A little over a year ago when I got back into shooting I started writing a program that I could use to measure my groups on a target. If figured I could do the measurements better using a scanner and computer than I could with a ruler or caliper. After a couple of months I set it aside because of work, shooting silhouette, and getting my daughter off to college. A couple of months ago I went back to the program and decided to finish it off and release it on the web.

The program was really rough and needed a lot of tweaking, tuning, and testing. I worked on it for about two months then I was very fortunate to hook up with _Shorty (another steelchickens regular), and a few other fellow shooters who were willing to do testing and make a bunch of really good suggestions.

The program is now working well enough to let it out for general use. I think it's less confusing and easier to use than the others that are out there now. Here's the link to the website I've set up:

http://www.ontargetcalc.com

Take a look, read the quick start guide, and download a copy if you'd like to give it a try. Send me an email through the webmaster account listed on the site and let me know what you think. I'm still working on the help file so let me know if you have any questions.

And thanks to: The steelchickens.com webmaster, _Shorty, Tim, and Jim, for all of your help.

Jeff59

One such group:

_Shorty wrote:One such group:

_Shorty,
Thanks for the picture. Worth 1000 words.

All,
I should have had Shorty tell about the OnTarget program.
I use too many words and didn't remember the picture.

Jeff59

I have been wondering about this for about 4 or 5 years. Now I don't have to wonder anymore. This is good for us that love to do testing but I'm not sure what it does for silhouette shooting.

Well, you still have to test/select ammo for silhouette from time to time. No matter how much ammo you buy, you'll eventually run out and have to begin testing again. Unless you're confident that the stuff you buy doesn't change much from lot to lot. I've been shooting Eley Target Rifle for over a year now, but just recently stopped being able to get the same lot. Should've bought in bulk, heh. Anyway, after testing three different lots I've found one that shoots significantly better than the other two lots, but I wouldn't have known without testing. Going to shoot my first silhouette match with it tomorrow, but I'm not looking forward to it, heh. I didn't have time to double-check how it shoots compared to the old lot, as far as scope settings go. I only shot some at 100 yards today, and it was 3/4"-1" lower from the old lot. Looks like I'm going to have to adjust ~2-3 clicks or so for turkeys and rams, so it's not too bad. But different, none the less. But Jeff's program came in very handy in deciding which lot to buy.

Jerry G wrote:I have been wondering about this for about 4 or 5 years. Now I don't have to wonder anymore. This is good for us that love to do testing but I'm not sure what it does for silhouette shooting.

Thanks to everyone who went to the OnTarget website and checked out the program. In the last week the site has logged over 400 visitors, greatly exceeding my expectations.

The feedback and suggestions I've received so far have been very positive and helpful. There have been a few small problems reported but that is not surprising and I've already fixed most of them. Almost all of the suggestions will be implemented in future versions.

Now I'm starting to plan for the next version of the OnTarget program. If you've looked and/or used OnTarget and have had a problem, or have a suggestion to make the program better, please pass it along to me. The program started with what I wanted it to do. It will progress with additions suggested by the users of the program.

You can send me a PM here, or through the link to the webmaster at: http://www.ontargetcalc.com

Thanks,

Jeff59