exploding target mix, and other fun range toys

[Skillet]

So a while back, I got some exploding target mix (I forget what it is called) for my birthday, And I happily trudged out to the range to set it off inside of a pumpkin, for added effect. I was using a 30-06, and I took my shot- and nothing. later inspection noted 3 holes in it (Took extra shots) and no boom. I was extremely disappointed. I mixed it for days but still nothing. What is up with this stuff?
anyways...
Also, what is your favorite things to shoot at out at the range? what is the most challenging? Any home made concoctions or objects that you found the most enjoyable? let me know! I would love to try something new.

 

[Ryanxia]

Don't forget after you mix it it's illegal to transport it.

I prefer steel plates myself just because I can get longer range and hear when I'm hitting without having to stop and look. Playing cards can be fun, also if you have a buddy you can take turns shooting a target and seeing if the other person can hit your bullet hole.

Gatoraide in the snow is fun too. And those little rubber balls that bounce all over when you hit them.

 

[wally]

I mixed it for days but still nothing

That is probably your problem. The slow reaction of the mixed components likely rendered it inert.

Needs to be mixed and used shorty thereafter, its why is still available, because it has less terroristic usage potential than fireworks, propane, gasoline etc.

+1 to steel plates, enough noise to tell you've hit or not and inexpensive in the long run.

 

[mcdonl]

Also check your fire class day. I have been to some nasty fires on Class 3+ days from exploding targets.

That being said, when done right they are awesome.

 

[essayons21]

I believe the Star reactive targets, which are considerably cheaper than Tannerite, are just a mix of ammonium nitrate pellets and fine mesh aluminum powder. Both of which are easily available in quantity if you want to mix your own targets on the cheap. However, unlike Tannerite, straight AN-Al is not as sensitive and will only effectively go off with high velocity rounds.

Your 30-06 should have set it off. My suspicion is mixing it for days was counterproductive. Pour the Al in and shake it for a few minutes, then shoot.

 

[MagnumWill]

targets on the cheap. However, unlike Tannerite, straight AN-Al is not as sensitive and will only effectively go off with high velocity rounds.

You just described Tannerite - I've got a hunch that they're the same thing. If you're using ANY AN/Al mix, it truly comes down to how well you saturate the AN with the aluminum sensitizer. I keep the uncollected Al in the mixing jar to ensure total saturation for subsequent batches. You MUST have a high velocity rifle to set it off. My friend's AK even sometimes has a hard time setting it off (his success rate is about 1 of 3). .223 and 7.62X39 out of my long-barreled AK (RPK) will do it every time.

Star/Tannerite/whatever is mucho fun.
2 pounds at 50 yards inside a small valley? Wowsers!
But seriously, be careful with it.

 

[r1derbike]

I seem to recall an incident on the net where someone used an excessive amount of tannerite to destroy something, and an asphabet soup agency got involved after a complaint, and charges were filed. I can't provide the link, or verify the story, other than I read it.

Just a heads up to follow the laws to the letter.

 

[essayons21]

MagnumWill,

Tannerite is much more sensitive and reliable than the Star/ AN-Al mix.

It does have an AN base, but has a fancier blend of powdered metal. I believe it is aluminum, titanium, and zirconium powder.

 

[silicosys4]

"Nuclear plant goes on high alert after explosion in truck

1/14/2008 11:29:24 AM

Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

RED WING -- Workers at the Prairie Island nuclear plant were put on high alert temporarily on Sunday after a man blew up an explosive in a dump truck box about a mile away, authorities said.

According to Goodhue County Sheriff Dean Albers, a Welch Township man used explosives he had ordered through the mail. The blast was triggered from 300 yards away with a shot from a .50-caliber rifle. "It was quite an explosion," Albers said.

Chunks of metal flew about a quarter mile, including over a nearby public road. And "there's nothing left of the (steel) dump box," the sheriff said this morning.

The blast was heard and felt more than a mile away at the Prairie Island nuclear power plant, alarming the plant's security force.

Mike Wadley, site vice president of the plant, said the plant was put under heightened security from about 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. until officials could determine what had happened. He said security workers at the plant's gatehouse "heard a loud noise" and felt the station's windows rattle around 5 p.m. The plant returned to normal activity once investigators established that the incident was not connected to the plant, he said.

Sheriff's deputies learned from the landowner that the dump box had been packed with 100 pounds of an explosive called Tannerite, which is legal to send through the mail. The blast also occurred on the man's property. The land owner provided a videotape of the explosion, Albers said. He and a group of people had set it up and watched it occur.

The Goodhue County Attorney's office is checking to see if any laws were violated.

"Sending debris flying that far across a public roadway public roadway ... is of concern to us," Albers said. Also of concern, he said, is that that much explosive could be purchased legally and sent through the mail."

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/14684-50-bmg-100-lbs-tannerite-dumptruck-nuclear-plant-alert.html

 

[Ankeny]

Both of which are easily available in quantity ...

Powdered Al is readily available, prilled ammonium nitrate at the required percentage is not exactly "readily" available.

 

[Jim Mac]

not exploding targets but with all the trash that gets left behind by idiot shooters around here. I started taking blocks of ice to shoot. That stuff shatters like glass and leaves a wet spot in the desert when your done. jim

 

[essayons21]

Powdered Al is readily available, prilled ammonium nitrate at the required percentage is not exactly "readily" available.

Drug store instant-cold packs are .5 lbs of pure prilled AN

 

[jstein650]

Flash powder is impressive and an awful lot of fun ('course you need a permit), old golf balls, & 2 liter soda bottles with food coloring are a staple too.

 

[Grayrock]

I had bought a case of Tannerite a couple of years ago and had great fun using it over about a 2 year period. After it was gone I bought one jar of the Star brand. I hit that jar of Star 3 different times with no effect. I shall not buy it again.

 

[jstein650]

What the heck is in 'STAR'? I can tell you, a few grams of real Flash will serve to detonate even crude Tannerite, or AN/Al mix, with even a .22LR impact. Done it. BANG!