Benchrest BillM’s Sept. 2026 X-Shot: competitor perspectives

[Billm]

Do we get to do this again in October? Im trying to get the hang of this maybe

I’m thinking of running another 50yd one. But, run it October through December.

 

[FL22]

I’m thinking of running another 50yd one. But, run it October through December.

Any chance of increasing the number of targets?

 

[duchunter007]

I’m thinking of running another 50yd one. But, run it October through December.

Will you be doing this month by month through December?

 

[Billm]

Any chance of increasing the number of targets?

How many do you want to do?

Will you be doing this month by month through December?

I was thinking do it quarterly, with and everyone can shoot them whenever they want during that period. What’s your preference?

 

[hameditor]

@Billm Thank you for running this competition. There's been some great shooting and everyone obviously had fun! I know it's been appreciated by everyone in the HAM Community, whether competitors or not.

Again, thank you!

 

[FL22]

How many do you want to do?

At least eight, if not more. Three months is a long time for just four targets.

 

[Billm]

At least eight, if not more. Three months is a long time for just four targets.

Oh, I misunderstood you. I’m thinking 12 and maybe a bonus one in December.

 

[Billm]

@Billm Thank you for running this competition. There's been some great shooting and everyone obviously had fun! I know it's been appreciated by everyone in the HAM Community, whether competitors or not.

Again, thank you!

Not a problem, it’s been fun. Hopefully we can get a few more entries for the next one.

 

[Awl In]

Seriously fun! Whatever it turns out to be, please include me!

 

[Billm]

I’m working on the details of the next version of the 50yd benchrest competition. I believe it went well. I do have some questions. I know several shooters signed up, but didn’t submit any or in some cases all of their targets. I would really appreciate shooters that didn’t end up shooting or entering their targets providing me with their insight on why not. I’m purely interested in your opinions for the sole purpose of improving the next competition. If you want to keep it private, feel free to dm me. Did you have too much difficulty with the rules? Was it harder than you thought? Was it too easy. Was the schedule too tight? Please share your thoughts if you didn’t participate. For you shooters that did participate, what did you think.
I’m working on making the next one, bigger and better if possible. If you even think that you might enjoy some friendly competition, you won’t want to miss this one. I’m not rushing into it, I want it to do Hard Air Magazine proud. This is being facilitated on Steve’s forums under the HAM banner and has to reflect the same fun and quality airgun experience. I want it to be fun enough to attract shooters of all levels of experience. I’m going to eventually post my views and perspective on how it went. I will share some decisions that I made on how I approached the competition and how we might be able to improve future events.

 

[Solo1]

I thought it was good even though it took a while to get along with the app. If its going to be a month long i think 6-8 targets would be good although might be tough in the winter months. Carry on and surprise us!

 

[PapaT]

It was good Bill, I just lacked time to be able to finish my last 2 cards.

 

[FL22]

Time is the key for me also.

I would like to see a separate thread for manual scoring compared to the X shot app. That would also be a good thread to list your ammo, Airgun(s) and conditions that you shot in.

That would make it easier for the referee to correct any scoring error(s) until everyone gets used to adjusting any error(s) in the app (if it’s red, you can change the score as the shooter, if it’s black you can’t). Any changes by the shooter has to be done before saving the target and submitting it.

 

[PapaT]

Time is the key for me also.

I would like to see a separate thread for manual scoring compared to the X shot app. That would also be a good thread to list your ammo, Airgun(s) and conditions that you shot in.

That would make it easier for the referee to correct any scoring error(s) until everyone gets used to adjusting any error(s) in the app (if it’s red, you can change the score as the shooter, if it’s black you can’t). Any changes by the shooter has to be done before saving the target and submitting it.

It also won't let you adjust to a 0, even if it is red. Only referee can make that I learned.

 

[Billm]

Time is the key for me also.

I would like to see a separate thread for manual scoring compared to the X shot app. That would also be a good thread to list your ammo, Airgun(s) and conditions that you shot in.

That would make it easier for the referee to correct any scoring error(s) until everyone gets used to adjusting any error(s) in the app (if it’s red, you can change the score as the shooter, if it’s black you can’t). Any changes by the shooter has to be done before saving the target and submitting it.

I’d prefer to make X-Shot work. We can have a thread where we post an image of our targets as well, or we can click on the target image in the app and expand it. I’m aware that some targets were posted with incorrect scores. I decided not to adjust them for the first competition, unless the shooter asked me to. In the next competition shooters are going to be asked to assist in refereeing and scoring. Each shooter will be asked to review the entries of the shooter above them in the listing in X-Shot. The top shooter will review the last shooters targets. You will be asked to review the targets for any obvious scoring errors. And then DM a referee with the shooters name , which card and the target box number that has the suspected error. Hopefully the shooters will notify a referee of any errors at the time of scoring. The reason for sticking with X-Shot scoring is the ability to scale. My hope/intention is to scale this event into a larger online event with a lot more entries. My goal was never for it to be a challenge, but to be an informal match. My thoughts are that a challenge is an informal event where you print a target and shoot it and post it. A match is a little more organized with some basic rules and requirements and a regulation target of some kind. My hope is it will be fun enough to attract casual shooters and have enough uniformity to attract shooters interested in formal competition. Technology is moving fast, if something better comes along, we can look at it later. But, right now X-Shot is the only free target scoring option that is free and also helps organize and manage a competition. I plan on encouraging some more discussion for what’s about to transpire. I really want this to be good for both hamsters and airgunning in general. I’m just going to be honest: I received more friction/opposition over starting this than I expected. I had several people tell me that there would be no participation. I went back and looked at the participation of the various challenges held on HAM. I’d say the initial response was pretty decent. As we work out the kinks, it will hopefully get even better. If your wondering: yes, I have discussed most of this with Steve and he has been very supportive. We can make this into something good.
There will be a few more rules, but nothing draconian.

 

[Billm]

It also won't let you adjust to a 0, even if it is red. Only referee can make that I learned.

Yes, and you immediately notified the ref., who was admittedly a little slow, but corrected it.

 

[FL22]

Each shooter will be asked to review the entries of the shooter above them in the listing in X-Shot. The top shooter will review the last shooters targets. You will be asked to review the targets for any obvious scoring errors.

Will that be difficult if the target was shot with a caliber other than .22?

 

[Billm]

Will that be difficult if the target was shot with a caliber other than .22?

Not overly difficult, as long as we consider the limitations. The extra set of eyes is just intended to filter potential incorrect scores and bring them to the attention of a referee. A referee’s can click on any target and magnify it. X-shot will show the estimated .22 impact with a circle and the referee will have to make a call. It’s the best that anyone can do without being there in person or sending each target somewhere to be plugged. It’s obviously a compromise.

 

[Playingdead]

I am sorry I missed it. I could not get the ELEY targets. Later I found out you could use ACME and I have those now. I am in for then next one.

@hameditor can we have a sticky post with rules and targets you can buy, or even pdfs to print them. I know we should read everything, but this ADD guy needs to be talked to real slow

@Billm thank you for all the work! Just want to be sure you know it is appreciated.

 

[Billm]

I am sorry I missed it. I could not get the ELEY targets. Later I found out you could use ACME and I have those now. I am in for then next one.

@hameditor can we have a sticky post with rules and targets you can buy, or even pdfs to print them. I know we should read everything, but this ADD guy needs to be talked to real slow

@Billm thank you for all the work! Just want to be sure you know it is appreciated.

Thanks. I’m glad you got some targets.