American 900 Round

[Desert Archer]

This is NFAA's version of "target archery". It is 30 arrows shot at 60 yards in 5 ends of 6 arrows each. Then 30 arrows at 50 yards, again 5 ends of 6 arrows. Finally, 30 arrows at 40 yards, as above.

Target is the multi-colored 122cm face (NAA/FITA) that takes at least a 48" target butt. Scoring is 10 & 9 for the Gold, 8 & 7 for the Red, 6 & 5 for the Blue, 4 & 3 for the Black and 2 & 1 for the White. Possible for each distance is 300, total is 900 - hence the name "900 Round".

For those of you who have bows in the 45# and under range this can be quite fun. I've watched a couple people try it with hunting weight bows (50# and up) and by the time they get to 40 yards (that's after 60 shots) their form and technique is awful.

There is also the FITA 900 which is virtually the same course of fire but done in meters instead of yards. That works out to be just about exactly 10% further for each distance.

If anyone is interested in either the American 900 or the FITA 900, lets start posting scores here. I'm shooting the American version tomorrow as part of the AZ Police Olympics. I'll put up my results when I'm done.

Dave

[Desert Archer]

When I started the 28 Target Field course thread I thought I was a voice crying in the wilderness but this one is probably gonna be worse (smiley face goes here).

In the faint hope it will intice some of you to try it, I shot the American 900 today in the Arizona Police Olympics and shot a 704. Close to my personal best of 708 but too many slopy releases (shooting a couple in the gold then seeing the next one go into the 3 or 4 ring is depressing - LOL).

Shot next to Biblethumpincop (Olympic Recurve) and enjoyed his company a great deal. He shot in the 770s (sorry John, don't remember the exact number). Gusty winds for the 40 yard part made both of us scatter some arrows - along with my goofy release...

This stuff is fun guys and like field archery it will make you a better archer, at 3D, hunting and everything else you try.

Dave

[van_fl]

Dave I have the Fl State Senior Games State Record at 668 that was done in a 26 mph cross wind with gusts to 38mph. my best was 728 but only the state shoot counts for the books. My norm seems to be about 700-711. I love 900 rounds :highfive:

[Desert Archer]

Great to hear from you Van. We'll have to see who gets to 750 first, since you already beat me to 725 which is my next goal (smiley face goes here).

Dave

[swampy]

I,ve never seen that target is it simular in size to any of the field targets ??

We have the field targets set up on our butts but I don,t recall what sizes,since I haven,t shot long range in a few yrs

[swampy]

one more thing do ya get any warm up rounds?? At what distance or one end at each or ????

Sorry for the stupid ???,s I,ve never seen this round before let alone shot it.
I used ta shoot field archery a long time ago with the other kind of bow

[van_fl]

900 Round.


1. Round consists of 90 arrows. 30 shot at 60 yards, 30 shot at 50 yards and 30 shot at 40 yards (Youth shoot 50, 40, and 30), (Cubs shoot 30, 20, 10) and (PeeWee shoot 20, 15, 10)
2. Archers shoot at a 122 cm multicolor face with a gold center, followed by red, blue, black and white rings. The target is scored 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.
3. Archers shoot 6 arrows per end. Five ends at each distance.

we in FL get one end for Practice that doesn’t count at 60yds at the start
:shooting:

[Desert Archer]

Swamp,

The one thing Van left out is that 122cm target translates to rooughly 48". At the target range I occasionally frequent they put them on 52" Whitetail foam target mats.

In the Senior Olympics, where I've shot this round the most often, they usually give you two warm-up ends (6 arrows each end) at 60 yards. I think they operate on the theory that you have practiced and know where to shoot, but need to limber up the old joints a little (remember I said senior olympics - LOL).

Unless you know of a target shooting club around your area, you will probably have to order one or two of these targets. I got some from Lancaster Archery and practiced the 40 yard part in my back yard/patio before the previously mentioned senior olympics.

