AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: alacran on September 02, 2025, 05:12:09 PM
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I guess I won August's match, for September the target will be a plain 4-inch black circle. 5 shots standing at 25 yards. You will be shooting for smallest group size on the page. That is all shots on paper will count for string size.
If you cannot shoot standing,5 shots at 50 yards resting guns in hands without other support other than elbows.
https://targetz.com/targetzlib/10098.pdf
(https://i.ibb.co/PGcqcBcR/10098.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VYgfgXgd)
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That's a good tgt. alacran.
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Is there a minimum number of shots on the page? Otherwise, I could shoot it once, miss paper 4 times and smallest group on page might be .54". Just kidding, I think there should be 5 holes on the page.
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Well, Foresterdj if a target only has one .54 cal. hole or any other caliber, the target will have a string score of 17 inches. Since the distance from the center of the black to the vertical edge of the paper is 4.25 inches. The missing balls would have to be at least that far from center. All the missing balls would be scored that way.
That is the way it is done.
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I need more schooling then on the measuring of group size vs string score.
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I should have stated it differently since I will be scoring group size. One hole is not a group. I actually confused myself.
Doesn't matter where your group is on the paper as long as you have five visible balls in your group.
To be clear I will be scoring the distance from the center of the two outermost balls.
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Would it help then if we laid a ruler on the target spanning the farthest holes when we take the picture?
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Yes, that would be helpful. Also, if you use 50# paper the holes show up a lot better.
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I should have stated it differently since I will be scoring group size. One hole is not a group. I actually confused myself.
Doesn't matter where your group is on the paper as long as you have five visible balls in your group.
To be clear I will be scoring the distance from the center of the two outermost balls.
Makes me think of that episode of Daniel Boone (or Davy Crockett--I can't remember) where he shoots and they assume he has missed all but one shot, which was in the bullseye. Then they take a knife and dig several bullets out of the wood, from where the bullets all went in the same hole.
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I just watched that scene on a YouTube a couple days ago.
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Doing a string measure would be fun but probably too complicated and confusing for an online match.
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I agree that a string measure is difficult to measure. I used to do that for a chunk shoot at Hefley Rendezvous for a few years. It's hard enough with the targets in front of you
as to the time it takes to measure, let alone trying to download or upload targets to the person's computer who running the match, who then has to enlarge of shrink the targets
to make them the right size, then measure each hole - YIKES!
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This is all for fun, yes? Doesn’t seem too difficult to me. Locate the two outermost balls and use a ruler to measure the distance from the outer edge of one to the inner edge of the other. Take a photo of the target with the ruler in place and post it.
As I said before, this is a great incentive for me to shoot which equates to practice which hopefully leads to better shooting.
Dennis
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That is group measure, Dennis, not string measure. For string measure, you have to measure each hole to the center of the buĺl, then add up all 5 "measures". Shortest "string" wins.
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I should have stated it differently since I will be scoring group size. One hole is not a group. I actually confused myself.
Doesn't matter where your group is on the paper as long as you have five visible balls in your group.
To be clear I will be scoring the distance from the center of the two outermost balls.
“——scoring the distance from the center of the two outermost balls.”
Sounds to me like group size with additional caveat that there must be 5 holes visible.
Dennis
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I have been a member on this site for seven years. I do my best to participate in all the online matches. In all that time I haven't seen a 25 yard offhand target that you could not tell that 5 balls were on it.
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54768535412_a145b310a3_b.jpg)
I got out to shoot a couple targets today. The second target had two out of the black.
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Tried out my squirrel rifle conversion to percussion because of a malfunctioning lock. First target, not so good. The patches were completely shredded and the group showed it. Over 3”. I switched to denim and the difference was dramatic. About 1 1/4”. 25 yards offhand standing.
(I am at my place in Tennessee and don’t have a printer) had to color in a 4” black dot with a marker on the back of old targets.
(https://i.ibb.co/F4yjYQK2/FB791262-97-A0-408-A-AB3-D-7725-A1-DC69-CF.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7tZ6p3XP)
(https://i.ibb.co/SDTdYv5s/8010-E7-D1-FDC0-4857-B470-69-C8-AE5-B4345.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zWc79fQn)
(https://i.ibb.co/VYvd45PK/814-ED883-06-C5-48-F0-9-BB2-F56-CFBC130-BC.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yF8Dj7b3)
(https://i.ibb.co/DSXVftZ/8-A5-EC660-C92-A-41-C2-81-C9-EB895-DEEAB58.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tWfmp49)
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Good shooting Seth. I had to enlarge the target in order to measure it. I enlarged it to 4 inches. I got 1 3/8 inches for the widest measurement.
