competing in Fclass with electronic targets

[Area51]

A key element I read above is, less time in range/ target management, this clearly converts to added nap times, all things considered, whatever down side may exist it cant out weigh added nap times.
ABB-Acid Burn Ballistics
Gary

 

[aussiepowderburner]

One or two zeros recorded on your card at a Nationals might just make you lose some sleep!

 

[Heman]

Rick, I will say Wayne and SMT have handled our issues very well and professionally at Atterbury. All I will say is with Electronic targets you need to be familiar with them to run a match, especially a big match. You can't treat the targets like crap, just throw them up, tell people ok now shoot and then expect them to work.

The G1 system which is being used at Georgia has a problem that if the server goes down it all goes down. G2 and what is being installed at Lodi doesn't have that issue. In our case with G2s if the server goes down we just switch to individual targets and you are off and running.

There is a learning curve but so far everyone has reacted positively to our use of e-targets.

 

[lal357]

I attend a lot of (traditional) matches where the entry fee is $20-25 for a 60 shot match and $50-55 for two days and 100-120 shots for record.

I haven't seen any electronically scored matches for less than double this. Now, I don't mind, because I am happy enough to pay the extra not to have pit duty. But $50+ for a one day match may well prevent new shooters from entering the sport.

they are trying to get fclass started at talladega cmp but until they get cmp type shooting out of their heads i dont see many of the shooters down in central alabama going we talked about putting a paper target up in front so you could see rings but it was shot down as they felt it would take to long to do and would have to call the line cold so they could change the targets out.
that and the 50.00 fee to shoot a 60 round match is to high for my taste being that me and my wife like to shoot.

 

[Heman]

they are trying to get fclass started at talladega cmp but until they get cmp type shooting out of their heads i dont see many of the shooters down in central alabama going we talked about putting a paper target up in front so you could see rings but it was shot down as they felt it would take to long to do and would have to call the line cold so they could change the targets out.
that and the 50.00 fee to shoot a 60 round match is to high for my taste being that me and my wife like to shoot.

We didn't change our prices from last year when we shot paper targets. $40 for a non-member for a match, $30 if you're a member.

 

[swed6.5]

As i said before its my opinion, until all issues are resolved, we spend endless hours tuning and reloading weighing sorting, until we believe our gear is at its best. Money is no object when u get awarded a medal after a job well done, i will make it a point in my travels to frequent ranges with good old reliable pits, i do agree the future is coming and we should adapt, but hell my father still wont get a cell phone lol

 

[jkl]

Look at the change from iron sights too small scopes, large scopes to bigger calibers. Shooting better bullets and everything else that has changed. Model 70 was the greatest thing now blueprinted Remington 700. Next CNC custom actions. I'm sure at some point it's going to happen I don't think you want to return to the 30 06 with 190 grain bullets in a model 70 with Redfield aperture sights. Not that you can't clean a target with that setup but you sure don't see many of them today welcome to the future of Electronic Targets.

I asked Mid Thompkins if the rumor was true that he single-handedly killed the 30 06 in prone shooting all I got was a big grin. Mid was seen at Ben Avery this morning shooting on Silver Mountain Electronic Target.

John

 

[Cakes]

I'm probably like most in the fact that I "hate" change. As someone stated, e-targets will permeate into the shooting world whether we like it or not. Head-aches for sure with a new system but I still have to admit I enjoy my "pit" time. Not so much on those steamy July days but I still pride myself on giving A+ or better pit service to my shooters! Won't shoot on them until Lodi in June and then I'll see how much I dislike them. Is that a predisposition or what! Eric in DL

 

[280man]

I agree with all of you that E targets are the way of the future. Having said that they are still in the experimental / devolpment stages and should not be used for our National Championship.

 

[spclark]

The SMT technology has been in use for some years now. Not much here in the US though, but that's changing.

A full-range installation must take place sooner or later for the technology to be evaluated in a robust manner. Winnequah Gun Club will be the largest to date once it's in place.

That installation began last year; the infrastructure is being installed as I key this in. It's expected to be fully operational weekend after next for an NRA Registered Long Range Regional.

There are several (usually well-attended) events scheduled on WGC'S outdoor range calendar, across-the-course and long range - before the F'Nats coming this September with their Midwest Palma in June among them.

Anyone interested in participating in the 'development' stage you speak of 280man is welcome to join in before then.

