With more SWEFTA clubs becoming involved in regional BR, this information from one of the most experienced shooters in the region might prove helpful.
I would like to proffer a few hints on scoring.
Most clubs have one or two members who exclusively undertake this duty on match days, so many new BR shooters have never had the opportunity to mark cards – even their own.
With the outcome of many matches being decided by a single point or ‘X’ it is important that cards are scored accurately and consistently. Most of the pellet holes in the 25 ‘targets’ can be judged by eye, but when they are close to one of the scoring rings it will be necessary to ‘plug’ them. Airgun benchrest can be shot with either a .22 .20 or .177 calibre rifle, so a .22 gauge is used to determine whether a shot has touched the line. The narrow flange on this gauge measures .224″, the same diameter as a .22 bullet.
To facilitate accurate scoring it is helpful to place the shot card onto a firm board which has holes positioned beneath each of the 25 ‘targets’. The gauge should be gently inserted into the pellet hole, taking care to exert no sideways pressure, until the flange rests on the surface of the card. The naked eye will usually be able to determine whether the shot is ‘in’ or ‘out’, but if there is any doubt some sort of magnifying device will be needed. Illustrated below are some examples.
The inexpensive Photo Loupe is serviceable, but the plastic construction does not offer much in optical quality, conversely the 10x folding Loupe, with it’s three glass lenses, is actually too sharp – revealing the inevitable imperfections in the card printing process, the lines being made up of tiny dots which don’t appear as a clearly defined edge. The 6x Linen Tester is my choice, good quality glass lenses offering just the right amount of magnification. Also seen in the photograph are two gauges, the top one is intended for scoring .22 rim fire cards and is completely unsuitable for .177 holes – the probe is too thick and the tip is not sufficiently tapered. The one below is ideal, as although the flange is an identical .224″ the probe is narrower, allowing easy insertion without causing distortion.
A couple of other things worth noting. Any shot which enters, or touches, a ‘scoring box’, without touching the outermost ring, scores 4 points. And if more than one shot is inside, or touching, a ‘scoring box’ the shot with the lowest value will count, and a one point ‘penalty’ will be deducted.
Paul Salmon
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