Saturdays and Sundays - see the Scheduled Events and/or Event Details pages, or check the RSO Calendar on our home page.

If you’re new to silhouette shooting, we’d like to invite you to join us at no charge. If you have a gun to use, just bring it and this flyer to any of our regular monthly matches and we’ll get you started free! We’ll help you with sight settings, if you need it. If you don’t have a gun to use, call one of the match directors before the match and we’ll arrange to have a gun for you to shoot. Try to give them a little notice so we can have ammo loaded and ready to go.