Archie
Member
I have a number of different paper targets for various purposes.
For initial sight-in - I collect old military and some sporting rifles - so I prefer a large, clean surface and an aiming point. I found and bought a large roll of 'wrapping paper'. The sort used for packages. It is about three foot wide and as long as one cuts it. Staple that to a rifle stand (of the type at my range) and an aiming point in the middle. Even a very badly dialed out scope or iron sights that have been seriously whacked will register at 25 yards. Then adjust or beat to comply. Often, a shot that is six inches or more off at 25 yards will be off target completely and most of the time, untraceable. Saves much heartburn and bad words in my case.
Also, the wrapping paper can be used to trace a target shape for informal practice.
Paper plates are great for hunting rifles at range - after getting the rifle shooting on line. A six or eight inch circle is adequate for most hunting purposes. With the blank paper background, one can even figure the drop for range, presuming one has the shooting distance available. AND, a paper plate has room to note which rifle, load and what distance the group is fired. (I've learned to take notes the hard way.)
Similar are old 8.5x11 inch letter size sheets (I have a bunch from a past legislator). I use them for self defense pistols at handgun ranges. Anything on such a paper size will usually do for self-defense. Again, make notes of pistol, load and range. By checking at different ranges, one can see the trajectory of the round employed, and determine how far the arm is reliable in accuracy. (One's shooting, of course, should not condemn the arm.)
For more precision rifles, I print targets of my own design on regular typing paper. Something small with concentric circles, akin to bench rest targets, but with spaces to note rifle, load, range and other conditions.
I also print out 'traveller' papers to take to the range for load development. It lists the series of ammunition I am testing in a particular rifle. Shows chronograph readings, group size and displacement from aim point. Keeps me from being confused over results and which load.
Also, I used my computer to form a diagram of concentric circles, with diameter inch notations. Then I printed out the diagram on transparent plastic. I have a measuring mechanism now to check on group size without trying to figure where to hold my ruler.
For initial sight-in - I collect old military and some sporting rifles - so I prefer a large, clean surface and an aiming point. I found and bought a large roll of 'wrapping paper'. The sort used for packages. It is about three foot wide and as long as one cuts it. Staple that to a rifle stand (of the type at my range) and an aiming point in the middle. Even a very badly dialed out scope or iron sights that have been seriously whacked will register at 25 yards. Then adjust or beat to comply. Often, a shot that is six inches or more off at 25 yards will be off target completely and most of the time, untraceable. Saves much heartburn and bad words in my case.
Also, the wrapping paper can be used to trace a target shape for informal practice.
Paper plates are great for hunting rifles at range - after getting the rifle shooting on line. A six or eight inch circle is adequate for most hunting purposes. With the blank paper background, one can even figure the drop for range, presuming one has the shooting distance available. AND, a paper plate has room to note which rifle, load and what distance the group is fired. (I've learned to take notes the hard way.)
Similar are old 8.5x11 inch letter size sheets (I have a bunch from a past legislator). I use them for self defense pistols at handgun ranges. Anything on such a paper size will usually do for self-defense. Again, make notes of pistol, load and range. By checking at different ranges, one can see the trajectory of the round employed, and determine how far the arm is reliable in accuracy. (One's shooting, of course, should not condemn the arm.)
For more precision rifles, I print targets of my own design on regular typing paper. Something small with concentric circles, akin to bench rest targets, but with spaces to note rifle, load, range and other conditions.
I also print out 'traveller' papers to take to the range for load development. It lists the series of ammunition I am testing in a particular rifle. Shows chronograph readings, group size and displacement from aim point. Keeps me from being confused over results and which load.
Also, I used my computer to form a diagram of concentric circles, with diameter inch notations. Then I printed out the diagram on transparent plastic. I have a measuring mechanism now to check on group size without trying to figure where to hold my ruler.