Problem w Gamo target

[ac12basis]

I just discovered a problem with the Gamo target and aperture front sights.

The BLACK bull is too large for the largest front aperture insert that I have.  The bull just barely fits the front aperture, so the bull is too big or the aperture is too small.
My guess is anyone else using aperture front sights may run into the same problem.

For comparison, the ISSF/NRA 10m AR bull is 30.5mm diameter.  
The Gamo bull is 65.5mm diameter, over 2x the size of the bull on the regulation 10m AR target.

The only way I can shoot the target is to find a larger insert or make my own target with a smaller black bull (keeping the ring diameters the same).
For a new target, I would probably make the 8,9 & 10 rings black (a 39mm bull), and the 7 and lower white.

[daved]

I have a 4.0 and a 4.4 mm insert for my front sight, the 4.0 will give me a white ring with a perfect hold, but I like the 4.4 better, doesn't show the wobble nearly as bad :-).  That's on an AA S200, don't know what my sight radius is, will measure the next time I go out to my shop.  Of course, when I shoot the Steroid target, I have to change inserts.  Later.

Dave

[ac12basis]

Hi Dave
When I used to shoot the StraightShooters Challenge and Silhouette, I had to change inserts when I switched between matches.  That got to be a pain, as for some reason I don't like changing the front insert.  But oh well, comes with the territory when you shoot different matches.  

The problem with the Gamo insert is that they are not marked, so I don't know the diameter of the apertures.  I have a set of plastic inserts for one of my other rifles that I tried, and the 4.2mm insert looked about the same size as the largest Gamo insert +/-.  The sight radius on my 953 is about 25-1/2 inches.  Right now I have a red-dot on the 953 and will probably shoot a match with the red dot.

[riflejunkie]

Here is a solution.  Cut out either a 50 ft NRA bull or a 10 meter bull and put a needle through the dot in the center and then stick the needle through the center of the Gamo target 10 ring.  The results will be the same as if you had a larger front aperture, just lift the overlay off after shooting and the holes in the Gamo target will be whatever they are.  I know it wouldn't be legal for a NRA sanctioned match but I can't for the life of me see how this would give you any unfair advantage as long as you are dead center on the overlay.  The other option is to use a post insert but then the advantage of using a front aperture is lost.

[daved]

What kind of red dot, Gary?  Reason I ask, I've got one of the Centerpoint's from WalMart, and I wasn't impressed with it.  I got it for short range shooting, but it bleeds so much that it's almost useless at 10M.  I should have just returned it, but who knows?  Maybe I'll find a use for it yet, or I may finally post a "Garage Sale" ad and clean out some misc. AG stuff I have laying around :-).

The inserts I'm using are the ones that came with the 753 front sight I got from Champions Choice, and they are marked.  I think you can buy just the inserts from CC, and I bet they'd fit that Gamo sight.  Might be worth a try.  What I'd really like is a front sight that would let me use clear inserts, maybe that new Edge sight will be the answer, if they ever get it to market.  I think I see a set in my future for the S200, this target stuff is getting pretty addictive :-).  Later.

Dave

[riflejunkie]

Oh, Lord!!!  I did a google of Twisp, Washington.  Agony!!!  Geeze, You live in paradise.

[ac12basis]

Dave
I have a Tasco BKRD30/22.  Not the best red-dot, but it works and it is relatively inexpensive, I think it was $30 or $35 from Midway.  I find that when I turn the intensity down as far as I can, and still see the dot, it does not bleed/distort as much.  One reason for me selecting this red-dot was to keep the package price (rifle + sight) low, so the parent of a new shooter would not get sticker shock.  They will get sticker shock when they look at the price of a precision AR target rifle.

He he, I know what you mean about adictive.  I started shooting 10m to try it out, and once I got help with my shooting to get me started with the correct basics, I was hooked.  So much so, that I don't shoot my sportsters any more.  :-(

Yes get a decent set of sights for your rifle and you should be set.  

