Target setting ?

I'm running a club shoot tomorrow

Expecting 13 mph south winds

The field is still a work in progress, been using a radar gun & a 50 yd stake, there is NO 9.5 t set up as yet

If the targets are hitting the base of the 50yd post @ 41 mph, using a digital level how much above the current angle (in degrees) would I have to raise the plate to compensate for the tail wind--the machine is a Pro-matic,matrix

 

I think you get into more trouble trying to out guess the wind, targets should be lower in a tail wind and higher in a head wind. When you are fighting the wind by compensating when the wind dies you'll get either a very high bird in a tail wind or a very low bird in a head wind and those variant targets are what shooters miss and remember.

When I used to set the birds we used a stake and pole, I hate radar guns but today target setters don't spend the time setting targets and they falsely think Radar is better. I've argued the point for the last time on here but next shoot you go to if you are getting bad targets look at the Radar gun as the main reason.

 

I thought ATA speeds were 42-44 mph sngs/hdy from behind the trap.

 

Dave S., Brad is correct, hope the morning of the shoot it is calm, if it is Problem solved. You buy a Plastic pole 10 ft long.
1 1/2 Plastic pipe PUT A TEE ON TOP AND 2-18" inch pieces for the TEE
Prior to shoot sight your field, drive a center stake at 50 yards, top of stake should be same height as base of the trap, if 50 yards is level, target level should hit top of stake. Try to set targets on a calm day before the shoot, if time permits. I would set angles as a straight-away from post #1 and #5. That is\. the original target settings in the 70s.
10' ft from trap drive, a stake in level w, base of the ARM, to put pole on top of.
If you get that calm day and get targets set then use you RADAR GUN and note that speed in a note book, you may be surprised at the speed, radar guns vary, except for the State Highway Patrol guns which run up to $1,000 dollars+

This is my suggestion from memory of target setting procedures.

If you have a downhill at 50 yards and impossible to set 50 yard stake use a reputable radar gun for speed.
And a book of matches held at arm length at 27 yard line, targets should be at top of matches., this is how LEO Checked Targets

GB.............................................DLS

 

If you set a target at 41mph it doesn't matter how high or low you set it the 13mph wind will blow it all over the field. Good luck at your shoot.

P.S. Unless your club is in Denver it's not going to reach the 50yrd stake.

 

Forgot to Add, bottom of book of matches level w/top of Trap House.

GB............................................DLS

 

Back in the sixty - that's all we had - 50 yrd. stake and a book of matches-never was a question - you just pulled out your matches and checked it for your self - NOW - know one has a book of matches and everyone is bitching!

 

From the ATA book sgls. & hdcp must be set at min 42mph and max43mph using a radargun.
there are 2 styles, low power & hi power, all low power, must be used at the rear of the traphouse w/radargun set on top of the traphouse, trap must not be oscillating,

when using a chronograph min speed is 67 ft per second and max speed is 69ft per second

Targets must be set by speed or distance.

 

Guys this is a club, not ATA & most of the shooters are old farts like my self 70 +, I know how to st targets on an ATA field with proper equipment, just trying not to piss off shooters with dirt digging targets

 

If you are not worried about legal versus easy to hit you can make them any way you like for a club shoot as you describe the easier the better ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Thanx guys, soft & easy just to help a bunch of old guys what its like to break targets, again

 

Brad Dysinger is wrong.

You raise the targets in a south wind and lower the targets in a north wind.

 

My mother taught me that if I can’t saying anything nice then don’t say anything at all. So all I’ll say is that this thread is a perfect example of why so many clubs throw crap targets.

 

F. RULES FOR THE USE OF RADAR GUNS AND CHRONOGRAPHS TO SET TARGET SPEED There are two types of radar guns, high-power and low-power. The practical difference between them is that high-power guns work reliably from the 16-yard line and low-power guns do not. High-power guns (Decatur, Stalker, most “police radar guns” and similar) may be used at the 16-yard line. The trap oscillation is stopped, and the target measured is a straightaway. The gun is pointed horizontally. The correct speed for a singles or handicap target is a minimum of 42 MPH, maximum 44 MPH.

 

The shooter should be the one that adjusts, not the person setting the targets.

 

First go out and set the traps with little or no wind to hit a stake between 49 and 51 yds. and at the height your guys prefer. Setting targets in the evening or at night usually works best. If your ground is not level to the stake buy a radar gun because that measurement is meaningless. If the wins increases during the day it's advisable to move the elevation up or down to get the most breakable target. NEVER increase spring tension after proper distances were set!

 

Thanx guys, the field topography here really sucks, the field behind the trap house is way above the grade of the walkways

Trying to get someone to put a post 30' from pt B and then I'll be able to set targets--as it stands this operation is still a cluster"F"

 

Set the trap so the plate angle is about 20 degrees this will have your height within ata specifications, use a radar for speed.