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Special thanks to D. Duckert for creating this FAQ and sharing it with FASA! If you would like to contact him, he can be reached at: glieng@execpc.com

When you're finished here, you can check out this Course of Fire FAQ by Duncan Smith.


Bullseye Pistol FAQ

What is bullseye shooting?

A more proper term for bullseye shooting is conventional pistol shooting. This form of shooting has it roots in military training. Bullseye shooting is very popular, both indoors and out. All that is required is a handgun and a steady arm. Bullseye shooting is done with one hand only.

What's the course of fire and how is it scored?

A single National Match course consists of the following:

The targets are marked with numbered rings, just add them up. A perfect score is 30 shots in the 10-ring, for a total of 300 points.

What guns can be used?

Mostly .22 and .45 caliber semi-automatics are used. Virtually any handgun can be used. Most matches have a .22 round, a .45 auto round and an "any centerfire caliber" round. More on that later. The gun should have adjustable open sights or an electronic red dot scope.

Types of matches

The sequence described above (slow fire, rapid fire, timed fire) is a "National Match Course". Most matches "contain" several National Match courses. Sometimes they are referred to by the number or total possible points (e.g. a "900" will be three National Match Courses). Most matches are an all day affair, usually 2700 total points, 300 of which are shot with the .22, 300 with the .45 and 300 with any center fire gun (usually the .45 again).

If you're a beginner and just have one gun (preferably a .22) you can usually sign up for the .22 portion only. There are other matches (usually indoors) that are dedicated to .22's as well.

Although the entire match may consist of 3 or 6 or 9 or more National Match Courses they usually are not shot sequentially. For example, a 900 match would is usually shot as follows:

In the end, you'll have shot 90 rounds, same as if you shot three National Match Courses. I think the reason for doing this is to minimize moving the targets (or the firing line) around.

Usually the slow fires are done at 50 yards. Time and rapid stages are usually shot done at 25 yards. This sequence allows for three National Match Courses to shot and the targets (or firing line) needs to be moved only once.

Your First Match

Tell the people running the match that this is your first match and they'll look after you.

Safety rules at matches

When you get a match, don't open you gun case. You will be told when you can "handle" your firearms. When you been told that is OK to handle your gun, remove it from the case, check to be sure that it is unloaded and place it on the bench, pointed down range, with the action open (or cylinder swung-out) and the magazine removed. Whenever your gun is not in your hand ready to shoot, it should be in this condition. All the usual safety rules apply.

Scoring

Scoring the targets is easy. There should be 10 holes in the paper (unless you had an alibi (defined below) or you missed the paper entirely). Simply add-up the point values associated with each hole. If a hole is touching a higher scoring ring you get the higher value. If a hole is right in the center (the "X" ring) it is counted as 10 but recorded as an "X". In a regular match you will record each shot in a row of 10 boxes (like bowling). In all likelihood you will be scoring the person next to you and someone else will score your target. When scoring another shooter's target be sure to give them the benefit of the doubt if a hole is nearly touching the higher scoring ring and you're unsure. Usually, it's polite to write the total score on the target for the shooter to see. After you're done scoring the other shooter's target be sure to check your own and verify that it was done correctly. If you find an error, point it out to the person who scored the target. Usually, they'll make things right. If not, you have the right to "challenge" the scoring of your target. In some matches, a challenge fee is required (usually a dollar or two). A match official makes the call. If you were right, you get your money back. If not, you don't. In my experience, challenges are very rare. Errors in the scoring or the math, however, are quite common and readily corrected by the scorer once you bring it to his/her attention.

A perfect score on a target is 100-10X. A perfect score for a National Match Course is 300-30X.

Bullseye can be shot outdoors or indoors and a variety of distances. The targets are scaled down such that your scores will be roughly comparable to those shot at other distances. It seems though, at least in my experience, the 25 and 50 yard ranges are easier to shoot and that the scores are higher than when at 50 foot ranges.

