The team's tour brochure. - National Rifle Association
The team's tour brochure. - National Rifle Association The team's tour brochure. - National Rifle Association
Plot your way to better scoresby David CalvertIf it were possible for a Full-bore target rifle shooter to get an average of an extra point on everyshoot without any expense whatsoever, would he be interested? Probably, yes! So how couldthis be achieved or is it too good to be true?The bad news is, that if you already accurately plot each shot during your shoots, keep a runningelevation and wind graph, update your analysis after each shot and fine tune sight adjustmentsbefore each succeeding shot, then you need read no further - you already benefit. However, forthe majority, it may be worth continuing; with a little effort and practice you could improveyour scores and add to the enjoyment of each shoot.So, as you will have gathered, these extra points are to be gained by making full use of the scoresheet, in particular the graphs. The main benefit accrues from proper use of the elevation graph.It is no coincidence that the size of the 'bull' is close to the grouping capability of a competentshot with good equipment; it is designed that way and, as grouping capability improves due tomore accurate rifles or better ammunition, so the size of the bull is reduced to maintain anappropriate number of 'possibles' and/or a 'V' bull introduced to assist in tie-breaking. Eitherway, for an individual or team member to realise their full potential, the group must be accuratelycentred. It only takes a bull size group to be a fraction of an inch off-centre for one or moreshots to drop just outside the line. How often after a shoot have you looked at your score sheetand said 'if only I had come up a minute' or 'if only I had 1 more minute of left wind throughoutthe shoot'? Hindsight is all very well but the plan is to turn some of that hindsight into foresightand save points! The following 'rules of thumb', example and associated notes provide simpleand easy to follow guidelines.Preparing the Graphs1. Before the shoot, place your best estimate of sight elevation setting and mean wind strengthin the circles along the edge and closest to the middle of the elevation and wind graphsrespectively (i.e. 36' elevation and 2' left wind in the example).2. Fill in the circles either side of your estimated mean values using the following simple rule:Elevation Graph - Put INCREASING values DOWN the graph (and decreasing values up thegraph)Wind Graph - Put INCREASING values DOWN wind i.e. the direction the wind is going(and decreasing values into wind') By preparing the 'scales' for the graphs in this way, you canplot the shots in the natural sense (i.e. a low shot is plotted low and a shot that goes left isplotted left) and the graphs show a true picture of the way the group forms (i.e. the group isshown the right way up and the right way round!).Plotting the Shots3. A 'foolproof' method of plotting the shots on the graphs is as follows:To plot an individual shot, take the sight setting with which the shot was fired and use that valueas the REFERENCE LINE on the graph for that shot. Then plot the shot on the graph relativeto that reference line in the direction and by the amount the shot was away from the CENTREof the target (i.e. in the example, for shot 1 the reference line (ie the sight setting) is 35' inelevation and 3' left in wind and the shot is plotted ½' below the 35' line on the elevation graphand 1' left of the 3' left line on the wind graph). Each shot is plotted on the graph relative tothe sight setting used (or 'reference line') in the direction and by the amount that the shot wasfrom the centre of the target. As the group forms on the graphs you can read off what sightsetting was required to put any one shot in the centre of the target (e.g. + 34' and 2' L for shot1) and the mean setting of the whole group as it forms during the shoot (e.g. + 35' elevationafter all 12 shots).Notes1. Plotting quickly and accurately takes practice. You can get this practice by working on oldscore sheets (assuming you have recorded your sight settings!) or by making some up. You willsoon find that you have plenty of time when shooting 3 to a target (e.g. in the NRA MainMeeting) and with experience can plot easily with just 2 shooting on the target. If pressed fortime during the shoot, keep the elevation graph in preference to the wind graph or, if necessary,complete the graphs after the shoot until experience is gained.2. if unsure of your sight elevation setting or wind setting to within about 2' before the shoot,wait until after the first or second sighting shot before preparing the graph(s).3. With a fishtailing wind, as indicated in the example, the wind graph is prepared with increasingLEFT values as you move right from ZERO on the graph (i.e. DOWN WIND for a wind fromthe left) and increasing RIGHT values as you move left of graph ZERO (i.e. DOWN WIND fora wind from the right).4. Declared poor shots should be plotted, but circled, so that they may be more easily identifiedand then ignored when assessing the group for subsequent sight correction.5. On the wind graph an additional option is to plot what you thought the wind was when theshot was actually fired (using, say, an x on the plot with the '.' retained for the plotted shot asbefore): this x value should be close to, or the same as what was on your sights if your windzero is good. The mean difference between the x and' .'values at the end of the shoot thenshows either (a) how far your wind zero is in error (assuming you have assessed the wind
