Shotmarkers up and running at our range
- Thread starter iron cat
- Start date
We have the Shotmarkers at my range as well. We have multiple setups, and they are pretty much used continuously. I always wondered about the accuracy of them tho. I use the marks on the boards to line up my paper targets, and then go back to the bench. I shoot and see my results on my iPad. Later, when I go take down my paper target, it does not look ANYTHING like what Shot Marker displays on my iPad.
I just shrug, and continue shooting lol
I just shrug, and continue shooting lol
Yeah seen lots of lots of debate over the accuarcy of the E Targets. Vs paper. But at the end of the day, even if they're only 95% accurate. They let clubs run more efficiently and with less hands. Keeps the sport alive for sure.
First few range trips with the Shotmarker I measured the paper target groups for mean radius / group size and compared to the SM . It was always close enough I can now use the SM with 100% confidence that the info is correct
Now I change the target every couple months
Tod, your photo comparing the paper and E-target impact locations is very strong and definitive, thank you.
Maybe they just need calibrated again?
Could be. I am not an expert on the system, and it very well could be user error. I don't take things seriously enough right now to care too much as long as I am having fun.
I have to think it is pretty accurate though, we have a lot of long range precision shooters at our range. If it wasn't accurate I don't think they would be using it.
They may be calibrated so the center does not get shot out.
The whole deal about shooting a match with shotmarkers, is that a V Bull is registered as that no matter where your rifle is actually zeroed.
If your first sighter is an inner at 3:00, you adjust accordingly so your next shot goes into the V.
Where it actually lands on the target itself is immaterial , because every shooter on that target is shooting the same and adjusting for the VBull.
Many ranges calibrate their Shotmrkers for 1 or 2 MOA high to save their centers.
Cat
Thanks Professor! I learned something new today. That actually makes a whole lot of sense...
You are quite welcome!
Today I learned something as well, a 49/4V ,instantly turns into a 46/4V when your last shot is a big fat 3! LOL
Cat
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Our club shot markers are calibrated to shoot low so the aiming point does not get shot out 
I am trying to understand your descriptions of "Calibrating" your shot markers.
The target area has to be defined within the area covered by the 4 microphones.
Then the shooter must have an Aiming Point to shoot at, within that square/rectangle.
The Design Concept of the system is to align the "Target / Aiming Point" at the true center of that area.
I believe this would support a greater degree of accuracy, based on the equal distance from each microphone.
The "Simulated" target, is designed initially to be precisely located at the center of the microphone layout, when you turn it on. The calibration feature, of the system is to slightly tweak the simulated target to where the first few initial shots are made. As in to move the graphic to where the shots actually hit on the paper target, (Aim Point). You want to replicate on your tablets image what the actual results are on paper. Isn't that what you would like to see?
I don't shoot any match's so I have no idea what the "V Bull" is, but I believe that; I WANT TO KNOW where my rifle is zeroed. I kind of want to hit where I aim at. Not to move the target to where the bullets hit. It will indicate how well your ammunition groups, but maybe not where you want the groups. And when you use certain targets in the system it will actually do the scoring for you, so the calibration of that target to the aiming point I would say is pretty critical.
I have a ShotMarker system, and I use a paper target that matches one of the ones that are in the system. This is the best way to easily co-witness what you see on the Tablet and what you see on paper. Is there any better way?
Now not to say that the aiming point (target) can't be placed anywhere within the target area but when you look at the graphic target it would HAVE TO BE MOVED electronically, by means of the "Calibration" feature designed into the system so that the image is centered on that point.
Certainly doable but perhaps you are now jeopardizing the margin of error to one side or the corner, and that a shot may take out a microphone or the wire.
Additionally every time the Paper/Target is replaced, (ie: The AIMING Point), and it is not placed in EXACTLY the same place, then an adjustment to the calibration of the system is required.
I understand how the center of the target stand will get entirely shot out, but you ONLY need an aiming point at the absolute center of the area.
It could be an actual small AR500 Steel Gong with open air all around it, (although not ideal for the supersonic requirement of the microphones when you hit it) and you would have no verification "On Paper" to verify anything.
I hope that make sense, because you all had me confused in some of the previous posts. As in the images of the two targets side by side, it isn't obvious where the shooter is aiming, (on the paper) is it the circle on the left, or the center of the cross on the right? The Graphic shows hits to be greater than two inches left of the Bull and above and below Centerline by an inch. On the paper those same hits are primarily an inch and a half left of center and the majority below the centerline. Obviously the system graphics have not been calibrated to the target placement.
(Just an observation, not criticizing your shooting)
The target area has to be defined within the area covered by the 4 microphones.
Then the shooter must have an Aiming Point to shoot at, within that square/rectangle.
The Design Concept of the system is to align the "Target / Aiming Point" at the true center of that area.
