Transporting and storing targets

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Pizzapinochle

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Trying to figure out the best way to get everything for a range trip to the range without 87 different bags and boxes.

Targets are giving me trouble.

I have a folder, but targets are different sizes and some don't fit. Some targets are very big and REALLY don't fit.

I have a cardboard tube that I can roll them in, but some targets (the shoot n' see ones in particular) don't like rolling and they come off their non-stick backing and start adhering to everything. Also, hard to remove one target at a time, you end up with a big pile getting blown away by the wind.

There are art portfolio bags like this...

http://www.amazon.com/Zippered-Nylon-Portfolio-Sleeve-Shoulder/dp/B0015AOQ5Y

But I don't really need to carry a huge number of targets, just enough for each type of shooting for the day.

What does everyone do?
 
I dont know the answer to your question but it seems I'm dragging everything but the kitchen sink lately when I go. All that crap and I still didn't have what I needed last trip...the spring and staple feeder in my stapler went "springing" out towards my target stand, never to be seen again. Now Ive added a second stapler to my "take to the range" gear. The list grows.......
 
I used to drag all manner of stuff to the range as well. Paper targets were always a challenge. Unless I was shooting only rimfire, they never fit in my bag. I always rolled the larger ones, and just dealt with it.

I did find a solution recently, though ... I married a woman who likes to shoot and lives on 15 acres. Problem solved (for me, anyway)!
 
I use a large flat Tupperware type container that measures about 32 x 15 x 4 inches. My large targets fold nicely into it and small handgun targets just lay flat in the thing. The lid snaps on and off. Additionally everything target related goes in there, target spots, two staplers, staples, tape and just about anything else. Large targets unfold just fine. The thing lays nicely in my truck. Not sure who really makes it as I call everything that is a plastic container Tupperware.

Ron
 
You know, I should open a target range around here with lockers that you can rent. That way all your stuff can stay there. Anybody ever seen or heard of that? My wife actually had the idea a few months back when we were brainstorming business ideas but I Kind of forgot about it.
 
Targets are a pain in the butt.

For the big ones (full size paper silhouettes) I roll them up and put them lengthwise on the top of my Midway deluxe range bag, under the handles/straps. For the sturdier paper/plastic types that are too big to fit in the bag or on the top, well, they are just a pain in the butt and I don't know.
 
Potatohead said:
You know, I should open a target range around here with lockers that you can rent. That way all your stuff can stay there. Anybody ever seen or heard of that? My wife actually had the idea a few months back when we were brainstorming business ideas but I Kind of forgot about it.
Click to expand...
Several clubs I know of offer locker space. I never bothered with it. Years ago I gave some thought to opening a range (strictly outdoors). There gets to be quite a bit to it, especially a public range. Insurance is a big deal and costly among other things. The NRA offers up plenty of good plans and suggestions.

Anyway, below is the Tupperware gizmo I mentioned earlier. The targets on the left laying on the lid are 100 yard rapid fire targets so in reality the thing is pretty good at 32" wide. When I am at the indoor handgun range I just grab several of what I want and roll them up and drag them in with my handgun range bag.

Target%20Case.png

Ron
 
I make multiple trips. Back and forth from the garage where I store my targets and stands to the truck. Between the truck and the firing line, etc.... I don't think it is that much more effort or takes that much more time. When I load out I have a plan on what I want to do at the range that day. Some days I'll take four or five large silhouette targets, plus IDPA targets, other days deer size cutouts, and on others, "regular" round targets. I just lay them on top of everything else. It usually doesn't take more than three trips. One for the range bag and ammunition, one for the firearms, and one for the targets and target stands. Unload at the range in last-in-first-out order.
 
mokin said:
I make multiple trips. Back and forth from the garage where I store my targets and stands to the truck. Between the truck and the firing line, etc.... I don't think it is that much more effort or takes that much more time. When I load out I have a plan on what I want to do at the range that day. Some days I'll take four or five large silhouette targets, plus IDPA targets, other days deer size cutouts, and on others, "regular" round targets. I just lay them on top of everything else. It usually doesn't take more than three trips. One for the range bag and ammunition, one for the firearms, and one for the targets and target stands. Unload at the range in last-in-first-out order.
Click to expand...

That's nice when it works.

Some of us, like myself, use ranges open to the public, or to other people we don't know and may not have reason to trust, so leaving valuables on the range is probably not a good idea.

This limits me to two trips from the car. One for targets, stands, range mat, things that aren't too valuable, and another trip for firearms, ammo, range bag, whatever.
 
For my targets I just made a "folder" large enough using couple sheets of cardboard and duct tape as the binding along one edge. Poor man's portfolio.
 
I usually bring cardboard boxes to the range as "target stands". I stake them down to the dirt, and staple targets to them. I stuff the boxes with my paper targets when taking it all to the range, and stuff them back in the box when I'm done. Easy to travel with, easy to clean up.
 
range bucket

Paper targets store easily in my range bucket, which can be any 5gal to 7 gal plastic bucket. Drywall mud buckets, or paint buckets, are free.

There's room for staples, stapler, pens, markers, stickies, leather bench rests, ear muffs, safety glasses....
 
I made a folder out of two pieces of cardboard a little larger than my largest targets. Duct tape hinge on one side and a couple of binder clips to hold it closed. Poke a couple holes for an old shoe lace for a handle and your all set.
 
One day I had an upright laundry hamper that i used. It worked pretty well for me to put all my targets and stands and tape and ammo and cleaning stuff in.
 
Soon they will be selling containers for storing your gift wrapping paper again since Christmas is coming. I plan to get a couple to store my targets in out in the garage free from mice and other critters trying to stay alive in the winter.

For the targets I plan to shoot on a range trip, I just roll them up with the smaller ones inside.
 
Cardboard Box

A new or slightly used flattened cardboard box works well and lays flat on the backseat or floor of the truck and protects targets well from creasing and corners from being folded. I use a large or medium USPS flat rate box but for full size silhouette targets flat moving boxes can be purchased at Lowe's stores and such.
 
I usually just toss them in the trunk. Really I'll lay them flat, then lay a rifle case on top so they stay put. I also leave them in the plastic wrapper (with one end slit open) to help protect them . These days I travel pretty light when I go so that helps too. Just weapon ammo can and targets in wrapper. Works well enough for me.
 
After retiring from the business world, I ended up with a couple of items that have been converted into handy dandy target carriers.

First I converted an older Samsonite brief case into a carryall for letter-size targets. I keep my targets, stapler, spare staples, target dots of all kinds, and a couple of folders. It either stands up or lays flat in my Explorer.

The second thing I had was a Charpak storage tube by RapidDesign. It's an adjustable plastic tube with a screw lock lid and strap, and it handles rolled up targets. It was left over from the days before we had laptops and PowerPoint. It holds the larger 52-type NRA targets for rifle shooting. It'll also hold the large silhouette targets I use on the pistol ranges.

Just a thought.
 
I use containers made by Rubbermaid. All the targets I use fit in the 17 quart ones, even if they have to be wrapped around the corner a little.

I put them in the same container as my various bags, rests, and other accessories. It works very well.

Target stores and the like carry the containers.
 
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