Winning score RMAC/EBR - how good relatively?

[Centercut]

I’ve been thinking of how to compare just how well the winning scores have been compared to the other top shooters in that tournament. So for instance, which performance was better, the 229 at EBR 2022 or the 239 at RMAC 2023?

So I looked at post Covid “Majors” and played with some numbers. What I did was average the top 5 non winners in each event (2nd thru 6th),, and compare that to the Winners score.

So, here we go:

RMAC 2023, winner 239, next 5 avg 235, winning margin 1.7%.

RMAC 2022, winner 231, next 5 avg 222.8, winning margin 3.7%.

RMAC 2021, winner 228, next 5 avg 221.6, winning margin 2.9%.

EBR 2022, winner 229, next 5 avg 217.2, winning margin 5.4%.

EBR 2021, winner 222, next 5 avg 213.4, winning margin 4.0%.

So post Covid Major Pro 100Y BR, the most dominating performance was EBR 2022 with a 5.4% margin over the next 5 best scores, and surprisingly, the least dominating performance was RMAC 2023 with a 1.7% margin. Interesting… and it goes to show that score alone doesn’t indicate how well the winner did without a frame of reference.

 

[SpiralGroove]

IIRC, weren't wind conditions much milder at the 2023 RMAC, enabling many shooters to do well. Whereas other events saw larger margins because some folks are just better at reading the wind? Hence, another dimension of skill ...

 

[madeintheuk]

What it shows me, is it’s becoming much more competitive between shooters. More and more shooters are getting closer to winning, and that’s a good problem to have!

 

[gh6airgunner]

More shooters and more shooters are getting better. I also think if you look at the winning scores over the years it shows the guns are also getting much better. So then one would have to think about a way to measure whether it is more shooters, better shooters or better guns?
EBR winning scores over the years:
2022 - 229
2021 - 222
2020 -
2019 - 225
2018 - 215
2017 - 212
2016 - 217
2015 - 190
2014 - 239 75yd
2013 - 232 75yd
2012 - 177 75yd

 

[Centercut]

More shooters and more shooters are getting better. I also think if you look at the winning scores over the years it shows the guns are also getting much better. So then one would have to think about a way to measure whether it is more shooters, better shooters or better guns?
EBR winning scores over the years:
2022 - 229
2021 - 222
2020 -
2019 - 225
2018 - 215
2017 - 212
2016 - 217
2015 - 190
2014 - 239 75yd
2013 - 232 75yd
2012 - 177 75yd

Yes, that's why I just compared the past couple of years. I think what doesn't show are the weather conditions during the Finals. As seen by winning scores and top shooter averages on my OP, the weather is trickier at Rio Salado (EBR) than it is at RMAC... Pretty much same shooters, different ranges.

I did the post because sometimes one would think a "205" score isn't that great, but if the next five shooters averaged 185, then a 205 winning score is MUCH MUCH better than the 239 at RMAC with the next five average of 235...

 

[gh6airgunner]

Yes I see what you did but even the average scores continue to rise. Its not a bad thing the question I see becomes are the guns getting better or is it the shooters getting better.

 

[SpiralGroove]

Guns and shooters have gotten better .

- But also hard to compare different event conditions -> ie a football playoff game played in the snow & mud vs. indoors ...with no external elements other than fan noise. Do we see a difference in scoring in these games? -> Yes!

 

[Centercut]

Yes I see what you did but even the average scores continue to rise. Its not a bad thing the question I see becomes are the guns getting better or is it the shooters getting better.

Aside from the totally calm anomaly this year at RMAC, the average scores the past two or three years have remained fairly constant. RMAC 2021 and 2022, positions 2 - 7 are 221.6 and 222.8 (222.2 avg) and EBR 2021 and 2022 positions 2 - 7 are 213.4 and 217.4 (avg 215.4). On average, EBR has been about 7 points harder than RMAC... A small portion of this difficulty increase may be the slightly smaller targets, but also the trickier wind conditions.

 

[Troy Bakel]

IIRC, weren't wind conditions much milder at the 2023 RMAC, enabling many shooters to do well. Whereas other events saw larger margins because some folks are just better at reading the wind? Hence, another dimension of skill ...

On the Competition Rifle Range at Palmyra Sportsmen's Association I train along side NRA 6400 national winners, Small Bore 3 Position Junior Olympic shooters, and NRA High Power national winners and the wind conditions followed by mirage are the main factors affecting high scores for these four disciplines.

When they talk about past competitions both wind and mirage conditions at the time of the competition are always mentioned.

Our indoor small bore rifle /air rifle range is named after Jamie Beyerle Gray who won gold in the 2012 Olympics 50 meter rifle 3 position, outdoors in windy conditions, and was well known for shooting high scores in windy conditions.

As such, year over year comparisons of scores shot at outdoor events need some sort of weather correction.

 

[tommyb]

Yes I see what you did but even the average scores continue to rise. Its not a bad thing the question I see becomes are the guns getting better or is it the shooters getting better.

It’s both..