Dave

[swampy]

Thanks ,I can have the archery shop that I shoot out of order them or just get some for our archery club.We do have a range set up long enough to give it a try

[BLACK WOLF]

I remember a couple of years ago our archery club (CTAS) set-up a 900 round and by the time I got done shooting it I had lost my form and shot some disappointing rounds on the next 3, 3D courses that day. I'll never shoot that round before a 3D competition again ;)

Last year I won it with a score somewhere between 650 and 700. Some of you guys would just spank me with scores in the 700's.

By the time I'm done shooting that round I have pulled back about 6,210lbs. That shoot is a work-out but it's also a lot of fun ;)

Ray ;)

[Desert Archer]

Ray, I just can't pull the kind of pounds you do. My shoulders would never last if I tried.

I know your interest in archery is different than mine so don't take this wrong, but if you want to shoot 90 arrows and not loose your form, get a lighter bow. Honest, it won't hurt (LOL).

Dave

[BLACK WOLF]

DA,

I definitely agree...a lighter bow would be easier ;) but that first time I shot it I had already worked my upper body out in the gym earlier that day.

I think I have the perfect bow for that now...it's a 60lbs. DAS that feels like 50lbs. but shoots like a 70lbs. bow ;)

Ray ;)

[Desert Archer]

No one else seems to be doing much here but I'm going to plunge ahead in the faint hope that it might inspire or encourage someone to get involved in this. I really think you will like it if you give it a try.

Anyway, the FITA 900 is exactly the same as the American except it is in meters, which translates to about a 10% increas in distance (60 meters is 66 yards, etc.). The local FITA club I recently joined is having an FITA 900 on May 14th. I just got my first batch of "good" arrows (Easton Navigators) and needed to try them at 60, 50 & 40 meters before the 14th so I went to their Saturday practice session.

Managed to shoot a practice 900 round and surprised myself. My previous best on the FITA 900 was 653. Today I shot a 720. No match pressure of course, but I was still impressed with how much better I shot with those little skinney arrows. Guess those Olympic types may know something about what equipment works best and how to shoot a recurve (smiley face goes here).

Dave

[Desert Archer]

As further proof that "practice" is not the same as a "match" I shot the FITA 900 today in a tournament setting (Papago FITA Archer's Spring Claissic). My previous best, as earlier reported was 653. After shooting a 720 in practice I had high hopes of at least breaking 700 today. How quickly we are humbled (LOL). Best I could do was a 687. Got to stop tossing the occasional arrow way out of the group. That must have cost me 20-25 points over the course of shooting 90 arrows. Oh well, just have to work harder.

Dave

[swampy]

Thats still good shootin DA and I know all to well about doing good in practice and not up to the norm when it counts LOL Not sure about you but I get more worked up in that type of situation then if a deer was in front of me.Don,t get me wrong I get the shakes with deer but it,s genrally right after the shot

[Esquire]

No one else seems to be doing much here but I'm going to plunge ahead in the faint hope that it might inspire or encourage someone to get involved in this. I really think you will like it if you give it a try.

Dave,

Keep plunging. I'm interested, and hope to give it a try this summer.

Mike

[ROD JENKINS]

Thought there may be some who would like to see what an American Round Target looks like....the center is gold, but mine has been shot out and replaced with white etafoam

[Desert Archer]

Rod,

The size looks about right and the correct number of scoring rings are there, but you got the colors all screwed up (LOL). Maybe that's why the bear has his back to it (LOL again).

Just so folks don't go to the archery shop and try to buy that color combination...from the center out it's Gold, Red, Blue, Black and White. Each color is divided into two scoring rings.

Nice picture and range anyway, Rod. I'm envious your setup!

Dave

[ROD JENKINS]

Thanks for the info....I bought 3 of the targets, several years ago and understood they were the correct target for the American Round

[Desert Archer]

Rod,

No offense intended. If they are about 48" across they are the right size and have the right number of scoring rings. You could sure use them for practice. I was just afraid if someone went out to buy targets and didn't find that color combination they would think they didn't have the right ones.

