Black Death Target Challenge

Armchair Bronco · February 4, 2013, 03:09 AM

I have a quick question about the infamous "Black Death Target Challenge".

Here's a link to a PDF file that pretty much explains everything you need to know: http://www.lyndenhuggins.com/hunting...blackdeath.pdf

My question is this: how many points does an "X" count for? Is it 10 points?

If an "X" is 10 points, then there would be two ways to get a perfect score. A) Get all five shots inside the 1/2" circle, or B) shoot out the "X" in all five targets.

My sons and I have started target shooting again with our CZ-452 after a long hiatus. We can't wait to try out the Black Death Challenge next week with the new Weaver Classic 2.5-7x28 mm rimfire scope I just ordered.

Armchair Bronco · February 4, 2013, 04:22 AM

I've been doing some reading on the thread below (seems like this may have been the site & thread where the challenge originated) and opinions are split. Some folks are saying that 1 shot at each of the "X" marks should count as a perfect score.

But then I read this: "I think it is easier to shoot one shot into the white on individual targets than shooting 5 rounds into one target. My reasoning is that it is more difficult to sight in on a ragged hole than to sight in on a well defined black dot. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but at least to me it seems to be easier."

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/ri...allenge-2.html

Armchair Bronco · February 4, 2013, 04:30 AM

OK, I had to go to the Internet Archive to find the original set of rules. Here they are:

http://web.archive.org/web/200408230.../bdc_rules.htm

Bottom Line: The "X" is used strictly for tie-breaking purposes:

"Center rings in each target are tie breaking "X" scores. In the case of "X" ties, the best "X" wins."

So, a perfect score on the Black Death Target (BDT) can only come from putting 5 shots completely inside the 1/2" target, without touching any of the surrounding black areas.

stubbicatt · February 4, 2013, 09:27 AM

22 long rifle at 25 yards for squirrel class rifles? Is this from a benchrest?

Armchair Bronco · February 4, 2013, 11:02 AM

@stubbicatt - From what I've been able to tell, you may use a bench rest, but only for the front of the gun. Rear rests or sandbags are verboten.

And you can compete from either 25 or 50 yards.

Scorch · February 4, 2013, 12:10 PM

Since this is shot with 22 rimfire lever guns, I would venture a guess that it is not a bench match. When I shot smallbore match in college, we were shooting the traditional 10-spot target at 50 feet (17 yds). The X ring on a NRA 50 ft smallbore target is smaller than a 22 bullet, the 10 ring is only slightly larger than a 22 bullet. Perfect scores were common. Ties are broken with number of Xs, and 5 or so Xs were needed to be competitive for a winning position. Now granted, this is with match rifles, palm rests, and micrometer sights and not a rimfire lever action, but I have seen many rimfire lever actions that would be capable of doimg fairly well on those targets from a bench. I just don't think that's what the designers of this match had in mind.

Armchair Bronco · February 4, 2013, 03:59 PM

All I know is this: my boys and I can't wait to get out to the range next weekend, get warmed up with some swingers @ 50 yards, and then break out the Black Death Targets for some quality father/son 3-way competition!

At the end of the day, I think *THAT'S* what the designers of the BDT had in mind.

The boys and I both said that this game reminds us a little of Crokinole in which users shoot wooden discs with their fingers, attempting to get a bullseye at the center of a large, round wooden board.

In Crokinole, the person who goes last has a huge advantage (it's called "The Hammer Shot") because he knows exactly how many points he needs to score in order to win.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crokinole

February 4, 2013, 03:09 AM	#1
Armchair Bronco Member Join Date: October 31, 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 28	Black Death Target Challenge I have a quick question about the infamous "Black Death Target Challenge". Here's a link to a PDF file that pretty much explains everything you need to know: http://www.lyndenhuggins.com/hunting...blackdeath.pdf My question is this: how many points does an "X" count for? Is it 10 points? If an "X" is 10 points, then there would be two ways to get a perfect score. A) Get all five shots inside the 1/2" circle, or B) shoot out the "X" in all five targets. My sons and I have started target shooting again with our CZ-452 after a long hiatus. We can't wait to try out the Black Death Challenge next week with the new Weaver Classic 2.5-7x28 mm rimfire scope I just ordered.

February 4, 2013, 12:10 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Since this is shot with 22 rimfire lever guns, I would venture a guess that it is not a bench match. When I shot smallbore match in college, we were shooting the traditional 10-spot target at 50 feet (17 yds). The X ring on a NRA 50 ft smallbore target is smaller than a 22 bullet, the 10 ring is only slightly larger than a 22 bullet. Perfect scores were common. Ties are broken with number of Xs, and 5 or so Xs were needed to be competitive for a winning position. Now granted, this is with match rifles, palm rests, and micrometer sights and not a rimfire lever action, but I have seen many rimfire lever actions that would be capable of doimg fairly well on those targets from a bench. I just don't think that's what the designers of this match had in mind. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 4, 2013, 03:59 PM	#7
Armchair Bronco Member Join Date: October 31, 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 28	All I know is this: my boys and I can't wait to get out to the range next weekend, get warmed up with some swingers @ 50 yards, and then break out the Black Death Targets for some quality father/son 3-way competition! At the end of the day, I think THAT'S what the designers of the BDT had in mind. The boys and I both said that this game reminds us a little of Crokinole in which users shoot wooden discs with their fingers, attempting to get a bullseye at the center of a large, round wooden board. In Crokinole, the person who goes last has a huge advantage (it's called "The Hammer Shot") because he knows exactly how many points he needs to score in order to win. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crokinole Last edited by Armchair Bronco; February 4, 2013 at 04:07 PM.

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February 4, 2013, 04:22 AM	#2
Armchair Bronco Member Join Date: October 31, 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 28	I've been doing some reading on the thread below (seems like this may have been the site & thread where the challenge originated) and opinions are split. Some folks are saying that 1 shot at each of the "X" marks should count as a perfect score. But then I read this: "I think it is easier to shoot one shot into the white on individual targets than shooting 5 rounds into one target. My reasoning is that it is more difficult to sight in on a ragged hole than to sight in on a well defined black dot. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but at least to me it seems to be easier." http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/ri...allenge-2.html

February 4, 2013, 04:30 AM	#3
Armchair Bronco Member Join Date: October 31, 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 28	OK, I had to go to the Internet Archive to find the original set of rules. Here they are: http://web.archive.org/web/200408230.../bdc_rules.htm Bottom Line: The "X" is used strictly for tie-breaking purposes: "Center rings in each target are tie breaking "X" scores. In the case of "X" ties, the best "X" wins." So, a perfect score on the Black Death Target (BDT) can only come from putting 5 shots completely inside the 1/2" target, without touching any of the surrounding black areas.

February 4, 2013, 09:27 AM	#4
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	22 long rifle at 25 yards for squirrel class rifles? Is this from a benchrest?

February 4, 2013, 11:02 AM	#5
Armchair Bronco Member Join Date: October 31, 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 28	@stubbicatt - From what I've been able to tell, you may use a bench rest, but only for the front of the gun. Rear rests or sandbags are verboten. And you can compete from either 25 or 50 yards.