Best target style for testing iron sight group sizes.

JR86

JR86

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I'm working on load development for some enfields I have. Was wondering what you guys use for a target? I'm currently using a 5"x5" black square.

Jeremy
 
I have been using a black semi-circle one which I drew in MS Visio, printed as A3 size (based on the UIT 25m pistol target repair centre).
 
What distance?
The best target is one that's easy to see and has an easily repeatable aiming point. It's a bit personal and also depends on how you like to hold on the target and what type of front sight you have.
 
For grouping, I use a black square, about 5 or 6 inches at 100 yards.

Trick is to aim for a CORNER of the thing, using a CORNER of the front sight.

Lower-left corner of square lines up real nice with upper-right corner of sight.

Lotsa sandbags really help. So does a square blade foresight.

I have had repeatable overlapping bullets from a Ross, 1/2-inch from a Garand and a 1918 Lithgow, 1 inch from a completely unmessed-with 1918 NRF.

That's good enough for me.
 
I use the large targets for sale at PCDHFC. They must be 18x18 at minimum. Large outside red circle, 6x6 or so inner white circle. Great contrast even for my poor vision, no issues getting shots into the 6x6 portion at 100/200.
 
So I'm using a 5" by 5" square at 100 yards and holding it my lee enfield's front blade sight lined up at the bottom of it and centered. I'm gonna try switching to a corner. That sounds like a good idea!
 
I use 6 inch sided black triangle with one end pointing down.

I print it on 8x11 white paper and staple it at 100 yrds on biggest white sheet i can get.

With some practice that target really helps me with developing loads and fine sight adjustment.

I have a whack of them printed,if you are in/near Brampton you can have some to try.
 
For my eyes, a white bull on a black background works best. Black front sight on black target just disappears. I like a 3 inch round white bullseye, I can see that at 100 yards easy with irons.
 
At 100 I have been use 1/4 sheet of paper placed on cardboard. I aim along the top edge so there is a slight halo of white that appears around the front sight.

I also made up some "Tin Hat" similar to the one on the left (but slightly different) using autocad. They are 12" half circle with a 2x3" white square. I used "Shoot To Live" as a reference. PM me and I'll send you one. You will need legal sized paper to make copies.

 
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I print an inverted triangle on 11x17 and aim for the bottom vertex of the triangle.

Triangletarget_zps6288b384.jpg
 
I use a black rectangle, about 8 x10. I aim at corners with a scope and at center bottom with irons.

I will try Smellie's technique of aiming at the corners. get two groups per diagram that way, too.

I staple the diagram to a big sheet of paper and capture the groups on the backer, re-using the black many times.

IMG_0895.jpg
 
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