Go ahead and shoot a 900 round on your target and post the score. You can't possibly be any worse than I was the first time (LOL).

Dave

[Floxter]

My only experience shooting the American Round has been at the NAA Traditional Nationals the last several years. My personal best was only a 491. However, my excuse is that it was with a 52# longbow, wood arrows, and after having shot the Clout, and on the day after having shot the York Round (144 arrows). I was exhausted. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. By the way, when we shoot the American Round at the Trad Nationals, the scoring is 9,7,5,3,1.

[Desert Archer]

Floxter,

A 491 with a 52# Longbow and wood arrows doesn't require any excuses. That's pretty good shooting. Better than any of the longbows or hunting weight recurves I seen, no matter how it is scored.

Dave

[Floxter]

Thanks Dave, but unfortunately that year I shot against Glenn Myers, 1984 Olympic Team Member, and he shot a 700 with a very similar bow. It is the current tournament record for the longbow in the American Round.

[Desert Archer]

Come on Hank, which would you rather do - shoot 20 or 30 arrows at some foam or try something new and challenging and shoot 90 arrows at a huge colorful target? (LOL) Take your girlfriend with you and buy her dinner on the way home. Make a day of it!

Smiley face goes here, Dave

[Desert Archer]

Well OK, if you put it that way (smiley face goes here).

Tell her we all said "Happy Birthday!"

Dave

[Desert Archer]

On May 14th I shot a 687 FITA 900 round in a match. In practice I had shot as high as 720.

Last Saturday (June 4th) I completely lost it and shot 633 in a tourney, the worst FITA 900 score I've ever posted.

Today in practice I managed a 723. And to think, I didn't believe in match pressure (ROTFLMAO).

Dave

[Hornseeker]

90 point spread...Dang... I have NO idea what that would be like for me, shooting that many arras at that distance. I just signed up at a new club, haven't even seen the range yet, but when I get there I"ll scope it out for the opportunity to shoot this round...

What are the records for this round? Barebow and sights, etc...?? Some dog probably shot a 900 huh?

Ernie

[gitnbetr]

I'm going to start shooting this kind of stuff this next weekend and I know Rusty will be there, too. If Fusiontrix can get loose, we're going to recruit him.
C'mon back, DA, we need some inspiration!

[longbowguy]

Glad to see some more attention to this fine event. The distances, 60, 50 and 40 yards are well suited to both hunting type tackle and barebow recurve tackle and to the normal side of face anchor.

For a little perspective, Howard Hill wrote in 1960 that his best scores were 672, 681 and 684 with his normal heavy tackle.

My best with a modern longbow and 500 grain wooden arrows was 650, a Senior Male record here in California. But this event used the 10, 9, 8, 7 etcetera scoring. Either way a 700 would be impressive from any sort of bow with any wooden arrows.

[gitnbetr]

Last year in the Texas State American Round championships, I shot my 53# DAS and the warmup was the first time I had ever shot it at a 60-yard target. I just stopped there to see how it was done as I was on my way to another shoot down the road and couldn't resist trying it.:) I only had 6 arrows and lost one on the first end and didn't find it until the 5th end. I don't imagine that cost me more than one point anyway. :) I had a great time, finished in 2nd place with a 615 behind a 676, and decided I would make a few changes and be back next year.
I've made a few changes and shot 733 in practice recently, the only time I have shot for score since then. Now I just have to find out where more of these rounds are being shot. This stuff is fun!

Thank you Dave.

[SteveGabriel]

I tried my first "450" round this past Sunday. 3 ends of 5 arrows at 60, 50 and 40 yards.

It was my second time shooting at a range greater than 15 yards with this new bow.
Swanny gave me a fabuous set of WinAct medium 40 # carbon/maple limbs and I went out and bought a T-Rex riser,
a plunger and magnetic rest from the TT store.

