RustyRick
Well-Known Member
The National Rifle Association is preparing rule changes for E-Targets.
Ranges invest significant funds for Electronic Target systems. Major events are using ET systems. Hundreds of shooters invest money and effort participating at competitions. The results are used for grading shooters and setting National records.
However, there is no direct or indirect evidence, or criteria ensuring that a target system is designed, manufactured, properly set up, properly calibrated, maintained as per Manufacturers published User Instructions or objectively qualified to any standard.
Ranges who offer "For Record" results, and the opportunity to Set National Records, are responsible for reporting legitimate results. Match directors must objectively assure shooters, that their E-Targets are qualified to meet NRA Certification at all "Courses of Fire".
Therefore, it is logical that shooters expect consistency from range to range. That can only be achieved through an objective certification process.
Hex Systems Pty Ltd. and goBallistic support NRA rule review and recommends a standardized certification process for E-Targets to ensure fair competition across the sport.
The following is a summary of recommendations from Hex Systems Pty Ltd. and goBallistic.
NRA: Establish certification requirements for E-Targets in precision and reliability for all shooting courses of fire. Establish maximum parameters for calibers bullet weights, at all distances, in worst case scenario i.e. 223 with an 80-gr bullet at 1000 yards, under windy conditions. Testing procedures governing the certification process.
Vendors: Must publish target specifications and limitations, precision testing and test procedures used for target certification, and the testing results. Manufacturer must publish sufficient testing details to allow for independent verification. The target must perform satisfactorily in all quadrants of the target and at variable environmental conditions (i.e. weather) which is defined by NRA in their certification requirements. Environmental conditions at time of test must be disclosed in the target test results. Vendors must publish calibration skills required, equipment's "Best Practices", setup, and maintenance guidelines.
Ranges: The range must, by published post, assure shooters that the match E-targets have been set up, calibrated, and maintained in accordance with manufacturers published operations instructions. Any two of Match Directors and/or Range officers from the using range must attest by signature to match results, that the certified E-Targets in use, have been set up, calibrated, and maintained as per the Vendor's Best Practices and User's Manual.
Certification Standards:
Ranges invest significant funds for Electronic Target systems. Major events are using ET systems. Hundreds of shooters invest money and effort participating at competitions. The results are used for grading shooters and setting National records.
However, there is no direct or indirect evidence, or criteria ensuring that a target system is designed, manufactured, properly set up, properly calibrated, maintained as per Manufacturers published User Instructions or objectively qualified to any standard.
Ranges who offer "For Record" results, and the opportunity to Set National Records, are responsible for reporting legitimate results. Match directors must objectively assure shooters, that their E-Targets are qualified to meet NRA Certification at all "Courses of Fire".
Therefore, it is logical that shooters expect consistency from range to range. That can only be achieved through an objective certification process.
Hex Systems Pty Ltd. and goBallistic support NRA rule review and recommends a standardized certification process for E-Targets to ensure fair competition across the sport.
The following is a summary of recommendations from Hex Systems Pty Ltd. and goBallistic.
NRA: Establish certification requirements for E-Targets in precision and reliability for all shooting courses of fire. Establish maximum parameters for calibers bullet weights, at all distances, in worst case scenario i.e. 223 with an 80-gr bullet at 1000 yards, under windy conditions. Testing procedures governing the certification process.
Vendors: Must publish target specifications and limitations, precision testing and test procedures used for target certification, and the testing results. Manufacturer must publish sufficient testing details to allow for independent verification. The target must perform satisfactorily in all quadrants of the target and at variable environmental conditions (i.e. weather) which is defined by NRA in their certification requirements. Environmental conditions at time of test must be disclosed in the target test results. Vendors must publish calibration skills required, equipment's "Best Practices", setup, and maintenance guidelines.
Ranges: The range must, by published post, assure shooters that the match E-targets have been set up, calibrated, and maintained in accordance with manufacturers published operations instructions. Any two of Match Directors and/or Range officers from the using range must attest by signature to match results, that the certified E-Targets in use, have been set up, calibrated, and maintained as per the Vendor's Best Practices and User's Manual.
Certification Standards:
- Max .25 inches in a summary Standard Deviation, at all courses of fire, for all calibres, under any environmental and setup conditions experienced, repeatable in match scenarios.
- If a target fails to report a shot in the scoring area, the target is disqualified.
- Any falsely reported shot disqualifies the target.
- On the firing line, "calibre used" entry is not useful data. i.e. The radius difference between .308 and .223 is 1.079 mm. No target scoring system can measure to that precision.