Not all printers are going to print this target at exactly 4 inches in diameter. That doesn't matter since we are shooting for group. So, it would be helpful if you would place a tape measure or ruler across the widest part of the group, the way Okawbow did in his target.
We are measuring to the center of the balls to keep it fair in relation to calibers.
Good shooting on that last target Okawbow. I enlarged it and I believe your group is more like 1 3/16 inch. That puts you in the lead for now.
We are supposed to have a reasonably calm day today, so I hope to give this a try.
Thanks for participating.
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My club had a paper shoot yesterday so I went to the range early and took the time to shoot the ALR targets. The rifle was my first, naturally a TC Hawken that I got in 1974. A few years ago Bobby Hoyt bored it to a 54.
I was also doing some sight adjustments for my hunting load since elk opens next Saturday so I did that first. Sights were adjusted for 25 yards with 90 gr of goex 3f.
I shot two targets offhand, one with 90 grains and one with 70 grains. The 70 grain target gave the best group with my measurement being 1 7/8". The 90 grain target measured 2 1/2". These measurements are, of course, subject to correction.
I like this format and target. Thanks alacran for managing the match.
(https://i.ibb.co/vC0nqwcB/20250907-065507-copy-972x1296.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PsqHjmrY)
(https://i.ibb.co/5ghXM1nT/20250907-065520-copy-990x1320.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gLZbjrPy)
(https://i.ibb.co/cSCNdfs6/20250907-070401-copy-1905x2540-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4nYjxv08)
(https://i.ibb.co/TMLBy0sk/20250907-070318-copy-1713x2284.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Xx8ZH5qb)
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Glad you went out and shot the match longcruise. I concur with your scores. The 1 and 7/8-inch score has you in third place.
Good luk with your elk hunt.
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The reason I chose this target focusing on group size is to make the brain work at not being lazy while shooting. It takes effort to visualize what you are screwing up as far as sight picture, trigger control as well as breathing control. Also, I have a rifle I built with a Walter Caine single trigger which I wish I would have put on a double set trigger.
The reason being the trigger is difficult to adjust to where is has a light let off and still hold. I have shot this .40 caliber rifle very well and with the L&R Durr's Egg lock I get very quick ignition. That has allowed me to get a few limits of squirrels with it.
(https://i.ibb.co/35W1w9qJ/IMG-0727-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6cbY27xd)
That being said, I have not been satisfied with the trigger.
With the demise of Jo Ann's Fabrics, I also had to come up with different patching material than their pocket drill.
I figured this target would let me concentrate on technique as well as experiment with different patching.
I went out Sunday to the range and shot some targets. Mind you they do not count in this match.
I decided to use the 10 oz tight canvas I have been using in some of my other rifles. I used .395 balls over 50 grains of 3f Goex and the bear lubed canvas.
My first three shots were high on the black and I remembered at this altitude of 6500' I use 40 grains. When I'm back East in the Illinois flatlands, 50 grains shoots center. I also suspect the tighter patching increases pressure which in turn increases velocity.
I kept shooting at the same target and still not happy with the trigger. I turned the adjustment screw in about a 16th turn. It held at full cock and it did feel much lighter.
I replaced the target and my very first shot went off when the guy to my left shot off a round with his whatever WinMag he was using. I did call the shot at 11 O'clock on the edge of the black. So, I shot another five shots and got a 1and 3/4 inch group between 4 and five O'clock.
I replaced that target and shot another five shots.
(https://i.ibb.co/WWL1BJgv/PXL-20250907-224107122-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8DHVPZ6g)
I basically shot two groups within my group. two balls to the left of center and three to the right. This gave me a 1and 1/2-inch group.
By this time, I had been at the range for about one and half hours and though there was a steady wind from the West the changing light was a bigger issue.
I posted one more target and made it a point to concentrate on my trigger control. By this time there was only one other shooter on the range and he was shooting a .22 rifle.
It took me about twenty minutes to shoot this target. I lowered my rifle many times before taking any of the shots. It all paid off and I think if I apply myself, I could improve upon it but by this time I was tired and out of targets.
(https://i.ibb.co/8g76Y4Bf/PXL-20250907-224220867-MP-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/v4jZXvBT)
(https://i.ibb.co/k23dZw3Z/PXL-20250907-224210124-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XxywHKyH)
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I like that! Looks like about the size of a squirrel's head to me!
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Good shooting Seth. I had to enlarge the target in order to measure it. I enlarged it to 4 inches. I got 1 3/8 inches for the widest measurement.
Not all printers are going to print this target at exactly 4 inches in diameter. That doesn't matter since we are shooting for group. So, it would be helpful if you would place a tape measure or ruler across the widest part of the group, the way Okawbow did in his target.
