Why do I shoot higher score with Gamo target?

[miami]

Could some one please explain why I shoot higher score with Gamo target which has a white 9 / 10 rings, then when I use the regular completely dark 10M standard target?

I shoot Gamo target at 10M, not at the scaled down distance of 26 feet ( proper distance for scaled down Gamo target). So theoretically, Gamo score should be even lower, because I am shooting at a relatively smaller target. But my score is even higher on the Gamo target then on the complete dark regular target.

Why?

[RobStubbs]

I have no idea unless perhaps you're centre aiming and can therefore see the sights better on teh gamo targets. It is really pretty irrelevent though. You need to shoot on whatever targets you will shoot in competition matches, if you're not interested in competitions then shoot on whatever targets you prefer.

Rob.

[Miami]

You are right that I am center-holding.

So I am actually looking at the white target? How could that increase my score?

[Richard H]

Increased contrast on your sight, black on white, you most likely can see them better. This is the reason most shoot sub six, which is a better alternative because being able to shoot well on a non-regulation target really doesn't mean much.

So you might want to try shooting sub-six on regulation targets, it most likely will take a while to get use to it, so have patience.

[Spencer]

You are right that I am center-holding.

So I am actually looking at the white target? How could that increase my score?

The term 'distraction' bull is more applicable than most people realise. The smaller the aiming mark, the smaller the group (all things being equal).

With the Gamo target the aiming mark (the white) is 27.5mm diameter - considerably smaller than the 59.5mm of the ISSF target.

Spencer

[miami]

So for training, I should train with a bigger than usual target, not smaller target?

[Richard H]

Well it depends what your working on, you can train on blanks, control targets, and faced regulation targets. They all serve a purpose.

[Spencer]

So for training, I should train with a bigger than usual target, not smaller target?

- training for 10m ISSF would be on the ISSF target - training on some other target would be training for that other target
- unless you are compensating for a different distance, a different sized 'bull' will have a different sight picture - the ISSF 10m Air RIFLE target is a good aiming mark for 5m training and gives (very nearly) the same sight picture as the Air Pistol target at 10m.

Spencer

[tenex]

Hi Miami,
How well can you see the sights with a center hold? Misalignment of the front to rear sight will typically generate errors 2 to 3 times the apparent misalignment, as opposed to displacing the bull with perfect sight alignment where the bullet lands where you aim.

Without changing your sights, why not try a sub 6 hold for a few targets on the regulation targets to see if your group size improves? you might (or might not) like it.

Steve.

[miami]

I did try both center hold and sub-six hold (center-hold shooting in sub-six area). My grouping for both are essentially identical. So I sticked with center-hold so I can shoot at different distance with changing elevation.