1 Introduction to bullseye
1.1 What is bullseye?
The word "bullseye" is a colloquialism for the
sport of conventional pistol shooting in the United States. The term comes from
the shape of the targets used in this sport. Conventional pistol events are
fired on a target with concentric scoring rings. The centermost rings are
blacked in, so that the target looks like a "bull's eye" - a large black dot in
the middle of the paper. In this document, the term "bullseye" will be used to
refer to the conventional pistol events, and "aiming black" will designate the
center of the target.
Bullseye events focus primarily on accuracy. Competitors fire from a standing
position, using only one hand. Matches consist of slow fire, timed fire and
rapid fire stages fired over relatively long distances. A slow fire target
consists of ten shots fired in ten minutes. In timed fire, the target starts
edge-on to the competitor, so the shooter cannot see the target face. After a
series of range commands ("ready on the right, ready on the left, ready on the
firing line") the target rotates 90° to face the shooter. The target is exposed
for twenty seconds, during which the shooter fires five rounds. After twenty
seconds the target rotates again to face away from the shooter. The process is
repeated for the second string of five shots, after which the targets are scored
and replaced or repaired. The process for rapid fire is the same as for timed
fire, except the target is exposed for only ten seconds per string.
1.1.1 What is the format for an outdoor match?
Most outdoor matches are
"2700" matches, meaning that the course of fire includes a total of 270 shots
with a total possible value of 2700 points. A 2700 match is divided into three
phases: .22, centerfire and .45. The course of fire for each phase is as
follows:
- Slow Fire match
- Two targets of slow fire, 20 shots total. In outdoor matches, the B6
(50yd) or B16 (25yd) target is used for slow fire.
- National Match Course
- One target of slow fire
One target of timed fire
One target of rapid
fire
30 shots total
- Timed Fire match
- Two targets of timed fire, 20 shots total In outdoor matches, the B8
(25yd) target is used for timed and rapid fire.
- Rapid Fire match
- Two targets of rapid fire, 20 shots total
Matches are fired in the
above order. The .22 phase is always fired first, followed by centerfire, with
.45 last.
The following tables contain the dimensions of the targets used in bullseye
competition. If the table cell background is black, the corresponding ring on
the target is blacked in (HTML 4.0-compatible browsers only). If the cell
background is not black, the corresponding ring is "natural."
Scoring ring dimensions for outdoor targets, in inches
| Distance |
Match
| Target No. |
X ring |
10 ring |
9 ring |
8 ring |
7 ring |
6 ring |
5 ring |
| 50 yards |
Slow |
B-6 |
1.695 |
3.36 |
5.54 |
8.00 |
11.00 |
14.80 |
19.68 |
| 25 yards |
Slow |
B-16 |
0.67 |
1.51 |
2.60 |
3.82 |
5.32 |
7.22 |
9.66 |
| Timed/Rapid |
B-8 |
1.695 |
3.36 |
5.54 |
8.00 |
11.00 |
14.80 |
19.68 |
Generally, prizes are awarded for each match plus the "aggregate" matches.
The four matches above for each caliber are totaled to produce a caliber
aggregate for each of the three phases. The three caliber aggregates are added
to produce a grand aggregate.
1.1.2 What is the format for an indoor match?
Indoor matches are
commonly 900 (.22 only) or 1800-point (.22 and centerfire) matches. Indoor 2700s
are rare but not unknown. Indoor matches follow the same format described for
outdoor matches but are fired over shorter distances. Some indoor matches are
not equipped with turning targets. In that case, the range officer also issues
"fire" and "cease fire" commands. 50 feet, 20 yards and 25 yards are the most
common indoor distances. Here are the targets used for each distance:
Scoring ring dimesions for indoor targets, in inches
| Distance |
Match
| Target No. |
X ring |
10 ring |
9 ring |
8 ring |
7 ring |
6 ring |
5 ring |
4 ring |
| 50 feet |
Slow |
B-2 |
N/A |
0.90 |
1.54 |
2.23 |
3.07 |
4.16 |
5.56 |
7.33 |
| Timed/Rapid |
B-3 |
0.90 |
1.80 |
3.06 |
4.46 |
6.14 |
8.32 |
N/A |
N/A |
| 20 yards |
Slow |
B-4 |
N/A |
1.12 |
1.88 |
2.72 |
3.73 |
5.04 |
6.72 |
8.84 |
| Timed/Rapid |
B-5 |
1.12 |
2.25 |
3.76 |
5.44 |
7.46 |
10.08 |
N/A |
N/A |
| 25 yards |
Slow |
B-16 |
0.67 |
1.51 |
2.60 |
3.82 |
5.32 |
7.22 |
9.66 |
N/A |
| Timed/Rapid |
B-8 |
1.695 |
3.36 |
5.54 |
8.00 |
11.00 |
14.80 |
19.68 |
N/A |
The target dimensions are specified in Section
4 of the rules. Only targets printed by licensed manufacturers may be used
in NRA sanctioned competition.
1.1.3 What are the different types of matches?
Indoor and outdoor
matches can be one of several different types, as listed below. Information in
this section may also be found in Section 1 and Appendix A of the Rulebook.
- NRA Approved match
- The NRA has granted approval for the match to be held, and the match
follows an NRA-approved course of fire. Competitors need not be NRA members.
The NRA classification system may be used but is not mandatory. Scores may be
used for classification but not for national records. Tournament officials may
compete.
- NRA Registered match
- The NRA has granted approval for the match to be held, and the match
follows an NRA-approved course of fire. Competitors must be NRA members.
Scores may be used for classification and for setting national records.
Tournament officials may not compete.
- State Championships
- Annual tournament sanctioned by the NRA and its affiliated state
association. State Championships must be Registered matches. Shooters may
compete in several state championships every year.