 

[jkl]

I understand the change thing. I enjoy providing better service than I was given or at least giving it a college try to be as fast and accurate as I can be. I think we are on our 3 practice match with SMT that are privately owned at Ben Avery. It is almost as the pits have been moved behind the line and some strong heckling and laughter over a bad wind adjustment or poorly preformed shot gets away. With the press of a button checking on the F Class end or another shooter on the line and click back to watching another target. Reviewing group size and the complete string. Then discussing how it could have been better or how you hoped it turned out worse for the other shooter.

When you look at what has changed in the shooting life of Mid Tompkins, Peter Church, Ken Nelson, Larry Miller and they seem to enjoy shooting the SMT this year. Maybe we can keep the historians and mentors in the game much longer with fewer trips to the pits. It has not been flawless but the system does work and Wayne and Dan have answered the call for help even on Sunday.

The Sunday call was I was not smart enough to log on to the server not a failure of the system. Again the nut behind the wheel came loose.

John

 

[Zilla]

Does anyone know for sure that the electronic targets will be used for Midwest Palma?

 

[Warren Dean]

My hat is off to Karin and Earl for having the moxie to charge into the battle and work the problems out in spite of all the nattering nay-bobs. They are getting it done instead of whining about it and I admire that.

I have no doubt in their ability to make the electronic targets a smash hit at the FCNC. The way they ran the FCNC in 2011 is testament to them and their support crew's ablities.

 

[jkl]

I was at a dinner that Karin an Earl were at last fall. Earl said if it didn't work out with the Electronic Targets you would at least be able to say you had a great time at Lodi. Someone had to be first.

John

 

[spclark]

Does anyone know for sure that the electronic targets will be used for Midwest Palma?

From the match program (linked):

"If the Electronic Target system is installed by April 30, 2016 they will be used for this match. If not, we will use standard scoring and target pulling procedures and fees will be reduced."

 

[JBO]

Does anyone know for sure that the electronic targets will be used for Midwest Palma?

Yes, Earl said they'll be used at the Midwest

 

[280man]

My hat is off to Karin and Earl for having the moxie to charge into the battle and work the problems out in spite of all the nattering nay-bobs. They are getting it done instead of whining about it and I admire that.

I have no doubt in their ability to make the electronic targets a smash hit at the FCNC. The way they ran the FCNC in 2011 is testament to them and their support crew's ablities.

Thanks for the compliment buddy. I love you too

 

[Kakumba]

I have been keeping an eye on this for a while, there is some good discussion going on here. I shoot in New Zealand, and have a slightly different view in some aspects. Over here, we dont do shooter marking (no pit service), everyone in the pits is getting paid for their service. For this reason, as championships have moved to electronic targets, entry fees have stayed the same, no increases. The need to recoup cost of targets is offset by not having to pay markers/ butts officer. Without a doubt, the days are shorter (it takes a lot less time per shooter at the long ranges, because there is no calling for a target to be examined). It also makes the range officers job a lot easier, at our nationals they tend to be very busy calling for targets to be examined

Over here, the Silver Mountain system is widely used (I think something like half the clubs in the country have switched/ are switching). It has its issues, but overall I still consider it to be a step up from manually marked targets. I have yet to have a shot "go missing" on the SMT, I have had plenty go missing on manual targets. Is it ready for a national level championship? I am not sure. I, and other members of my club, have spent quite a bit of time making the system more robust, and we definitely have fewer issues than when we started about 3 years ago. But the group of us work in IT (with the exception of the electrician), so we have the skills to work on this, not all clubs will necessarily have the same skills in their membership. The other hard part is that some people will never be satisfied with the accuracy, and questioning it. You could spend all day every day firing a shot, and manually verifying that it did indeed land where the target said it did, but the day you stop, they will ask "well, what about that shot?". I think it would help if there were an agreed level of accuracy needed (bearing in mind that even manual targets have their issues in this area), and anyone looking to run a major championship on electronics should have an open day beforehand where people can see the calibration and verification with their own eyes

 

[Berger.Fan222]

When guys travel half way across the country the 100 dollar entry fee is the least of their concerns

Of course you are right. But refunding the money would show good faith and give me a sense they would probably work hard to make things right in the future. Keeping the entry fees when the electronic targets crash the match is just wrong.

 

[Warren Dean]

Thanks for the compliment buddy. I love you too

I wasn't aiming it at you, Rick. I didn't see your post. Sorry about that.