Measure target distance

Hi
This may be simple,  but I'm wondering the correct way to set up a target distance .
Do you measure from where you are standing or where the muzzle of the gun will be ?
Thanks, Tom

I believe it's from the shooter side of the bench. I could be wrong. Let the experts chime in...

Dave

NRA Precision Pistol Rules - January 2020

6.1 Firing Line
The firing line is immediately in front of the several firing points. All ranges are measured from this firing line to the face of the targets when targets are hung in their proper firing position.

5.5 Firing Position 
...No portion of the shooter’s body may rest upon or touch the ground
in advance of the firing line.

To answer your question directly. You measure from where you are standing, your muzzle may be forward of the firing line. Also, depending on your caloric intake, your waist may also extend over the firing line as long as it's not touching the ground.

I believe the firing line is a toe line you must stand behind whether there is a bench or not.

Always refer to the rulebook for the type of event and the organization that governs it, for questions of this type....quite often perceived experts are not so expert.

OK got it. 
Thanks, Tom

In brief, you (your feet) have to be behind the firing line.  In reality, see below. 

Since we recently rebuilt our 25 yard line turning targets, I  had to do some research.  Here is a very brief summary. 

You will find most ranges will be laid out with the distances measured from the front edge of the bench to the target. This provides some safety margin in regards to the distance requirements given below.  

The NRA range guidelines provide that the measurements should be 25 yards +/- 3 inches and 50 yards +/- 8 inches.  However there is a note in another section of the NRA guide that range measurements less that the prescribed distance (the minus part above) are not acceptable.  So the language is a little confusing. I would err on the plus side and measure from the front of the bench to a distance of 25 or 50 yards with no minimum.   

(Side note, I have observed the range operations at Perry on a couple of occasions and it appears they used the front of the benches there but I was not close enough either time to guarantee that was the exact position / measurement on the tape.  If anyone knows for sure, I'd love to hear from them.) 

In addition, since the shooter is required to stand behind the bench or other structure (if there is one), and cannot touch the bench in any manner [even with just clothing, even your pants leg touching the cross brace for the benches at Perry, which you will be warned about 5.5 below]; the shooter is also limited to the encroachment to the firing line by the bench at each range.  

However I have found that most ranges (and the benches at Perry) can usually accommodate the shooter's standing position and still get the extended arm / pistol to the firing line distance or even a little over. Some ranges will also have a "firing line" mark on the concrete floor under the bench as well, so the shooter can be aware of his foot position.  

5.5 Firing Position - Standing, gun held in one hand only, the other hand being used in no way to support the gun; all portions of the shooter’s clothing, body and gun clear of artificial support. Competitors will take their position at their numbered firing point in such manner as not to interfere with competitors on either side. No portion of the shooter’s body may rest upon or touch the ground in advance of the firing line. 

And by the way, if you want to read the NRA Range book, good luck and bring a couple days worth of food and water and a tent because you will get lost.  

CR

See page 14 of the current NRA Rule Book or page 19 of the current CMP Service Pistol rule book.  The shooter stands directly behind the firing line.  The bench is positioned in front of the firing line.

Our range doesn’t have fixed target lines. You can set up your target at the distance you want.so I set my shooting box on the table at the firing line and use a laser range finder to set my target at the right distance.

Not entirely on-topic or related to the OP's question, but when I was a younger man I was a caddy. I have an uncanny ability to step off yardage accurately, and I use it whenever I'm at a range that's a little more "rustic", or to gut check when the firing line distances seem "off".

Here is a consideration if the bench is in front of the firing line: 

If the whole bench is positioned in front of the firing line (back edge of the bench at the designated firing line for calculating target distance); the competitors foot cannot be "under" the bench at all. As soon as the shooter puts any part of the foot on the ground forward of a vertical plane from the back of the bench to the ground they will be in violation of the rules.  That's why most benches are positioned as they are; otherwise the shooters are in a awkward position with respect to putting their guns on the bench between shots and any encroachment "under" the bench can be an issue.  When shooters are close enough to the bench to rest their guns easily on the bench, this usually results in the foot being past that line.  I did have this discussion at Perry and that is why you can have your foot under the bench there (although your clothing cannot touch the cross pieces under the table).

CR

CR10X wrote:Here is a consideration if the bench is in front of the firing line: 
If the whole bench is positioned in front of the firing line (back edge of the bench at the designated firing line for calculating target distance); the competitors foot cannot be "under" the bench at all. As soon as the shooter puts any part of the foot on the ground forward of a vertical plane from the back of the bench to the ground they will be in violation of the rules.  That's why most benches are positioned as they are; otherwise the shooters are in a awkward position with respect to putting their guns on the bench between shots and any encroachment "under" the bench can be an issue.  When shooters are close enough to the bench to rest their guns easily on the bench, this usually results in the foot being past that line.  I did have this discussion at Perry and that is why you can have your foot under the bench there (although your clothing cannot touch the cross pieces under the table).
CR

Our indoor range has a yellow line indicating where the firing line is. The benches are positioned with the back of the bench along the firing line. It is pretty obvious if you place your foot over the yellow line, since your body would be touching the bench.

CR10X wrote:So those benches go all the way to the floor,  like a wall or does the shooter just have to keep their feet behind the line and not crowd the bench too close?  Either way, that works.  At Perry there is no line on the ground and its done with the bench position as described.
CR

The benches have crosspieces which keep you from getting too close. It's pretty obvious if you are crowding the bench.

It seems to me that many of us have a bullseye counterbalance mounted around waist high that prevents our toes from going past the front of the bench.