I always wondered why it was red in the first place since I can't see it very well and can't see bullet holes either. Blue IMO is much better, but that ain't gonna happen.

Three things: First, if the red color has 'crept' over the years then what's the big concern with insisting on the 'official' red color since we evidently haven't had the same one all the time in the past? IOW the words used here re this subject have led me to believe that our several World Records just MAY have been fired on different shades of red, so why worry so much about it now? Not saying it's not important, just saying that the horse may have already escaped the barn.

Second, to ensure the best 'official red' for the majority of shooters, it might be A Good Idea to have several shades of red targets assembled and tried by several shooters, to see just exactly which shade gave the best resolution for the majority.

Third, to prevent any future color creep, it might be another Good Idea to consult the industry color chart and specify the exact shade of official red that we want to use in the future.
Just a thought, Froggie, regards, Joe

I'll throw another can of gasoline on the fire by mentioning my shooting buddy who can't see red...either the ASSRA red or the ISSA red...and so does not shoot iron sight matches.  On black targets, he was shooting highpower as a high Master, so it's not as if he can't shoot irons.

David
Montezuma, IA

I have only anecdotal stories...

The guys in my club (a not-quite-yet-ASSRA-Affliliated-but-working-on-it club), mostly agree that we can't get nearly as good definition in iron sights on the ASSRA #4 targets RED side as we can the BLACK side.

We use the black side only in our matches (which are all off-hand matches).
For bench-testing (mostly with scopes for load testing) we really like the red side, because it DOES make it FAR easier to see shot-holes.

I've thought about offering competitors the choice of red-side or black-side for matches, but the Highpower and Smallbore match-director in me balks at the idea of competitors not ALL shooting under the same condition with the same targets.
I honestly haven't made a decision on that for next years program yet, but I'm leaning towards "black side only".

Paul F.

Mike;

Through most shooting sports I'm aware of, the rules are set up so that all shooters shoot with the same equipment and range conditions... advantageous, or disadvantageous.  I don't think either side would give a clear advantage, since the "red siders" would be able to more accurately correct their sights/shots, but the "black siders" would be able to get a more clearly defined sight picture.
But not having everyone shooting the same target raises that spirit-of-the-rules thing in my mind.

Paul F.

In 2000, the ISSA experimented with a "darker" red target.  (Up to that point, their red-orange was very close if not the same as the ASSRA.)   

We shot on this new target in May at Modesto, CA, and in August in Raton.  Our first impressions were that the darker color was somewhat better with iron sights, echoing what has been stated above, and also being the idea of changing the shade in the first place.  However, as we  completed the weekend Regional shoot, we all found that it was often difficult to see the bullet holes, especially if any mirage was present.   

Our experience at Raton was much the same - perhaps a little better clarity with irons, but often harder to see the bullet holes.  And - when there's wind (isn't there always?), if you can't see where the shots are going, you can't adjust your sights accordingly.  Apparently this was the experience of most ISSA shooters around the country that year, as the next year the original shade was back.   

We have a couple of members of our club who are colorblind, and the red-orange target is difficult for them to see with irons.  As an option, we offered to let them shoot the black side.  In fact, a few of the rest of us shot on the old black targets too.  The next month, we all (including the color blind shooter) went back to the red-orange side.  We all agreed: if you can't see where they're going.......  If any of you schuetzenmeisters are concerned that offering either side of the target at a match would be giving that shooter an advantage over the other competitors, I would submit that one advantage will be cancelled out by the disadvantage, so if they prefer the black for their eyes, allow them to use it.

The ASSRA targets are great.  The service is great.  The price is very reasonable.  Don't mess with a good thing.

When our club switched from ISSA targets to ASSRA, the ONLY difference we noted was the paper used.  ASSRA targets are printed on a very good grade of paper, which has a bit of shine to it.  The ISSA targets were printed on the old traditional target paper - tears easily if the staples come loose in the wind, BUT less glare in bright sunshine.
Should we change the ASSRA target paper?  Probably not.  But if there are any changes in the future - there's my two cents.

Jerry

A simple dodge to the "can't see the target or can't see the bullet holes" quandry, is put a black target next to a "red" target. Aim at the black target and let your bullets print on the "red" target. Yes, if you cant the rifle it makes a difference. Either cant it the same or don't cant it at all; whether you can or  can't, I don't know .

Yeah, like shootin' in the dark.