It was a very humbling experience. I shot 61 at 60 yards followed by 65 at 50. I figured this was a new bow and I still haven't worked out my gaps. At 40 yards I had 37 on the first end and 41 on the 3rd. For the middle end my brain went into vaporlock and I shot a miserable 21. Still 99 total at 40 got me psyched! I figure 2 - 3 more weekends to get my gaps down. Then If I can just get my form straight and keep a smooth release...

[SteveGabriel]

...This 900 round stuff is FUN!

[Desert Archer]

For anyone interested, I just shot an American 900 round at the 2007 Western States Police/Fire Games. My competition was a barebow compound shooter (they follow NFAA rules and classes/styles).

I started out poorly and only managed to break 200 at 60 yards with a final end that was pretty good. Score for 60 was 205. At 50 yards I shot a personal best for that distance of 263. Then I lost my focus and did worse at the easier 40 yards with a 255.

Total was 723 out of the 900 possible.

Dave

[gitnbetr]

I shot the Belton 900 in Belton, Texas August 19 or so. I developed blood clots in my left calf the day after, and didn't post the score because I had to deal with that. I'm all better now and getting back in shape. At Belton, I shot a 762 if I remember correctly. Recurve barebow. I'm in the 740's in practice now, but getting stronger.
I'm planning to shoot the Aggie Indoor weekend after this, but no one has entered in barebow, so I'm going to shoot Master 60+ Recurve. It's FITA type stuff. There are only 4 of us at this point, but the reigning state champion is shooting, so the competition should be good. I haven't put my indoor rig together yet, so I will be shooting my outdoor rig. Those skinny little ACE's may cost me a few points. :), not to mention a 47# bare bow.

[Desert Archer]

betr,

That line from the old movie comes to mind..."You're a better man than me, Gungadin." (smile)

Dave

[gitnbetr]

DA,

Just remember you're one of the main characters who got me started doing this kind of shooting!

Thank you.

Now my dream is to get to Arizona and shoot one of those field shoots with you.

[Desert Archer]

I always shoot a little better when there is a good shooter out there with me. I'd be delighted to have you shoot our field course. Bring that other Texan along with you (I think his name is rusty - lol) and I'll talk my new field shooting partern into joining us. We can have a full 4 man, recurve squad. That would be a treat!

Dave

[polkcavediver]

I am fairly new to tradition archery, and I shoot instinctive, and practice out to 30 yards. How would one train to shoot a 900 round the way I shoot. Do you look at the point of the arrow, and see what your yardage is if the point is on the bullseye? I have seen people make marks on their riser, but don't understand the technology. I would have to lauch several "scouts" to find the range. Any help would be appreciated.
John

[Desert Archer]

John,

The first step would be to establish your "point on" distance. That is the range/yardage at which, when the point of the arrow is in the middle of the target, that's where it lands. Once you know that, trial and error will tell you how much to hold over and under for longer and shorter shots. With a reasonably flat shooting bow the point of the arrow will still be on or close to some part of the target over about a 20 yard range.

Dave

[polkcavediver]

Hey Dave,
I went out to the archery range one day to try that. Broke three arrows hitting the top, or the bottom of the target butt. I did finally figure that by closing one eye and putting the point of the arrow on the bull, it came to be close to 55 yards. When I normally shoot, I don't see the arrow or the bow at all. I just look at where I am shooting with both eyes open and shoot. I guess I have to work on the longer shots more. I don't want to be limited to just 3-D and indoor.

[Desert Archer]

I am fairly new to tradition archery, and I shoot instinctive, and practice out to 30 yards. How would one train to shoot a 900 round the way I shoot. Do you look at the point of the arrow, and see what your yardage is if the point is on the bullseye? I have seen people make marks on their riser, but don't understand the technology. I would have to lauch several "scouts" to find the range. Any help would be appreciated.
John

John,

Haven't checked the "Shoot Scores" thread in some time and just noticed your question. Sorry this is several months late and hope you notice it.

