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Tin Hat Shooting

Tin hat shooting refers to the type of target used and is usually associated with military shooting. This form of shooting and type of target refers to the semicircular black aiming mark. It was the most common form of target used for military shooting training using 'iron sights' in the days prior to 1960.

The design of the target is linked to the statistics that are themselves due to the variability in the ballistics of a particular type of ammunition.

My personal experience is mainly with the .303 British round, but I also used 7.62 NATO in experiments that took place before the adoption of this calibre by the British Armed forces.

Thus we can design a target that is matched to the ammunition concerned in such a way that the results reflect the ability of the shooter rather than the rifle or ammunition. The diameters of the "V" ring, bull, inner, magpie and outer are related to the natural spread of point of impact of the round under consideration. The data used comes from extensive testing with rigidly mounted test barrels. The particular target illustrated at right is of a type used in 1970, 48" square and with 3.5" "V" ring, 5" bull, 12" inner, 24" Magpie with the outer at 48" (the corners being 'Wash Outs'). For some purposes a 1" white paper disc is pasted over the dead centre of the bull. (Not shown in the picture). On some occasions, a white rectangle 2" wide x 3" tall was installed over the centre of the bull.

Thus we can design a target that is matched to the ammunition concerned in such a way that the results reflect the ability of the shooter rather than the rifle or ammunition.

The diameters of the "V" ring, bull, inner, magpie and outer are related to the natural spread of point of impact of the round under consideration. The data used comes from extensive testing with rigidly mounted test barrels.

The particular target illustrated at right is of a type used in 1970, 48" square and with 3.5" "V" ring, 5" bull, 12" inner, 24" Magpie with the outer at 48" (the corners being 'Wash Outs').

For some purposes a 1" white paper disc is pasted over the dead centre of the bull. (Not shown in the picture). On some occasions, a white rectangle 2" wide x 3" tall was installed over the centre of the bull.

The targets are made of paper and canvas stretched over a wooden frame that has legs so that a pair of targets will fit into the standard target swapping device. The colours are a dull light blue known as 'sky' a muddy orange or buff colour known as 'sand'. The rings and aiming mark, 'the tin hat', are black with the parts of rings that occur on the black surface being white. Shot holes are pasted over with patches of coloured paper about one inch square that are available in black sand and sky colours in perforated books that are rather like books of raffle tickets.

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Written... 08 July 2001, Revised... 18 December 2002, Revised... 22April 2002, New Domain... 27 October 2003, Upgraded... 01 January 2007,