Faster Relays with Electronic Scoring
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:44 pm
If we assume, for the sake of discussion, that electronic targets are coming to the National Matches at Camp Perry, one consequence that I think we can all agree on is that the automation of the scoring and the elimination of target replacement should reduce the time required to shoot the matches. It might not happen at first as the technical glitches are worked out, but eventually, there should be some time saved.
Under the current system it takes about two hours to shoot a 90-shot aggregate. If automation saves five minutes of scoring/replacement time per target for each of nine targets, that would trim the time required down to an hour and 15 minutes. (These numbers are just guesses based on my experience as a competitor.)
Is that too fast? Shooters will still need time to load magazines, adjust equipment, and pick up brass during a match, and I would like to have a little time to sit and sip some water between strings. Most of us will still have down time during the alibi strings, but even the alibi shooters deserve a break.
As for the larger question of how to schedule the matches as a whole, I see three basic options:
1) Keep the current schedule and just have more free time between relays. This seems like a good idea for the first year, at least, since there will be so much uncertainty.
2) Compress the schedule from six days (CMP prelim to NTT) to four. Fewer days could mean more participation since competitors would have to spend less on meals and housing and would also have to take less time away from their jobs. It could also mean slightly lower match fees since the NRA would not have to pay as much rent to the OHNG or as much salary to the support staff.
3) Keep the current schedule and add more matches to take advantage of the extra range time. More shooting might also increase participation and possibly draw more sponsors if the right "side matches" were introduced.
Your thoughts?
Under the current system it takes about two hours to shoot a 90-shot aggregate. If automation saves five minutes of scoring/replacement time per target for each of nine targets, that would trim the time required down to an hour and 15 minutes. (These numbers are just guesses based on my experience as a competitor.)
Is that too fast? Shooters will still need time to load magazines, adjust equipment, and pick up brass during a match, and I would like to have a little time to sit and sip some water between strings. Most of us will still have down time during the alibi strings, but even the alibi shooters deserve a break.
As for the larger question of how to schedule the matches as a whole, I see three basic options:
1) Keep the current schedule and just have more free time between relays. This seems like a good idea for the first year, at least, since there will be so much uncertainty.
2) Compress the schedule from six days (CMP prelim to NTT) to four. Fewer days could mean more participation since competitors would have to spend less on meals and housing and would also have to take less time away from their jobs. It could also mean slightly lower match fees since the NRA would not have to pay as much rent to the OHNG or as much salary to the support staff.
3) Keep the current schedule and add more matches to take advantage of the extra range time. More shooting might also increase participation and possibly draw more sponsors if the right "side matches" were introduced.
Your thoughts?