accurately) or (b) how good your wind judgement was (assuming your wind zero is accurate!).Practice makes perfect - good shooting (and plotting!)RAF TRC Score SheetsThe NRA are to 'trial' these to assess demand. They will stock the 300m, MR (9, 10, 11 &1200yd), LR TR (9 & 1000yd) though initially have opted to stock only the 'old', smaller scale3,5 & 600yd sheets rather than the 'new' expanded scale SR TR sheets. Both will of course beavailable from the RAF TRC shop.360o vector diagram. As an example, the 30o 'angle off line is used for a wind from either 1,11 0 5 or 7 o'clock. Pick the wind strength and follow that curved line to the appropriate I angleoff, (from a head or tail wind at 0 deg to a full cross wind from left or right at 90'). Having thusnoted the strength and direction, read straight down the dotted lines to arrive at the deflectionin MoA. By shading in the range of observed wind strengths and direction changes, the expectedmaximum, minimum and mean wind effects can be easily noted.A modified information block on the MR sheets recognises both the use of optical and ironsights as well as the increased relevance of ammunition and weather details in MR.The 1995 sheets do, of course, reflect the scoring rings in effect from 1 April, the A5 size is largeenough to plot up to 20 shots with graphs etc., yet compact enough to make use, storage andreference easy.As far as is possible there is standardisation across the range of sheets; it has been a hallmarkof the RAFTRC TR philosophy to have score sheets showing one minute of angle (MoA) thesame 'size' on the sheets for each range. For the 1995 series there is a larger scale option(50% increase in scale) for the short ranges. Due to the smaller size of the metric scoringareas, the 300 metre sheet is available only in this 'expanded' scale. The expanded SR plottingarea and graphs should mean that the size of the groups and plotted graphs on these sheets willbe similar to those on the LR sheets due to the inherently larger size of the latter in terms ofMoA.Paper weight has also been the subject of much thought. If too flimsy it may be difficult tohandle and cause problems if allowed to get damp. if too thick, then bulk makes storage forreference a problem. The compromise is a heavy 100 g/m2 bond paper. This is used for themajor run of sheets (expanded 3, 5 & 600yd and TR 9 & 1000yd) and is the planned weight forthe future print runs of all 13 sheets.The successful wind allowance vector diagrams, introduced in the sheets in the late 1970s, havebeen retained. The allowances have been revised, using information from a number of Sourcesand modified by experience.The MR wind graph allowances are for 190 grain bullets at representative muzzle velocities andthe diagrams are annotated accordingly (190gr).It may be worth mentioning how the wind diagrams are used. The 90o sector is 1/4 of a full
- Page 1 and 2: HPS the Developers and Manufacturer
- Page 4 and 5: Captain’s forewordThe NRA has hon
- Page 6 and 7: Historyby Paul CharltonThe story of
- Page 8 and 9: The JRA and GRC were always concern
- Page 10: http://www.scatt.com/downloads/scat
- Page 14 and 15: 5) New RPA, and RPA made Swing or M
- Page 16 and 17: like they always used to feel.I spe
- Page 18 and 19: Colin Brook(GM, SM, SF) (Coach)Tim
- Page 20 and 21: Reg CurtisIan DavisonCharlotte Evan
- Page 22 and 23: StuartYoung18 year old Stuart is cu
- Page 26 and 27: Her Majesty The Queen’s prize - s
- Page 28 and 29: Comparing target sights (L toR): An
- Page 30 and 31: The Irish open is shot over two day
- Page 32: AcknowledgementsGary Alexander and
accurately) or (b) how good your wind judgement was (assuming your wind zero is accurate!).Practice makes perfect - good shooting (and plotting!)RAF TRC Score Sheets<strong>The</strong> NRA are to 'trial' these to assess demand. <strong>The</strong>y will stock the 300m, MR (9, 10, 11 &1200yd), LR TR (9 & 1000yd) though initially have opted to stock only the 'old', smaller scale3,5 & 600yd sheets rather than the 'new' expanded scale SR TR sheets. Both will of course beavailable from the RAF TRC shop.360o vector diagram. As an example, the 30o 'angle off line is used for a wind from either 1,11 0 5 or 7 o'clock. Pick the wind strength and follow that curved line to the appropriate I angleoff, (from a head or tail wind at 0 deg to a full cross wind from left or right at 90'). Having thusnoted the strength and direction, read straight down the dotted lines to arrive at the deflectionin MoA. By shading in the range of observed wind strengths and direction changes, the expectedmaximum, minimum and mean wind effects can be easily noted.A modified information block on the MR sheets recognises both the use of optical and ironsights as well as the increased relevance of ammunition and weather details in MR.<strong>The</strong> 1995 sheets do, of course, reflect the scoring rings in effect from 1 April, the A5 size is largeenough to plot up to 20 shots with graphs etc., yet compact enough to make use, storage andreference easy.As far as is possible there is standardisation across the range of sheets; it has been a hallmarkof the RAFTRC TR philosophy to have score sheets showing one minute of angle (MoA) thesame 'size' on the sheets for each range. For the 1995 series there is a larger scale option(50% increase in scale) for the short ranges. Due to the smaller size of the metric scoringareas, the 300 metre sheet is available only in this 'expanded' scale. <strong>The</strong> expanded SR plottingarea and graphs should mean that the size of the groups and plotted graphs on these sheets willbe similar to those on the LR sheets due to the inherently larger size of the latter in terms ofMoA.Paper weight has also been the subject of much thought. If too flimsy it may be difficult tohandle and cause problems if allowed to get damp. if too thick, then bulk makes storage forreference a problem. <strong>The</strong> compromise is a heavy 100 g/m2 bond paper. This is used for themajor run of sheets (expanded 3, 5 & 600yd and TR 9 & 1000yd) and is the planned weight forthe future print runs of all 13 sheets.<strong>The</strong> successful wind allowance vector diagrams, introduced in the sheets in the late 1970s, havebeen retained. <strong>The</strong> allowances have been revised, using information from a number of Sourcesand modified by experience.<strong>The</strong> MR wind graph allowances are for 190 grain bullets at representative muzzle velocities andthe diagrams are annotated accordingly (190gr).It may be worth mentioning how the wind diagrams are used. <strong>The</strong> 90o sector is 1/4 of a full
Change language