100-yd practice targets for F-class

[clunker]

This subject has been discussed before, but I'm getting some conflicting information. Hoping someone can set me straight.

Since I only have access to a 100-yd range, and I'd like to practice for F-class, I downloaded a NRA 300-yd target that had been reduced in size for 100 yards. However, if I understand the dimensions correctly, the X ring should be 1.42" on a 300 yard target. Dividing that by 3, the X ring on the target I just printed should be 0.47", correct? Actual size on the target is about 0.75", so can I assume that this is not an accurate size reduction?

 

[Ned Ludd]

The scoring rings on the MR-63FC 300 yd target are slightly reduced in size in terms of MOA as compared to the 600 or 1000 yd targets. Presumably, this was done to account for the slight decrease in the effect of wind and other error factors due to the decreased distance, thereby making the level of difficulty comparable. You can divide any of the scoring dimensions by a factor of 3 if you're designing your own targets in a drawing program, or you can set your printer to print out at 1/3 the original size if printing out a saved target image. Either way will be close enough for practice purposes.

If you really want to be anal about how to adjust the size of the scoring rings, determine the relative wind deflection of your specific load at 300 and 100 yd, then reduce the scoring rings accordingly in terms of MOA so that the ring angular diameter and wind deflection remain the same in relative terms. The rings will typically end up even smaller by this approach because wind deflection is not linear with respect to distance. For example, if your windage for a full-value 10 mph wind at 300 yd is 1.7 MOA and it is 0.5 MOA at 100 yd, then you would shrink the target by a factor of ~3.4 (1.7/0.5) to make the ring diameter and degree of difficulty approximately equal between the two distances (i.e. slightly more than a factor of 3). I'm not sure for practice purposes whether this would really be worth the effort.

 

[chkunz]

Since the X ring on the conventional prone target is the same size as the ten ring on the F Class target you could just shoot on the conventional 600 yard target reduced to 100 yards and consider that the X ring on the reduced target is your ten ring.

 

[clunker]

Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that the target I downloaded looked a little bit too easy. Scaled it down to 63%, and now it measures out perfectly. It will be very difficult to practice for wind. We have winds here all the time, but even in 15 MPH cross winds, I can barely tell a difference at 100 yds, even with 55gr bullets. I'm pretty good at estimating wind speeds because I have to do it at work when I spray pesticides. How that translates into windage adjustments at 300-600 yards, I have no idea.

 

[chkunz]

Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that the target I downloaded looked a little bit too easy. Scaled it down to 63%, and now it measures out perfectly. It will be very difficult to practice for wind. We have winds here all the time, but even in 15 MPH cross winds, I can barely tell a difference at 100 yds, even with 55gr bullets. I'm pretty good at estimating wind speeds because I have to do it at work when I spray pesticides. How that translates into windage adjustments at 300-600 yards, I have no idea.

The reduced targets are reduced more than linear and are a good replication of difficulty except for wind. Even though you do not get the wind element of practice, shooting on reduced targets at 100 yards is still good practice and you can work on the fundamentals. With the scope you get instant feed back on a shot and it makes for great practice.

 

[creedfan]

100 yard f-class pdf

 

[kzin]

You downloaded a properly sized MR31
That is a 600 yard sling target reduced for 100yd.
NRA doesn't spec a 100yd f-class target because they don't sanction 100yd f-class.
An f-class target is made by taking the sling target, adding a new x-ring 1/2 the size of the sling x-ring and renumbering all the other rings.
x to 10, 10 to 9 etc

Shrinking the MR31 gives you an x ring that is not exactly half the size of the 10 and a black that is too small.
The targets creedfan posted have the proper size x added.
As mentioned, shooting the MR31 as downloaded gives you a properly sized f-class 10-ring( and black) if you just renumber in your head but no x-ring at all.

As mentioned the NRA reductions are more than linear. The MR31 x-ring is .75" where linear would be 1" - a fairly large percentage difference. If you want the target to appear the exact same size in your scope as the 600 or 300 you should have a linear reduction of those.

I make my 100 yd and 200yd practice targets black lines on white background so the bullet holes are much easier to see through the scope and spotter scope.

 

[kzin]

One way to get better wind practice at 100yds is to shoot a good 22lr

 

[Ned Ludd]

One way to get better wind practice at 100yds is to shoot a good 22lr

This is a very good suggestion. As it turns out, wind deflection in MOA at 100 yd for .22lr match ammo such as Eley or Lapua is very close to what you'd expect for a typical .308 Win F-TR load at 600 yd. Thus, using a version of the MR-1FC 600 yd target reduced to 1/6th size at 100 yd with a .22lr would be a close representation of wind deflection at 600 yd in an F-TR match. The almost complete lack of recoil with the .22lr is certainly different, which may be of concern for practice purposes, but is likely more than offset by savings in cost and time gained by shooting commercial rimfire ammunition.

 

[Texas10]

How many rounds are shot into each target?

 

[Marksman63]

How many rounds are shot into each target?

15 or 20 plus 2 sighters, depending on match conditions

 

[Texas10]

That's 15 or 20 into each target dot on the page (10) not counting sighters? 152 to 202 total rounds fired?

I guess I should have referred to the target Creedfan posted. http://forum.accurateshooter.com/attachments/f-class_100yd_12-pdf.1069303/

 

[Iggyort]

One way to get better wind practice at 100yds is to shoot a good 22lr

Smallbore F Class is the answer to the question.

 

[kzin]

That's 15 or 20 into each target dot on the page (10) not counting sighters? 152 to 202 total rounds fired?

I guess I should have referred to the target Creedfan posted. http://forum.accurateshooter.com/attachments/f-class_100yd_12-pdf.1069303/

1 or 2 , really totally up to the shooter unless somebody starts a 100yd match with that target.
More than 2 you'll usually end up with a difficult to score big hole.
Smallbore f-class matches use smallbore specific targets at 100yd and 50yd

 

[kzin]

Smallbore F Class is the answer to the question.

Sure but 1 step at a time

 

[Texas10]

Thanks. 1 or 2 was what I was thinking. Just printed some up for next range trip. .223 with 69 grain Lapua trying to fine tune the load.

 

[Papa Charlie]

100 yard f-class pdf

Stupid question, do you print this on 8.5x11 paper or something else?

 

[kzin]

Stupid question, do you print this on 8.5x11 paper or something else?

Yes 8.5 by 11.
The more you care about the score the more worth it it is to get heavy paper or even card stock to keep the holes round not rips.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Yes 8.5 by 11.
The more you care about the score the more worth it it is to get heavy paper or even card stock to keep the holes round not rips.

Thank you. Good advice. I will have some printed up. I have been using these that I developed at 200 for practice. My range only has 100 and 200 yards to work with. I have these printed on Tabloid heavy paper. The red dot is 1" in diameter and each major square is 1". The grid helps me identify location from the line.

 

[clunker]

Yes 8.5 by 11.
The more you care about the score the more worth it it is to get heavy paper or even card stock to keep the holes round not rips.

I found that putting 8.5 x 11 paper over 2" rigid foam leaves perfect holes with no tears. My friend accidentally put a 12 gauge slug through it today, and it was virtually unharmed. Why spend a ton of money on fancy targets?