Our organization was formally established in 1948 by a group of riflemen who collected "antique" single-shot rifles, and relished the possibility of shooting them once more. They also wanted to revive the matches and competitions that made single-shot rifles famous in American history. All this was achieved through creation of the American Single Shot Rifle Association. Initially, shoots were held near Michigan City, Indiana, but were moved to the present Beeson Range, near Etna Green, in the mid 1980s. Our founding fathers included the celebrated gunsmith, A. O. Niedner as well as the original editor of Gun Digest, John T. Amber.

Schuetzen is an offhand rifle sport that originated in Germany , Switzerland and Austria. It came to the U.S. with Germanic immigrants, and was especially popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  In many cities where there was a large German speaking population, Schuetzenverein (Rifle Clubs)  and Schuetzenfests (shooting festivals) were part of the social fabric of the community.   These events began to lose popularity around 1914. Some cities still have Schuetzenfests, but as  social events without the competition. 

In Schuetzen, the competitor fires lead bullets at paper ring targets that are placed at a distance of 200 yards (originally 200 meters). In ASSRA matches,  single-shot rifles are used exclusively. Early German and American Schuetzen rifles are the type of single-shots that our founders were interested in collecting, shooting and preserving .  The ASSRA supports modern Schuetzen matches at clubs and ranges around the country.  See our  Where to find us page

The two predominant styles of shooting  for  our matches.

Offhand is shot standing without support.

  See examples

Benchrest is shot sitting at a bench using a front rest and rear bag support.  See examples

Cross Stick Matches   Examples

Black Powder Cartridge Rifle  Matches

           Here are Silhouette Matches in  Alma, MI   

          BPCR matches at Smithmoor Range,  Carpenter , WY

Generally we use  single shot breech loading rifles from the period between the  US Civil War and WWI. Along with some new patents that are faithful to the falling block/rolling block idea 

The list of originals includes : 

Aydts, Ballards, Borscharts, Bullards, Martinis, Maynards,  Remington Rolling and Falling blocks, Sharps, Stevens, Whitney, Winchester Hi and Lo -wall styles 

Modern Single shot rifles include:

CPA -Stevens,  DeHaas- Milller, Falling block works,  Hauck,  Hoch,  Peregrine,  Rugers #1 & #3  

Here are examples   for desktops

Here are examples better suited to notebook and mobile devices

 For Center fire matches:  Plain base lead bullets. Can be cast or swaged, no jackets or gas checks .  In general, a muzzle velocity of 1500 fps or less is standard.  Modern, Commercial ammuntion may be dangerous in antique firearms due to higer pressures and velocities. 

Here are some of the calibers one may  find at a Centerfire Match 

Example of the bullets used  are here 

For Rimfire matches:  Commercially produced ammuntion is used. 

For a rimfire match - a rifle ,  some ammo, maybe a spotting scope and  rest for your bench. Good way to get a feel for the sport. 

For Centerfire:  everything you can bring plus borrow from your neighbor . Basics include a bullet starter (Breech Seater) and a way to re-use your spent brass (Re-De Capper) . Design possibities are endless, but here are some examples