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July 17, 2026
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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 it matters most.
The solution isn’t complicated, but it requires understanding what separates competition-grade materials from the alternatives.
When we talk about heavyweight targets, we’re referring to targets manufactured from 65-90 pound stock versus the 20-24 pound paper used in standard office printing. Our A-17 and A-23/5 targets use heavyweight tagboard construction, where multiple layers are pressed together to create density and stability that you can feel in your hands.
Pick up one of our A-17 targets and you’ll immediately notice the difference. It has substance, almost like thin cardboard. You can’t easily bend it with one hand, and when you tap it, there’s a solid sound rather than a flimsy flutter. Quality targets feel substantial because they are.
Tagboard construction isn’t just about thickness. The multi-layer pressing process creates a material with consistent fiber density throughout.
When a bullet passes through, it creates a clean perforation with minimal tearing. This isn’t an accident of manufacturing; it’s the result of NRA specifications that have been refined over decades of competition use.
Lightweight targets serve their purpose for high-volume practice sessions and budget training scenarios. They’re cost-effective when you’re burning through hundreds of rounds in basic marksmanship training.
But when scoring precision matters, the trade-offs become clear: inconsistent hole definition, reduced durability, and the potential for scoring disputes that can derail a good match.
Clean hole definition separates good targets from great ones. Heavyweight paper creates precise perforations with minimal fiber disruption around the bullet hole. This matters enormously in competition, where a torn edge can obscure whether a shot breaks into the next scoring ring. We’ve seen too many shooters lose points not because of poor marksmanship, but because inferior paper created questionable holes.
The A-17 target demonstrates why this precision matters. With its 11-bull layout (one sighting bull plus ten record bulls), every shot must be scored accurately. In four-position smallbore competition, where the difference between Expert and Master classification can come down to a single point, torn holes aren’t just frustrating; they’re potentially classification-changing.
Here’s a simple test for target quality: hold a target up to the light and flex it gently. Heavyweight competition targets like our A-17 feel rigid between your fingers.
You can’t easily fold them, and the surface has a slight texture that grips bullet holes cleanly. Cheap targets feel thin and slippery, almost like printer paper.
Durability becomes critical during extended shooting sessions. Our A-17 targets routinely handle 50+ rounds in practice without structural failure. The heavyweight construction resists staple tear-out, doesn’t curl in varying humidity, and maintains its flat profile throughout a match. Range officers tell us they prefer our targets because they stay mounted securely and score consistently from first shot to last.
The A-17 represents the gold standard for 50-foot indoor competition. Its 10½″ × 12″ heavyweight tagboard construction handles the precision demands of conventional smallbore shooting.
When you’re shooting from standing, kneeling, prone, and sitting positions, the target needs to perform flawlessly across varying shooting angles and lighting conditions.
Match directors consistently report fewer scoring disputes with heavyweight targets. The clean hole definition eliminates the gray area calls that can disrupt match flow and frustrate competitors. When every shot produces a clearly defined hole with crisp edges, scoring becomes straightforward and confident.
The A-23/5 target faces even greater challenges at 50 yards. Its 14″ × 24″ format must withstand outdoor conditions while maintaining scoring precision across five separate bulls. Wind, moisture, and temperature variations that would compromise lightweight paper simply don’t affect proper heavyweight construction.
The sighting bull allows for precision zeroing, while the four record bulls must maintain consistent performance throughout the match string.
Before your next important match, try this comparison: handle targets side-by-side. Quality heavyweight targets feel substantial in your hands. They don’t flutter in air currents, hang straight on target frames, and tear cleanly if you need to examine a shot placement closely. Inferior targets wave around, wrinkle easily, and often require multiple mounting points to stay flat.
When shopping for targets, several quality indicators separate competition-grade materials from alternatives. Look for clear NRA-approved specifications on the packaging, including the NRL seal of approval with the licensee number.
At National Target Company, we hold NRA License No. 1, the very first license issued by the National Rifle Association for target manufacturing. This isn’t marketing; it’s verification that our targets meet the exacting standards developed over decades of competitive use.
Paper weight specifications should be clearly stated. Terms like “heavyweight tagboard” or specific pound ratings indicate serious attention to material quality. Vague descriptions like “standard paper” or “target paper” usually mean corners have been cut somewhere in the manufacturing process.
Try the hands-on test at gun shows or retail locations. Ask to handle a sample target before purchasing. Quality targets have a noticeable thickness you can feel. The printing should be sharp and consistent, not fuzzy or misregistered. If it feels like office copy paper, it will probably perform like copy paper when your scores matter most.
Suspiciously low pricing often indicates compromised materials. While nobody wants to overpay, remember that match entry fees, travel costs, and practice time represent significant investments. Quality targets ensure that investment isn’t wasted on preventable scoring issues.
Consider cost per clean score rather than cost per sheet. A heavyweight target that produces ten clearly scored shots offers better value than a cheap target that creates scoring disputes on half the holes. The hidden costs of re-shooting questionable rounds, lost practice time due to target failures, and the frustration of disputed scores quickly outweigh any initial savings.
Serious competitors eventually learn this lesson: quality targets eliminate variables. When you’re working to improve your shooting, the last thing you need is uncertainty about whether a questionable hole represents a good shot poorly recorded or a shooting error requiring correction.
Paper weight is the foundation of fair scoring and confident competition. Every serious smallbore shooter eventually discovers that targets deserve the same attention to quality as rifles, ammunition, and shooting technique.
Choose heavyweight targets for competition and serious practice sessions. Save lightweight alternatives for high-volume plinking and casual training where scoring precision matters less than round count.
At National Target Company, our 60+ years of precision manufacturing has taught us that shooters deserve targets as serious as their commitment to the sport. Your scores matter. Your training time matters. Choose targets that match your dedication to precision shooting.
Ready to experience the difference? Contact National Target Company to discuss your specific target needs and discover why America’s most demanding shooters trust our heavyweight construction for their most important competitions.