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cavedweller

cavedweller

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Dec 5, 2018
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Mobile, Alabama, United States
It has been 2 years since I started knocking over metal targets with tiny pellets. It never gets boring. But it can get frustrating. Frustration usually comes in two forms:
A) my inability to read the wind
B) dark colors on faceplates which obscure my ability to see a black reticle. Yes yes illuminated reticles do help.

A) is something I can’t control BUT I can learn from and improve my wind reading abilities and subsequent guesstimates.
But
B) is something WE (clubs)can all control. That said, what’s the point of painting field target faceplates with dark colors? It does nothing to improve our technical shooting skills but it definitely leads to frustration.
I’m thinking that faceplates, as a rule, should be painted white, yellow, light grey, light blue, light green, orange etc.. and the KZ’s a contrasting color.
I suspect these color combinations would speed up field target because it would be much quicker to locate and range a target. Secondly, when a target gets shot up, down line shooters will still have a reasonable chance to see and find the KZ’s.
Looking at the targets pictures below you’ll get the idea.
Also shouldn’t dark colors add to an overall Troyer rating?
What say ye?
IMG_8600.jpeg

IMG_8612.jpeg
IMG_8595.jpeg
IMG_8599.jpeg
 
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cavedweller said:
It has been 2 years since I started knocking over metal targets with tiny pellets. It never gets boring. But it can get frustrating. Frustration usually comes in two forms:
A) my inability to read the wind
B) dark colors on faceplates which obscure my ability to see a black reticle. Yes yes illuminated reticles do help.

A) is something I can’t control BUT I can learn from and improve my wind reading abilities and subsequent guesstimates.
But
B) is something WE (clubs)can all control. That said, what’s the point of painting field target faceplates with dark colors? It does nothing to improve our technical shooting skills but it definitely leads to frustration.
I’m thinking that faceplates, as a rule, should be painted white, yellow, light grey, light blue, light green, orange etc.. and the KZ’s a contrasting color.
I suspect these color combinations would speed up field target because it would be much quicker to locate and range a target. Secondly, when a target gets shot up, down line shooters will still have a reasonable chance to see and find the KZ’s.
Looking at the targets pictures below you’ll get the idea.
Also shouldn’t dark colors add to an overall Troyer rating?
What say ye?
View attachment 516544
View attachment 516545View attachment 516546View attachment 516547
Click to expand...
I’ve been experimenting with different colors combinations and very small KZ’s. Light gray with a splatter really helps ranging.
IMG_8610.jpeg
IMG_8605.jpeg
IMG_8515.jpeg
IMG_8604.jpeg
IMG_8587.jpeg
 
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When I started an FT club and ran matches I started out with targets painted up to look semi real. I used a paint brush to make feathers etc. As I got more MD time under my belt it became pretty obvious I had guys with 3-9x UTG scopes starting out and guys with 80x March scopes and everything in between. I didn’t really think that was fair. I wanted every shooter‘s ability to shine thru, at least what I could control, and not the quality equipment some could afford. From that point forward I painted face plates in light pastel colors and the paddle black. Like they do in WFTF matches in Europe. I still believe that is the best approach. If I had it my way it would be an AAFTA rule.
 
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Cloud9AG said:
All of my club’s targets are painted as the animal that they represent. Some have feathers and fur, and some are black. I prefer natural targets and as the MD, continue that tradition at my club.
Click to expand...
As the person that paints said targets, I would like to recommend tan, grey and black with either yellow or orange kill zones.
I've never had an issue with seeing my reticle regardless of target color. Sounds like more of a scope problem (reticle thickness) than a target problem.
 
