Is there a standard brand (or standard brands) of knockdown targets used at national level matches in the U.S.?Reason I ask, there seems to be discussion of two significant problems at the WFTC just completed in Poland: too many target protests and possible use of Gamo targets that may have contributed to some shooters' lack of confidence in the targets. I know that Gamo targets can be tuned and modified to be very reliable, as I just shot an event where they were implemented with flawless results. The match director worked diligently to strengthen, balance, accurately level and test those Gamo units. Their action was smooth as silk. Without dwelling on the WFTC event that I was not part of, I am asking if we in the U.S. enforce any kind of quality control for the targets used at national-level events and our future WFTC in the U.S.Thanks,Bob
I think ideally there should be a set of targets owned by AAFTA for the use at national matches (and the upcoming world championship). Besides money it would take some coordination and logistics getting them to nationals each year. It would be ideal if you had a custodian, or multiple custodians, of the match targets that went thru and tested each target over the course of the year. AAFTA could send the target inventory list to the host club so they could set up the course. Before the match the target custodian would show up with the targets and do a final in the fieldtest (including checking for a level base) on each target after they are placed. The custodian then certifies the national match targets are ready for the match. That may be a little overboard but it sure would take away the potential for a disaster. It would be kind of comforting, if you are shooting a national match, to see a certification sticker, initialed, somewhere on the face of the target letting you know that a target guru has inspected the target for function and level for each target on the course.
...One thing that is worthy of mention here is that at WFTC's level the protest game is something that can be ego-driven.Several past WFTF Presidents and WFTC's organizers have told me they purchased "Nockover" or "Techno" targets because no one will dispute how those work.At Poland's WFTC's, most targets were locally made and, especially, PCP shooters protested a lot of shots.https://plinkingtargets.pl/wiatrowki-c-7.htmlAh! the psychology of shooters, LOL!HM
Stock Gamo target work only OK. For match use with lots of targets in play, some will start to fall apart very quickly. Especially the pins and clips. First thing is replace all hardware with screws and nylock nuts. Use a big lock-washer on the center bolt. Scrap the factory leader chains and replace with closed link chains or something else less likely to get hung up. Weld a washer to each changeable reducer to hold it in place. Periodically use a hammer and anvil to re-flatten any dished face-plates and/or reducers. Weld up any paddles that become perforated. And the threaded screws used to replace the pins, though reliable, will get sloppy. They will start to vary even more as far as needed FPE. Some targets will take more FPE to knock down, and some will rattle down easier.When you've had enough, get some better targets:). Or replace all the linkages with adjustable assemblies using spherical rod-ends. Get a WFTF target tester calibrated to 3fpe. Adjust all the targets to go down at the 3fpe level. Adjust the linkage out 1 turn at a time and then retest until the FPE threshold of each target is low enough to suit. Don't clog up the mechanisms with excess over-spray.
...I'd like to use the "spherical rod end" modification for my Gamo targets on my back yard practice lane.What hardware and size did you use for your modifications?
Quote from: nced on September 20, 2018, 12:32:26 AM...I'd like to use the "spherical rod end" modification for my Gamo targets on my back yard practice lane.What hardware and size did you use for your modifications?I think they were M4 rod ends. You need a pair for each target (one male, one female). Like these:https://www.ebay.com/itm/120766168064https://www.ebay.com/itm/120765841717Not absolutely necessary, but I also used an M4 nut to lock them together. Rod end quality was a iffy so some were not usable (too stiff/to loose/poor threads). You can get better quality items if you want to spend more.You'll need some washers to space them out and screws and nylock nuts to install them. I think I used #8-32 x 3/4"L Pan Head Phillips screws, and #8-32 nylocks. Or you could also use M4 fasteners.
The AAFTA targets are about half Stoutenberg and about half Stoutenberg type actions with Juneau faces. There are a few of the Yegua targets too. These are some of the most reliable actions and they work fine when they are setup correctly and maintained correctly. The 2016 match in Michigan they pulled a couple of targets that weren't malfunctioning and there were two that failed during the course of the match. Targets are mechanical devices and even the best targets can fail. That said, the AAFTA targets are way better and more reliable than the GAMO type targets.
The AAFTA targets were used for the rifle match at the recent 2018 Nationals. I did not see any protests during the rifle match. As far as I know, all targets functioned well enough.
At the Michigan match, why did they pull targets that weren't malfunctioning? I think they did the same thing at the 2017 Nationals in the pistol match.
...I've seen these targets used since Ennice (2015) without problems that I can recall. So personally, I have no problem with the AAFTA target set.
At the 2017 Nationals they pulled a couple of targets. At least one for being faulty. I know because the resulting score adjustment in the pistol match pushed me down to second place and cost me the GP as well.
...Scott, you seem bitter that you lost the 2017 Pistol Match by a single point to ...