Is black masking tape acceptable in lieu of pasters?

Yesterday I needed some target pasters but could not find them at the sporting goods section in Walmart. But I did find black masking tape in the arts and crafts section. It was $2.50 for a 1"x60' roll, so I bought some. It sticks to targets well. I can tear off any size I want. I am now using white and black masking tape instead of buying pasters. I like how the rolls of masking tape don't tend to unreel themselves and spiral around like a slinky as the paster rolls do. I also calculated that the black masking tape is 3.3 times more economical. The white masking tape is 39 times more economical. 

I think that for informal matches in which we re-use targets and paste over them, the masking tape would work well. I would hope using masking tape is acceptable at high power rifle matches, in situations that require pasting, such as when I'm working in the pit, pasting over my partner's holes. It holds just as well as pasters, and it tears off the roll easily. I can tear off some squares before I need them to be ready.

For pistol matches, masking tape (cream colored) or regular pasters are generally used outside the repair center.  The repair center for pistol targets covers the complete black so no (black) pasters are needed.

If it's an informal match, you can do what ever everyone present agrees on.
If you're the one doing the work, then you do is best for you and the first complainer is the next cook.

I've been using masking tape for years as target pasters.  When I hit the black, I just color the tape with a black sharpie marker.  So I say for practice, do what you wish.

You can buy a years worth of targets for 50 bucks shipped from USA Targets or Targets USA I never get it right! Lol

I never saw the benefit of using pasters in pistol.

In matches you swap out the center and tape up the errant holes or even just swap out a target.

For practice I put up a full target then swap out centers after 20-30 shots. If I’m training i put up a collection of 4-6 centers and work those. After 10-15 shots per center I need a target break anyways.

CO1Mtn wrote: I like how the rolls of masking tape don't tend to unreel themselves and spiral around like a slinky as the paster rolls do. I also calculated that the black masking tape is 3.3 times more economical. The white masking tape is 39 times more economical. 

I think that for informal matches in which we re-use targets and paste over them, the masking tape would work well. I would hope using masking tape is acceptable at high power rifle matches, in situations that require pasting, such as when I'm working in the pit, pasting over my partner's holes. It holds just as well as pasters, and it tears off the roll easily. I can tear off some squares before I need them to be ready.

Used paster's for quite a few years with the same irritations. Still have a half dozen rolls left, but I switched over to masking tape a few years back. I'd never go back.

I remember my very first 45 match at a range in Duarte, CA in 1980.  After watching my activity with pasters, the match director had me use a new full face target at every target change.  A bit embarrassing but it speeded things up a bit.

I used so much masking tape my first few years I should have been sponsored by 3M

It's always fun watching bullseye shooters trying to weave a 50 yard target out of masking tape......

CR

I just made up these repair targets to speed up the taping for my first few matches.

I've been known to end up doubling the weight of the target backer with pasters.
Sometimes I'll throw a few off completely to give the repair guy a break.

STEVE SAMELAK wrote:I've been known to end up doubling the weight of the target backer with pasters.
Sometimes I'll throw a few off completely to give the repair guy a break.

Way to go Steve!
Not many would be so kind and considerate.
You are indeed a gem amongst riverstones.

Hit black and you don’t need the white ones! Lol

Throw them far enough out and you don't need staples or repair centers.

Greetings,

The 25 Meter International Rapid Fire/Center Fire Duel target has a 24" diameter black.

Black tape was very common for repairs.

Cheers,

Dave

At our club we tell the shooters that if you need more than 3 or 4 pasters, put a full face on. 4 or 6 staples and your done. masking tape, and other inventions for repairs only slow the line down, additionally if it rains the repairs can fall off. If that happens how do you score the shots. If a shooter is repairing 5,6, or 7 holes it just slows everything down. Use a full face (it's included in your match fee)