Black Death Target Challenge

[CyBerlin]

I have a quick question about the infamous "Black Death Target Challenge".

Here's a link to a PDF file that pretty much explains everything you need to know: http://www.lyndenhuggins.com/hunting/info/targets/blackdeath.pdf

My question is this: how many points does an "X" count for? Is it 10 points?

If an "X" is 10 points, then there would be two ways to get a perfect score. A) Get all five shots inside the 1/2" circle, or B) shoot out the "X" in all five targets.

My sons and I have started target shooting again with our CZ-452 after a long hiatus. We can't wait to try out the Black Death Challenge next week with the new Weaver Classic 2.5-7x28 mm rimfire scope I just ordered.

 

[CyBerlin]

I've been doing some reading on the thread below (seems like this may have been the site & thread where the challenge originated) and opinions are split. Some folks are saying that 1 shot at each of the "X" marks should count as a perfect score.

But then I read this: "I think it is easier to shoot one shot into the white on individual targets than shooting 5 rounds into one target. My reasoning is that it is more difficult to sight in on a ragged hole than to sight in on a well defined black dot. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but at least to me it seems to be easier."

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/rimfires/6173-black-death-challenge-2.html

 

[CyBerlin]

OK, I had to go to the Internet Archive to find the original set of rules. Here they are:

http://web.archive.org/web/20040823030548/http://www.huntingcentral.net/topgun/bdc_rules.htm

Bottom Line: The "X" is used strictly for tie-breaking purposes:

"Center rings in each target are tie breaking "X" scores. In the case of "X" ties, the best "X" wins."

So, a perfect score on the Black Death Target (BDT) can only come from putting 5 shots completely inside the 1/2" target, without touching any of the surrounding black areas.