Scoring Guidelines

1) AFPL Scoring Rules-

At each match the teams present will try to have two (2) scorers at the table at all times. When targets are scored, each target should be scored by both teams’ scorers to the best of these people’s abilities. The person who shot that score may go over his/her target when he/she comes off the line. It will be the league member’s responsibility to double check scores on the target. When a competitor feels that a shot fired has been improperly evaluated or scored the scoring

may be challenged. Such challenge must be made immediately. No challenge will be accepted after the target has been plugged by the shooter or removed from the range. If there is a problem with the score then according to league rules that person will put up one (1) dollar. The target’s score will then be decided upon by the captain from each team and a range officer from the club hosting the match. If the challenge is decided in favor of the shooter the dollar will be returned. If it goes against the shooter the dollar will be added to the league treasury. The use of overlays and lights and magnifying devices will be the primary scoring tools. The use of a plug will only be used during a challenge.

2) NRA Scoring Rules -

10.5 Competitors May Score - Competitors may act as scorers when requested to do so, except that competitors will not score their own targets.

14.3 (a) - In case of keyholed 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 bullets length rather than being a circle of the bullets diameter.

14.3 (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.

14.3 (c) - When a bullet enters a target from the back side it will be scored as a miss.

14.3.2 (a) - The plug type scoring gauge, if used, will remain in the shot hole until the shot value is agreed

upon by the "Jury" 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.

14.3.2 (b) - Only the "Jury" 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 by 14.3 (b) above.

14.9 Visible Hits and Close Groups - As a general rule, only those hits which are visible will be scored.

An exception will be made in the case where the grouping of 3 or more shots is so close that it is possible for a required shot or shots to have gone through the enlarged hole without leaving a mark and there has been no evidence that a shot or shots have gone elsewhere than through the assigned target. In such case, the shooters will be given the benefit of the doubt and scored hits for the nonvisible shots, on the assumption they passed through the enlarged hole. If such an assumption could place a nonvisible hit in either of 2 scoring rings, it shall be scored in the highest value ring.

14.10 Excessive Hits - If more than the required number of hits appear on the target, any shot which can be

identified by the appearance of the bullet hole as having been fired by some competitor, other than the competitor assigned to that target, or as having been fired in a previous string, will be pasted and will not be scored. If more than the required number of hits then remain on the target a complete new score will be fired and the original score will be disregarded, except:

2) NRA Scoring Rules (continued)

(a) If all hits are of equal value, the score will be recorded as the required number of hits of that value.

(b) The competitor shall be allowed to accept a score equal to the required number of hits of lowest

value.

(c) If a competitor fires fewer than the prescribed number of shots through the competitors own fault,

and there should be more hits on the target than the shots fired, the competitor will be scored the number of shots of highest value equal to the number fired, and will be given a miss for each unfired cartridge.

(d) If a competitor, by mistake, fires more than the required number of shots, the required number of hits

of lowest value will be scored. This shall not be considered a refire as outlined in Rule 9.14.

(e) If the competitor refires, the original target with excessive hits shall be retained by the scorer, and on

refiring, the competitor may not receive a score higher than the required number of hits of highest value on the original target. If the score on the refired target is higher than the required number of hits of highest value on the original target, then the original target shall be scored using the appropriate hits of highest value; but if the score on the refired target is not higher, then such refired score will be recorded.

16.1 Challenges - When a competitor feels that a shot fired has been improperly evaluated or scored the scoring

may be challenged. Such challenge must be made immediately. No challenge will be accepted after the target has been plugged by the shooter or removed from the range.

3) It is important to read a scoring gauge precisely. You must look at the point where the gauge and the target meet, as shown below.

incorrect correct

eye eye

position position

plug

target

4) Like everything else, scoring takes practice. The first thing is to account for all ten shots. This is sometimes the hardest due to doubles or close groups. Many times a shooter forgets to load all ten rounds, or has an early or late shot. If the scorer can only account for, say, nine shots, and all reasonable attempts have been made to find the missing shot, then the scorer will score the target based on the nine visible holes. It is up to the competitor to argue the score if he feels it is unfair.

5) The plug is the official scoring device on shots that are close to a scoring ring or to verify a double shot. Technically a bullet hole can only be plugged one time. Continuous plugging of a hole will enlarge the hole and make it unfair to score. The normal alternative to plugging is an overlay, this also comes in handy for groups of shots that have cut away the scoring ring and can't be easily plugged. The problem with overlays is that the eyesight of each person is different and not everyone will line up the overlays the same. However, AFPL rules are, scoring will be done to the best of the scorers' ability. The use of overlays, lights, and magnifying glasses may be used as an aid. Plugs will only be used if a target has been challenged. If you think your target has been scored incorrectly, you may challenge it. It costs a dollar. At this time a plug will be used to determine final score. If you win, you get your dollar back. If you lose, the dollar goes to the league.

6) Challenges are to be made by the shooter. If the challenge is simple, for example a math error when adding up your score, the shooter can go right to the scorer and say I think you made a mistake. If the challenge is more complex, for example finding that tenth shot or an alibi target, the shooter should get his team captain involved. The captain should then get the other team captain, and a fair unbiased decision made. If the question is asked, "whose target is it" then that person is already unfair. It doesn't matter whose target it is, the person is to make a fair decision on what he sees, not who he knows.

7) Alibis can be confusing. The first thing to do is find out how many extra shots are on the target. The range officer should have marked that on the target (but doesn't always). Let's say thirteen shots were fired. To score you detract the top three shots, and then score what is left. The three highest shots of value are what are lost to the shooter.

In the case of a double alibi, the same rules apply. Let's say during timed fire a shooter fires his first five shots successfully. After two shots on his second string, his gun jams. The range officer grants him an alibi string. The shooter has fired seven shots. During his alibi string the shooter fires two shots and his third one misfires. The shooter has fired only nine shots, but will be charged for twelve because of his extra alibi string. Remember the rules, he loses his top two shots and his score will be based on the seven remaining.

8) Doubles can be difficult to spot. There are usually some small "indicators" that hint to holes that may be doubles.

a. The first indicator is an enlarged bullet hole. Typically the hole will be a little bigger than the other holes on the target.

b. If you look carefully at a hole that you know is a single shot, you will see little tiny 'hairs' in the hole left from tearing the paper as the bullet went through. A double hole will not have any of those 'hairs' because the second bullet will usually take them out.

c. Look at the back of the target. Sometimes the back will show more clearly an enlarged hole that is not very visible from the front.

d. Look for a hole that is not round, but more of an hour glass shape.

e. Don't be afraid to check a known double for a possible triple. Close groups may very well contain more than two shots.

f. Use the magnifying glass. It is a tremendous aid. Don't be afraid to ask for help, especially from an experienced scorer. Scoring takes practice and sometimes experienced scorers get a 'feel' for the target. Be confident that you have scored each target to the best of your ability. Don't be afraid to make a decision and stick with it. If you are proven wrong during a challenge later then that's how you learn and get experience. Most times however, you will find that when you put the proper effort into scoring each target you will lose very few challenges.