Benchrest targets

[SS427]

This could be a really dumb question, but I can't figure it out on my own.

With a 100 or 200 yard benchrest target, the kind with circles and the heavy line square box on the top, which part of the target do you set the crosshairs on? Or target dot?

I assume it doesn't matter, but I'm not sure which part of the target would give you the best aiming point. I also need to buy a target scope, so how you best aim at this target could influence my reticle decision. If the dot of a dot reticle perfectly fills the inside circle, I may buy a dot reticle, which I'm not overly fond of.

I've always made my own targets using a desktop publishing program. My aiming point is a small black circle with a "specific to each scope" white cross hair on the black circle. When the crosshairs of the reticle perfect black out this white cross hair on the target, I know I'm aiming as tight as possible. I doubt they will let me use this target in a competition though :-\.

 

[groupshooter22]

With a dot reticle the dot wont fill the bull but your eye will naturally center the dot in the circle. With a cross hair you have to quarter the bull. You could use a corner of the square with a cross hair and adjust your scope for poi. I prefer a dot for BR targets and need to send in my Night Force to get it changed but I am getting used to it without a dot now.

 

[82boy]

There is several different approaches to shooting that style of target, no one is right or wrong it is just personal preference.

That style of target is for group shooting, so where the bullet flys doesn't matter as much as long as they are together.

Some people shoot their groups inside the box, from what I have seen majority of people shoot somewhere on the target. The problem with shooting inside the box is if a shot goes in the black it is difficult to see. Some people place a dot inside the circle, and some don't. Some people like having the bullets impact at the point of aim ,and some don't. Some people will place the dot in the middle of the circle and shoot a group to another spot on the target like just below the circle and to the left. Most people don't like shooting right on at POA because it affects there aim. (they can see the group) Some people line the cross hairs up on the other circles, such as the horizontal cross hair even with the highest part of the second circle, and the vertical cross hair on the highest point of that same circle. May use the circles for measurement of hold off.

 

[SS427]

Thanks for the replies guys. That was about what I figured, although I'm still not sure where I will aim. Guess I will have to try a couple different places. Sounds like if I used the box as the aiming point, a fine cross hair would work better; if I used the inner circle than a target dot would work better.

I do have one other question. 82 said some people put a dot inside the inner circle....is that okay to alter the target during competition?

 

[82boy]

I do have one other question. 82 said some people put a dot inside the inner circle....is that okay to alter the target during competition?

No you miss understood me, they do not physically place a dot on the target. I meant they take the dot of the scope and mentally center it inside the circle.

 

[pdog06]

I mis-understood you too there for a minute Pat :. I was automatically thinking you were talking about one of those 1" orange dots. Then it hit me.

I usually try not to hit my exact POA, but maybe an inch or so higher. I like this type of target for that reason, although when I am doing load testing I will just get a large pc of poster board and put a few rows of 1" orange dots on it for my POA. That way when I am done all my load testing is on one sheet and can be compared easier. Plus it generally takes up less room at the range and I dont have to keep changing targets.

 

[82boy]

The inside area of center circle of a speedwell 100 yard group benchrest target measures at .385, it is slightly bigger than a 308 bullet. ;D A 1/8 MOA dot sits real nice in there. Even if you could put a dot in the center of the taget is would have to be so small that the dot in the scope would cover it.

I put my dot in the circle and my shots I have to the right and lower on the target. I have tried the other ways and I know some of the top shooters do that, but I have trouble with it and it takes up time. The extra time could get me shots down range before conditions change. I could seriously use some more trigger time, and experience.

 

[SS427]

I sure did misunderstand...read it too fast. Read it again and figured out what you meant. Good to know someone else did too though. I don't think I could center a target dot like that as consistently as I could frame the box with crosshairs.