TARGETS

A target is a mark or object of suitable form and color designed to be fired at. It usually consists of a frame covered with canvas or paper, presenting a white surface with a prominent spot or bull’s-eye in the center. Concentric circles or “rings,” around the center divide the target into zones which are assigned values, decreasing from the center outward. On a regularly equipped range the targets are movable frames, so arranged that they may be raised to the firing position and then lowered into a pit, where the marker can safely examine the target, mark the shot accurately, and cover the shot-hole with a paster. The sum of the values of a limited series of consecutive shots, as 5, 7, 10, 20, 50, etc., constitutes a score.

Fig. 76—Standard American Target

Diameter of Rings

The official target of the United States Revolver Association, which is used in the annual championship matches and for record shooting, is the Standard American Target. This target is used by practically all the shooting clubs and organizations in the United States. For 50-yard shooting the bull’s-eye is 8 inches in diameter and contains the 8, 9, and 10 rings. This target is well suited for target practice at this range. It has been used extensively since 1886. Ten shots, with one hundred for the possible, usually constitute a score.

Fig. 77—The U. S. R. A. Combination Target.
(Standard American rings in heavy lines and International in light lines.)

This target as supplied by the United States Revolver Association for use in all the outdoor championships shows also the rings of the International Union target (in light lines) and is known as the “Combination” target. The International target rings do not interfere in any way with the shooting or the scoring by Standard American count, and they have the distinct advantage that the marksman may easily determine, for purposes of comparison, what any score is by International count.

Fig. 78—The International Union Target.
Diameter of 10 ring==5 Centimeters==1.9568 Ins.
Other rings==2½ Centimeters, about 0.984 In.
Diameter of 1 ring==50 Centimeters==about 19¾ In.

The International Union Target is used in the Olympic Games Matches, and has been adopted by nearly all the European and South American countries for pistol and revolver contests at 50 meters. It is without doubt the best target for the purpose in general use. The ten-ring represents approximately the average dispersion of the most accurate revolvers and pistols and with the concentric rings a uniform distance apart, the score has a proper relation to the dispersion of the shots. The size of the target, about 19¾ inches in diameter, is also well determined. The target could be improved by increasing the size of the bull’s-eye so as to include the 6 ring. This would make sighting on it less straining and would improve the scores. The target so modified would be better adapted for the United States Revolver Association Matches than the one now used.

Target L is the Regulation Pistol Target used in the prescribed target practice of the War Department. It is used also in the National Pistol Match.

For gallery shooting at 20 yards the Standard American Target is reduced so that the bull’s-eye is 2⁷²/100 inches in diameter, and for 10-yard shooting 1 inch in diameter.

Fig. 79—Target L. (U. S. Army.)
Diameter of Bull’s-eye Counting 10==5 Ins.
Concentric Rings Around It, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, and 4, are 1¾ Ins. Apart.
Diameter of 4 ring==26 Ins. Diameter of 3 ring==46 Ins.
Rest of Target, 4ft. x 6ft. Counts 2.

An arm of large caliber has a decided advantage over one of small caliber in short-range shooting, on account of the larger hole made by the bullet, and, for this reason the large calibers are preferred for gallery shooting. For distances less than 25 yards not more than five shots should be fired on a paper or cardboard target. In case a close group is made, the scoring will be much easier and more accurate than when ten shots are fired at a single target.

The best grades of target arms are capable of making “possibles” or perfect scores on the Standard American Target, using regulation ammunition. To make high scores is therefore simply a question of skill on the part of the shooter.

A great many other targets designed principally for rifle-shooting have been recommended at different times by well-known and scientific marksmen. Some of these targets possess much merit and have become popular in certain localities. It is unquestionably a mistake to introduce new targets in this manner as long as satisfactory targets are in general use, and on which all the important matches and records have been shot. The merit of a score on a new target cannot be judged by those unfamiliar with it, and frequently a highly meritorious score fails to receive the recognition it deserves on account of having been shot on a comparatively unknown target.

In selecting a target for longer ranges than 50 yards it is always preferable to have the bull’s-eye sufficiently large so as to be seen with ease and comfort when sighting. Small bull’s-eyes strain and tire the eyes and have no advantage whatever.

In England and France the targets generally have smaller bull’s-eyes than here. At Bisley, the shooting is principally at a distance of 20 yards on a bull’s-eye 2 inches in diameter. At 50 yards the bull’s-eye is 4 inches in diameter. The English targets have no circles of count within the bull’s-eye. The regulation targets of the United Shooting Societies of France have bull’s-eyes 5 and 6 centimeters in diameter for the pistol and revolver, respectively, at 20 meters, and 20 centimeters in diameter for 50-meter shooting. All these targets have two or more circles of count within the bull’s-eye.