Best advice I can offer is to come up with your point on distance first. The closer you can get it to 50 yards (the middle distance for the American 900) the better. When you know that you can use the 48" target to find a point of aim for 60 yards (probably near the top or over) and for 40 yards (bottom of the target or under). Then it's just a matter of practice.

To get that point on out there you may have to to to lighter arrows than you are used to or perhaps lowering your anchor point to raise your trajectory.

Dave

[SLR]

Dave, this weekend in Kenosha wi will be a 900/ I got talk into it last year with no practice and ended with 623?
This is a tough shoot 3 hours in the sun @ 90+ degrees

[Desert Archer]

SLR,

You have my sympathy. At the one I shot in June the temperature got to 98 but compared to the mid-West we had no humidity. I'll take near 100 degrees and single digit humidity over 90 degrees and the humidity I remember from my school years in Ohio. Focus on shot execution and try not to think about how miserable you are (LOL).

Good luck,
Dave

[SLR]

Ok, lets start with setup. Das Elite w/Winex limbs. 32#s @ 27" draw. ACE 670 cut 27.5 BHP, 250gs. Point on about 70yds. For this event we are string walking. Also, the regs allow powered arrows so I used it. This the second time I've tried this shoot. Oh, I shoot Sr master barebow.
Came out with a total of 578. 1 arrow broken and none lost. That was my Sat warm up for a field shoot on Sun. It was a great day, good friends and if I ever learn to hold steady on target my score mine improve! LOL

[Desert Archer]

You showed up and shot, which deserves recognition. Well done.

Got to ask though, what on earth are "powered arrows"? That one has me completely stumped.

Dave

[SLR]

When you use the arrow point in your sight pattern, ie string walking the point must be on the 10 ring. I pluged 2 of my tubes and added about an inch of baby powder. There you have it, a white point non glare every shot. With my eye sight I take all the help I can get. Did I mention I did not have 50 and 60 ranges on my tab at the start of the shoot?:sbrug:

[Desert Archer]

OK...I guess. (smiley face goes here) With my 60 year old eyes I put the fuzzy thing on the fuzzy thing (LOL). It's all been out of focus for several years now.

Dave

[SLR]

Beware if you try it. The strange looks are because they think you just got your diaper changed!LOL

[BigCnyn]

I am off to Boise for the Fire and Police Olympics. I shoot the 900 round thursday morning.... Last shot today for score...725 and had a bad 60 yard end complete with 1 Zero.. aghhhh... any way will let you all know how my first 900 for score goes,, wish me good shooting... out..

[Desert Archer]

Shoot well BC.

Dave

[Esquire]

Alright Dave - I'm getting a 48" Ethafoam target matt to try this 900 round thing properly!

I went to this link - hope it's a decent deal -

http://www.amazon.com/Target-Mat-Wound-Ethafoam/dp/B0018QOACO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1219251390&sr=8-13

[Desert Archer]

Esquire,

Hey, never heard of or saw that target matt. Looks like a good deal if it holds up and the 48" will take a 122 cm FITA face.

Let us know how you like the 900 round after you try it.

Dave

[Esquire]

Dave,

i just got it in. It took them extra time to ship it. I will measure it tomorrow. It looks/feels like a solid face and I think it will accomodate the correct face...

Mike

[Esquire]

OK. I still haven't had time to even bring it home! : (

[Rednef]

Last weekend shot the CA State 900 round. Long bow, wood arrows, off the shelf. Shot a 670. Personal best in 3 years of trying it.

[Desert Archer]

Red,

I am totally impressed. Well done!

Dave

[gitnbetr]

Hello Dave. I've been without internet for a while, but have shot 2 900 rounds. We had a strong cross wind at the state 900 championship and I shot a 702 traditional. Two weeks later at the Belton 900, I shot a 782 traditional.

[Rednef]

Thanx DA. At the shoot I only pulled arrows. I purposefully ignored what the score was. I didn't know what my score was until it was all over. Seriously surprised myself because last year I only shot 575!

