How to mark and score pull targets at a match

[F Class John]

I've had countless questions from people who only shoot e-targets on how to pull targets at a big match so I made this short to show how it's done. This shows F Class targets but the same would apply to many other pulled target matches.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Thanks for making that John!

 

[Leeman]

My only comment would be to find the new hole first before patching out, especially at short range in case your shooter has put the next shot side by side with the previous. You can end up patching out both holes and failing to find the new one otherwise.

 

[memilanuk]

Now make one on how to perform the duties of score keeper - another one of those things that seems so simple that it'd be impossible to screw up, but people manage to do just that regularly.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I didn't know the target was SO big, I wish there were matches near me.

 

[Sandstorm]

I didn't know the target was SO big, I wish there were matches near me.

Tha'ts a 1000 yds..its pretty small from the other end..lol

 

[memilanuk]

I didn't know the target was SO big, I wish there were matches near me.

The whole target is pretty big - a legacy from the sling shooters, who have to be able to see it with the naked eye well enough to aim at it.

The middle couple of scoring rings - the 10 and the X - not so much

 

[Rope2horns]

Faster pit service on target 72 please!!

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Speed up firing service on target 56.

 

[dannyjbiggs]

For myself while in the pits, I sometimes have to call out to the line, "Speed up the shooter on Target 10" .

 

[Dkk37058]

Some people hate pulling targets I never minded it.
I feel pulled targets are more accurate than the electronic target. Electronic targets won’t give you a scoring ring shot ( scratch 10 ) for example but with a pulled target you get what you got .
But on the other hand it does speed up the match.

 

[DR_2297]

I will add that if you have to think about it for more than 1/2 a second the shooter gets the benefit of the doubt and the higher score.

For those of you who have not been to, or plan to go to, Camp Perry - there is no berm to look at.

Hopefully the long range Etarget matches on June 29 & 30 go well and we get etargets for LR during the national matches this year!

 

[Cochran]

I’d always been opposed to e-targets due to the debacle at Lodi when they used them for the nationals. However, I’ve been burned so many times in the last couple of years by bad pullers and score keepers, I’d just as well have e-targets.

Getting screwed either way but at least I don’t have to set in the pits for hours.

 

[mgdietrich]

Many scorers do not know their job: that they are “mini” range officials, and that they are there to support the shooter, not just be a passive observer.

Get close to the shooter, be in a place you can communicate with them easily, know what the heck is going on. Watch traces go down range.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I have been around.
Army paddle marking system ?
Lick-em and Stick-em.
Double target on one Carrier ?

Older Guy told me years ago ! I don't care if your only a Sharpshooter, You better be a High Master in the Pit.

Thanks John.

 

[Acyr]

Many scorers do not know their job: that they are “mini” range officials, and that they are there to support the shooter, not just be a passive observer.

Get close to the shooter, be in a place you can communicate with them easily, know what the heck is going on. Watch traces go down range.

I agree 100%. As a line officer for SWN, I watched score keepers and shooters (both their faults) miss count shot many times. When asked what they should do all I could say was fire another shot. Which usually was not a good shot. Also, when crossfires occurred, they would call me over like I could stop it from happening. Best I could tell them is stay calm, get back on the gun and if it's a 10 or an X take it! LOL

 

[Bluefink4895]

I’d always been opposed to e-targets due to the debacle at Lodi when they used them for the nationals. However, I’ve been burned so many times in the last couple of years by bad pullers and score keepers, I’d just as well have e-targets.

Getting screwed either way but at least I don’t have to set in the pits for hours.

Very well said!
Personally not against e-targets, but I've seen/experienced plenty of disasters & frustrations with them...but I've probably seen/experienced even more with live-action humans in the pits and scoring on the line.

Where there are people; screw-ups, slacking, lagging and brain farts will ensue. Especially with the slow-minded and inattentive folk. Some people are fantastic behind the trigger, but fall apart when working and scoring a target...or operating a pencil on a score card. Kind of a multi-task chew gum and walk deal. It just don't work for some.

Then throw in a place like KD Range-4 at Ft Gordon...kranky carriers, no berm and facing East into the rising Georgia sun all day. Good times (not really)...

Anyway, good pit service is a learned ability that requires a certain level of physical ability/mental focus (emphasis on the latter). I love bullshitting in the pits...but a scorers duty is to the target first and foremost. Ensure maximum pit love. Some folks never got that memo.

In the end, despite being held hostage to unpredictable electronic wizardry, E-targets are definitely a more comfortable experience.

 

[Acyr]

I’d always been opposed to e-targets due to the debacle at Lodi when they used them for the nationals. However, I’ve been burned so many times in the last couple of years by bad pullers and score keepers, I’d just as well have e-targets.

Getting screwed either way but at least I don’t have to set in the pits for hours.

I saw a shooter get his target pulled and refaced during his string. Caused him to lose 10 points when he would have finished with a 199. I had the same thing happen to me during Nationals a few years ago. I was waiting for my condition to return (probably 10 minutes or so) and down went the target. It didn't come back up till time was almost expired and no shot spotter or scoring disk.

 

[Warren Dean]

I agree 100%. As a line officer for SWN, I watched score keepers and shooters (both their faults) miss count shot many times. When asked what they should do all I could say was fire another shot. Which usually was not a good shot. Also, when crossfires occurred, they would call me over like I could stop it from happening. Best I could tell them is stay calm, get back on the gun and if it's a 10 or an X take it! LOL

I'd like to add a little to my fellow RO's comments here. As a shooter, you need to make sure your scorer is paying attention. Yeah...it's distracting to have to check that they are getting all the shots, but the alternative is bad. I ALWAYS have the scorer, regardless of who it is, call out each shot and score. And I make sure I can hear them before firing a shot. I am not above growling at a sloppy scorer either.

 

[memilanuk]

I ALWAYS have the scorer, regardless of who it is, call out each shot and score

It's literally part of the rules - 14.3.1(c) Scorers' Duties