I believe this would support a greater degree of accuracy, based on the equal distance from each microphone.
The "Simulated" target, is designed initially to be precisely located at the center of the microphone layout, when you turn it on. The calibration feature, of the system is to slightly tweak the simulated target to where the first few initial shots are made. As in to move the graphic to where the shots actually hit on the paper target, (Aim Point). You want to replicate on your tablets image what the actual results are on paper. Isn't that what you would like to see?
I don't shoot any match's so I have no idea what the "V Bull" is, but I believe that; I WANT TO KNOW where my rifle is zeroed. I kind of want to hit where I aim at. Not to move the target to where the bullets hit. It will indicate how well your ammunition groups, but maybe not where you want the groups. And when you use certain targets in the system it will actually do the scoring for you, so the calibration of that target to the aiming point I would say is pretty critical.
I have a ShotMarker system, and I use a paper target that matches one of the ones that are in the system. This is the best way to easily co-witness what you see on the Tablet and what you see on paper. Is there any better way?
Now not to say that the aiming point (target) can't be placed anywhere within the target area but when you look at the graphic target it would HAVE TO BE MOVED electronically, by means of the "Calibration" feature designed into the system so that the image is centered on that point.
Certainly doable but perhaps you are now jeopardizing the margin of error to one side or the corner, and that a shot may take out a microphone or the wire.
Additionally every time the Paper/Target is replaced, (ie: The AIMING Point), and it is not placed in EXACTLY the same place, then an adjustment to the calibration of the system is required.
I understand how the center of the target stand will get entirely shot out, but you ONLY need an aiming point at the absolute center of the area.
It could be an actual small AR500 Steel Gong with open air all around it, (although not ideal for the supersonic requirement of the microphones when you hit it) and you would have no verification "On Paper" to verify anything.
I hope that make sense, because you all had me confused in some of the previous posts. As in the images of the two targets side by side, it isn't obvious where the shooter is aiming, (on the paper) is it the circle on the left, or the center of the cross on the right? The Graphic shows hits to be greater than two inches left of the Bull and above and below Centerline by an inch. On the paper those same hits are primarily an inch and a half left of center and the majority below the centerline. Obviously the system graphics have not been calibrated to the target placement.
(Just an observation, not criticizing your shooting)
Peppsan, an ICFRA ( International Confederation of Fullbre Rifle Associations) target is made up of scoring rings that consist of a total of five points.
The VBull is 1/2 MOA ( regardless of the distance) and scores as a 5 but is counted as a bonus so to speak, the bull is aslo worth 5 points and is 1MOA.
The next ring scores 4 points and is 2 MOA, the next ring scores 3 and is is 3MOA , the outer ring scores 2 points and is 4MOA, and a hit is worth 1 point and is 5MOA.
In tradional target rifle fullbore shooting ( sling and irons shot prone) the targets are twice the size the V bull being 1MOA, the bull 2 MOA, and so on.
TR ( target rifle) shooters know the rings as the V (5), Bull ( 5), Inner (4), magpie (3),outer(2) ,and hit (1).
If you go into your shotmarker target folder you can see the targets I have discribed , as well as others that will show up on your screen if you pck them, regardless of what you are actually aiming at on the target frame.
Now, to explain why the Shotmarkers are calibrated to be off center, to be able to clearly see the aiming point and save the center of the target backing after 100's of shots, many clubs and individual shooters as well, calibrate the targets to be 1 or 2 MOA off center.
This way the aiming point itself stays pristine so a shooter using a very high powered scope( some are as high as 80X) can hold off a ring or two as the conditions change to to shoot 15 shots into the target.
It is no different than a short range bench rest shoot who aims at a certain point on their paper target other than where they want the bullet to go so they do not destroy their aiming point . This is called bracketing.
If one is simply trying to zero their hunting rifle to hit the very center of the target however, they would naturally calibrate the shotmarker so the bullet that hits the center of the target registers as a center hit.
I hope this explanation is satisfactory, if not you are quite welcome to PM me and I can explain further if you have any questions.
Cat
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HOWS The / a build GOING ?
Ok... Dumb question. (I've only been shooting for 63 years so I'm pretty new at it.)
In the interior photos of the range facilities, there are signs saying barrel limiters are mandatory.
Never heard of a barrel limiter. What are they referring to?
In the interior photos of the range facilities, there are signs saying barrel limiters are mandatory.
Never heard of a barrel limiter. What are they referring to?
Any reason why he wouldn’t just e mail Adam at Shot Marker here in Canada where it is made ?
He’s a Great guy
https://autotrickler.com/pages/shotmarker
You can email shotmarker themselves as RJ suggested.
You can also get onto yutube Fclass John has a pile of tutorials on them as well there is a Facebook page for Shotmarker users.
Cat
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