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Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

strat81

strat81

Misanthropic Realist
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 14, 2009
261
70
Hamilton County, Nebraska
I'm working on some load development and shot with a few different targets today. I noticed that even with the same load, I did not shoot as well with squares as I did with other shapes. Also, a square with a very small center dot did not work well for me either.

What is your preferred target shape for shooting groups? Circle/dot/bull, diamond, square, something else?

Do you think the optimum target shape varies based on reticle type?

Or is it mostly personal preference?

I was working with an 18" stainless barrel AR-15 w/ Burris MTAC 3.5-10x @ 100 yards.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

I personally like light colored circles, most likely with a dot in the middle, i tend to shoot best with them
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

Diamonds. Either 1" or 3/4". Black.

I also do well with 1" black circles.

I think it's mostly personal preference, because I have a friend who shoots well at fluorescent orange stickers, but those are very difficult for me to center up.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

I like a 1" black dot, works well with my mil dot ret.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

(i prefer Black rounds w red dots)
definitely personal choice. Id chalk this one up the same as reticule preffrence, -plenty of good options out there, but you gotta use what youre best with or what youre training for.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

I use a 3/4" white dot with a heavy dark grey or black outline. I also like diamond of same dimentions. White center slows you to see and center retical better than dark center.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

a big help would be to move your point of aim either up or below your point of impact....that way you don't destroy your point of aim like I see a lot of new shooters do
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

I must be strange because I like something with a point to really focus on. diamond or triangle

Or any steel at distance.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

I prefer to use the smallest black dot ( drawn and colored using a template) against a bright white background with the scope at the highest magnification power that I will use in order to be able to quarter the dot with the reticle.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

I prefer the hollow blue diamonds of the mountains plains industries targets that Sinclair sells. I just find them the easiest to center up on.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

And target SIZE must be appropriate for the reticle and magnification.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CamW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Check out this site, you can design your own targets with different sized bullseye and rings.

http://www.printtargets.net/</div></div>

Awesome! Thank you.

And thanks to all that replied.
smile.gif
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

I tend to shoot best groups with the SH Group Shot Target or the 3 inch shoot nc's, they both have a 1/4'' dot in the center which I like, but I've only used them at close range from 50-125 yards.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

I like to use orange dots. I use 1 inch orange dots from 100-400 yards. 2 inch orange dots from 500- 800. 3 inch orange dots at 900-1000.

A good 10X scope will be plenty to see the dots at those distances, although I usually shoot with at least a 12X, and up to a 48X scope!

Aim small, miss small ;-)
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Storm Tactical</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A bunch of free to-scale ones here, your choice of MIL scale (yards or meters range) or MOA scale (yard range):

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2446827

</div></div>

The ones I'm using are from you guys. Excellent target in just about any configuration.
 
Re: Preferred target shape for shooting groups?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TackDriver13</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like to use orange dots. I use 1 inch orange dots from 100-400 yards. 2 inch orange dots from 500- 800. 3 inch orange dots at 900-1000.

<span style="font-weight: bold">A good 10X scope will be plenty to see the dots at those distances....</span></div></div>

10x is enough to aim at a 1" dot at 400 yards??

My Premier 3-15 is just *barely* adequate for 1" dots at 200 yards. It has the Gen2 mildot. My 5-25 Premier with Gen2XR @ 15x improves this, but not enough for 300 yards.

I like to aim at a dot where the dot size and scope magnification allows the quadrants of the dot to just peek out of the crosshair.
 
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