Hey everyone.  

We have been running 3 gun at our club for a few years but have one constant issue with our matches.  It's the long rifle stages. It's a bit of a two fold problem.  Honestly anything past 100 yards and the people that attend really struggle hitting the targets which imo are pretty big at 16"x20".  This leads into issues with time and a stage going on forever.  

The second part of the issue is scoring the hits at distance.  Even on the steel we have a hard time recognizing hits.  What type of targets are best suited for long rifle stages?

Any suggestions to these issues are appreciated or any rifle stages you think are awesome, pass them along.

Our club has a pit, which makes it possible for people to be in front of the line of fire.  The targets are huge - probably 5'x5' - and the spotters haul down the targets, mark the hits with large dots, and raise them back up for the next shot.  It's an expensive solution, but it works for several kinds of matches.

What is the setup like from the position shooters are typically engaging these longer range targets? Do they have a barricade to rest against, or are they forced to shoot off hand etc.? Maybe set things up so that shooters are taking the targets from a knee and behind a barricade? Use poppers or other more reactive targets? Have one person working the stage on a spotting scope calling hits?

Use yellow spray paint on the steel, and drape a cow bell over the back of the head- in contact with the steel.

Our matches here are figured on 4 MOA. At 300 yds the gongs are 12", 400 yds 16" and 500 yds 20". You need someone on a spotting scope for the 400 & 500 yds as the gongs are heavy enough a .223 will barely wiggle them. We watch for the splash. We usually shoot these prone.

For 100 to 200 yds off hand with some support, like a wall/ barricade/ roof top. We do shoot 'C' out to 100 yds off hand and plate racks at 50 yds off hand.

Flash targets are the obvious answer.

Have a maximum time to complete the course.  Have enough targets to test abilities without allowing people to engage once and move on taking the penalty seconds to remain competitive.  I would say 5 flash targets out to 400 yards and some close range hosing or 25-50 yard hosing targets would get you there.

MGM flashers or reactive poppers are the way to go. Gainesville has a spotting scope set up on the long range stage. I really liked the flashers as a shooter and an RO. Easy to call hits on them.

Most ranges I go to have a maximum time allotted for each stage. Usually 300 seconds, but can be different depending on the stage.

First as someone who runs 3Gun  matches, always push the limits of your core group of shooters skills with a few very difficult shots, but not overly hard that they get discouraged and don't come back.
But

Can't hit a 16x20 at 100yds ? ? WOW !

Are these brand new shooters? if so that's barely acceptable.

Flashers are the easiest way to see hit out to about 350 yds, we use strobes from 400-600 yds.

Last month we had targets that size, offhand at 200yds after running 200 yards, then flashers out to 350 off a roof top.
It was an EXTREME stage and about 75% of they guys timed out,5 minute par time.
but most said they wanted to do it again.
The temp got to about everybody, 96* and 96% humidity, it was the hottest day of the year so far. Just breathing felt like you were drowning.

For some reason I couldn't find the video, turns out it was on FB instead of YT



https://www.facebook.com/jessica.loganbill.3/videos/1689182037977338/

MAYBE one of these will work