Target paper mixture?? Clay?

I'll take the witness stand and swear/affirm I read this from a reliable source:

That the good target paper for BE and others I'm sure, has a bit of clay mixed in the slurry to aid in cleaner holes.

I've called both National and American Tgt and another one in Roseville, MI and no one knew of anything of the sort.

Like I say, I'd bet on it as when I read it, being a toolmaker, my first thought was "boy, those cutting knives must have a short life."

If I dreamed this or an i'net hoax, please straighten me out.

Thanks, Tom
NRA LIfe '76

Calcium carbonate and "clay" are the two most common coatings for fine paper. I am an expert on everything I can google and find answers too.  

I think probably a principle in the shop outside of Detroit, mentioned that clay was used to get a shine on paper.

However, we all know we're not looking for any reflectivity on our targets.  My curiosity remains high.

I thought the foundation for clean holes in targets is using short-fiber paper.  As in, just from wood, no cotton, slurry up and stir the slop a lot to break the fibers down short.

I also suspect there is something in the binder or adhesive as well.

As a collige stoodint, my PR classes taught me that clay-coated paper was for not just shiny finish, but extremely smooth finish. It is not always shiny. The clay *can* also let a thinner paper be a bit more durable.

I could always tell if a book was on clay content paper. They are HEAVY. Target stock tends to be light. Clay paper seems to have, at least in the past, been popular for cookbooks.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Best target paper for great clean holes is Kruger targets:
http://www.kruger-us-targets.com/

Ask them about clay content.

My supplier (Alco Targets) told me years ago that any of the targets marked "NRA Official" have to use a specific type of paper as specced by the NRA. Perhaps one could contact the NRA and find out more about the paper chemistry.