IBS Target Guide: Which Benchrest Target Do You Need?

Benchrest shooters know their equipment. They know their load, their seating depth, their scope, and the wind conditions on their home range. What trips people up — particularly those new to IBS-sanctioned competition, or clubs setting up a match for the first time — is the target selection. If you’re new to benchrest, think of it as the next level of precision rifle shooting — a discipline focused entirely on accuracy at distance, with specific equipment rules and competition formats

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Getting Started with Shooting Sports in Scouting America

The BSA Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting merit badges introduce young people to marksmanship fundamentals: safe firearm handling, proper stance, breath control, and consistent trigger work. Running those programs well requires the right equipment. That starts with the right targets. This guide covers which targets meet Scout BSA range requirements, how to set up a qualification session for a troop, and how to order efficiently for merit badge weekends or summer camp programs. National Target Company has held NRA License

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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing & Using Shooting Targets: Paper vs. Steel

If you’ve started spending serious time at the range, you’ve probably heard the debate: paper targets versus steel targets.  Some shooters swear by the satisfying “ping” of steel. Others insist paper is the only way to build real precision. Even though we at National Target print targets, we’re happy to concede that there is a place for both. This isn’t about which is “better”. It’s about knowing when to use each one. After 60+ years manufacturing official targets for America’s

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From 50 Feet to State Champion: The Proven Target Progression That Builds Junior Marksmen

The overlooked foundation of successful youth marksmanship programs is not the rifle, the range, or even the instructor. It is the paper. The right target teaches focus, safety, and confidence before a single medal is earned. When beginners start on targets scaled to their ability, they learn faster and stay motivated. When they start too far, too small, or too soon, frustration sets in and programs lose participants. Over sixty years of youth shooting experience show a clear truth. The

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why paper weight matters

Understanding NRA Smallbore Target Materials: Why Paper Weight Matters

Not all paper targets are created equal, and at 50 feet or 50 yards, those differences show up in your scores.  Whether you’re shooting your first smallbore match or chasing a Master classification, the paper your bullets punch through can make the difference between a clean score and a frustrating dispute. At National Target Company, we’ve been manufacturing precision targets for 60+ years. We’ve seen shooters struggle with torn holes, scoring disputes, and targets that simply don’t hold up when

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5 Essential Shooting Targets for Professional Training 

In high-stakes training situations, the difference between good and great performance often comes down to one thing: the right target for the right drill.   Whether you’re running qualification courses for new recruits or pushing experienced shooters to the next level, your choice of training target directly impacts skill development, confidence building, and measurable improvement.  Too many training programs rely on generic targets that don’t align with specific learning objectives.   A law enforcement officer preparing for real-world scenarios needs different visual

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