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Target pulling match???

Black Sheep

Gold $$ Contributor
Does anyone know of a match being held in the next couple months somewhere in the southeast that will require you to pull targets?
I've been competing for less than 2 years and have never used anything other than electronic targets. I have registered for the SWN next February and would like to get a little experience pulling targets before going to the SWN and giving less than stellar pit service. I've seen one video on YouTube and while it was helpful it's not experience. I live outside of Pensacola, FL and I'm willing to drive 7-8 hours for a match to gain that target pulling experience.

Thanks,
Chris
 
Central Texas Silueta Association in New Braunfels, TX holds 500 yd F-Class the first Saturday of each month. Open to the public.
 
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Does anyone know of a match being held in the next couple months somewhere in the southeast that will require you to pull targets?
I've been competing for less than 2 years and have never used anything other than electronic targets. I have registered for the SWN next February and would like to get a little experience pulling targets before going to the SWN and giving less than stellar pit service. I've seen one video on YouTube and while it was helpful it's not experience. I live outside of Pensacola, FL and I'm willing to drive 7-8 hours for a match to gain that target pulling experience.

Thanks,
Chris
Oak Ridge is closest..
 
In case you don't find a suitable match, below are some links to videos that might be beneficial if you haven't already seen them.

Target Pulling Parts 1-3: Jonathan Ocab does a pretty good job covering everything in these videos. The targets used are for Highpower, but only the ring sizes differ. Everything else is the basically same.






Some other items worth (re) mention:

1) Shotmarker disc goes white side out when placed over the aiming black portion of the target; black side out when placed over the light part of the target (target perimeter/outside edge). Be sure to use the correct size shotmarker for F-Class, which are generally smaller diameter than those used for Highpower.

2) Wait/watch for dirt splash in back berm before pulling target down. It is VERY easy to become distracted and look away. Resist the temptation to do this, as your performance in the pits can adversely affect the shooter's score.

3) I use the following cadence: pull shotmarker disc, tape over old bullet hole, put shotmarker spindle into new bullet hole, move scoring disc into [correct] position.

Other variations on this cadence can work, but you want to do it the same way every time. It will become muscle memory in short order.

4) I like to pull bullet hole tape strips/stickers and put them onto the appropriate crossbar below the target so I can grab a new one and stick on the end of my left index finger ready so it is to go before can slow the pit service down noticeably, especially if the stickers are old and hard to peel. Either way, you can count a certain number out to cover sighters and shots for record so you have some idea when the shooter is finished. Doing that is somewhat of a guess during unlimited sighter matches.

5) Have at least a couple or three scoring disks at hand and ready to go. Spindles will get shot out periodically, requiring a new spotting disc assembly. DO NOT get off the catwalk to try and grab a shotmarker that has been blown out. Leave it and get a new one.

6) If the bullet hole even barely touches the scoring ring, the shooter gets the higher score. If there is any question at all in my mind of whether the bullet hole touched the ring, the shooter gets the higher score.

7) Check the target face carefully before the string of fire starts. Cover any holes with tape that have not previously been covered, and make sure the appearance of the target face is good before the string of fire starts. It is the target pullers' and scorers' jobs to facilitate quick and accurate scoring for the shooter so the shooter can concentrate 100% on shooting the best score they are capable of.

8) When scoring next to the shooter at the firing line (i.e. recording the shooter's score), if the target fails to go down it is your job to call for a pull. Likewise, if the target comes up marked with a scoring disc that does not match the value of the shotmarker disc, it is the scorer's job to have the line official call down for a re-disc of the target. If everyone pulls targets and scores as they would want done for themselves, everything will work out better.

I wouldn't stress too much about pulling targets. It is clear you are conscientious about the pit duty and I'm sure you will do very well at it in short order. I think you will find that the pullers on either side of you can help with questions, so you are not alone. It wouldn't be unheard of that the range officials hold an target pulling/scoring orientation of sort prior to the match as well. If they do, try to attend it.
 
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One more thing to add is at the SWN they run 4 relays with 2 in the pits. So you will most likely be paired up with an experienced puller. If not you can probably swap with a neighboring target so both have someone with experience. You will get the hang of it pretty quickly on the first day. If you divide up the jobs between the two of you, it goes very fast. Most have the person on the right pull and move the scoring disk with the person on the left pasting and spotting the bullet holes. From bullet impact to target back in the air can be done in around 5 seconds if the shooter keeps them inside the ten ring.:cool:
 
Thank you to everyone who commented!

