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Scoring target practice

chas3819
I hear terms like 2" cluster at 25 or 50 yards (pistol range), but none seem to mention the number of rounds, which is important. What would be the standards for gun range bulls-eye shooting. Do any standards allow for an outlier shot like which sometimes occurs on the first shot from an automatic? I am going to take a young (19) cousin of mine to shoot some of my pistols and I am wondering what standards should he shoot targets.

Thanks, Chas
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5 comments

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  • bpost
    Hi, the term used is "groups" or your group size, not clusters. It is standard to use five shots for a rifle but 10 shots is the standard for pistol shooting when scoring NRA bullseye targets.

    There is no allowance for "fliers" in shooting; training, load development and practice-practice-practice is the key to shooting well.

    There is some VERY good information at this site.

    Link: http://bullseyepistol.com/index.htm
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  • rufe-snow
    If he isn't a proficient pistol shot, don't start him off shooting at those distances. He will just get frustrated and discouraged. Start him off at 25 feet with a large bullseye so he will have a positive experience, and wanted to continue with the hobby.
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  • 45er
    Howdy chas,

    +1 all the above. If may add to, not knowing the experience with firearms of your cuz, please review with him/her all the safety rules:

    http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp

    For high excitement, nothing while at a range gets ones attention, (and hackles up), having a muzzle sweeping haphazardly across the firing line.

    Here's to a fun & safe experience.
    45er
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by chas3819
    I hear terms like 2" cluster at 25 or 50 yards (pistol range), but none seem to mention the number of rounds, which is important. What would be the standards for gun range bulls-eye shooting. Do any standards allow for an outlier shot like which sometimes occurs on the first shot from an automatic? I am going to take a young (19) cousin of mine to shoot some of my pistols and I am wondering what standards should he shoot targets.


    5 shot groups are standard just to test the intrinsic accuracy of a gun/ammo combination, though these are generally shot from a bench rested position or (even better for a pistol) a machine rest, which takes all human variability out of the equation.

    Note that its a VERY rare human being who can consistently shoot 2" groups at 50 yards from a conventional free shooting position with a pistol, and bluntly most of the individuals saying they're getting 2" groups at even 25 yards are probably shading the truth a bit.

    NRA-type competitive pistol shooting (mostly USA and Canada) is typically done at 25 and/or 50 yards. Many indoor ranges don't have 50 yards available, so they'll shoot scaled down targets at 25 yards. For really short ranges, you can get targets scaled down even more for shooting at 50 feet.

    Bullseye AIR pistol is typically done at 10 meters, and lest you think that makes it easy, its NOT. . . the targets are VERY small!

    European pistol bullseye shooting is generally done at 25 meters.

    10-shot strings of fire are the rule for NRA-type competitive shooting. But for a new shooter, there is no reason you have to shoot ten at a time, and I'd even suggest not loading up the gun with ten bullets. Too much temptation to throw them away instead of concentrating on fundamental marksmanship.

    In a competition scenario if you throw your first shot, you've just shot a bad shot. Pretty much the same as everywhere else in the "real world", you don't get a "do-over"!

    If you shoot at a deer, and you miss the first shot, he's not just going to stand there thinking "that idiot hunter didn't warm up properly" to give you another one! If someone is charging at you with a knife and you miss your first shot, etc.

    For a truly new shooter, I would agree with the above and NOT try to have this individual try to engage bullseye targets at a full 25 yards! Its fairly demanding to even connect at ALL with an NRA type bullseye target at that range, let alone establish a decent group or get a score worth talking about!

    For a new shooter, I'd suggest a larger target at 7 meters. A silhouette just to get the shots on paper might not be a bad choice for the shooter to get accustomed to noise, recoil and shooting mechanics.

    If you want a more focused shooter, you could place a red dot in the center of the target (some are printed this way) and ask the shooter to aim for it.
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  • chas3819
    Thanks guys, I really appreciate your comments. I think you are right to not demand too much from a newbee. There should be some fun in life. Shooting was always fun when I was his age because I didn't have to meet anyone's expectations, my dad just taught me not to shoot anyone including myself.[:)]

    Chas
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