As I'm sure everyone is well aware the 25 German Ring target has a center ring as 25 and counts down with 3/4" width rings - so my question is for the ASSRA targets (#3 or #4) why does it only count down to 15 and not say 14 or 10 or even 1? 

Looking at Dr Hudson's book (page 92)
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he shows the 25-ring target with an outer ring of 14. Similarly Mr Gould's book (page 239) (  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) )
also shows 14 as the outermost ring. Was that the standard back in the golden age or did the targets count down to lower numbers depending on the competiton level? Looking at ring targets from Germany or Switzerland from that era I notice all count down to 1, so America appears unique by not doing so.

The 25 ring target printed by SPG counts down to 10 for their 200 yard targets. For their scaled 100 yard targets they offer some that count down to 10 and others count down to 3. Given my novice skill level I certainly like when practicing to count those shots that score less than 15 as something more than a complete miss (zero). Or perhaps all those misses should be my excuse to the wife why I need to visit the range more often to practice!? 

Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.
Thanks,
-Dave

Jeff - ah you are correct. I re-read the rules and noted that is true for off-hand. Thanks!

and the ASSRA 100 yard targets are ringed out to the 14 ring.

This is what I'm shooting at.  Ordered within the last year.

Don't know what's being sent now.  Only out to the 15 ring?

Shrinkflation strikes again!