Bell Target Shooting.

[MikeLewis]

I feel I have to disagree with the statement that bell target is easier than 10m. I'm also curious which British 10m champion you were speaking to about. There's very few that actually shoot bell target and the few that do are capable of shooting to a very high standard with or without kit, but would never entertain the idea of shooting 10m without full kit! Those that have shot have used it as training exercises and mental training for finals.

No 10m aims for the half mil 10, to do so would be an impossilble task. The black extends out to the 4 ring making a big black circle which is centred in the fore sight with a measured amount of white around the black circle created. A common problem is people using too small a foresight thinking it'll make them shoot more accurately when it usually leads to other problems. Most people would use a smaller foresight for bell using a similar principle. But on the flip side i have seen people take a foresight out and use just a tunnel because it was too small and shot very well.

Those who shoot bell in and out will tell you it reinforces alignment to target, positional awareness and mental toughness and they're right. But shooting 10m will be more beneficial technique wise than someone shooting bell. I've seen possibles shot longarm on a bell target but don't ever recall anyone shooting much more than 500/600 in a 10m comp.

Anybody that can shoot 570 at 10m WILL shoot posssibles on bell, but not everybody that can shoot possibles is capable of shooting 570 at 10m.

I've shot bell target for over 15yrs, to a high standard, I've shot possible season averages, won inter regional bell target competitions and shot 'perfect' scores. I've also shot 10m over that period, winning open competitions, inter regional comps and represent Wales. Bell target is a fun and challenging sportand has introduced many people to the sport of shooting, but will always be an easier discipline than 10m.

Aim straight
Mike

[markmac]

I feel I have to disagree with the statement that bell target is easier than 10m. I'm also curious which British 10m champion you were speaking to about. There's very few that actually shoot bell target and the few that do are capable of shooting to a very high standard with or without kit, but would never entertain the idea of shooting 10m without full kit! Those that have shot have used it as training exercises and mental training for finals.

No 10m aims for the half mil 10, to do so would be an impossilble task. The black extends out to the 4 ring making a big black circle which is centred in the fore sight with a measured amount of white around the black circle created. A common problem is people using too small a foresight thinking it'll make them shoot more accurately when it usually leads to other problems. Most people would use a smaller foresight for bell using a similar principle. But on the flip side i have seen people take a foresight out and use just a tunnel because it was too small and shot very well.

Those who shoot bell in and out will tell you it reinforces alignment to target, positional awareness and mental toughness and they're right. But shooting 10m will be more beneficial technique wise than someone shooting bell. I've seen possibles shot longarm on a bell target but don't ever recall anyone shooting much more than 500/600 in a 10m comp.

Anybody that can shoot 570 at 10m WILL shoot posssibles on bell, but not everybody that can shoot possibles is capable of shooting 570 at 10m.

I've shot bell target for over 15yrs, to a high standard, I've shot possible season averages, won inter regional bell target competitions and shot 'perfect' scores. I've also shot 10m over that period, winning open competitions, inter regional comps and represent Wales. Bell target is a fun and challenging sportand has introduced many people to the sport of shooting, but will always be an easier discipline than 10m.

Aim straight
Mike

Thanks for this post Mike - very interesting.

I am an absolute newbie at this sport having just bought a very nice Anschutz 380 and making my own Bell Target for practice.I have tried and failed to use dioptre sights effectively as I find I cannot get a reasonable / bright sight picture with my current set up and so have chickened out and fitted a small scope to the rifle - just for plinking .I realise I have to use dioptres if I want to shoot bell target properly and now having read this thread will try different set ups to the foresight and perhaps the rearsight aperture to get a better target image.

Thanks again.

[thimblehouse]

The brightness can be adjusted by using a variable aperature back sight on the diopter.