At this point in time I'm planning on attending Oak Ridge, TN for the match next weekend and maybe make another trip up there before next February.

The whole reason that I brought this question up is that I really didn't want to be the cause of any shooter to break his/her concentration or rhythm while competing. I have read many posts about terrible pit service and have a friend that had received horrible pit service at the SWN several years ago. I want to give the best pit service that I can and hope the person pulling for me will do the same.

Thank you Ned for the detailed information. The linked video's are the only ones that I had found on pulling and marking targets and I'll watch them a couple more times. Your write up is very detailed and helpful, especially part #8 about while scoring beside the shooter. Truthfully I hadn't thought about that portion of scoring and wasn't clear on the process.

Again, thanks for all the comments, pointers, locations and offers of help.

Have a great day,
Chris
 
When I went to the SWN in 2018 a word of advice from a friend was to pick up a pair of Mechanix gloves to handle the target frames. Now I use them at every match I pull targets at. Some places target frames are a bit rough.
 
Couple of points . The Frames at BA aren't all that bad . The parts you pull up and down are steel cross-bars . Some may be a little rough on you , if you have "office" hands , but for the most part , not a issue . Watch out for some of the 2 x 4 Verticals , though . Due to weather , and aging some have monster splinters that bite .
One word of caution to all who are "NEW" to BA . When putting the targets away at the end of the day , ALWAYS ; and I mean ALWAYS place the Safety Rod in place , and put the Cinder Block over the bottom rail , before removing the target frame . Someone didn't do this a couple years ago , and got a free trip to the hospital , and lost a few teeth , plus some stitches . If you are unsure about how this works ? ASK !

As always ; Ned Ludd did a fantastic comment on the issue , covering the finer points with accuracy . And as others have said ; anything you are un-sure about , just ask and someone will help you out . We all appreciate the fact that you want to do a good job at this , for all the obvious reasons . I will say this about conversations while scoring . I had my Target pulled down while shooting a couple years ago , and it ended up costing a score of "5" . Needless to say , I was NOT a happy camper , when it was caused in the Pit, by those marking the Target . I just guessing they were spending more time yakking , than paying attention to the Berm and the Target ! DON'T BE THAT GUY !
 
Hmmm... After reading the title of the thread I thought you meant a contest to determine the fastest target puller. I don't think I've seen anyone that can beat Jim Fowler! :D
 
Placing pasters over the hole in a way that covers the least amount of white scoring ring possible will help preserve the target.

Make sure to get plenty of glue on the corners of the new face. Once the corners come loose, they curl outward and with layers of new paper on top, aren’t going back down, even with new glue.

When riding the trailer down to the pits, it’s customary to look around and strike up a conversation about whether the leader, identified by last name, preceded loudly by the word “Good Ole” can keep up that fine shooting through the end of the match, relating how pressure tends to set in causing leads to charge in these big matches ;).
 
Nra rule 10.16

Couple of points . The Frames at BA aren't all that bad . The parts you pull up and down are steel cross-bars . Some may be a little rough on you , if you have "office" hands , but for the most part , not a issue . Watch out for some of the 2 x 4 Verticals , though . Due to weather , and aging some have monster splinters that bite .
One word of caution to all who are "NEW" to BA . When putting the targets away at the end of the day , ALWAYS ; and I mean ALWAYS place the Safety Rod in place , and put the Cinder Block over the bottom rail , before removing the target frame . Someone didn't do this a couple years ago , and got a free trip to the hospital , and lost a few teeth , plus some stitches . If you are unsure about how this works ? ASK !

As always ; Ned Ludd did a fantastic comment on the issue , covering the finer points with accuracy . And as others have said ; anything you are un-sure about , just ask and someone will help you out . We all appreciate the fact that you want to do a good job at this , for all the obvious reasons . I will say this about conversations while scoring . I had my Target pulled down while shooting a couple years ago , and it ended up costing a score of "5" . Needless to say , I was NOT a happy camper , when it was caused in the Pit, by those marking the Target . I just guessing they were spending more time yakking , than paying attention to the Berm and the Target ! DON'T BE THAT GUY !
 

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