Usual outdoor distances:

Usual indoor distances: The calls

At some point you will be called to the line, given permission to handle your firearm and given a 3 minute preparation period. Use this time to load your magazines. Do not put a magazine in your gun. It's nice to have several magazines loaded (with 5 rounds each) because the match may progress quickly.

After 3 minutes have gone by you will be given the command "load". Insert a magazine (or load 5 rounds into a revolver). Then the following sequence of calls will be given:

Ready on the right?
Ready on the left?
Ready on the firing line
(approximate 3 second pause)
fire! or buzzer, or target turns to face you.

These calls are then repeated for each part of the match, slow fire, timed fire and rapid fire.

You will shoot 10 rounds at the slow fire target. Sometimes (rarely) this is done in two distinct 5 round sequences (of 5 minutes each). Usually they may announce "10 shots in 10 minutes" or to "load 5 rounds on your own time", meaning that after shooting 5 shots, load another magazine and continue with the other 5 shots.

The timed and rapid stages are always done in two 5 round sessions. For the timed fire stage you will have one timed fire target and you will go through the sequence above twice, shooting a total of 10 rounds at the same target. For the rapid fire stage you will have one rapid fire target and you will go through the sequence above twice, shooting a total of 10 rounds at the same target. The timed and rapid fire targets are identical.

Some ranges have turning targets. During the call the target is turned 90 degrees away from you. The target will turn toward you allowing you to shoot. Some places use a buzzer or simply yell "fire" and the targets do not move. For a slow fire round there is no urgency to get that first shot off. You've got about 1 minute per shot, which is a long, long time. For a timed or rapid round you do need to anticipate the buzzer and get that first shot off fairly quickly. When the time has elapsed, 10 minutes or 20 seconds or 10 seconds, the buzzer will sound again (or the targets will turn away). The command "pistols down" may be given and the question "are there any alibis?" will be asked.

An alibi

At some point in the match your gun may jam or fail to fire. If this occurs during slow fire you've probably got enough time to fix it. If the gun jams during timed or rapid fire you won't have enough time to fix it and finish shooting. When the guns jams during timed or rapid fire, raise your hand (the hand not holding the gun). Rest the gun on the bench but retain your grasp on it. After the round the caller will ask "are there any alibis?" and see your raised hand (if not, yell!). A range officer will come to your station to examine the situation. At this time remove the magazine and remove the round in the chamber. He may inspect the round that did not fire and ask you what the problem was. Unless you called the alibi because the wind was blowing too hard (or some other invalid excuse) the alibi will be allowed. An alibi round will be scheduled to be shot at the conclusion of shooting for that target. The alibi stage will be called just like any other stage except you'll be the only one shooting. You'll shoot 5 shots. Example: Say during the first 5 round string of timed fire your gun jams. You've already fired two rounds and it jammed. An alibi stage will be scheduled. The timed fire stage will continue with everyone, including you, shooting the next 5 shots to complete that target. Now the alibi stage is called. You'll shoot 5 shots and be the only one shooting. When you get your target it will have 12 holes in it (assuming you hit the target with every shot). Everyone else will have 10 holes in their target. This would be called a 12 shot alibi. To score the target you need to discard your 2 best shot and score the lowest 10 shots. You're only allowed one alibi in a National Match Course. If your guns jams again in rapid fire you'll have to clear it and continue the best that you can.

Classifications

After you've shot in a few matches you'll eventually be classified. The classification allow you to compete against others in you skill range. You are classified after shooting in several matches. The NRA publishes more information about classification and rules in their booklet, available from the NRA. In general, the classifications are Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, Master and High Master. Scores under 85% Marksman, 85% to 90% are Sharpshooter , 90% Master. Don't feel bad if you're classified as a Marksman, most people are.

Check list

Develop a check list if items to take with you to a match. Here are some ideas:Clipboard, pencils, paper, calculator, mosquito repellent, a hat, your NRA card, etc.