Although take a good look at your front sight, if you unscrew the ring on your front sight you might be able to drop in a clear plastic insert.  My Gamo front sight has metal inserts, but I can also use the 19mm Anschutz clear inserts.  The one thing good about the metal inserts is that the cross bar can be used as a reference to help align the rifle.  You can see if the crossbar is tipped right or left and then you know you are canting the rifle.  Or if you cant the rifle, like me, then you have a reference to help cant the rifle by the same amount for each shot.  You loose that reference with a clear plastic insert.  To me, where the plastic insert works well is on the multi-target target like the STEROID where you have 15 targets on one sheet.  By being able to see through the plastic, you can more easily see the rows and columns of targets...and shoot at the correct target.  When I last used metal inserts on a multi-target, I shot the wrong target, because the cross bar hid too much of the target, and I did not know that I was aiming at the wrong target.  With a single target like a regulation 10m AR target, you only have ONE target on the sheet, so that is not an issue.


RJ
I decided that it would be easier for me to just print Gamo clone targets but with different black and white ring colors, since I don't have a larger insert.  Then I don't have to hassle with overlaying.

[daved]

Ah, Charlotte, you obviously have impeccable taste :-)!  Your welcome to visit any time.  Yes, I do live in Paradise.  I moved here 10 years ago this year, and as I frequently tell my wife and anyone else that will listen, the only way I'm leaving this Valley is feet first.  There's just something about living in one of those places that people go to to get away from the place they live.  My longest commute to work is 20-30 miles, takes 20-30 minutes, and that's driving through scenery worthy of a post card, at least.  Gee, can you tell I really love this place :-)?  Although much as I love having 4 real seasons, along about this time every year, I start thinking of my garden, and I want the snow to go away!  Although at this rate, it's only going to be a few more weeks, less if it decides to rain.  And just to keep this airgun related, once it warms up again, I can move my shooting range out of my shop, and start trying some of this target stuff at longer ranges.  I wonder how well I can do with paint balls at 30 yards, off hand?  Later.

Dave

[TCups]

Yes, the Gamo target is a pain for apertures.  Maybe a better solution for those of us shooting 10-meter rifles with apertures is just to shoot 10-meter targets.  The 5-bull Edelmann targets fit the same trap as the Gamo target and offers the advantage of not having to walk down range every 5 shots to change the target.  We could make it a 25 round match, separate from the Gamo target match.

[ac12basis]

TC
So that would be the "Match AR" match.   NRA/ISSF 5 bull target, 25 shots, 5 shots per bull.

The Edelmann target you are referring to, is that the one that has 10 ring targets or 8 ring targets. #1314 ?
I think that is also the standard NRA 5 bull target (AR-5), so should be a lot easier to find.  

OK, I'm in.

Man you are goina see scores DROP, compared to the Gamo target  :-(

Gary

[TCups]

If I wanted really high scores, I would go back to golf.  But the official 10-meter targets seem to me to be the best way to track my progress.  BTW, here is the upstairs hallway where I shoot.  I worked on the "range" some tonight, shooting from the MBR to the "junk room" (spare bedroom).  I like shooting at night, because I can darken the room.  I will typically hang only one target and one spot light.  I put some black paper up today so that in my sight picture, nothing but the target is bright.  The "back stop" is one of the kids old white board/magnet boards -- which I presume means there must be some metal in the back of the white board.  I have never hit anything but the targets (yet).  Pay no attention to the multiple hits on the wooden target traps.  Those were incurred outdoors when I hang the targets on my backyard backstop.  Most of the damage was done last week sighting in a BSA, but that is another story.  Anyway, yes, official 10-meter targets work for me, either the 1 bull or 5 bull version.  They all score the same.

[ac12basis]

golf...lets see who has a HIGHER score.
I think my absolute BEST score was a 115.  I'm usually up at about 130 (when I used to go golfing).  I breakdown on the 2nd 9, and my score goes thru the roof.

I never thought of using a light table to view targets, and I have one.  Although since I use it for film, I would rather keep the lead dust and other "stuff" off of it.
But it would be simple to make one or look for a cheap one...hmmm

[Mick]

We use a light box with a hardboard mask over it with 12 holes centered on each of the standard bulls on the International/NRA target for out JROTC matches

Mick