[RobinC]

The problem with too small a foresight is the white you see is not true it is the light refracted over the edge of the foresight.
The eye has millions of receptor cells but there are only about 8 used to judge the gap of the white which is the precision of aim, so up to a point there is advantage in going big, this also reduces the phycological reaction of trying to over correct movement which is often much less than is actually happening. I've demonstrated to shooters with a Scatt (which is aiming path analysis using an infrared sender on the rifle) that what they percieve as massive movement is infact in side the 9 ring and if they just relax and let the shot go it will be better.
I coach, and have taken the foresight out with some shooters who have problems keeping still, with some quite spectacular results. I coach a lady who has shot 560 at 10 mts, and uses a short sight base Walther LG300 Junior with a 4.7 foresight.
Only with a very steady hold (590+) is it worth going a bit tighter on element some go down to 3.7 but we are talking people capable of those types of scores. Its interesting that the the top prone shooters (thats a very steady hold!) are using 3.7 on a smaller aiming mark.
Good shooting
Robin

[zooma]

I have just bought a tub of Titanium Dioxide powder from "the bay" and am ready to start mixing it with a suitable fluid.

Baby Oil has been suggested as the thing to go for - anybody got any thoughts on this or know something better?

This will be my first "self-mix" and I am thinking to add the powder to the baby oil in a plastic jar and shake it until it is mixed - but I am of course hoping that is does mix quite well and not just clog-up in lumps?

Maybe I should mix a thick paste first and then gradually thin it down a little at a time?

Any helpfull advice may reduce the mess I am about to make!

[Jimlad]

In our League we use Titanium White artists oil paint, and just add a little 3 in 1 oil to it to stop it going hard, saves a lot trouble mixing etc, its cheap and easy to get hold of.

Jim

[thimblehouse]

My lot recomend liquid paraffin. Mix it to a very thick paste not a liquid or anything that has movement, almost solid.
Add the liquid to a small amount of the powder and keep working it in yes it will clump at first.
Remember a little goes a long way and will last a very long time.
Any problems PM me I will pass them on to our Chairman who is such a dab hand at mixing the paint he does it for many clubs
and has been for the last 50 years.
I have seen it done with olive oil but this did discolour it with age.

[zooma]

In our League we use Titanium White artists oil paint, and just add a little 3 in 1 oil to it to stop it going hard, saves a lot trouble mixing etc, its cheap and easy to get hold of.

Jim

Thanks Jim,

That probably would have been a much easier way to go - but I have this large pot of Titanium White powder to use now - but I may well be tempted to buy a tube of artist oil paint the next time I am passing a craft shop!

Merry Christmas and thanks for all your help during the year.

[markmac]

The brightness can be adjusted by using a variable aperature back sight on the diopter.

I now have a variable Iris fitted and coloured filters to the rearsight along with an Iris on the foresight - I must admit that this combination is a vast improvement on the original sights - for my eyes anyway.

I am getting used to the dioptre sights now and intend to keep perservering although I still cannot stop myself from flipping back and forth from focussing on the target then back to the foresight - I must learn to concentrate more

Great fun this Bell Target innit.

[thimblehouse]

I now have a variable Iris fitted and coloured filters to the rearsight along with an Iris on the foresight - I must admit that this combination is a vast improvement on the original sights - for my eyes anyway.

I am getting used to the dioptre sights now and intend to keep perservering although I still cannot stop myself from flipping back and forth from focussing on the target then back to the foresight - I must learn to concentrate more

Great fun this Bell Target innit.

Have used a variable appature rear sight for somtime. Mine does not have the filters, did try one but found little use for the filters so went back. Because the light differs from target to target. I can use the iris to compensate and often turn a fuzzy target clear.

[markmac]

Have used a variable appature rear sight for somtime. Mine does not have the filters, did try one but found little use for the filters so went back. Because the light differs from target to target. I can use the iris to compensate and often turn a fuzzy target clear.

I find that the yellow filter works great in low light levels ,making the target appear brighter - works well for me - but must admit the other filters don't really add much,although I haven't yet shot in bright sunlight,so the grey/blue filters might come in handy in this situation.