Firearms

Almost everyone starts with a 22. A good 22 semiauto pistol is a good gun to start with for several reasons:

  1. Ammunition is cheap. Why shoot expensive ammo while learning the basics. Shooting anything other than rimfire means reloading. Even if you can afford factory centerfire ammo, you'll probably want to load your own to get light, accurate loads.
  2. Most 22 autopistols are relatively inexpensive and accurate enough right out of the box.
  3. The recoil is minimal. If you're a novice a 45 may take some getting use to, another complication.
Browning, Ruger, Smith&Wesson, Colt and others make good quality, inexpensive (around $300) 22 auto pistols. Be sure to get adjustable sights. With a little more money ($400 to $600) you can get a top shelf Ruger or a High Standard pistol. On the upper end ($600 to ?) are the S&W Model 41, Hammerli, Berretta and others. Any of these guns (even the $200 to $300 ones) are more accurate than the novice can shoot. Your ability to hold steady is the accuracy limiting factor for most people, not the accuracy of the gun.

Some people do shoot revolvers and do it very, very well. It's a complication however to have cock the gun for every shot during the timed and rapid stages.

My recommendation for any beginner would be to use whatever 22 pistol you have or can borrow. If you need to buy one I'd suggest a Ruger Mark II pistol. These guns are inexpensive, durable, accurate and there are a lot of after-market items for these guns (i.e. grips, triggers, scope mounts, etc.)

After developing your skills with an "out of the box" gun you'll eventually wonder what you could do to improve your scores. Aside from more practice, you could experiment with these gadgets:

Sights

People with bi-focals or week eyes may benefit from an electronic scope or telescopic sight. Electronic sights are very popular for several reasons. They have no magnification (good) and they have unlimited eye relief. They range in price from $100 to about $300. Depending on the gun you need to drop another $50 or so for a mount.

Telescopic sights are used but aren't as popular. You'll want one with excellent eye relief and low magnification (1X is probably best, remember that your holding the gun with one outstretched arm).

A cheap way to spruce up your sight picture when using iron sights is by using an aperture. Ideally you focus on the gun's front sight. This makes the target blurry (that's normal). By looking through a pin hole, you can put the sight and target in focus. Try it using a piece of cardboard held up to your eye. Commercial apertures are available but with a little ingenuity you can make your own.

Don't expect a dramatic increase in your scores. For most people the ability to hold steady swamps the errors encountered with iron sights.

Trigger Work

Most inexpensive factory guns have hard, long and rough triggers. A, light, crisp trigger can markedly improve your score. For most people this means a trip to the gunsmith for a "trigger job". Expect to pay about $50 to $100 for this. Drop-in trigger kits are available for some guns (e.g. Ruger Mark II) which allow the average person to replace the hammer and sear for a better trigger. In my experience these drop in kits are much better than the factory trigger but not as good as a gunsmith job. For those people more mechanically inclined, it's possible to stone and polish the hammer and sear and do your own trigger job. Although I've done it, I can't recommend this as it can produce a dangerous condition if done incorrectly, especially with the 45.

Grips

There are a lot of after market grips for target pistols. They can run from about $30 to over $100. It might be best try holding other shooter's guns to determine which is best for you.

More information

Some excellent books have been written on the subject of bullseye shooting. One of the best, although somewhat dated, is Gil Hebard's "Pistol Shooter's Treasury". It's really a collection of articles by top shooters. It's under $10 and available from Gil Hebard Guns125-129 Public Square, Knoxville, IL 61448

The NRA's rulebook for conventional pistol provides a wealth of information about the rules of the game. It's available for a few dollars from the NRA.

Another good book is "The Complete Book of Target Shooting" by Wesley Blair. It provides a lot of in depth information about trigger control, sight picture, etc. It was published in 1984. It might be at your local library. ISBN 0-8117-0427-0

To find a match in your area visit your local gun store or gun club. Or subscribe the NRA's "Shooting Sports" newspaper which lists most matches.