Paper Target Analysis

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Background: I've tried several different weights of paper in order to get a group that is "measurable", but they all seem to tear enough at the edges such that after 5 shots have gone thru the paper, there's basically one big hole without any way of saying "shot 1 was here, shot 2 was here, etc.".

So what I'm thinking is to shoot at 5 separate "x"'s in a line, and use the set of these to determine the "group" size.

This works well enough, but it takes time to go thru and transcribe the results via pen/paper/calipers, and is prone to some level of transcription error.

Question: is anyone aware of a software offering (iphone, ideally, for use at the range) that can be used to superimpose photos of multiple target images on top of each other, in order to accurately assess group size?

Thanks in advance!
 
Tracing paper. Have 5 push pins as point of aim, obviously don't shoot too close. Cut out each separate target and line up all 5 on the pin hole.
 
Edit, sorry misread your post.

What distance, 100-300 get a good spotting scope. That, or there's some product out there that will keep track of where your shots hit and the order. Any other way is going to be a bit of a pain. To have clean holes, as legi0n stated Cardboard, or I've been using a Large Sketch Pad for Dry Media, works really well so far.
 
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Pellet gun target shooters have similar issues - want sharp clean holes to measure group size. Paper made for their targets is apparently very short "fiber", doesn't tear as much as regular paper. I have bought pellet targets in batches of 250 - 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" targets with 5 x 1 3/8" bullseyes - nikkonos on eBay - a significant Canadian target air rifle retailer in real life - maybe that is what you want to try??
 
I've been doing this for load development and group evaluation for years. I like to associate which shot went where relative to the muzzle velocity. POI usually shifts when MV changes so it helps to know at what speed bullets go it the same place, and just as importantly, at what speed they string. I figure this technique more accurately identifies barrel harmonic nodes, and I gravitate to loads at one end or the other of that stringing direction.

I've printed targets on business card stock, that seems to make nice clean holes. Regular photocopy paper makes ripped holes, so I avoid that when possible,

The problem with printing on card stock is that certain laser printers cannot print on it, so it has to be done on a good photocopier like at Staples. or an ink jet printer.

If you print on photocopy paper, you can always use spray adhesive to glue it to heavy card stock or even carboard, then you'll get clean holes.

As for measuring groups, I usually just pick the two that are farthest apart and make a dot on one to represent the location of the other. I mean, there's not much point in being any more precise than that anyway for the purposes of such as exercise.

I haven't used this software in years called On Target, but that might do what you want.

https://ontargetshooting.com/

You'd probably want the TDS version.
https://ontargetshooting.com/ontarget-tds/#download-tds

SKMBT-C22019102105420-0002.jpg
 
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I use poster board from Dollarama - 50c / sheet. I just draw 'dots' with marker. For 50 and 100 I usually draw 1" dots, and for 180yds I make them 2-3" depending on the rifle I'm using. Holes are pretty clean, better than printer paper :rolleyes:
and I can paste printer targets onto 'blank' areas too.
Range-10-09-2019-100yd-SKS-Ruger.jpg
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I print paper targets, then use the cheap Elmer's glue sticks to glue them to scrap cardboard. It doesn't matter what condition the target backers at the range are in, as long as a spring clamp or a couple staples will hold the cardboard in place. Plus, I don't get light coming through the target making it hard to see where the last shot hit.
 
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