thunder hole smoke-out
Annual Long Range Match
This Years Date: October 17th – 19th, 2025
The inaugural match in October 2024 went well and received positive reviews, so we’re keeping it going!
Read our article in the American Sharps Shooters Newsletter Here!
Do us a huge favor and share this page or our match flyer to help spread the word!
What is the Smoke-Out Match?
The Smoke-Out match uses true period correct rifles and cartridges and must be shot with single shot rifles (or replicas) available in the pre-1900 time period. Targets are out to 600 yards.
The match is a relaxed, relay type format where up to 10 people may shoot on each relay, with each shooter firing in sequence. That is, Shooter #1 fires a round, then Shooter #2, Shooter #3, etc. Thus, you have plenty of time to get ready for your next shot – nobody is rushed.
Thunder Hole holds a monthly long range match as part of it’s regular activities, of which this is an expansion to a larger annual gathering of enthusiasts.
Many of the clubs members make the trek each year to attend the Sagebrush Long Range Match in Alliance, Nebraska each August. Having our own long range club here, we thought it might be a nice idea to put together an annual match in the south for those not able to make the long trip to the far north. Hence the Smoke-Out Match was born. Also, because Texas tends to have mild weather in the latter part of the year we can hold a match here and not worry about competing with Sagebrush or melting in the hot Texas sun.
Learn more about our long range here!
Pictures and Video at the bottom of the page.
Shooter Totals – Updated Weekly
* Once signup starts.
Total Shooters Registered
$65
Match Entry Fee
$10
Extra Lunch
Current Tentative 2025 Schedule
* Subject to change until finalized.
| Wednesday, Oct 15th | |
|---|---|
| Range Opens for Dry Camping at 12:00 Noon! | |
| Thursday, Oct 16th | |
|---|---|
| 8:00am – 5:00pm | Range open for Sight-In |
| Friday, Oct 17th | |
|---|---|
| 8:00am – 10:00am | Range open for Sight-In |
| 10:00am – 4:00pm |
Side Matches
|
| Saturday, Oct 18th | |
|---|---|
| 8:00am – 9:00am | Range open for Sight-In |
| 9:00am – Finished | Gong Match |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch |
| Sunday, Oct 19th | |
|---|---|
| 8:00am – 9:00am | Range open for Sight-In |
| 9:00am – Finished | Silhouette Match |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch |
| After Match | Awards! |
General Guidelines
- Black powder and smokeless powder is allowed
- Lead bullets only.
- Polymer coated bullets and gas checks are OK.
- Any period correct sight is allowed, including Malcolm type telescopic sights.
- There will be separate categories for men, women, non-telescopic sights, and telescopic sights.
- All shooting is from the prone position, or sitting with cross-sticks. A stool is OK for the sitting position.
- Black powder and smokeless will be in the same category.
- If you want to handicap yourself with that new, fad smokeless powder, that’s your choice!