[Desert Archer]

Hello Dave. I've been without internet for a while, but have shot 2 900 rounds. We had a strong cross wind at the state 900 championship and I shot a 702 traditional. Two weeks later at the Belton 900, I shot a 782 traditional.

That tops my PB of 755 by quite a bit (LOL). Not sure I'm going to live long enough to practice enough to get to the 780s...but I gotta try. Excellent barebow shooting by the way!

Dave

[cliff77]

Yesterday shot my first 900. Got a 566. Bought my first bow 8 months ago and I'm hooked. 50 and 60 were tough, couldn't see where I was hitting. I'm going to need a scope to see what's happening. Had a blast though, my arm got a real workout. Already thinking about a lighter setup for this many arrows.
Hope to do better next time.

[John49]

Last year I shot the 900 with my olympic recurve barebow, split finger, and aluminum arrows. My best was 676. This year I will be switching to a Fox Triple Crown longbow. Haven't decided whether to use wooden or aluminum arrows, our state organization here in PA allows us to use either in trad class, kinda leaning toward wood thou. Can't wait to try it with the new setup.

[longbowguy]

Want a goal? Here's a good one. Howard Hill's best American round was a 680. Shoot for that.

Want an easier goal? My best with a longbow and wooden arrows is 650.

But a 600 would be pretty good, so work on that first. Good luck with it. - lbg

[Desert Archer]

I just shot in the first of 3 Senior Olympics events we have in Arizona over our outdoor season (Fall, Winter, Spring). Turned in a disappointing 690. That is face walking in Barebow class. My best for the SO was a 716 year before last. I was in a slump last year and apparently haven't crawled all the way out. Next one is in Tucson at the end of January. By then I should have my 21st Edge longbow and be used to it. May just shoot that for the challenge. (smile)

Dave

[canshooter]

I shot my first ever 900 round In Metres, earlier this summer, crosswinds were gusting to 70 kms/hr got a 575. Shot my second ever last weekend, missed with the first arrow and ended up with a 677. I'm not too disappointed. (Barebow, three under).

[barebowguy]

I shot a 816 yesterday at one of our local archery ranges, it was one of those days that everything felt right, man I love those days.

[barebowguy]

We had a regional championship 900 round yesterday and I shot a 816 again.
No sight no stabilizer.

[Scooter]

Well done Alan. I have yet to break 800 but it is on my goals list.

[barebowguy]

I think you have the skills to do it scott

[gitnbetr]

Scott,
When you shoot an 800 or better, that might be just enough to get me to find time to pick up a bow again. I would appreciate it if you would wait until Spring, though.
Mike

[barebowguy]

I shot the California state 900championship today and shot a personal best of 819 a new state record for trad class

[Scooter]

Good job congrats.

[Locomo]

819, thats Smok'in!. I only know about the round what I've read above. Obviously
the 60yd is the toughest but to average over 9 pts per arrow is some outstanding shooting Barebow!. Well Done!. By what margin did you eclipse the old record?.

[barebowguy]

819, thats Smok'in!. I only know about the round what I've read above. Obviously
the 60yd is the toughest but to average over 9 pts per arrow is some outstanding shooting Barebow!. Well Done!. By what margin did you eclipse the old record?.

The old record was 805 set in 2009. I think this is a great round to shoot for us trad guys because the target is so big

[2413gary]

Wow way to go Allen Got me a new Formula but was hoping for 800 but 819 WOW don't think the BH guy's will top that WAY TO GO!!!
GARY

[Scooter]

Mike it might be spring for me too although I hope not. Crazy year and I haven't picked up a recurve since July.

[Locomo]

bbg,

Well a 819, that has raised the bar way up!. That's not eking by the old record by a point or two. Friend that's gonna be tough to equal or best. That will definitely give you/others something to shoot for. I'm always curious as to what others shoot for equipment, make, length, weight, etc. What yours please?.

[barebowguy]

My riser is a spigarelli 2001 VBS with 48# MK 1440 limbs the arrows are Easton acc 3/49full length (390 spline) with 100 grain tips

[Locomo]

Thanks!.