Newbie question

[dubya]

The target(s) for shooting group have a square at the top of target, what is it's purpose?

Thanks,
Gary (aka dubya)

 

[R.G. Robinett]

The target(s) for shooting group have a square at the top of target, what is it's purpose?

Thanks,
Gary (aka dubya)

"Back in the day", it was referred to at the aiming square . . . these days, not many use it for anything, and it's best to avoid 'losing [track of] a shot' into the black void!
On a day of extreme mirage, at 200/300 yards, some will revert to using the square - a semblance of it anyway - as an aiming point. RG

 

[Steelhead1]

I have always been told that it's for when conditions get horrible, it provides a better POA. If you have ever shot when the mirage is basically obscuring the mothball, those thick black lines are still visible. someone out there may have a better explanation.

 

[max.burgess]

practice

Where is the area that they yous for practice? Max

 

[Rick Cain]

When mirage is THICK!

 

[max.burgess]

Practice

Ive heard people say that when conditions change they go up to a different part of the target and fire a shot to see where the bullet prints. Does it matter what part of the target you yous?Thanks Max

 

[Stonewall]

The target with the S is the "sighter".

 

[abintx]

Ive heard people say that when conditions change they go up to a different part of the target and fire a shot to see where the bullet prints. Does it matter what part of the target you yous?Thanks Max

You go DOWN to shoot or use the "sighter." You can use it as often as you want to test conditions, for example.

I use the smaller targets on the lower right and lower left to test conditions from the right or left prior to moving UP to the record target. Once I move to the record target and decide that I need to test conditions again, then I move DOWN to the larger target centered in the sighter portion.

You go UP to use the "record" target for your actual group that is "officially recorded."

Any shot that prints within the UPPER target's border becomes official.

So, if a shot was intended for the sighter, but found its way into the upper target, it's scored as an official or record shot, even though it may not have been intended for that purpose.

P.S. All the above is known as "Target Management" and is employed to help with remembering which shot printed where and under what condition.

What do I do with fowlers? If the berm is high or the frame is high I put them into the berm. Or, I'll use an open portion of the sighter, away from the sighter's 3 targets, for that purpose and that purpose only. Hope this helps.

One last thought. When competing, check to make sure you are shooting at your target and your target only, not your competitor's! You've been assigned a number, make sure that number is on the target you're shooting at.

 

[max.burgess]

Thanks

Thanks for the help. I'm getting close to having my bench rest rifle ready. Thanks Max

 

[Dick Grosbier]

Someday if you shoot for very long, you will find yourself at a match where the mirage is bad enough all you can see on your target is that big blurry black box dancing around. Then you will know what it is there for. Most of the time it is to be avoided because if you get a shot in the black it is very hard to see.