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BrazosbyNemo said:
When I started an FT club and ran matches I started out with targets painted up to look semi real. I used a paint brush to make feathers etc. As I got more MD time under my belt it became pretty obvious I had guys with 3-9x UTG scopes starting out and guys with 80x March scopes and everything in between. I didn’t really think that was fair. I wanted every shooter‘s ability to shine thru, at least what I could control, and not the quality equipment some could afford. From that point forward I painted face plates in light pastel colors and the paddle black. Like they do in WFTF matches in Europe. I still believe that is the best approach. If I had it my way it would be an AAFTA rule.
Click to expand...
Like these
IMG_8623.jpeg
 
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Cloud9AG said:
All of my club’s targets are painted as the animal that they represent. Some have feathers and fur, and some are black. I prefer natural targets and as the MD, continue that tradition at my club.
Click to expand...
I’m not saying that realistic paint and color schemes aren’t cool, they are. But dark brown, dark green, black colors in dark woodland lanes, slow down acquisition ? and after several shots hit a small KZ, it is indeed difficult to apply holdovers. Now if the 16X would be lifted…:: meh.
 
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scotton said:
As the person that paints said targets, I would like to recommend tan, grey and black with either yellow or orange kill zones.
I've never had an issue with seeing my reticle regardless of target color. Sounds like more of a scope problem (reticle thickness) than a target problem.
Click to expand...
I have both FFP and SFP $$$ scopes, and a black reticle on a dark brown or dark green or black target with a leaded up KZ does nothing to improve steadiness in a marksman. IMO.
If some day I’m a MD, I’ll figure out how to disguise target mounting methods in such a way as to make bracketing damn near impossible.....Yeah I know…. This threads about paint.🎨 Feeling very "salty" after thanksgiving gravy.

My point, Light colors on face-plates with highly contrasting KZ's, definitely helps level the playing field in HFT where the use of additional magnification isn't allowed.

When it’s a cloudy dark day and targets are deep in a woodland lane, even a well contrasted target can be a challenge.
AAFTA does have a rule about hiding or disguising a KZ, but that rule is very subjective in nature.

Whats the end goal here? Attract more people, frustrate less people. just my thoughts. And WFTF (with the big scopes) apparently agrees.
 
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Even though I’ve been shooting airguns as an adult for quite a while, I’m new to field target (hunter class) and only shot a few matches. I like the look of “realistic” painted targets, but with 16x max, they can be hard to read in the shade.
I have several targets that I practice with though, and I like to paint them with the WFTF paint schemes. Which is kind of funny that WFTF class has unlimited scope power available to them and the easiest to read targets.
 
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baranjhn said:
Even though I’ve been shooting airguns as an adult for quite a while, I’m new to field target (hunter class) and only shot a few matches. I like the look of “realistic” painted targets, but with 16x max, they can be hard to read in the shade.
I have several targets that I practice with though, and I like to paint them with the WFTF paint schemes. Which is kind of funny that WFTF class has unlimited scope power available to them and the easiest to read targets.
Click to expand...
exactly!
 
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cavedweller said:
Like these
View attachment 516616
Click to expand...
Change for the sake of change isn't progress.... rather it creates the illusion of progress.
That said, status quo or just continuing to do things out of tradition, can create a something far worse = stagnation which leads to boredom and will limit interest and future growth as time passes.
Having read many many posts now in the FT forums about target maintenance issues, and some club memberships or classes of shooters in decline, innovative ideas, and the application of them can bring about renewed interest and thus participation. Scope magnification in HFT was one of those threads.

it's always important to strike balance - example within this thread would be: closer targets with smaller KZ's could be painted darker colors, while targets after 35 yards should be painted brightly with a dark KZ as the KZ's are much larger. Lanes could mix these target features with the ol near to far staying in place.

The effect of innovative, no penalties, simple changes would have no detriment to the sport but may in fact stimulate more satisfaction within the shooting gallery. We know that the real podium regulars are the ones who spend lots of time practicing standing and kneeling shots.

Of recent i have been playing with extremely small KZ's in the 10 to 20 yard range (as small as a .25 pellet) because it really tests the validity of ones' dope and skills. In this regard, I see "up close" just how important light paint schemes are, as the smaller the KZ, the more quickly pellet slag interferes with proper holdover within the KZ.
 
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