Old Targets

[Brnsvllyjohn]

Do you save your old paper targets? I save a few from the prior outings so I can see where I was hitting the last time at the range. I have a variety of different bulls eye type targets. Some I only shoot with one gun, others I may shoot with a couple of guns. I always mark each hole and label what bullet I was using. Since I shoot alone on most outings I have to be careful and spot each shot and remember the location when I go downrange and mark. I use a spotter on a tripod so not too tough as long as I don't fire too many rounds before marking. Occasionally I might change the brand or bullet weight and I like to know which ones grouped the best in prior years. Looking at last years target can help making decisions on the loads I may hunt with this year.

I just got my deer tag in the mail so I started getting some hunting stuff ready. That includes getting my range bag out and making sure everything is where it is supposed to be. With the difficulty in finding my preferred ammo I may shoot a little less at targets or at least a little less with my preferred loads. I have some loads that don't group as well as I would like but they are not bad for just target practice. Sometimes you just need to practice.

 

[Limited Out]

I keep all my shotgun patterning sheets, around 200+, with all the load specs. This is kind of along the same lines. I have started take photos of them, to save on storage space.

 

[BelchFire]

When I was spending so much time working up loads (powder AND bullets) for my muzzle loader, I saved them all. I made notes about what load and what bullet as well as any changes I made to it like sizing, right on the target. Once I homed in on a good tight group, I sighted in for that group and then I would put that target in possibles box. Over time, it got cluttered with old targets when I began experimenting with Blackhorn 209 and different bullets, so I pitched most of them. Lately, I just write what I'm sighted in for on a 3x5 card and leave it in the box.

Rifles are more of a problem, because I can't remember what load I am sighted in for and I might have some 150gr, some 165gr and maybe even some 180gr on the shelf. But then, that's a first-world problem, isn't it?