Lighting Effects

[jrmcdaniel]

Today I shot a regional NRA match which used the format of 1=shot-per-target and 4-targets-per-sheet.

What I could not figure out for several rounds was why my shots to the lower right target were pretty consistently low and to the right. I finally noticed that there was a very dark area behind the trap (blackened fireplace brick). That was "pulling" my shots off the target. I tried various things: moving the target to the upper left and just concentrating more on that target. Both approaches worked to some extent but "making" white space worked better and was easier.

Two things I learned:

1. If you know the format of the match, try to duplicate it in practice. If 1-per-target on 4-target sheets or 5-per target on 17 cm, get some and practice that way.
2. If you have uneven background, try whatever you can to try and get a similar background all around your targets. I don't know if the rules would allow for it, but I will add to my "kit" a large sheet of paper or cardboard to mount on the trap with the targets on top so I have a uniform area behind my targets.

Match directors should not have such variable conditions between lanes, but this does happen. One of the "penalties" of getting better is realizing that something like this can affect your shooting.

Better shooting,

Joe

[aurorapolice02_11]

i'd think a NPA problem might be more of an issue than a lighting problem...

Mike Douglass