Cheap reactive targets

[Kyle M.]

I'm getting bored with punching holes in paper and we all know bottles, cans, and buckets of water make fun targets. Watermelons and pumpkins do as well. The problem is watermelons are expensive and I haven't seen any pumpkins growing yet this year. If I had a lead on some 5 gallon buckets I'd use those. For now I'm using up the multitude of milk and fruitjuice jugs my family goes through, but 5 gallon buckets of water and large fruits/vegetables are more fun. Any body got any good ideas for cheap and easy targets that react when hit with a 300gr. .375 bullet at 2500fps?

Mods feel free to move if this is the wrong section. I didn't see anything that seemed to pertain to targets.

 

[hso]

If you search General for "reactive targets" you'll get a truck load of suggestions.

 

[bruzer]

Made these steel targets from scrap laying around the yard. Chevy truck leaf springs will take a Desert Eagle .50 cal round and leave a slight dimple. .22, 9mm, .40 and .45 only scratch the paint off. .223 rounds go straight through. Set up and take down in a minute and no trash left behind.
Good luck and stay safe,
Mike

 

[HARV6]

At 50 yards a one gallon can of pizza sauce hit with a 300win mag is rather entertaining. You might want to wear a raincoat though.

 

[mljdeckard]

We have a tradition of going to the farmer's market the day after halloween to take pumpkins off their hands.




D)

 

[Kyle M.]

At 50 yards a one gallon can of pizza sauce hit with a 300win mag is rather entertaining. You might want to wear a raincoat though.

Sounds like it's worth a try

We have a tradition of going to the farmer's market the day after halloween to take pumpkins off their hands.





D)

I was thinking about that only about a month to go.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

These are my favorite (reusable) reactive targets. Very easy to setup and a great way to stay sharp.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/3-1922543

 

[firesky101]

charcoal is fun, cheap and lightweight.

 

[Inebriated]

There are these $2 8-packs of mini-can Pepsi's... I get a couple of those for the range. They're REAL fun with a .243 and some Hornady 58gr Superformance.

 

[shotgunjoel]

An old tennis ball works pretty good. Spent shotgun hulls are fun for close-range 22 blasting. What I do is shoot at a hull ~5 yards away with my 22/45. Each time you hit it it'll generally fly a little bit farther away, sometimes it'll fly 3-4 yards.

 

[Big_E]

2 Liters of Club Soda explode pretty well. You don't even need to shake one up for it to spray all over when opening it normally.

Ask the grocery store if they have any old produce they need to throw out.

I prefer to use biodegradable targets so you don't need to worry about cleanup of trash.

Then there is always Tannerite... But that isn't really cheap.

 

[CZguy]

Chevy truck leaf springs will take a Desert Eagle .50 cal round and leave a slight dimple.

I'll bet that Ford springs wouldn't even leave a dimple.

Sorry I couldn't help myself.

My favorite is hard boiled eggs with a .22

 

[dab102999]

Hit your local bars and resturants. I have got countless numbers of 5 gallon buckets from there for making sour kraut. Also they have many nut containers from gordons that make great targets and reloading case holders too.

 

[bruzer]

Ford springs are so tough I was afraid of rounds bouncing off!!!
Couldn't find any scrap Ford springs because they are still driving them!!! Haha
Mike

 

[Kyle M.]

Ford's so tough I was afraid of rounds bouncing off!!!
Couldn't find any scrap Ford springs because they are still driving them!!! Haha
Mike

Ain't that the truth

 

[dredd]

I'll have to try the Hard Boiled Eggs.
I have been blasting them raw, which is a lot of fun!

As mentioned, Charcoal works well. It is also easy to paint. Makes for some fun long range play.

 

[stubbicatt]

Charcoal? You mean like briquets?

 

[BearGriz]

Potatoes.

They work with any caliber (even .22's), they are always in season, they are cheap, and I don't feel that bad about not picking up the remains (biodegradable). They don't make the most spectacular explosions, but they are fun.

For larger calibers, you can look for the larger baking ones.

I also like to have a can of orange spray paint handy for any ad hoc targets (such as the ones discussed in this thread).

 

[SouthernYankee]

We may be the only ones who do this, but you know those Ketchup or jelly packets they give handfuls of when you go to Wendy's, Burger King etc. don't just throw them out. We tack them to plywood after we roll one end to compress the contents. Cheap, really works your accuracy shooting and the results are certainly visually satisfying. Best of all, doesn't matter what you shoot handguns, long gun, shot gun or caliber it makes a more reactive experience. Oops, I forgot, try putting them on your favorite silhouette target you can really see the results (forget just holes).

 

[BearGriz]

These are my favorite (reusable) reactive targets. Very easy to setup and a great way to stay sharp.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/3-1922543

+1 I have one of the cube ones and I really like it. I want to get more.

 

[danweasel]

That leaf spring target is fantastic!

I got my kids to make me some little monsters out of clay and then we eliminated them with ye olde .22 rifle. That was pretty fun.

 

[spence]

Golf balls from salvation army type stores are cheap and REALLY bounce when hit!

 

[Kyle M.]

I saw those at my lgs maybe I'll go get one.

 

[oneounceload]

Large balloons filled with water and some form of coloring agent - food dye, koolaid, water based paint or similar

Old paint cans filled with water with the lid on tight and placed upside down will launch skyward when hit with a high-powered rifle

Golf balls are great as well

 

[aarondhgraham]

Water bottles filled with kitty litter, wrapped in orange tape,,,

Water bottles filled with kitty litter, wrapped in orange tape.

Toss a few downrange and roll them out of sight.

Aarond

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