We are measuring to the center of the balls to keep it fair in relation to calibers.
Good shooting on that last target Okawbow. I enlarged it and I believe your group is more like 1 3/16 inch. That puts you in the lead for now.
We are supposed to have a reasonably calm day today, so I hope to give this a try.
Thanks for participating.
Thank you. That is what I got measuring it as well. I'm rusty! I've barely shot this year, so I hope to keep up with these matches again as a reason to shoot a muzzleloader at least once a month. They are always fun.
It was on and off breezy, sometimes cloudy, sometimes super sunny afternoon that day. The first target with the two out of the black reminded me there was no reason to pull the trigger every time you sight down the barrel at the target. Wait for a cloud and the breeze to slow before taking shots and only take them when it all feels right.
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Here’s my first ever entry. Recently completed .54 Woodsrunner.
(https://i.ibb.co/J9ypVYY/IMG-2384.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fsnNf33)
(https://i.ibb.co/s0Khbx2/IMG-2385.jpg) (https://ibb.co/t7qSQj4)
html url generator (https://imgbb.com/)
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Alacran,
That is one lovely group for a rested rifle, let alone offhand!
J.B.
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Is that about 13/16", alacran? Nice.
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I get 7/8th center to center.
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Good shooting. I was just going by the tape measure, which wasn't quite lined up.
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New entry for September: Here are two targets I shot earlier today with my new Investarms .50cal. Great Plains pistol (8" bbl.) I used a .490" RB from a RCBS mould (.492" in fact) + .016" 100% cotton denim over 30gr. GOEX FFg. I shot these @ 25 yd. with the pistol butt on a rear bag, but my elbows weren't touching the table. (And I'm going to feel this in my upper back tomorrow!).
(https://i.ibb.co/GQKtCfwV/IMG-0882.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TMVbPDXH)
(https://i.ibb.co/jPV7s1tQ/IMG-0883.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DHG3TSdv)
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Nice pistol group!
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Thanks! Here's the pistol:
(https://i.ibb.co/7JfxjJnT/IMG-0862.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WWhNGWkd)
(https://i.ibb.co/dsyPmrnH/IMG-0863jpg-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/V08gwtXk)
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Wingshot, I'm glad you shot your first ever online match with your new Woodsrunner. I see a 2-inch group there. I wrote this a couple of days ago. I apparently forgot to hit the post button.
Maven, I didn't expect anyone to shoot this target with a pistol. Since we are shooting for group resting the pistol's grip on a bag as you did seem fair.
On your first target I see a 2 and 1/8th inch group. On your second target you are not measuring the correct balls.
Thanks for participating.
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Not especially concerned with winning the September Frolic, but with "ironing out the wrinkles" with my new pistol.
"On your second target you are not measuring the correct balls." ....alacran
Can you explain the above? I maneuvered the tape measure so that it wouldn't obscure any of the holes in the target, but I assure you those are the "correct" balls.
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Maven, the distance between your shots at 11 o'clock and 7 o'clock is where the tape measure
should be aligned with since that is the longest distance of your group.
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Thanks for the explanation, alacran.
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That makes me want to get back to shooting my pistol decently. I used to shoot it more than anything else, but haven't shot it much at all since having a repair to the lock completed by the good folks at Chambers. Cans and water bottles at 25 yards used to be guaranteed, but last time I shot it I was lucky to hit anything!
(https://cdn.rockislandauction.com/ghost/size/w1200/2022/01/Black-powder-loads-2A-1.jpg)
(https://cdn.rockislandauction.com/ghost/size/w1200/2022/01/Target-3.jpg)
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Good shooting, Seth!
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pistols?! :o Oh no! There'll be none of that! Thats completely unfair!
yust yoshin y'all! Excellent for trying it! ;D
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;D ;D ;D ;D
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Good shooting Seth. I have thought about doing an online pistol match, unfortunately I don't think many folks would shoot it.
Glad to see you shooting your pistol offhand. Plow handled pistols are meant to be shot one handed.
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Alacran, when I choose the match one month I also thought about doing pistols, but I thought the same. There is no reason pistol shooters like Maven can't just join in on the regular matches though. Its fun to try with both if you have the time.
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My poor entries. .54 Jaeger, Moody barrel 1:30 twist, 80 gr FFg, 0.018" patch one target with neatsfoot lube, one with dish soap solution lube (the better one), mostly .530 RB, bench off elbows 50 yards.
First target 3 & 7/16ths, neatsfoot lube
(https://i.ibb.co/Gf1x36YN/E1a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WNdxph8j)
Second target 2 & 3/4, dawn soap solution lube
(https://i.ibb.co/RTQpJ3fk/E2a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N2W6G95d)