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.
[Illustration: Fig. 76--Standard American Target
Diameter of Rings
10 ring 3.39 inches }
9 " 5.54 " } Bullseye
8 " 8.00 " }
7 " 11.00 "
6 " 14.80 "
5 " 19.68 "
4 " 26.83 "]
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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: 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 2-72/100 inches in diameter, and for 10-yard
shooting 1 inch in diameter.
[Illustration: 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.