[gp911]

My current method is simple as simple gets: Sheet of plywood, painted white, with paper targets stapled to it. Does anyone have a different method, or is there a method that is more common than my hillbilly patterning board style? Just curious, as my method was self-derived, without guidance from those that have "been there" and "done that"... My forebears just shot at everything and figured it out from there, so patterning boards seem fairly technical in comparison... ;)


gp911

[ArmedBear]

Piece of cardboard shipping box, with a big dot spray-painted in the middle of it. Hang from, well, something.

Or a clay sitting in a mound of dirt that's dry enough to kick up dust. That's the quick way, if you just want to make sure the gun's regulated and hitting where you're pointed.:)

[Milkmaster]

If this pattern board is just for your own use, then a sheet of metal painted with a can of white spray paint can make it easy and not have to hunt up cardboard. Just spray a new coat lightly between shots and the new marks will show up next time. The paint dries quickly. You can always use cardboard over it should you wish to keep a pattern to study etc. The plywood will work in the same way. It just won't last as long as the sheet metal.
The most important thing is to have fun however you choose to do it!

[ArmedBear]

Nice thing about cardboard is that you can use it for buckshot or 9 shot.

Sheetmetal is fine for target loads of birdshot, but dents from the bigger stuff are kinda permanent.:)

[Two Cold Soakers]

I once made a frame (36"x36") of 2x2 lumber, with legs (like a realtor's sign)

On it I'd tape a sheet of 36" wide brown wrapping paper (got a 300 yd roll from the shipping department {and yes it was deducted from my pay})

Hard part was sticking it in the ground. Had to lean it against something, but it kept the paper still in the wind. It got scrapped after a season
If I was to do it again, I'd use #4 or #5 rebar, welded. The roll of paper should last many years.

Put a dot in the center (softball sized) and go to town.

Patterning a shotgun is the cat's eye.

[sm]

Pallet.
Four small eye bolts
Weed Eater string (picture hanging wire )
Clothes pins.

Two eye bolts are screwed into sides at the top.
Two eye bolts are screwed into sides at the bottom

Attach weed eater string/picture hanging wire at top and bottom.
This gives one TWO level horizontal lines.

Attach "patterning paper" or "cardboard" with Clothes pins at top and bottom.
Target stays straight and less affected by wind.


Notes: One can add additional eye bolts to sides allowing one to tie additional strings to fit different target sizes and shapes.

These hold up really well in all sorts of climates, easy to change targets, staple guns do not walk back to firing lines , easy to maintain (nail another slat if need) and when finally pallet needs replacing, toss into a burn pile.


Now you know what my high-dollar pattern boards / target stands have been.
My Mentors were doing this since before I was born.
OK, I admit, I still like the bailing wire best...

:D

[Two Cold Soakers]

Tape cadboard to saplings, lean it up against cattails, hang it from a wire fence do whatever you need to.

Pattern the gun. Many times, with many loads...

I especially like the pallet.

[sm]

.

[gp911]

Dang, I'm apparently pretty high tech!

Downright tactical, if I paint the board black and hang a laser on it... :D

"Simplicate and add lightness" as Colin Chapman would say... aka K.I.S.S.


gp911