http://www.nrahq.org/compete/RuleBoo...ce/pol-w14.pdf

I was scoring a target that had paper tearing (PPC on a B27).

the bullet hole and bullet ring were clearly not touching the next higher scoring ring (at least 1/16"+) but the tear in the paper crossed into the higher scoring ring.

I scored the actual hole but was told by the competitor that the tearing made it a higher point.

I dont really care and gave him the extra few points, but is this right?

I looked up the scoring rules and it says nothing about paper rips or tears. this was a practice match and in the real deal I am assuming cardboard takes out any tear issues.

what is actually correct?

thanks in advance

No, tears do not count toward the higher point.

To "officially" score a close shot you need an "official" "plug" if it is a single bullet hole.

If it is one or more holes you need an "official overlay".

S once the plug is inserted in to the hole, and the scorer makes his decision, if the shooter wants to challange, then the plug stays in the hole till the "Official Referee" looks at it and makes his decision.

At least this is the way it used to be, I have not shot a NRA paper match in a long time.

Just remembered, if it is a turning target, and the bullet hits the target as it is turning and the bullet cuts through more than one scoring ring, you score it as only a one point gain.

Example if the bullet hits in the 7 ring, but cuts a groove all the way to the 10 ring, the shooter gets an 8.

If the bullet hits in the 9 ring and cuts to the 7 ring, the shooter gets the 9.

Rips and tears do not count in regular bullseye type shooting. If you are just practicing, you can flatten the target and then take a round and place it in the hole. If the bullet touches or breaks a scoring ring then the shooter gets the higher count. Obviously, if it does not break or touch a ring, the shooter gets the lower score. If you have a scoring plug for the correct caliber then use that instead of the round.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

The best scoring aid for PPC is the Eagle Eye device it magnifies and has etched rings that clearly define the hole size for a given caliber most have 38-9/45. In matches scorers and competitors arent supposed to use plugs,or poke the bullet holes or my favorite outline the edge of the bullet hole with chalk.practice doesnt matter,and you are right the cardboard usually doesnt tear away from the holes, turners and skids are covered in the rules, The eagle eye really helps with the close ones,trips to the challenge tent and arguments,well worth the 20.00 or so and mine has lasted 15 years .Good luck

NE450No2 is on the money. That's the way it's done.....

I thought I was correct. Common sense...I saw space in between the next higher ring and the actual bullet hole. Even though it was a practice match...the scores are reported to the *RA for classification.

When u counted pennies....I guess 3 points could affect classification.

I did not like giving the extra points, but did not want to start any issues as I am still learning this shootin sport.

I would think at sanctioned matches and the use of cardboard...will minimize tearing.

Thanks again

I thought I was correct. Common sense...I saw space in between the next higher ring and the actual bullet hole. Even though it was a practice match...the scores are reported to the *RA for classification.

When u counted pennies....I guess 3 points could affect classification.

I did not like giving the extra points, but did not want to start any issues as I am still learning this shootin sport.

I would think at sanctioned matches and the use of cardboard...will minimize tearing.

Thanks again

Here is the scoring rules from the NRA bulls eye rule book:

14.3 How to Score - A shot hole, the leaded edge of which comes in contact with the outside of the bullseye
or scoring rings of a target, is given the higher value (Fig. F). A scoring gauge will be used to determine the value
of close shots. The higher value will be allowed in those cases where the flange on the gauge touches the scoring
ring. No scoring gauge will be used unless the diameter of the scoring flange is within these limits:
.22 caliber .2225" - .2240"
.32 caliber .310" - .314"
9mm & 38Spl .355" - .359"
.40 caliber .397" - .401"
.44 caliber 426" - .430"
.45 caliber .450" - .454"
Devices other than scoring gauges may be used to assist in establishing the correct value of hits. These
devices are not to be inserted into the bullet hole and do not constitute a scoring gauge.
(a) In case of keyhole or tipped shots, the higher value is awarded if the leaded edge of the bullet hole
touches the scoring ring of higher value, even though the hole is elongated to the bullet's length rather
than being a circle of the bullet's diameter.
(b) In case of skid shots, the higher value is awarded if the leaded edge of the bullet hole touches the scoring
ring of higher value, except the value of a skid shot may not be more than one ring higher than the original
point of bullet contact with the target. The target shall be defined as the entire card or paper on which the
scoring rings are printed but shall not include the backing. When the original point of bullet contact is on
the target card, but outside the scoring rings, and the leaded edge of the bullet touches a scoring ring, it
will be given the value of the lowest scoring ring.
(c) When a bullet enters a target from the back side it will be scored as a miss.
14.3.1 Authorized Use of Plug Type Scoring Gauges - The use of the plug-type gauge will be restricted to
use by range operating personnel who may include the Range Officers or Block Officers, Pit Officers, Match
Supervisors, Statistical Director, Match Director, Jury or Referee, as appropriate to the type of tournament
concerned. No competitor will use scoring plugs of any kind on 29 a target at any time. Where targets are scored
on the range only the above designated officials may use plugs to check values or determine the outcome of
challenges. However, competitors acting as scorers may use official NRA overlays in the performance of their
duties. The tournament program should state in the Match Conditions Section by whom and under what
circumstances plug-type scoring gauges may be used.
14.3.2 Removal of Plug Type Scoring Gauge -
(a) The plug type scoring gauge, if used, will remain in the shot hole until the shot value is agreed upon by the
competitor and the scorer, or until removed by the Referee, Jury or Supervisor after a challenge. If the
plug type scoring gauge is removed prior to an agreement of shot value, the shot hole may not be
re-plugged and must be taken to the Referee, Jury or Supervisor for final decision.
(b) Only the Referee, Jury or Supervisor may use a plug type scoring gauge to determine if a shot hole is a
double.
14.4 Misses - Hits outside the scoring rings are scored as misses. (Except as provided in 14.3(b).

You don't use a plug at all on torn paper targets. The tear will bias the plug. Overlays and opticals are your options. With opticals you score the edge of the bullet smudge. Clean round holes in tagboard targets and maybe sound cardboard backed paper are the only targets that can be plugged. Remember, ROs/officials only insert plugs.

Pay close attention to the lead or grease marks too. Lead line touches or the grease mark touches the ring and it gets scored higher.

__________________
Non illegitimae carborundum

I only use cardboard targets for matches, but I have shot at clubs that use paper targets over ordinary cardboard backers.
I have never shot a match with just paper targets alone, and imagine the tearing problem must be severe.

As to giving extra points to a competitor to shut them up, that is not fair to the other competitors. I don't mind them asking questions, but if a competitor wants to argue, I just pull the target and turn it in to the match director for final scoring. Post a new target and get on with the match.
And when I'm the match director, I score challenged targets without either party present, without looking at the name: score is final.

I joined the jury to decide a shot at the State match Sunday. Nine shots were obvious. But one was so close we had to use overlays. Paper was torn so plugs were not possible. Looking for a smudge did not help. The target was the 50yd stage of the EIC. The 45 hardball hole was not round so it was hard to place the overlay on the hole and make a call. My solution was to reverse engineer it by placing the overlay just making the scoring ring and looking to see if the elongated hole could have made that position. It could, and plus the benefit of the doubt, the shooter prevailed.

The "PLUG" is the only way to go besides the overlay. Now you know where I got the name for the "PLUG" from .

Here's a great CMP article about scoring aids and how to use them. In my bullseye league, we use the eagle eye and almost never have to use the plug.

CMP - First Shot Online!