Reactive Targets

I'm going to jump the gun and put this up a day early because step one is a scavenger hunt.  Also as a reminder Today is the last day to shoot the April contest.  JimmyB the Conservative UAW Guy wants targets in by midnight! 

I got into shooting because it's fun!  Unfortunately what most people do with guns is to focus on the least fun aspect of the sport: punching holes in paper.  Don't get me wrong, it's the only way to measure repeatable accuracy.  It's the only way to see who's the best.  But the real fun is in putting that bullet where you want it with instant pass/fail feedback.

For that you need reactive targets.  Targets that let you know immediately of a hit or miss.  That means steel plates, poppers, and plate racks; clay pigeons, an old time shooting gallery and the big daddy of reactive targets, Boomershoot (playing out this very weekend).  These are a lot more fun than punching holes in paper.

Unfortunately the fleeting nature of reactive targets make them hard to put into the ePostal format of "try as many times as you like and submit your best".  But I think I've found a way that at least some ranges will allow the target.  These reactive targets are non-explosive and biodegradable but provide the desired response. 

Ladies, Gentlemen and Shooters everywhere, I give you "Necco® Mania!"

Necco Wafers are pressed sugar wafers which shatter when hit with a pleasant rain of sugar fragments.

As hinted late last year, this match is posted in three parts.

1. Scavenger hunt: Procure a roll(s) of "Necco Wafers".  In the days of my youth, every grocery and liquor store carried these candy rolls.  They probably sold for a dime like every other candy bar at the time.  They are still produced but are no longer in wide distribution.  I the SandCastle Queen found these are our local specialty candy store.
   
2. Affix one wafer to each target circle on the linked target.  White glue, contact cement or double sided tape have all been successful.  This is our target.  I opted for the "chocolate flavors" as there are more dark colored wafers per roll.  The normal roll has lots of pastels which might not contrast well with the white paper backing.  Coloring the wafers for maximum contrast is allowed.  The SCQueen suggests food coloring if you want to eat the misses afterwards.  Ink or paint coloring is not recommended for human consumption.
   
   
3. Shoot said target, enjoy the sight and sound of shattering wafers; and HAVE FUN!

The wafers are NOT required to shoot the match, they just make it more fun!  You can just shoot the naked target itself.

Course of fire:
Download and print target here.

19 targets, 20 shots.  These are tiny targets, you are allowed one free miss.  The target has 19 spots while each Necco roll contains 38 wafers by my count.  You may assume the even multiple is not an accident. 

Pistols: 7 yds or range minimum which ever is greater.  Standing unsupported, one or two hands. No time limit.
Rifles may be shot any position including off the bench, but rests such as sandbags and bi-pods are disallowed.  The fore end of the rifle must be supported by the offhand elbow*.   No time limit.

• Rimfire, both iron sights and scope: 25 yards (4 MOA).
• Centerfire iron sight: 50 yds (2 MOA)
• Centerfire scope: 100 yds (1 MOA)

Scoring is binary.  Either you hit and destroyed the wafer or you did not.  +1 for a hit, +0 for a miss.  A cracked wafer counts as a hit, assuming there is a hole just adjacent to the target circle).  But only the first hit on a target circle scores (since the wafer was destroyed by the first hit).   For those shooting the naked target (no wafer), standard rules apply:  A hit touching the target scores.  Max score: 19, Min score: 0.

Ties will be broken by distance.  The longer distance takes the place (7M > 7Yds).

Shoot as many times as you like with as many weapons as you can lay your grubby hands on.  With the exception of class 12, we only want to see your best scores for each gun.  Save your worst of the month for class 12 (any gun).

Classes:  You got it? shoot it and we'll find a place to record the score. (I reserve the right to draw the line at tater-guns & scatter guns).

1. .177 cal air pistol, iron sights (air or C02 powered)
2. .177 cal air pistol, optic sights (air or C02 powered)
3. .17/.22 cal rim fire pistol, iron sights
4. .17/.22 cal rim fire pistol, magnified optical sights
5. center fire pistol, iron sights
6. center fire pistol, magnified optic sights
7. .17/.22 cal rim fire rifle iron sights (25 yds)
8. .17/.22 cal rim fire rifle magnified optic sights (25 yds)
9. center fire rifle iron sights (50 yds)
10. center fire rifle magnified optic sights (100 yds)
11. other (anything that doesn't fit the above categories)
12. Low-ball (if you managed to put twenty holes on paper and yet miss most, submit your target here.  This class is open to all comers and may duplicate the firearm used in prior categories.  Inspired by Mr C's March Mess.  Can anyone beat my -19 in March?)

Non-magnified optic sights (e.g. reddot) count as iron sights.  1:1 "RedDot" sights might be slightly faster to align than normal iron sights as there is only one sight to get on target, not two.  But speed is not a factor in this game so it's a wash.  Take your time and make good hits with either system.

Score submissions: scan/photograph your target, fill in the gun info (make & model & caliber), distance, class, on-line identity (name/pseudonym as you want it on the score sheets, blog reference for linky love ) however you want to be remembered on the score sheets... email to SandCastleScrolls-at-msn-dot-com.

Post Scripts:

* handicapped shooters are invited and encouraged to participate.  Waivers will be granted to the extent of the limitation.  Come and shoot with us!

"Necco" is a registered trademark of the New England Confectionary Company, Inc.  Revere MA   www.necco.com
#include std/FTC.disclaimer... This match is not endorsed nor sponsored by Necco (Dang.. I wish I'd thought to ask).  I nor any of the SandCastle Crew have received compensation of any form for what might be considered "product placement".  They offer the product and this seems to be a fun way to enjoy the product.

HatTip:  The "shooting at biodegradable targets" idea comes from friend and fellow shooter JJ.  Sorry, no web presence so no linky love.  Still credit where credit is due.