The lock is probably the second most important part of an antique target rifle, after the barrel. According to the present NRA rules for BP Cartridge Rifle Silhouette matches, a rifle has to be designed in America prior to 1898 (I believe), with an exposed hammer, and of course single-shot. This eliminates several fine 1800s single-shot rifles such as a Sharps Borchart which was developed in the late 1870s but doesn’t have an exposed hammer.

I have noticed that popularity trends in actions follow what some of the top winning shooters use. When I started shooting the large majority shot Shiloh Sharps. Second behind them were Rolling Blocks. Finally came the Winchester High Walls, Ballards and Hepburns.

Currently the action of choice seems to be a High Wall. What is interesting is that the Winchester High Wall was never as popular with the top riflemen of the 1880s as were other types. What is nice is that it is one of the strongest actions, and is currently being replicated by at least three arms manufacturers. The High Wall is touted has having one of the fastest "lock times." Lock time is how quick the hammer hits the firing pin after the trigger is tripped. The Sharps is considered to have a slow lock time and a heavy hammer fall which can upset an offhand shot. I personally haven’t been bothered by these "shortcomings". Basically if you are out to have fun chose a lock that you like. If you are out to win the Nationals pick a lock that will give you every advantage you think you need.

This is a list of most of the actions that can be used in PBCR Silhouette matches.

• Sharps 1874 (Original or made by Shiloh, C. Sharps, Pederosoli, others)
• Sharps 1875 (made by C. Sharps)
• High Wall (Original or made by Browning, C. Sharps, Meecham)
• Ballard (Original or reproduction)
• Remington Rolling Block (Original or made by Lone Star, others)
• Stevens (Original or made by CPA)
• D.S. Cole (Original)
• Trapdoor Springfield (Original or made by Pederosoli)
• Remington Hepburn (Original or reproduction)

On any action type you will need a quality trigger. A single-set trigger allows pushing the trigger forward to mechanically "set" it to have a very light pull. A double-set has two triggers, one sets the other. Set triggers are popular, and were in the 1800s, but are not absolutely necessary. A good gunsmith can bring a conventional trigger down to around a pound which will do for matches. Still, there is nothing like a crisp, 5 ounce double-set trigger to help you make the rifle go off exactly when the silhouette is in the sights.

Refer to the links page for webpages of some BPC rifle manufacturers.