- Regional Championships
- Must be Registered. The rules on Regionals are very vague.
- National Championships
- Organized by the NRA and the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Traditionally
held each July at Camp Perry, Ohio.
- Sectional Championships
- Registered indoor tournaments (rimfire 900s) held each Spring. The scores
from Sectional are mailed in to the NRA, who identifies the highest scoring
shooter as the indoor national champion. Shooters may compete in only one
sectional per event per year - that is, you can shoot one conventional
sectional and one international sectional, but not two conventional
sectionals.
- Postal matches
- Competitors shoot the course of fire individually, then mail the targets
or scores to an administrator. Allows geographically separated shooters to
compete. The NRA runs one indoor postal match per year.
1.1.4 What is an alibi?
An alibi occurs when a shooter has some sort of
mechanical malfunction during a string of fire. Legal alibis include (but are
not limited to) bad primer/squib load, extraction and ejection failures, and
feed failures. Malfunctions due to manual operation - improper loading,
forgetting to turn on the electronic dot sight, or leaving the safety on - are
not allowable alibis. In the event of an alibi, the shooter immediately lowers
the gun and raises his free hand as a signal to the range officer. The shooter
may not attempt to clear the malfunction before the range officer inspects the
gun. If he does, he may not declare an alibi. After all competitors finish the
string, the range officer inspects the alibi and instructs the shooter to clear
the gun. If the alibi is allowed, the shooter refires the entire string. The
range officer and the shooter note the total number of shots fired. For
instance, if the shooter has an alibi after firing the third round of a string,
he will have a total of 13 hits on his target after firing the five-shot alibi
string.
Important note: each shooter may declare only one alibi during a match. For
example, if a shooter declares an alibi on the first timed fire target, he can't
declare an alibi on the second target. He can declare another alibi in the rapid
fire match if he needs to. Also, no alibis on the alibi string.
1.1.5 How do I score a target?
Normally, 10 shots are fired on each
target. The target is scored by adding the point values for each shot. Hits in
the X ring count 10 points plus one "X." Hits outside the scoring rings, or
shots that miss the target entirely count 0 points. The total score for a target
is the point value followed by the X count, usually written as 100-10X.
In the event of an alibi, there may be more than 10 hits on the target. In
that case, the lowest 10 hits are scored for value.
1.1.6 What is proper match etiquette? (suggested by Dave
Druckert)
Standing etiquette rule #1 is "Don't forget that you're having
fun!" Relax, concentrate on your shooting and enjoy the match.
With that said, here are some other things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you know how to get to the range, what the match fee is, and
when your relay starts. If you have any questions, call the match director
well in advance - not at 10pm the night before the match.
- Bring everything you need. Developing a checklist is a great idea.
- Get there early, at least 30 minutes before your relay starts. You need
some time to register, get your gear organized, and settle down.
- Safety, safety, safety. Use your best gun-handling skills - keep that
muzzle pointed at the backstop at all times. Never, ever touch a gun when
people are downrange. You will be told when it is safe to handle your guns. If
you see another competitor doing something unsafe, don't hesitate to point it
out to him or the range officer.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid talking or making noise during slow
fire, even after you've finished shooting. Be alert for instructions from the
range officer, and obey them immediately.
- When scoring targets, accuracy counts more than speed. Take what time you
need to find all the hits and score them properly. It's OK to use a calculator
if you don't trust your mental addition.
1.2 How does the classification system work?
The classification system
groups shooters by their recent averages as a form of handicap. Most matches
have awards for each class in addition to prizes for outright wins. A shooter
establishes a classification by firing at least 360 shots in indoor or outdoor
competition. After the scores are submitted to the NRA, the shooter receives a
classification card. The classes are:
Competitive classes
| Name |
Average |
2700 Match Score |
| High Master |
97.00% and above |
2619-2700 |
| Master |
95.00%-96.99% |
2565-2618 |
| Expert |
90.00%-94.99% |
2430-2564 |
| Sharpshooter |
85.00%-89.99% |
2295-2429 |
| Marksman |
< 85.00% |
< 2295 |
Indoor and outdoor classifications are tracked separately - it's possible for
one shooter to be an outdoor expert and an indoor marksman, or any other
combination.
Unclassified shooters usually compete in the Master class. At some of the
larger matches, there are enough unclassified shooters to form a separate class.
1.3 Do I have to join the NRA to participate?
Most clubs do not require
competitors to be NRA members simply to compete in a match. State and regional
championships do generally require shooters to be NRA members. They may also
require shooters to belong to their state association. All shooters at the
national matches at Camp Perry, Ohio must be NRA members.
If you're not an NRA member, and you desire to shoot in a match where you
must be an NRA member, you may be able to apply for NRA membership at the match.
Contact the match director to find out if he will have membership applications
available. You may also obtain membership information by calling 1-800-NRA-3888
or visiting the NRA website at
http://www.nra.org.
1.4 What is a "leg" match?
A leg match is a match sanctioned by the
Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Leg
matches are more formally known as "Service Pistol" or "Excellence in
Competition" (EIC) matches. These matches are often held in conjunction with
state or regional outdoor championships. Leg matches are fired with the service
pistol (see
section
2.2) and consist of one 30-shot national match course fired outdoors.
1.5 What does "distinguished pistol shot" mean?
Distinguished pistol
shooters have earned 30 points in leg matches. Points are awarded to the top 10%
of the non-distinguished shooters in a leg match. The highest 1/6 of the top 10%
earn 10 points, the next 1/3 earn 8 points, and the final 1/2 earn 6 points. In
addition to the gold "Distinguished Pistol Shot" badge, the CMP awards bronze
medals to those shooters who have earned at least 10 points, and a silver medal
to those who have earned at least 20 points.